Llangollen 2025: The final showdown?

Townfalls Credit: Arron Gary Coe

The WKCC has been paddling the features, drinking the ales and eating the cakes of Llangollen for over a decade. Sitting astride the ever-imposing town falls, laughs have been had, tall stories told and songs sung in the beautiful Welsh town. 2025 may be the last visit for a while with new pastures calling further north but we made sure to go out with a bang.

Friday’s dinner at the Bridge End Inn saw everyone reunited in known territory, club treasurer Dan Underhill was very nearly the victim of food embezzlement but the weekend was saved before unnamed persons had finished his chips.

Saturday included more options for water sport than you could shake a stick at. The tourer and canoe groups slaked their thirst for adventure on Bala Lake, one whitewater group had professional coaching on the river Dee including the technical Serpents Tail rapid and finally the main whitewater group tested their metal against the roaring Treweryn as the floodgates were opened.

Our touring correspondent and club chair Claire Teagle came to us live from Bala Lake

“On our first day in Llangollen, a few of us started the day with an early morning paddle on Lake Bala. We met up at 10 am, got kitted out, and set off across the lake. The weather was perfect, and the scenery was stunning as we made our way to the opposite side, heading towards the Bala Tributary. We noticed how low the lake was, and Clive, Nick, and Dave had to get out of their canoes to pull them over the shallow water. They then kindly helped Jacqui and myself by pulling us over the shallow part.

We paddled about 650m upstream before turning back due to the low water levels and rocky stretch. Clive took a break, but it didn't last long as some of us tried to sneak up and tip him in - unsuccessfully!

After that excitement, we headed back downstream and across the lake to our starting point, practicing paddling techniques and speed along the way in preparation for our trip to Scotland next year.

As we approached the lake's edge, Jacqui and I practiced our rolling and rescue techniques under Clive's guidance. After a while and now getting cold, we decided to call it a day, got changed, and warmed up with lunch and hot drinks while enjoying the view.

Later, we headed out to the Tryweryn to catch up with the white-water group and watch them paddle on the Upper section.”

Our Treweryn reporter Kevin Bahdam had this to say;

“Once upon a time. 3 elderly kayakers travelled to a far far away Welsh river. The Tryweryn! The ferry was sorted; it was time to get on the river. With some fear and trepidation, I got into my kayak and launched into the turbulent waters! At this point I turned into Worzel Gummidge (younger people may need to google him) and put on my stupid head. Set off down the river with the intention of hitting the eddy at NRA? How hard can it be I thought. Bearing in mind it had probably been 6 years since I’d been on the river! Entered the rapid, at this point I changed heads again. This time it was swimming head! And then began the longest swim in the world. Which I expect to be in the Guinness book of records 2026. Think it was the last drop, Chapel Falls. It felt like I was submerged for hours. Frightening things flashed into my mind. Clive in shorts! Then Max roped me in, praise him. I’d also thank those involved in the boat chase, I did manage to keep hold of my paddle. I was eventually reunited with my boat. Changed heads again kayaking head this time! The adventure continued, many boulders were scattered on our relentless journey to the sea.

Tim decided to get out of his boat on one occasion, and Uncle Roy joined in the fun. Mr Craven stayed upright. It was then we arrived at the last rapid. Bala Mill Falls! We all regrouped at the top of the eddy. Minutes turned to hours, hours turned to weeks. The seasons came and went.

Suddenly it was time to go, the lead in seemed to be so much longer than I remember! Shot it no issues, video available to view, I believe.

Great trip. Great weekend. Great club.”

And finally, Aimee O’Doherty, one of this year’s 6 lucky chosen ones for paid a coaching session, provided by B3 Outside and Stephy Kayaks.

“At 0900 hours on Saturday, Adam, Amy, Simon, Steve, Tom and I assembled at TNR outdoors, ready to take on a day on the Dee. A quick chat with Stephy (our coach) and we were off for a morning full of ferry gliding, breaking in and out and some of the first river bed surveys of the day (a poetically named swim).

Chainbridge Credit: Carol Arnold

After a play on a jam-packed bottom wave, we worked up an appetite and took a lunch break (honourable mention to the flapjacks, they were phenomenal).

What followed could have been a long boring canal slog, but Stephy made use of this stretch of flat water to get us really thinking about our forward paddling, which was great preparation for getting back on the river.

7 successful slides at the get in and 1 very unsuccessful pun later, we were off toward chainbridge. Everyone did a great job on this rapid, looking cool calm and collected. We even did some synchronised ferrying where everyone made some more great progress, before continuing down to Serpents Tail.

After scouting serpents from the rocks and some words of wisdom from Stephy; Tom, Amy and I decided we’d give it a bash. Tom found serpents so nice, he had to do it twice and most importantly, we all sang Karma Chameleon on the way down.

Paddling back toward TNR, we were tired but happy after a full day of excellent paddling. An epic opportunity with excellent coaching, thoroughly enjoyed by all!”

So there rounds out another, and potentially final year of derring do for WKCC at Llangollen. Eyes peeled for the many new places we go in 2026.