New equipment helps Bridgend canoers

Youngsters from Bridgend Canoe Club have received new equipment to help them with their training. 

Thanks to support from Western Power Distribution (WPD), the club has been able to purchase 11 new life jackets and safety helmets which will help the youngsters with their canoe polo training and other water sports.

Formed 30 years’ ago the club is a voluntary organisation and currently has 35 members ranging in age from 11 years old to adult. It recently achieved Top Community Club status with Canoe Wales (formally the Welsh Canoe Association) to which it is affiliated.

Lynne Littlewood, its events co-ordinator explained: “Our aim is to promote the sport of canoeing and kayaking along with other water based sports such as canoe polo. We meet every Wednesday evening at Pencoed swimming pool. It’s a very popular sport and we currently have a waiting list of people wanting to join.

“We’ve also enjoyed success at competition level with four members selected for the Great Britain Canoe Polo Team and one of our juniors selected as Young Welsh Junior of the Year.

“Now thanks to WPD’s support we’re able to enhance the range of resources we have available and help provide further training activities for members to develop good all-round water safety skills,” said Lynne.