The evening started with an introduction from the Canoe Wales Chair, Kerry Chown who then introduced Tavi Murray and Russell Scaplehorn who began the evening with a talk on their incredible sea kayaking trip around Wales. Tavi and Russell took us on a journey around the coastline, into the canals and estuaries, and through storms and other challenges. They inspired us all to do something similar with tales of connection and achievement and it was a great start to the evening.

The normal business of the AGM came next, and viewers received an update on the Canoe Wales Board. They also received an overview of the five nominees for the two vacant elected positions and we moved into the voting.

It was clear the voting was a key focus of the evening and significantly contributed to the bumper turnout. Many proxy votes had been received demonstrating the interest and engagement and also the high calibre of the five candidates. As a consequence of the voting, Megan Hamer-Evans and Jim Potter were selected as the two candidates and will be inducted on to the Canoe Wales Board of Directors in the coming weeks.

Kerry Chown then gave her Chair’s report where she announced she would be standing down as Chair next June. Alistair Dickson, CEO, followed with an update of the activities of the association across the various functional areas.

Andy Booth, Canoe Wales Finance Director, then followed and gave a detailed picture of the financial situation of both Canoe Wales and Canoe Wales Sales and Services. Votes were taken where the accounts were approved as presented and Bevan Buckland LLC were reappointed for 2024-25.

Kerry then introduced the Board’s proposal to change the trading name of Canoe Wales to Paddle Cymru. This was approved with 80% of voters in approval of the change.

Canoe Wales will be changing its trading name to Paddle Cymru, heralding a new era for us as the national governing body for paddlesport in Wales.

The new name and brand identity were approved by the Canoe Wales membership following it’s AGM on Tuesday evening. This is following an extensive process of consultation with its paddling community, partners and stakeholders over the past two years. It’s also following the proposal of the International Canoe Federation to become Paddle Worldwide which was agreed at the annual congress last week. Following the vote, Canoe Wales will be updating the branding and launching a new website in weeks to come. Please watch this space!

The formal AGM was then closed and Emily King, Canoe Wales SUP Lead, finished the evening with a talk about her Thames Ultra 200km SUP adventure.

Canoe Wales would like to thank all members who participated and engaged in the AGM – it was a bumper turnout and great to see so many members present. 

All presentations have now been published and can be viewed here.