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. 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, Llugwy 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. 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. 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. 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. |
