Introduction
Wales offers excellent canoeing - upland and lowland rivers,
rugged coastlines, scenic lakes and a host of surf breaks for the recreational
paddler. There are world class competitive facilities at Bala, the Bitches and
Llangollen.
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The Welsh Canoeing Association manages canoeing in Wales, with
1800 individual members and 2000 members of affiliated clubs and centres. It
also manages an abundance of natural facilities for all BCU members. There are
formal access agreements on the Tawe, Twrch, Usk, Wye, Tryweryn, Ogwr, Lwyd, Glaslyn,
Conwy and Severn, and informal agreements on rivers and managed stillwaters. There are rights of navigation on sections of the Wye, Lugg, and Severn. The association puts in many hours of voluntary work with statutory
bodies, landowners and fishing interests. |
Picture © Keith Williams
http://www.sportpixs.co.uk |
The WCA manages Canolfan Tryweryn, the National Whitewater
Centre, which offers recreational and competitive canoeing and white water
rafting, with skills-based coaching and coach education. A network of regional
centres is being set up to support the development of clubs and disciplines.
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K2 on the Liffey Descent |
There is a Board of Directors, an Access team of 30 voluntary
workers and a Coaching and Competitions committee which represents the coaching
structure and competitive disciplines. The WCA employs eight full time employees
and a number of part time and casual staff. The Directors are responsible for
direction and policy, and monitoring the progress of the Association, with both
statutory responsibility and an obligation to represent members of the WCA.
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The Board monitors progress
against 10 key performance indicators in 8 priority areas, and has substantial
reserve powers used only in certain cases.
The officers of the Association are authorised to make decisions
between Board meetings, ensuring that the Association is run efficiently while
supporting the employees to make appropriate decisions. The employees of the WCA
and Canolfan Tryweryn are empowered to make decisions in the day-to-day running
on behalf of the Board, while bringing recommendations to Board meetings for
consideration in forming policy.
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