TRIED

Take three nervous novices, The novices, Mark, Nicola and
some patient instructors and Mark, (yes, the guys have the same
send them out for the day.
name!) work in the tourism industry
&
One on land, one on water
locally. They were persuaded to do
and one in the air. To discover
exactly what they usually encourage
the truth about these
visitors to do: leave their comfort
TES
TED
so-called ‘fun’ activities.
zones and go head-fi rst (well, not
literally) into a new activity.
here’s the low-down, as told
by Mark 1, Mark 2 and Nicola.
Mark 1 Mark 2 Nicola
PADDLEBOARDING
‘Think I might have gone
hungry if I’d had to catch
my dinner this way.’
Mark 1 was the guest of
Gwent Adventures; his
instructor was Mike.
M
ar
k 1
{Q} What exactly is it? {Q} What’s needed?
{A} One of the fastest-growing sports to hit {A} Gwent Adventures provides a
the UK, paddleboarding was developed in wetsuit, buoyancy aid, board and paddle.
Hawaii hundreds of years ago as a means of All you need to take is a pair of shoes
stalking fi sh. It involves standing on a long, (with good grip to the soles) which won’t
wide, stable board and propelling yourself fall off. The shoes will get wet so beach
across the water using a long paddle. shoes or old trainers are ideal.
{Q} What were your expectations? {Q} What’s great about it?
{A} My level of fi tness is not what it once {A} There are no age or weight restrictions
was but this activity was sold to me as being and it doesn’t require the same level of
‘not too strenuous and requiring little skill’. skill as other watersports. Llandegfedd
Ideal. Even though I know this area well I Reservoir is very scenic and friends who
was still blown away by the beauty of my aren’t joining you on the water can
surroundings when I arrived at the reservoir. watch lots of activities including sailing
{Q} What’s the typical cost?
After donning a wetsuit and buoyancy aid, I and windsurfi ng.
{A} Around £15 per hour including tuition.
had some instruction on dry land fi rst then
ventured out on to the water. The board was
{Q} What’s not?
{Q} Where can you do it?
remarkably stable and I soon felt relaxed.
{A} It’s more diffi cult on a windy day
{A} On Llandegfedd Reservoir (map ref B6)
And I didn’t need help getting back to the
and can be cold if you fall in the water.
with Gwent Adventures.
shore at the end of the session; by that point
I didn’t!
gwent-adventures.co.uk.
I was steering the board pretty well.
visitwyevalley.com 13
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