Throughout the winter coaches have been training young and not so young how to control a kayak in the safety of Blaenau's swimming pool. At the beginning of July we were let loose on Llyn Gwynant, the club's first ever outing.

Kayaks are the enclosed, bright coloured ones you sit inside with a mini tarpaulin to keep the water out. They are highly manoeuvrable with double ended paddles and one of the key skills to master is the ability to roll - to go upside down, then with a wiggle of your hips and a flick of the paddle, miraculously emerge upright on the other side.

Principle and practice are miles apart with much spluttering along the way.

We had a few kayaks at Llyn Gwynant, but most of us used the Canadian canoes. These are to the kayak like lorries to rally cars. Three or four people can fit comfortably inside, although the original design was intended for hunters and trappers eking out a lonely existence in remote areas of Canada with rivers instead of roads.

The club's coaches had told us to dress sensibly, with towels and a change of dry clothes. Kitted out in a 'kag' (a windproof/splashproof top) and a life-jacket, my strategy was to keep dry for as long as possible, but to my dismay the first lesson involved wading out knee high to practise paddle strokes.

The flotilla set off up the river flowing into the lake. Tight bends, mini rapids and shingle banks tested our ability to steer until we could paddle no more.

If the Cwm Dyli hydro electric scheme had been generating we would have had plenty of water to go further, but we turned back, played canoe polo and practised bobbing - standing on the top and bouncing the canoe forward.

After a lakeside lunch we set off to the far end, staying close to the side to avoid the worst of the headwind and waves. Andy Lewis, our guide for the day, got us to turn well before the end - he didn't want us dragged down the river by the undercurrents as the water exits the lake.

With the wind in our backs it was a quick paddle to Elephant Rock, a bulging cliff at the base of Snowdon which makes a great diving board. Looks easy from the canoes, but standing on the rock is another matter.

What next? We are a new club and have been lucky to be supported by Communities First, Antur Stiniog and The Outdoor Partnership who provided funding for the pool hire.

Bryn Hughes and the lifeguards have kept us safe in the pool whilst our coaches, the two Johns and the two Chris's, taught us what we should be doing.

Pool sessions will resume in the autumn every Tuesday at 6pm for the under 16s and 7pm for the rest. In the meantime we are looking forward to an outing to Llyn Tegid.

This is part of a much bigger vision to promote Blaenau as a world class outdoor pursuits destination. As well as the canoeing, there are plans for mountain biking and cycle tracks, plus walking, climbing and other activities. In ten years time Blaenau will be world famous not just for slate!

For more information about Padlo Blaenau contact John Jones on 07801 289708. Huw Jenkins