Making Waves for 15 Years: Seren Dŵr Canoe Club's Birthday Bash
- Hannah Clark
- Apr 29
- 4 min read
Sunshine, swims, side surfing and smiles – this weekend had it all, as Seren Dŵr canoe club families and paddlers made their way to Llandysul to celebrate something very special: 15 years of paddling, playing, learning and growing together.
With the river running beautifully, the sun shining (most of the time!), and a van full of boats and birthday cake, everything lined up for a weekend that reminded us why we love this community so much.
15 Years of Splashing, Supporting & Shining Bright
This wasn’t just another club trip, it was a chance to look back at 15 amazing years of Seren Dŵr canoe club, and to celebrate the people and paddling that have shaped our story.
What began as a small group of families and volunteers with a shared love for the water has grown into a supportive, joyful paddling club for adults, children, young people and their families, whether they’re brand new to kayaking, looping a wave or flying through a slalom gate.
We’ve always believed that the river should be for everyone, and for 15 years we’ve been doing everything we can to make that happen, through coaching, cheering, swimming (voluntarily or not!), mending kit, washing kit, and showing up for each other in all the ways that matter.
And this weekend was all of that in one.
Seren Dŵr Canoe Club's Saturday’s Stars
Saturday was a beautiful mix of firsts, fun, and fearless paddling.
On the water we had: Billy, Rosie, Arwyn, Evan, Henry F, Jamie, Emily, Laura D, Harry D, and Edgars. Zakk and Molly couldn’t make it in the end – but you were missed!
Tavi and Fran led the way with coaching full of energy, helping paddlers grow in confidence with every ferry glide, paddle stroke, and splash. Tavi shared, “Arwyn was ace both days. Some fantastic ferry gliding on Saturday!” – and his tongue steering had us all laughing! Evan and Rosie showed off some lovely slalom technique, and Edgars nailed a kayak roll on moving water.
The vibe? Supportive, sunny, and full of moments to cheer for. 🙌
Seren Dŵr Canoe Club's Sunday Squad
Sunday brought even more action, with a fantastic team of paddlers: Ioan, Rosie, Arwyn, Rowan, Freddie, Eva, Louis, Izabella, Henry F, Lee, Esme, and Edgars.
The river brought new challenges and lots of laughs – from inflatable kayak surfing in Quarry to some very proud whitewater firsts.
Rowan took on Quarry with a brave heart and a big smile, and when his inflatable Ark was abandoned mid-swim, Lisette stepped up with one of the best rescues we’ve seen. Pinned in a pourover for nearly five minutes, she held the paddle, the throwline, and the inflatable like a hero.
When we asked how she managed it, she said "I didn't want to leave the Ark in there by itself!"
Classic Lisette – calm, capable, and full of dry humour.
Proud Moments & Paddling Progress
The whole weekend was full of little wins and big grins:
Ioan ran Quarry twice – his second and third ever whitewater descents!
Freddie found a boat that finally felt right, and paddled it like he’d been in it forever.
Lee took a few unexpected swims but came away smiling and learning –
“Thanks for the coaching and collecting the abandoned items when I went for a few swims. It was a great learning experience – lots to take away and work on. I’m sure there’s a couple hundred metres of swimming missing from the GPS!”
Henry and Andrew were the last to leave, helping clear up and keeping things moving – thanks both!
These moments – the quiet encouragement, the brave attempts, the joyful splashes – are what Seren Dŵr weekends are made of.
Behind the Scenes: Coaches, Cups of Tea & That Seren Dŵr Spirit
A huge thank you goes to the incredible team of volunteers and coaches who made it all happen:
Russell, Tavi, Lisette, Fran, Ewan and Andrew – your energy, support and guidance were felt by every paddler. Whether it was helping carry boats, giving tips on the water, cooking, cleaning, or just keeping the kettle topped up, you made the magic happen. Thanks to all the parents who handled their very wet kids and kept the bunkhouse in order for the ones who were out on the water. Finally a HUGE thank you to Llandysul paddlers for hosting us as always! These trips are about more than kayaking – they’re about care, connection, and community. And this weekend was full of all three.
Why These Paddling Weekends Matter 💙
At Seren Dŵr, we know that paddling isn’t just about technique. It’s about confidence, laughter, and learning, sometimes through swims, sometimes through smiles, and always through showing up.
These weekends bring people together – kids, parents, coaches, and friends – and offer something special for everyone. Whether it’s a first-ever whitewater run, a moment of quiet pride, or just a well-earned hot chocolate after a long day, they remind us why we do what we do.
And as we celebrated 15 years of paddling together, we were reminded of this: It’s not just about how well you paddle. It’s about who you paddle with.
Until Next Time…
To everyone who helped make the weekend what it was, thank you.
From ferry glides to flipped boats, from birthday cake to brave firsts – it all mattered.
We’re so grateful to be part of this little community making big waves.
Here’s to the next adventure. Until then...
Keep paddling, keep laughing, and keep looking out for each other.
With love from the riverbanks,
The Seren Dŵr Team
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