2016 was designated as Wales’ Year of Adventure by the Welsh Government. So it was perfectly timed last week for Lonely Planet to name North Wales as one of the World’s top 5 destinations to visit because of its adventure attractions.
The Welsh Government’s year of adventure has looked to encourage the people of Wales to go out and #FindYourEpic, and as the Lonely Planet listing would suggest our home ground is spoilt for choice when it comes to places that we can do just this.
Alongside the great new adventure attractions we have in North Wales, are so many other opportunities for people of all ages to participate and get outside in our natural playground (many of them can even be for free). From a family walk on a Gower beach, to Co-steering in Pembrokeshire, sea kayaking in Cardigan Bay or conquering the Snowdonia range, there’s the option for us all to find our epic time and time again!
And you could be getting more than what you bargained for when you do, because as well as being fun and a great way of getting active, outdoor adventurous sports are perfect tools for teaching important life skills like decision making, team work and planning. For example, here at the National Outdoor Centre we offer one of the widest ranges of activities available anywhere in the UK. Our activities have been mapped against the National Curriculum so they can provide links like dilema solving, communication, and developing an understanding about the natural environment.
Do you really need any more inspiration to get out there and get active?!
If our natural, world envied backdrop wasn’t enough, how about the tremendous success of our Welsh athletes in Rio this summer?
The Olympics and Paralympics are always a great showcase for adventure sports like sailing, canoeing or mountain biking that don’t normally get prime time TV coverage. The great news is that they are amongst the most accessible sports and activities available (here in Wales anyway). Here at the National Outdoor Centre, Plas Menai, we watched the progress of the British Sailing Team through their Olympic Regatta. We are very proud to have played a very small yet important part in the preparation of the team when they came here in March for their pre Rio Team Building Camp.
Two of the Team GBR Sailors have a close association with Plas Menai; Hannah Mills and Chris Grube have both spent many a night here and on the waters outside the centre. So Hannah’s gold medal with sailing partner Saskia Clarke was one of the highlights of the games for us. Hannah was introduced to the sport on a family holiday and then leant to sail at Llanishen Sailing Centre in Cardiff when she was 10 years old. She acknowledges Alan Williams as one of the most influential coaches in her sailing career. Alan was Manager at Plas Menai for over 20 years until his retirement in 2015.
We’re so proud that we’ve been able to play a part in these Olympians journeys, but we’re also just as proud that every year we teach more and more families to sail, and get more kids having fun on the water. And we’re just one of many offering this across the country.
So, if you are looking for an epic adventure, for the family, or if you have been inspired by our Olympians to try something new, check out your local club or activity provider to see what they are doing.
We have some “epic” activities and courses for all ages and abilities here at the National Outdoor Centre.
To see what Plas Menai can offer visit our website http://www.plasmenai.co.uk/courses/ where there still are plenty of opportunities for you to #FindYourEpic in 2016 and beyond!
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