Welsh Canoe Slalom Championships get off to a flying start in Cardiff
5 May 2026

HOME / NEWS / Current Post

The sun shone over Cardiff this Bank Holiday Monday as paddlers of all ages took to the water for the opening day of the Welsh Canoe Slalom Championships.

From Under 15s right through to seniors, athletes delivered committed, confident performances on the course, backed by an incredible team of coaches and a bank filled with cheering parents, teammates and supporters. It was a brilliant start to the championships and a real celebration of Welsh slalom talent.


Watching paddlers grow, improve and rise to the challenge at events like this is a privilege, and the day reflected exactly what makes our sport special; determination, teamwork and a shared love of being on the water.


Championship winners

Below are the category winners from day one of the championships.


K1 – Men

  • U15: Tom Kearsley
  • U16: Ilar Howell
  • U17: Ilar Howell
  • U18: Ilar Howell
  • U23: Oli Cooper
  • Senior: Eti Chappell


K1 – Women

  • U15: Mali Davies
  • U16: Mali Davies
  • U17: Eiri O’Connor
  • U18: Eiri O’Connor
  • U23: Sadie Sterry
  • Senior: Sadie Sterry


C1 – Men

  • U15: Riley Wilford
  • U16: Toby Sutcliffe
  • U17: Toby Sutcliffe
  • U18: Toby Sutcliffe
  • U23: Toby Sutcliffe
  • Senior: Toby Sutcliffe


C1 – Women

  • U15: Isabel Booth
  • U16: Isabel Booth
  • U17: Robyn Taunt
  • U18: Robyn Taunt
  • U23: Sadie Sterry
  • Senior: Sadie Sterry


A brilliant day for Welsh slalom

Alongside the racing, the event showcased the strength of the Welsh paddling community, with athletes supporting one another and coaches guiding paddlers through every run. The Welsh squad photo from the day captures not only some of the winners, but also the collective effort behind every performance on the water.


With such a strong opening day, the Welsh Canoe Slalom Championships are already shaping up to be a fantastic showcase of current talent and the exciting future of the sport in Wales.


Congratulations to all paddlers, paddlers’ families, coaches and volunteers involved.


CONTACT THE MEDIA TEAM

If you have a story that would be of interest to the Paddle Cymru team please get in touch using the online contact form linked below or get in contact using one of our social feeds.

CONTACT

SIGN UP TO CEUFAD MAGAZINE

Ceufad is our quarterly magazine, covering everything that's important in Welsh paddlesport.

Click here to find out more.

News Item Enquiry

Share Post

Diogelwch tennyn pws: deall y canllawiau

3 September 2026
Mae diweddariadau a nodiadau atgoffa diweddar gan Paddle UK a Paddle Scotland wedi ysgogi trafodaeth newydd ynghylch diogelwch tennyn PWS, yn enwedig mewn amgylcheddau dŵr symudol a dŵr gwyn. Ar yr olwg gyntaf, efallai y bydd rhai padlwyr yn teimlo'n ddryslyd. Mae un person yn dweud y dylech chi wisgo tennyn bob amser. Mae un arall yn dweud na ddylech chi wisgo un mewn dŵr gwyn. Efallai bod hyfforddwyr yn dysgu rhywbeth gwahanol eto.

SUP Leash Safety: Understanding the Guidance

3 September 2026
Recent updates and reminders from Paddle UK and Paddle Scotland have prompted renewed discussion around SUP leash safety, particularly in moving water and white water environments.  At first glance, some paddlers may feel confused. One person says you should always wear a leash. Another says you shouldn't wear one in white water. Coaches may be teaching something different again.

Paddle Cymru Autumn Club Development Programme 2026

by Bonnie Ireland • 2 September 2026
This autumn, Paddle Cymru is bringing clubs, coaches and volunteers together through a series of development events designed to support the growth of paddlesport across Wales.
View More