Rhiwbina children make a splash in canoeing regatta

Pupils from Llanishen Fach Primary School, Rhiwbina, were among the winners at the third annual Cardiff Schools Canoeing Regatta. Some 120 children from schools across the city and beyond took part in the event, which saw Llanishen Fach winning the kayak final. The regatta, held at Cardiff International White Water Centre, involved separate competitions for primary and secondary schools, with races using four different craft, and – for the first time – was part of the annual Cardiff Games. In the primary schools competition, Ysgol Gymraeg Melin Gruffydd (Whitchurch) took gold in both the double canoe and double kayak events. Llanishen Fach Primary School (Rhiwbina) won the kayak final, and Llanedeyrn Primary School the sit-on-top final. In the secondary schools competition, Llanishen High School was the overall winner. The regatta is designed to attract children into the sport, and Canoe Wales is looking to expand the event in future. “It’s a great way to get youngsters into the sport,” said Nigel Midgley, national development officer for Canoe Wales. “We had well over 100 involved from seven schools this year, and their enthusiasm is sure to grow. The regatta has the potential to become a major fixture on the schools calendar for Cardiff and the surrounding areas.” Schools or indiciduals interested in getting involved in paddlesport should contact Canoe Wales at www.canoewales.com or phone 01678 521199.