October 15 th
Nominations The Categories Senior Coach of the Year Young Coach of the Year Paddle ability Coach of the Year Senior Paddler of the Year Young Paddler of the Year Volunteer of the Year Team of the Year Club of the Year Event of the Year Venue of the Year The nominations Ran from 1 st July to 31 st August 2016 Reflected performance Oct 2015 to Aug 2016 34 responses Making 62 nominations Club of the year vote got 108 votes
The awards Senior Coach of the Year Young Coach of the Year Paddle ability Coach of the Year Senior Paddler of the Year Young Paddler of the Year Volunteer of the Year Team of the Year Club of the Year Event of the Year Venue of the Year Judges Comments One of the categories with a high numbers of nominations, it is excellent to see such strong talent available to canoe wales members in order to progress skills. A close tie for first place between North and South but with four separate nominations all indicating a real dedication to developing a wide range of skills and experiences for fellow paddlers the judges chose
Gareth Bryant
The awards Senior Coach of the Year Young Coach of the Year Paddle ability Coach of the Year Senior Paddler of the Year Young Paddler of the Year Volunteer of the Year Team of the Year Club of the Year Event of the Year Venue of the Year Judges Comments Superb to see young paddlers not only enjoying their own activity but also the benefits their own skills and knowledge can give if passed onto others. Excellent evidence of commitment and results for the winner
Serena Williams
The awards Senior Coach of the Year Young Coach of the Year Paddle ability Coach of the Year Senior Paddler of the Year Young Paddler of the Year Volunteer of the Year Team of the Year Club of the Year Event of the Year Venue of the Year Judges Comments What stood out was the evidence of not only coaching as a volunteer but also working on grant submissions in order to further develop facilities to allow more paddling.
David Eade
The awards Senior Coach of the Year Young Coach of the Year Paddle ability Coach of the Year Senior Paddler of the Year Young Paddler of the Year Volunteer of the Year Team of the Year Club of the Year Event of the Year Venue of the Year Judges Comments Rewarding to see Welsh Paddlers still exploring the furthest reaches for their adventures. The winner in particular stood out for the range of exploration he had done allaround the Himalayas.
Tom McLay
The awards Senior Coach of the Year Young Coach of the Year Paddle ability Coach of the Year Senior Paddler of the Year Young Paddler of the Year Volunteer of the Year Team of the Year Club of the Year Event of the Year Venue of the Year Judges Comments A category where all the nominations describe young paddlers who look like they will have a bright future in our sport. Some impressive competition results and paddlers challenging themselves in multiple disciplines. The combination of commitment to his club, achieving a first by getting a full Scholarship to the World Class Kayak Academy and the experience of travel that came from this made the winner stand out..
Sam Merritt
The awards Senior Coach of the Year Young Coach of the Year Paddle ability Coach of the Year Senior Paddler of the Year Young Paddler of the Year Volunteer of the Year Team of the Year Club of the Year Event of the Year Venue of the Year Judges Comments Far and away the hardest category to judge, not least because it was the one with the most entries. It is really heartwarming to see that Welsh Paddling has some many people selflessly making this a great sport for so many to enjoy and each person nominated is a winner. Evidence of how some volunteers had creatively improved club systems or infrastructure were stand outs but above all the combination of this plus hard work and length of service mean this award belongs in 2016 to..
Marion Bryant
The awards Senior Coach of the Year Young Coach of the Year Paddle ability Coach of the Year Senior Paddler of the Year Young Paddler of the Year Volunteer of the Year Team of the Year Club of the Year Event of the Year Venue of the Year Judges Comments Really exciting to see some recent projects creating lots of new paddlers across different disciplines. The nomination for our winner showed how the organistaion had grown, got great results with paddlers quickly moving up the divisions and been creative in taking the activities to new locations...
Snowdonia Slalom
The awards Senior Coach of the Year Young Coach of the Year Paddle ability Coach of the Year Senior Paddler of the Year Young Paddler of the Year Volunteer of the Year Team of the Year Club of the Year Event of the Year Venue of the Year Judges Comments Amazingly only two of the people who nominated for awards though to nominate their own club. This shows how modest and unassuming Wels Paddlers must be. The club of the year went to a public vote and 108 people voted with the clear winner for 2016 being..
Llandysul Paddlers
The awards Senior Coach of the Year Young Coach of the Year Paddle ability Coach of the Year Senior Paddler of the Year Young Paddler of the Year Volunteer of the Year Team of the Year Club of the Year Event of the Year Venue of the Year Judges Comments It was exciting to see activities from all around Wales represented by the nominations. Anglesey Sea symposium really promotes Wales as a world class venue, but the sheer number of nominations combined with the events size and breadth of activities gave the win to
Llandysul River Festival
The awards Senior Coach of the Year Young Coach of the Year Paddle ability Coach of the Year Senior Paddler of the Year Young Paddler of the Year Volunteer of the Year Team of the Year Club of the Year Event of the Year Venue of the Year Judges Comments A wide variety of locations nominated across Wales highlighting excellent possibilities for a wide range of paddling disciplines. Also a good mix between consistent and accessible "all season" venues to very specific yet magical wild environments. The nomination for the winner described fully the range of paddling activities that the venue could offer with supporting evidence on the local landscape in which it is set
Llyn Padarn
The awards Special Award Board Comments This award is to recognise and thank someone who has stuck with the board through the last few, difficult, years. We would like to thank him for his dedication, commitment and, not least, minute taking
Glyn Stickler
Alan Baker award Nominee Comments In 1971 teacher Alan Baker found himself helping youngsters make canoes and kayaks at Croesyceiliog Secondary School youth club. When the youngsters and their parents started trying their canoes and kayaks on local rivers it became obvious to Alan, a keen outdoor enthusiast, that perhaps he could offer something more. He set up Croesyceiliog Canoe Club and had no idea that 40+ years on it would have grown into a successful and highly regarded canoe club affiliated to Canoe Wales. In a press article he said I wanted to get people interested in the sport, so I set up an evening class. I was always involved in outdoor pursuits and just really enjoyed canoeing I went on to earn various qualifications and went on numerous courses with my wife Val, and then through my teaching job the club was set up From an original 16 members the club now stands at more than 70. The club has two regular training sessions a week from its base at Newport International Sports Village and organises trips far and wide. Throuogh Alan's leadership it is the only sports club to be level 3 accredited by the City Council, a major achievement in recognition of the high quality of service and sport it provides the community. Final Award It is also listed as a top club by the governing body of paddle sport in Wales, Canoe Wales. Alan, who is now the club s President, has been awarded the first honorary medal by Canoe Wales for his services to canoeing. One of the reasons for it being so successful is Alan s experience and qualifications. Titles to his name include Level 5 Coach (Sea) and (Inland), Vice President and Chairman of Canoe Wales board of directors, and Vice President and representative for Canoe Wales on the board of directors of British Canoeing. He is also a former competitor himself having competed in canoe polo between 1969 and the early 1980 s and for Wales in slalom in the late 1970 s. But as well as training young competitors he has always been keen to keep the social side of the club one of its strongest points the ethos being to involve youngsters and families If you have been on the Canoe Wales website recently you might have clicked on the About Us and Who s Who section. Alan Baker is Vice Chairman and his personal details written by himself, read: As Vice Chairman, I see my job as keeping up to date with what s happening in canoeing, and promoting it at every single opportunity. When I m out and about, that means listening to paddlers so I can put their views to the Canoe Wales board even when those views differ wildly I try to pick up people s thoughts and feelings about how things are developing, and how we can improve. I also spend time working with British Canoeing putting forward Canoe Wales interests at a national level. It s not hard for me to promote paddling in Wales after all, we ve got so many fantastic places to paddle". This sums him up perfectly, highlighting Alan s longstanding commitment to promoting paddlesport, his love of canoeing and unforgettable experiences over 50 years of paddling. Alan s dedication and enthusiasm has not wavered and with his guidance Croesyceiliog Canoe Club has developed a friendly, family orientated culture, where improving paddling skills and coaching is actively encouraged, but most of all promoting and participating in canoeing is about having fun. Alan s mentor and close friend of many years, the late Sandy Buttle MBE, would agree entirely. Alan s other achievements include: Founder member of the Welsh Canoeing Association (WCA); Alan, together with his wife Val, produced and edited the original Caefad magazine He has previously been presented with a lifetime achievement to canoeing award at the Birmingham Canoe Exhibition Competed in the Devises to Westminster canoe race 5 times in K2 class with close friend and leg amputee paddler Organiser of the annual Usk Canoe Race Qualified Pool Lifeguard with 9 other members Awarded Honorary Vice President British Canoeing in 2013 On becoming Chairman of Canoe Wales 2 years ago Alan demonstrated his willingness to take on managerial responsibilities at a difficult time for the national governing body. Despite personal set backs Alan has continued to help others suffering life threatening illnesses. Alan has dedicated his life to canoeing, He is a true superstar and worthy of this new Canoe Wales award.
Serena Williams