Plas Menai, The National Outdoor Centre for Wales, is preparing to welcome a new generation of wannabe adventurers to the exciting world of the great outdoors and welcome back those already addicted to adventure from 10 July 2020.
The world class instructors at Plas Menai have reworked their onland and water adventure programme to create new experiences that allow for the quality of instruction to be maintained and social distancing measures to be followed.
The first experience to open is a two hour Paddling Adventure on the thrilling waters of the Menai Strait, ideal for a mixed aged group family (age eight upwards) or for members of the same household. No prior experience on the water is needed as all instruction will be given.
The experience – which can be spent either standup paddle boarding on SUPs or getting afloat on sit-on-top kayaks – is guided by an experienced instructor who will stay with the group at all times.
Adventurers will be able to explore the rich and diverse habitat of the Menai Strait and learn about what makes the Strait the most interesting water in the world – from the tide to the environment – as they take in the stunning Welsh scenery.
A limited number of private tuition sessions will also go ahead for those itching to get back out on the water. Sailors and windsurfers with enough experience to right a dinghy/cat from capsized, or to sail upwind and downwind in the tidal conditions, are able to book half or full day lessons in windsurfing and dinghy sailing with one of the centre’s many highly qualified instructors.
To keep the sessions as safe as possible, there will only be one craft per instructor, or up to two people crewing a dinghy from the same household.
Operations and Programming Manager, Ali Yates, explains: “As lockdown restrictions are eased, people are yearning to try new experiences without compromising the safety of their social bubble.
“For those new to the water or for more experienced hands, the Paddling Adventure allows a mixed ability group to work together and learn new skills. After a long period of lockdown, the experience is designed to encourage families/households to create positive memories through a fun shared experience, building confidence and strengthening family bonds.
“While the return of private lessons means those who are more experienced and really missing sailing or getting out on their boards, can once again return to the water to start improving their skills and more importantly, have fun in a safe way.
“As someone who loves to be out on the water, I know first hand the benefits that these adventures will have on improving mental health and wellbeing.”
The world renowned outdoor centre in Caernarfon, North Wales, has been teaching outdoor professionals and enthusiastic beginners for over thirty years.
Ali adds: “We’re working on plans to launch further onland and in water adventures in the coming weeks. We will continue to test and learn the best way to operate as we come out of lockdown in a way that keeps our adventurers, our instructors, our community and our wider team safe.”
The centre will continue to follow all advice as set out by the Welsh government, which at this moment includes sticking to a two-metre social distancing rule at all times, accepting pre-bookings only, introducing a one-way system around the centre, and adding additional hand washing points and sanitisers.
The Paddling Adventure on the Menai Strait will run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 July until the end of August – costing £100 per household of up to six people (one household per session).
Private windsurfing and dinghy sailing improver lessons will be available Wednesdays – Sundays from 15 July, as either half day sessions costing £100 or full days costing £200.
To pre-book, find out more and to keep up to date with activities at Plas Menai visit www.plasmenai.co.uk
