Page 16 - Ceufad Autumn 2022

Paddle for Dave

W ORDS : C A THERIN E GILBERT
Dave started paddling when he was 12 years old and his enthusiasm for the sport hasn’t
dwindled since. He’s a firm believer in the benefits of outdoor education and, after
qualifying as a teacher, took his students on outdoor activity trips, helping to raise
funds to ensure they could all afford to go. In 1979 he became the Deputy Warden at Plas
Pencelli Outdoor Centre, and he continued to dedicate his life to outdoor education until
he retired. His retirement took a similar direction and he spent his free time introducing
people to paddling, trying to make it inclusive and accessible to all. However, in 2017 he
developed dementia-like symptoms and in 2020 was diagnosed with PSP (Progressive
Supranuclear Palsy), an incurable, degenerative disease which affects balance, mobility
speech and memory. He is now reliant on a wheelchair and can no longer paddle. To
raise awareness of the disease his two daughters, Bryony and Catherine, decided to
undertake a challenge; to kayak the length of the Mon and Brec canal and back in 24
hours. Their aim wasn’t only to raise awareness, it was also to raise funds for PSPA – the
charity dedicated to improving the lives of people living with Progressive Supranuclear
Palsy (PSP). Here’s how their challenge unfolded …

“THE FIRST BOAT WE The mastermind of the challenge was my sister, the event was to Llangynidr and back which took
The longest training session we did before
Bryony Dix. Having a parent with a debilitating
TRIED PADDLING WAS condition such as PSP leaves you feeling a little about 5 hours. We really had left training too late
helpless and out of control. Taking part in an
but we had an unwavering belief that we could
A K2, A LIGHTWEIGHT, event to raise awareness and to raise money for do this and, more importantly, we wanted to do
NARROW AND MOST the charity that supports dad’s condition gave us this for dad.
We were very lucky to have a day time support
back some control, we could do something that
IMPORTANTLY UNSTABLE would make a difference. crew in Steve and Andy Buckley. Both Level 4
Kayak instructors. They raised the draw bridge
The first boat we tried paddling was a K2,
KAYAK, DESIGNED FOR a lightweight, narrow and most importantly in Pencelli and provided us with the wheels we
unstable kayak, designed for traveling at speeds
needed for the long portage in Llangynidr around
TRAVELING AT SPEEDS ON on flat water. It would have been ideal for such the five locks. They also met us in Gilwern for
tea and sausage rolls and again in Llanover for
a challenge except for one small difficulty, we
FLAT WATER. IT WOULD couldn’t stay upright. We capsized immediately chips. We were also met along the way by friends
beside the rugby club and after a very wobbly
from far and wide offering drinks, sweets, cakes,
HAVE BEEN IDEAL FOR paddle down to the next bridge and back we hugs and words of encouragement. This made
SUCH A CHALLENGE decided to abandon that boat and instead use a such a difference as we always sped up on
seeing people.
Prijon boat which we knew to be more stable. The
Paddling for the first 10 hours was actually
EXCEPT FOR ONE SMALL only problem with that boat was that it is really ok, we felt good, we were in our comfort zone.
heavy, I mean really heavy.
We completed 4 training sessions before the
DIFFICULTY, WE COULDN’T event, discovering that the steering system was However, when we got to Goytre at 7:22pm this
was 22 minutes behind our estimated time. We
STAY UPRIGHT.” no longer working and that garden cushions knew that this would be the last time we would
saved the backside from becoming numb on the see Steve and Andy for the night and that there
hard plastic seat. A good friend Barry Griffiths would be no support from here until Pontymoil;
stepped in and fabricated a spring bracket that the decision to keep going away from home was a
forced the rudder back to a straight position after tough call. Then mum messaged that they were in
steering adjustments, saving us from many miles Pontymoil waiting for us. This was the inspiration
zig zagging into brambles and stinging nettles. we needed to battle on into the dark.

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