Published A South Wales Police officer was among nine paddleboarders who got into trouble in a river on Saturday morning. For a scenic and relaxing paddleboarding experience, visit the River Wye, along the border of Wales and England. Its the most fun you'll have with your buddies as you paddle out through the surf and catch a wave in together. Margam Park's pond is the perfect location to learn as it is very sheltered, meaning no waves or swell making it that little easier to get to your feet if you do manage to end up in the water! Tributes flocked in for the three victims of the horrific tragedy in the aftermath of the incident, with relatives of health worker Ms Wheatley, known as Nikki by her colleagues, saying she was a loving wife, mother and daughter. AquaBound Releases Norway: A Kayakers Playground Video, Holiday Gift Guide for Paddlers from Mustang Survival. This route has a lot to offer, especially if youre looking for that connection to nature. The remaining five paddleboarders escaped unharmed. You will learn a variety of paddle skills allowing you to paddle safely and with confidence. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Who was Ukrainian minister Denys Monastyrsky? Heddlu Dyfed-Powys Police added: "Sadly we can also confirm that 41-year-old Andrea Powell from the Bridgend area, who was in hospital following the incident, has now died. It is over 130 miles long, and several places along the river are ideal for paddleboarding. Another is in a critical condition and being treated at the towns Withybush hospital, according to Dyfed-Powys police. Water can be deceptively fast, especially at flood. Third, looking to the future, it is critical that the governance of this fast-growing sport improves so the public receive clear, consistent safety advice and are able to recognise businesses that are competent to deliver training, tours and expeditions. On Saturday morning, hundreds of people gathered in Port Talbot in memory of ODwyer. A risk tolerance that he had set for himself and was willing to push the limits even if it meant death. 2-hour course to introduce you to everything you need to know to get you SUPing. SUP Cardiff activities take place throughout the week, from tasters to ladies only courses. Accessing the sea is easy, as there is a ramp from the car park all the way to the water. Clare Rutter, paddle boarding instructor and member of South Wales Paddleboarders, said "the main thing is always tell somebody your plans" when going out on excursions. Natasha said Mr Williams, an apprentice plumber from Haverfordwest, had always been a strong swimmer but said she was relieved he didn't get swept away in the flooded river. This happens with boaters all the time. Plus, unique jumbo paddleboards allow 4-8 people to paddle together. He was as calm as anything. She was pulled from the water in Pembrokeshire, Wales, on October 30, after a group of nine . The Corps is sorry to learn of the death at the weekend of Paul ODwyer. Ms Williams said her son, who is a strong swimmer, was warned not to go in by people around him, but he said "I'm going anyway". One of the best spots you can choose to paddle out to is Three Cliffs River, starting at the Heritage Centre. Woman arrested over paddleboarder deaths on Welsh river as fourth person dies They were part of a group of nine from the South Wales Paddle Boarders and Salty Dog Co, an organisation based in Port Talbot involved in the incident on Saturday during a weekend trip exploring the river. 'You'll be sorely missed by all, Brother.'. His local football club Aberavon Greenstars FC added in a tribute: 'It's been a horrendous 48 hours for our town, a weekend where we've lost some of our finest. 'The aim of the MAIB's preliminary assessment is to help with determining the way forward. 'Joel was crazy to do it at the time but how can you not when there are people fighting for their lives? ', 'We had a phone call 20 minutes later from him saying he needed some dry clothes and a towel because he had just dragged a girl out the river. Built over 200 years ago for horse-drawn barges, Swansea Canal is now making waves for paddleboarders. However, enjoying a city break doesnt mean you have to miss out on an adventure. Emergency services first received reports of people in distress in the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, shortly after 9am on Saturday. An MAIB spokesperson said: A team of inspectors from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch has deployed to Haverfordwest to undertake a preliminary assessment of the accident, working in cooperation with other agencies. Nicola was a loving mother, daughter, daughter-in-law and wife. Ms Powell joinsMorgan Rogers, 24, from Merthyr Tydfil, Nicola Wheatley, 40, from Pontarddulais, Swansea, and Paul O'Dwyer, 42, from Sandfields, Neath Port Talbot, among the casualties after the group got into difficultyon the paddleboarding trip on the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest. Being a whitewater SUPer and seeing these accidents, its mostly been shock and what went wrong. The families of the victims who died in the incident last week paid tribute to them. 2023 BBC. The first of two women who died in the paddle boarding accident had a "beautiful, kind and loving soul", her family have said. There are several launch spots along Swansea Bay, including Oystermouth Road, opposite St Helens Rugby Ground and Knab Rock, a smaller slip nearer the pier. This month a rowing team Power of the River Worldwide Broadcast Premiere Sunday, Jan. 8 (Plus Streaming News), NRS Founder Bill Parks: What Ive Learned: Let the People Lead, NRS Celebrates 50th Anniversary: Were All Between Swims (Special PL Q&A with Mark Deming), Calling a Spade a Spade: A Review of Spades New Bliss Kayak, Conflicting Reports: Helmet-makers Chime in on Recent Virginia Tech Helmet Study, PL Whitewater Kayaking Essentials Sampler (with Vids! One of those on the trip, Vickie Mckinven from Milford Haven, said Mr O'Dwyer, a father-of-three, died attempting to rescue two fellow paddleboarders who had got into difficulty near the weir. She has left a void in our lives that will never be filled., The family of Paul ODwyer, 42, called him a devoted husband, father, son and brother and said that he devoted his life to contributing to society in his many adventures in raising money for different causes.. I am challenging the river surfing community to openly discus flush drowning and how to improve the safety of the river surfing beyond pointing blame. A former soldier and father-of-three who died in a paddle boarding accident on a river in west Wales lost his life after jumping into the water to save two women in distress, it has been claimed. A man and two women died at the scene while another woman continues to be treated at Withybush Hospital, Dyfed-Powys Police said. Close friend and policewoman Nerys Lloyd started the touching tribute today (Sat) as she walked to the sea alongside two children. I am challenging the river community for an expert or experts to step forward and be the Lou Dawson as an advocate to voice opinions on the deaths of the 4 paddle boarders in the UK. Wales News Service, (L-R) Paul O'Dwyer, Nicola Wheatley and Morgan Rogers. There are even social sessions where you can meet other enthusiasts. Families clapped as the surfers entered the water at Aberavon Beach in Port Talbot, South Wales, carrying flowers. Yesterday the river surfing community lost a 17 year old river surfer due to some sort of hold down/entrapment at the Bend, OR river wave. Despite a yellow weather warning coming to an end on that morning, flood alerts remained in place on rivers in Pembrokeshire, including the eastern and western Cleddau catchment areas. Cardiff Bay offers a lot for paddleboarders. Morgan Rogers, 24, from Cefin Coed, Merthyr Tydfil was. It has been over two years since Michael James died in Buena Vista, Colorado while river surfing despite being fully kitted-out with a pfd, quick release leash, helmet, wetsuit, and a proper high liter buoyant river surfboard; but, there has been absolutely no honest discussion and learning from his death. Tribute to paddleboarder after three die in river, Deaths after major river rescue operation in town, Ukrainian ministers killed in helicopter crash, Maximum two drinks a week, Canada guidance advises, US porn star declared unfit for sex crimes trial. One person said to him 'you can't jump in', he said 'I am'. Paddleboarders deaths on the river Cleddau Three people have died and one is in a critical condition in hospital after a group of paddleboarders got into distress on a river in Wales, police have. Such as Cold Knap, a pebble and shingle beach, Fontygary, another pebble beach, or Jacksons Bay. We use some essential cookies to make this website work. That incident was more human error than anything, but you have to know the risk you are taking when you step out in the extremes. The arrest comes as police confirm the fourth death, 41-year-old Andrea Powell, from Bridgend, who was taken to hospital after the incident. Year-round classes can be booked, and you can study to become a lifeguard or surf instructor here. To ensure you enjoy the best experience, all of our coaches are trained and qualified WSA SUP instructors. A riverside weir/lowhead dam contributed to the accident. "We send our deepest sympathy to his family and friends and to those of the others who lost their lives," the statement added. Ms Rogers,who loved outdoor adventures and was a member of the South Wales Paddleboarding Club, was described as a 'lovely' girl by her devastated friends. Morgan Rogers, 24, from Cefin Coed, Merthyr Tydfil; Nicola Wheatley, 40, from Pontardulais, Swansea; and Paul O'Dwyer, 42, from Sandfields, Port Talbot, died in the incident on Saturday. A woman has become the fourth person to die in a horror paddleboard tragedy after succumbing to her injuries a week on from the fateful trip. Her mother Teresa Hall posted on Facebook: 'My beautiful daughter Morgan, taken too young. The group of nine from the South Wales Paddle Boarders and Salty Dog Co, an organisation based in Port Talbot, were on a weekend away together . Neath Port Talbot councillor Matthew Crowley, who knew Mr O'Dwyer for most of his life, said: "Paul immersed so much of his time and energy into charities. They were part of a group of nine people on a weekend exploring the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest. Five were rescued without injuries, one woman remains in hospital in. Mumbles beach is ideal for paddling. The South Wales Paddle Boarding Club is the original and leading SUP club in Wales. People were trying to help. The group of nine were part of the South Wales Paddle Boarders and Salty Dog Co, an organisation based in Port Talbot that made a trip last Saturday to explore the river. An MAIB spokesman said: 'A team of inspectors from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch has deployed to Haverfordwest to undertake a preliminary assessment of the accident, working in co-operation with other agencies. Floral tributes have been left at the side of the river, where the incident happened. As South Wales' oldest and most experienced stand up paddling boarding club, we ensure all of our team are friendly, professional, inclusive and of course safety focussed. Well send you a link to a feedback form. A father-of-three and former soldier who died in a paddleboarding accident on a river in Wales tragically lost his life after jumping in to save two women in distress, it has been claimed. Im not in the UK so I can not and will not opine on the legal actions However, I find it more concerning that this accident is just fading away and not used for thorough insight on how to avoid other river accidents. The three victims of the River Cleddau tragedy have now been named by police. Morgan Rogers, 24, from Merthyr Tydfil, Nicola Wheatley, 40, from Swansea, and Paul ODwyer, 42, from. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Paul O'Dwyer was described by family and friends as "the life and soul of the party" who devoted much of his time to charities. A Welsh woman was arrested this afternoon on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter after a paddleboarding incident on a river in Wales in which four people died. The family of Ms Rogers, a deputy store manager at a supermarket, paid tribute to their lost loved one, calling her a beautiful, kind and loving soul. Read about our approach to external linking. As a G5 WW kayaker and BCU WW coach/leader I had been watching the rainfall as we had a novices trip the same Sunday, we had a months rainfall in 24hrs, the rivers were out of their banks all over SW England and where this happened in Wales is probably 100 miles in a straight line. Theres even a giant SUP; ten people can fit on it. As, the SUP community deals with the deaths of the four UK paddle boarders and the arrest of the organizer of the trip, the moment can not be lost on how to learn from the accident; for example, expanding eduction about low head dams, discussing trip planning and acknowledge all the factors impacting decision making (flow rates, river terrain/hazards, weather, & human factors), etc. There are lots of slipways scattered around so that you can launch quickly. Three people have died in a paddleboarding incident on the Cleddau River in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed. 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