Page 15 - Ceufad Autumn 2022

COMPETITION

CANOE POLO

JUNIOR INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Welsh Canoe Polo was the sport to watch this summer as three Welsh
Youth teams were selected to part take in the Junior International
Championships in Belfast. The players made up an Under 15s team, an
under 18s team and an Under 23s team. Having missed out on the chance
to compete for Wales for a couple of years due to Covid, all players were
keen to get back into competition.
Setting off on the 19th of July, although some misread the ferry dates
and were ready at the port on the 18th, the long drive to Belfast did not go
without mishaps, when the minibus managed to get a flat tyre, however
everyone made it onto the ferry (some vehicles cutting it very tight). The WELSH YOUTH TEAMS
competition was well underway, commencing with a day of training and an
opening ceremony, welcoming teams from across the globe and included
one of our players bearing the Welsh flag in the flag ceremony. The first
day of competition saw teams in high spirits despite the early start, with
the under 15s kicking off the day. Promising results were achieved by all
the teams with wins and draws from both the under 15s and under 18s. The
second day was all about the under 18s with four games throughout the day
resulting in a tremendous win against the United Nations and a brilliant
come back against GB Development B, winning 7-2 after a tight draw
earlier in the day. The third day was the under 15s and Under 23s turn to
have packed schedules, the former with 5 games and the latter with 4. The
under 15s had some impressive wins against Kilkenny and Czech Republic
as well as some tight losses and the Under 23s secured a brilliant draw
against Kilkenny and some close losses. U23 TEAM IN ACTION
The final day consisted of the teams battling it out for their final overall
positions. The Under 15s were in the silver group for their age category and played amazingly, making it to the semi-final and finishing 4th
overall for the silver under 15s group after a very close 1-2 loss against Ulster A. The under 23s were the second team to finish securing an
overall place of 5th for their age group with a tight final game against Ulster resulting in an unfortunate 4-5 loss. The under 18s were in the
silver group for their age category and were battling Sweden for first place, having had a previous 3-7 loss to Sweden tensions were high and
it was all to play for in this intense final, however a brilliant 3-2 win for Wales secured them first place in the silver group.
The competition finished with a closing medal ceremony and some upbeat music which got some of the squad up and dancing. Although
no medals were won, the achievements of each of the teams were amazing especially as this was many of the players first international
competition, the celebrations were well deserved, and luckily everyone made the ferry home with plenty of time to spare.
REPORT: ZOE ALDERSON

SURF

SURF KAYAKING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

We’re sending winning vibes to the Welsh Surf Kayaking team who’ll be
competing at the World Champs in Bude, Cornwall from the 29 September
– 10 October.
This is a huge event and it’s great that it’s in the UK. Good luck to the
Welsh team: Bethan Moore, Chris Watson, Richard Monk, Ewen Arkison,
Iwan Brew, Lucas Monk, Lee Griffith, Paul Bramble, Noel Dummett, Jac
Turner, Frances Bateman and James Paddock.
You can follow their progress:
www.facebook.com/WalesSurfKayakingpage SURF KAYAK WALES

AUTUMN 2022 | 15