Cardiff International White Water Wins National Award

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 13, 2012

Cardiff International White Water (CIWW) has won the ‘Facility of the Year’ award from Canoe and Kayak UK, Britain’s leading canoe magazine.

CIWW topped the chart, beating other high profile venues including the ‘Lee Valley White Water Centre’ that was a host venue at the London 2012 Olympics.

The judges commentated that they were “consistently impressed with how paddler-friendly the running and organisation of CIWW is…and paddlers always feel welcomed by the friendly and enthusiastic staff. CIWW is one of the country’s best venues and a deserving winner of the CKUK Facility of the Year.”

Cabinet Member for Sport, Culture and Leisure, Cllr Huw Thomas said “The on-demand white water course is an exceptional facility for paddlers, and it provides a variety of great courses that can be enjoyed by different age groups, from beginners through to elite.

“Events such as the 2012 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup, which saw Olympic silver medallists David Florence and Richard Hounslow emerge victorious, have also helped CIWW firmly establish itself as a world class venue for paddle sports.”

He added: “”This award also shows what a great asset the staff are to the centre and how their commitment helps provide a first class service to those using the facility, I would like to personally congratulate them on this achievement."

The venue is open all year around and provides a variety of exciting courses from Canoe and Kayaking to Stand Up Paddle Boarding. Visitors can also enjoy adrenaline fuelled white water rafting sessions.

It also provides a variety of packages from hen and stag parties to corporate and team building days.

In Spring 2013 CIWW will open an indoor simulated surf machine, which will add further to the visitor experience. Suitable for all abilities from board sport enthusiasts to complete beginners the machine will provide everyone in the capital the chance to ‘hit the surf’ in the city.

The new machine in Cardiff will be one of only a handful of machines that offers a double-lane surfing experience which means that, meaning groups of friends and family can take the plunge together.

CARDIFF NEWS: Deafblind Cymru City Showcase exhibition at The Cardiff Story Museum

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 3, 2012

Deafblind Cymru will host their first city showcase at the Cardiff Story Museum from this weekend.

The exhibition, which opens on September 1, will explore the challenges faced by those with dual sensory impairments and will go a long way to explain how those with impairments face the challenges that it brings.

Members of Deafblind Cymru will discuss a number of subjects and talk about their own experience including Rosa Crean who is a Commonwealth bowls champion.

As part of the exhibition Rosa explains how she has learned to play bowls with a visual impairment. She said:  “The coach tells you where the jack is and, because I can’t see it, he explains where to bowl the ball and what weight to use, for example, bowl at two o’clock or nine o’clock.”

Laura Lees, Deafblind Cymru’s South Wales Group Coordinator added,

“We wanted to create an exhibition that not only celebrates the history of Deafblind UK and Cymru, but our members also wanted to provide information about what it’s like to have dual sensory impairments in Cardiff, discuss the daily challenges they face and also provide advice about how people can communicate with people who have visual and hearing impairments.”

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Cardiff News: Paralympic Torch comes to Cardiff for free evening of celebrations

Posted by Now Cardiff on Aug 24, 2012

With just one week to go until the London 2012 Paralympic Games commence, Cardiff will host one of three special Flame Festivals in Cardiff Bay on Bank Holiday Monday 27, August.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Heather Joyce said: “We’ve seen the spirits of the nation lifted over recent weeks and as the Paralympic Torch relay visits Cardiff, it brings with it another wave of excitement and elation.

“Cardiff is extremely proud to once again be a focal point for such a momentous occasion and I look forward to seeing people here turn out to show support and admiration for the Paralympians who will be competing. I know the city and its people will be warm, welcoming hosts to the 400 athletes basing themselves here during the Games.

“We’ve been lucky enough to enjoy the success of local heroes and heroines over the years, with greats including Tanni Grey-Thompson, David Roberts and Nathan Stevens.

“Cardiff Council will ensure that the legacy of London 2012 lives on and we eagerly anticipate the next generation of sports stars, inspired by the success of Olympians and Paralympians alike.”

Cabinet Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Huw Thomas said: “Cardiff has already played a vital role in London 2012 and I am thrilled we have this opportunity to welcome the Paraylmpic Torch to the city before it makes its special journey.

“Cardiff is honoured to be one of only three city’s to host this unique celebration and this all-day event will give people the opportunity to be part of the Paralympic Games. Have a go at the street-based disability sports on offer in the city or to witness the fantastic lantern procession, I am sure it will inspire and entertain the whole family.”

The free evening event presented by BT, Lloyds TSB and Sainsbury’s, will feature a variety of entertainment including performances from Wales Millennium Centre’s own choirs Hard Côr and Only Kids Aloud, Scarabeus aerial performers, Tredegar Brass Band, a mass sing-along of Karl Jenkins’s In these Stones Horizons Sing. Charlotte Church and Only Men Aloud will also play a part in the celebrations.

The event will culminate with a spectacular lantern procession of over 200 people which will accompany eight Torchbearers as the Welsh Flame arrives in Roald Dahl Plass having been created at the summit of Snowden using a using a combination of teamwork and human endeavour.

At the same time Flames will be created at the summit of the highest peak of the other three home nations, Scafell Pike (England), Ben Nevis (Scotland) and Slieve Donard (Northern Ireland).

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Cardiff’s Jordan is going for gold!

Posted by Now Cardiff on Aug 20, 2012

A young athlete from Cardiff who was one of the recipients of a bursary from Sport.Cardiff will be representing Team GB in Paralympic Games in two weeks times.

In 2011 to coincide with the official One Year to Go countdown to the Paralympic Games,  Jordan Howe, who attends Rumney High and will be competing in the T35 100m and T35 200m in London, was one of four young athletes to be awarded with a bursary from Sport.Cardiff to support them on their route to potential Olympic or Paralympic success.

Cabinet Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Huw Thomas said, ”I am delighted that Jordan, one of the recipients of the Sport.Cardiff bursaries, is going to be representing Team GB at the Paralympic Games.

“It is a massive achievement and I wish Jordan the very best of luck for what I am sure will be the experience of a lifetime and I am very glad we were able to help in some way.

“I am sure everyone in Cardiff will be watching with bated breath as Jordan takes part in his track events.”

Jordan, who has cerebral palsy, is a member of the Disability Sport Wales Academy and is currently ranked number one in Wales in his classification group will make his debut at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Jordan said: “I have just finished at Rumney High school so the money has helped enormously for my expenses. I’m very proud to be selected for the Paralympics and would like to thank everyone for their support and to Cardiff Council for the generous bursary received.”

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Cardiff to light up the skies in Paralympic celebration

Posted by Now Cardiff on Aug 17, 2012

Cardiff is hosting one of three special Flame Festivals held as part of the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay.

The Flame Festival, presented by BT, Lloyds TSB and Sainsbury’s, will take place in Cardiff Bay on Bank Holiday Monday 27 August.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Heather Joyce said: “We’ve seen the spirits of the nation lifted over recent weeks and as the Paralympic Torch relay visits Cardiff, it brings with it another wave of excitement and elation.

“Cardiff is extremely proud to once again be a focal point for such a momentous occasion and I look forward to seeing people here turn out to show support and admiration for the Paralympians who will be competing. I know the city and its people will be warm, welcoming hosts to the 400 athletes basing themselves here during the Games.

“We’ve been lucky enough to enjoy the success of local heroes and heroines over the years, with greats including Tanni Grey-Thompson (pictured), David Roberts and Nathan Stevens.

“Cardiff Council will ensure that the legacy of London 2012 lives on and we eagerly anticipate the next generation of sports stars, inspired by the success of Olympians and Paralympians alike.”

Cabinet Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Huw Thomas said: “Cardiff has already played a vital role in London 2012 and I am thrilled we have this opportunity to welcome the Paralympic Torch to the city before it makes its special journey.

“Cardiff is honoured to be one of only three city’s to host this unique celebration and this all-day event will give people the opportunity to be part of the Paralympic Games. Have a go at the street-based disability sports on offer in the city or to witness the fantastic lantern procession, I am sure it will inspire and entertain the whole family.”

The event is also part of the London 2012 Festival, the spectacular 12-week UK-wide celebration running from 21 June until 9 September 2012, bringing together leading artists from across the world with the very best from the UK.

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