Category Archives: Outdoor Explore Wales

Fishing Failure? We check out Mumbles’ best alternatives for your fish BBQ!

As anyone who has been fishing before will know, the ‘catching the fish’ bit doesn’t always go to plan… so after a day’s SUP Fishing with Outdoor Explore Wales (or fishing from the pier – but that’s definitely not as much fun!) we have come up with some alternatives if the pesky fish aren’t biting…Continue reading “Fishing Failure? We check out Mumbles’ best alternatives for your fish BBQ!”

INNS! What do you know? What can you do?

When we’re out paddling it’s very important we look after our environment – we appreciate it, we use it, so we should take care of it. The spread of INNS can be quite devastating to local ecosystems, so it’s vital we do something to Stop the Spread. Firstly – what even is an INNS? INNSContinue reading “INNS! What do you know? What can you do?”

BBNP Dark Sky Reserve

Here is something you may not know… The Brecon Beacons National Park has been a Dark Sky Reserve since 2013. There are only 2 in Wales, 7 in the UK and only 20 in the World – so it’s pretty special! What’s a Dark Sky Reserve? An IDA International Dark Sky Reserve is a publicContinue reading “BBNP Dark Sky Reserve”

A Great First Year of Paddleboarding for Outdoor Explore Wales!

Outdoor Explore Wales has had a fantastic first year of SUP in South Wales! We delivered 65 trips to 195 people at 11 locations and paddled for over 1600km between us! In the last year, we have paddled in Cardiff, Swansea, Monmouth, multiple locations in the Brecon Beacons, and also ventured across the border toContinue reading “A Great First Year of Paddleboarding for Outdoor Explore Wales!”

Litter Free Paddle – Our Paddleboard Litter Pick

Last week we completed Outdoor Explore Wales’ first Litter Free Paddle of 2022! Since the first Litter Free Paddle almost 7 years ago in Scotland, Outdoor Explore has been clearing rubbish from local waterways in Scotland and South Wales on our #LitterFreePaddle trips. In June 2021, shortly after Outdoor Explore Wales came into being, theContinue reading “Litter Free Paddle – Our Paddleboard Litter Pick”

Just why is SUP so good for Mindfulness and your Headspace?

So, just why is SUP so great for your headspace? Out on my guided paddleboard trips and during my tuition sessions I often find myself bringing up the topic of mindfulness and using the term ‘headspace’. This is all very well, but what am I going on about? Very simply put, mindfulness involves concentrating onContinue reading “Just why is SUP so good for Mindfulness and your Headspace?”

Canal Part #4 – Tal-y-Bont towards Llangynidr

Part four of our guide to Paddling the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal starts in Talybont-on-Usk and takes us through the longest tunnel on the canal. Is this the most adventurous section of the canal so far? Or the most peaceful? Getting on the canal in the picturesque little village of Talybont-on-Usk is as easy asContinue reading “Canal Part #4 – Tal-y-Bont towards Llangynidr”

Paddleboard tour of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal Part #3

The third installment of our tour of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal takes us from the slipway at Pencelli to the road lift bridge at Tal-y-Bont on Usk. A great start or finish point for your paddle, the slipway gives easy access to the water – there’s also space to park a few cars here.Continue reading “Paddleboard tour of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal Part #3”

Paddleboard Tour of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal: Part #2

Brynich Lock to Pencelli Part 2 of our tour of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal takes us from the Lock at Brynich to the slipway at Pencelli. After portaging (getting off the water and carrying your craft) around the lock, you need to head through the gate and cross the road – be careful asContinue reading “Paddleboard Tour of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal: Part #2”

What to plan for a cold, winter’s morning paddle.

As long as you are prepared for the conditions, the cold alone shouldn’t be a deterrent for heading out on the water- just be prepared you may need to break ice to get on the water! A cold, clear winter’s morning paddle can be as beautiful as they come. As with every paddle trip, makeContinue reading “What to plan for a cold, winter’s morning paddle.”

Paddle boarding on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal

Part #1: Brecon Canal Basin to Brynich Lock With 35 miles of navigable canal from Brecon to Pontymoile, we decided it would be easier to break the journey down into nice bite-sized chunks! The various arms of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal were constructed over 200 years ago as an Act of Parliament for transportingContinue reading “Paddle boarding on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal”

Learn to SUP in Cardiff, South Wales

If you want to learn to paddleboard in the Welsh capital, there are not many places better than Radyr weir on the river Taff in North Cardiff. The first use of a weir at Radyr (from the Welsh ‘Rhaeadr’, meaning waterfall) was by the Normans, as a fish trap. It has since been used to siphon water to feed the Melingriffith canal and is now used to provide hydroelectric power when theContinue reading “Learn to SUP in Cardiff, South Wales”