FESTIVAL -
1. INTRO
2. FESTIVAL EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
9. PARKING, TRANSPORT, RECOVERY & SHUTTLE BUS
Welcome to “The Info Pack”, which contains all you need to know about this exciting annual Event in the Paddlers Year for 2012. And you won’t be disappointed by the Magnificent Mawddach Estuary’s featured on “BBC’s Country File”. Especially in the month of May which is traditionally warm and dry in N. Wales.
Follow in the Footsteps of the renowned Writer, John Ruskin, who said:
“There is no better journey than from Barmouth through to Dolgellau other than from Dolgellau to Barmouth".
You’ll find there is a suitable Activity for Paddlers at all Levels of Experience. So come and enjoy it whilst “Helping Those in Need” at the same time.
This year we are supporting-
Hope House Children’s Hospice – Ty Gobaith and a number of Local Causes
See you on the Day.
From everyone at Mawddach Rotary Club & Canoe Wales.
2. FESTIVAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES-
Paddlers may enter the Event in any type of Canoe or Kayak.
1O km Mawddach Ascent for Paddlers-
Is an ideal way to experience and enjoy the magnificent surroundings of The Mawddach Estuary and the splendour of The Southern Snowdonia Mountains. With the normal prevailing Winds behind you, as well as the Tide, this 10km Ascent from Barmouth to Penmaenpool should easily be completed in around 1½ hours. With upto 3hrs of favourable tide and an “Open Start”, why not stop and explore on the way. Your destination at Penmaenpool offers a sheltered and secluded Bay, ideal for a Picnic, where Refreshments, Toilets and an excellent Pub/Hotel are close by. There will be a finishing memento for all paddlers completing the Ascent.
10 km Guided Paddle: Barmouth to Penmaenpool (PMP) Sunday
This will be a leisurely paddle for paddlers who can paddle 10km with tide assistance and cope with moderate conditions. The paddle will be led by experienced paddlers who will provide leadership and safety cover for the group. The leaders will also provide local information on the paddle. It is suitable for families, but those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent.
Participants are responsible for their own equipment, they may use canoes
or kayaks -
20 km Mawddach Charity Challenge-
Is aimed at those Paddlers who want to enjoy a more demanding Event, also giving you the opportunity to test your skills against Fellow Entrants. With a “Le Mans” Start the Charity Challenge is timed so that Paddlers will have the Tide under their Canoes in both Directions – From Barmouth to Penmaenpool and back to Barmouth.
You should be aware that usually on the return Leg; wind against tide conditions will prevail.
In the event of a large number of Entrants, the Start Time will be staggered from
11.300-
There will be a finishing memento for all paddlers completing the Challenge.
Hope House Challenge -
(two Canadian canoes lashed together with rigid poles NO sails allowed)
What a great event this is shaping up to be-
The main Adult Team Event of The Festival, with a Trophy for the winning Crew, is
raced over the same course as the 10 km Ascent for Paddlers but from Penmaenpool
to Barmouth with the Ebb Tide. In the event of severe wind against tide conditions
on the day, the race will be rescheduled for the Sunday -
Mawddach 10km Rafted Open Canoe Race for teams of 6 Paddlers – Saturday at 1300 from Penmaenpool
(2 Canadian Canoes lashed together with rigid Poles)
Due to the increased Entry this Year there will also now be a 2nd Rafted Canoe Race – racing from Penmaenpool back to finish in Barmouth Harbour – With the ebb tide but against the prevailing winds. This will make for a more demanding Challenge finishing in front of the Home Crowd!!
Harbour -
“Have a Go” Supervised Paddle, Fun Events & Canoe Demonstrations –Available in Barmouth Main Harbour, approx 2hrs either side of HW on both Days.
Paddler Development Classes-
The Course for the 10km Mawddach Ascent is from the Beach facing Barmouth Main Harbour, under the railway bridge and up the Mawddach Estuary to The George III Hotel at Penmaenpool, Nr Dolgellau.
See “Course Map” on the Toolbar.
The Course for the 20km Events is the same Ascent, turning at Penmaenpool and returning with the tide to Barmouth. At Low Water there is always a narrow but winding river channel (See OS Map 124 or Google Earth) through the Sandbanks, which on both the Flood and Ebb is the focus of the main Tidal Stream. The quickest route is not necessarily to follow the main channel but to use your judgement and observation to ascertain the best course – This is particularly relevant to those paddling the return leg back to Barmouth and which adds greatly to the challenge and fun of the Event.
The main Social Event of the Festival and an inexpensive way to wind down from the
days events and meet up with old friends – or Rivals!! A Ticket-
NOT TO BE MISSED.
5. PROGRAMME OF EVENTS -
N.B. Times may vary by upto 30 mins on the Day due to the affects of the Prevailing Weather on the Predicted HW Times.
Quayside Fun Programme & Entertainment throughout the Weekend
Trade Stands & Craft Stalls
Climbing Wall
Canoeing Displays
Static Displays from RNLI, Coastguard & many others
Tented Trade Village
Have a Go -
Lifeboat Demonstration
Bubbles the Clown
Sand Sculpture Competition
Have a Go -
Live Music
All day BBQ at Meirioneth Yacht Club
Raffles & Tombola
Entry may be made by Post, or on the Day during Competitor Registration Periods (See Programme of Events above).
Entry Forms are now available on this Website at “Entry Form” on the Main Toolbar at "Competitor Info". You can download a PDF Version for printing, from the top of the Entry Form Page itself.
N.B. There is an extra £2 Entry Fee per Seat for those Booking on the Day.
Sat Nav. or Google: “Barmouth” or “LL42 1HB”. Ref map O.S. 05613156/154
Barmouth Harbour and Yacht Club –
Car Park is Off the Promenade Rd.
In the event that the Turning at Harbour Crafts is Closed – Take Jubilee Rd and then take the next 2 turnings Left, parking at the far end of the Promenade Car Park nearest the Yacht Club.
Directions to Barmouth:
From Chester Direction; A494 to Dolgellau, then the A496
From Shrewsbury Direction; A458 to Dolgellau, then A496
From South Wales; A470 to Dolgellau, then A496
Everybody needs to Register their Arrival, at the Merioneth Yacht Club (LL42 1HB) to collect their Entrant Number and Confirm Contact Details, etc.
SAT REGISTRATION: 0830-
SUN REGISTRATION: 0800-
9. PARKING ,TRANSPORT, RECOVERY & SHUTTLE BUS
Parking in Barmouth on a busy W/E in May can be tight. You should allow plenty of time prior to arrival to allow for offloading Canoes and finding suitable Parking. Better still, come and spend a long, relaxing W/E in the Area.
We have, at the normal Daily Charge, (Currently £5) 115 Car Spaces adjacent to the Launch Site. We are also applying for a Street Closure along the Harbour Front which will allow us some “Unloading Only” Room for Heavy Loads/Trailers. Please see us on twitter
For those entering the 10km Mawddach Ascent, you will need either to arrange for a spare Driver to collect you from the Finishing Point at Penmaenpool or you can use the Shuttle Bus (£2 donation please) to return to Barmouth and collect your vehicle.
Please note that the Parking at Penmaenpool is very limited and has been reserved for your use as a “Pick up Point Only”, as otherwise Gridlock will ensue.
Anyone Retiring from the Event and coming ashore on the South side of the Estuary can avail themselves of a Recovery Service running on the adjacent “Mawddach Trail”. In this event, a small donation to our main Charity would be appreciated!
Don’t forget to inform the Festival Registration Office Tel; 07867 854798 of your Retirement from the Event.
Being a popular Seaside Resort, Barmouth has all the usual Services you would expect in a small town – as has Dolgellau. The Local Leisure Centre in Barmouth will have FREE hot showers available on Sundy from 12.00 to 15.30.
1. Suitable Buoyancy Aids must be worn by all Participants at all times .
2. Your Canoe/Kayak must be in a Seaworthy Condition with a fitted Spray Deck, if
appropriate. The Mawddach Estuary is an Open Water Estuary and conditions can be
quite demanding if the weather changes for the worse – especially on the return leg
from Penmaenpool-
3. All Participants under the age of 16 years must be accompanied at all times during the Event, by an Adult who is responsible for these minors.
4. All Participants need to be suitably clothed and equipped to deal with changeable Weather Conditions.
5. Participants must be able to swim wearing their paddling clothing.
6. Carrying a whistle is recommended
7. Equipment and Skills should be suitable for the Activity. You should be able to judge the conditions and changes in conditions, and have a plan to control this.
8. All Paddlers must follow the route and passage under the main wide arch of the Barmouth Railway Bridge.
9. The main Estuary Area above the Railway Bridge is not used very often by powered Craft, but Paddlers should be aware of their right to use the area between the Railway Bridge and The Clock House.
10. It is essential that all Paddlers at the end of their respective Event, and especially if they Retire, report their Name and Event No. to a Boat Marshal, and/or ring Race Control Tel: 07702 862763. This will avoid unnecessary searching for “Lost” Paddlers.
11. There will be a “Recovery Service” running on the Mawddach Trail on the South side of the Estuary for any Paddler who feels unhappy to complete their Event.
12. Prior to the Start on the Day, if you, or any member of your Group, feels unhappy to enter their Event, due to the Prevailing Weather Conditions, then they may request a Refund of their Entry Fee.
13. All Paddlers must keep a good lookout for Underwater Obstacles at all Times.
14. At the request of The Harbour Master, Paddlers in this Event are asked not to pass through, or paddle upstream of, the Wooden Toll Bridge at Penmaenpool, adjacent to The George III Hotel.
A full range of Accommodation is available in the Barmouth and Dolgellau Area through their respective Tourist Information Centres (TIC).
Barmouth TIC; Tel: 01341 280787
http://www.ukinformationcentre.com/north-
Welcome to Barmouth;
Dolgellau TIC: Tel 01341 422576
http://www.ukinformationcentre.com/central-
Please Email; paddlewales@mawddachrotary.com
SATURDAY 26th MAY
HW Barmouth: 12.15 BST @ 4.1mHW
George III: Between 12.45-
Competitor Registration/Entry 0830-
Competitor Briefings 0930-
Opening Ceremony 1020-
Celtic Invitation Event 1033
Hope House 10k Challenge
From Barmouth 1035
Quayside Fun Programme 1035-
Harbour Raft/Fun Races 1130-
Have a Go & Paddle Development 1130-
10km Rafted Canoe Race from
Penmaenpool 1300
Return of Celtic Longboats after 1400
End of Rafted Canoe Race after 1430
Award Ceremony at BBQ 1900
Music on The Quay 1830-
BBQ at Yacht Club 1830-
SUNDAY 27th MAY
HW Barmouth: 1301 BST @ 4.0mHW
George III: Between 1330-
Competitor Registration/Entry 0800-
Guided paddle briefing 1000
Competitor Briefings 1000-
10km Guided Paddle to PMP 1020
10km Ascent Open Start 1030-
20km Mawddach Challenge 1100-
Quayside Fun Program 1035-
Harbour Raft/Fun Races 1145-
Have a Go 1100-
Return of 20km Maw Chall After 1430
Competition Winners Announced 1500
Jazz on The Quay
Be Aware: The Road from Dolgellau-
