ShePaddles Cymru 2026

Welcome back to Plas y Brenin for our 2026 #ShePaddles Cymru event, in collaboration with Paddle Cymru! 

#ShePaddles Cymru is a welcoming and inspiring women-focused paddlesports weekend held right here in the heart of Eryri, in collaboration with Paddle Cymru. The aim of the event is to bring women together to try, learn, and develop skills in paddling, whether you’re a complete beginner or already have experience on the water.

Your base ticket includes all of your meals for the duration of the weekend and your 2026 Plas y Brenin ShePaddles T-shirt, as well as free kit hire and access to our on-site showers and drying rooms. We also have a talk on Saturday Evening from adventurer and kayaker Sal Montgomery, also included in your ticket. 

Residential guests can choose between a private single room, a bed in an en-suite twin, or a bed in one of our newly-refurbished bunk rooms. Then, add-on your choice of engaging weekend workshops from the second page at checkout.

When booking your weekend sessions, make sure you have booked something for Saturday Morning, Saturday Afternoon, and Sunday. You can also book an optional water confidence session on the Friday evening to set you up for the weekend. Scroll down for more details on each session, as well as our FAQ. 

** Please ensure you double check the workshops in your basket before proceeding to checkout**

If you have any questions about ShePaddles Cymru, please email info@pyb.co.uk or call us at 01690 720214 .

We look forward to hosting you at Plas y Brenin!

Friday evening: Water confidence 17.30-18.30

If you are feeling a bit unsure about being in a boat or potentially going upside down in one, then join us for an hour in our heated pool to learn techniques for staying calm and how to get out of your boat underwater if you should ever need to. This session will focus on using kayaks. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT A ‘ROLLING’ SESSION.

New for 2026: See below a selection of half day workshops available on SATURDAY, these are open to all ability levels

Physical training for paddling: Have you ever wondered if there's anything you could be doing to help you stay fit for paddling, keep injury free or improve your strength/flexibility, then sign up for our physical training workshop. You will spend some time in our onsite gym looking at different ways to manage your body to allow you to paddle for longer.

Safety and rescue: For those looking to be safe and proactive whilst paddling as part of a led group or group of peers on the water. Expect to spend time on the water in different craft learning rescue techniques and what to do should anyone capsize unexpectedly. Please note this workshop is not a white-water safety and rescue course.

SATURDAY - HALF DAY SESSIONS

Whether you're seeking a serene escape on a calm lake, the sea or a thrilling challenge navigating whitewater rapids, our introductory sessions could be just the taster you need to open you up to a new world of paddling.

There will be 5 different sessions available at an introductory level on the SATURDAY:

• Introduction to Canoeing
• Introduction to Kayaking
• Introduction to Stand Up Paddle Boarding
• Introduction to Sea Kayaking
• Introduction to Rolling (AM only)

These 3-hour sessions will introduce you to the basics of paddling that specific craft. You will learn how to move around confidently on the water, how to keep yourself safe when out and about and all about any specific kit you may need, all in a fun and friendly atmosphere. No experience is needed for these sessions; they are perfect for those completely new to the sport or if you would like a refresher on the basics.

Intro to rolling (AM only) Spend time onsite in our purpose-built pool looking at skills and techniques to begin or progress your roll in a kayak. You will need to be confident in the use of a kayak and at the start of your rolling journey.

SUNDAY - FULL DAY

There will be 4 sessions available at an introductory level on the SUNDAY:

Mixed craft flat water journey: A full day out on the water in a craft of your choice (SUP/Canoe/Kayak) This will be a flat-water journey with little to no flow and be about further developing the skills you have learnt the previous day. This is the perfect workshop if you are new to paddling and are unsure what craft you are likely to prefer on the Sunday.

Introduction to Sea Kayaking Journey: A journey on the sea (weather permitting). Take in the stunning North Wales coastline, maybe see some wildlife, and develop your skills and confidence on open water.  YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE TAKEN PART IN AT LEAST ONE OF THE INTRO TO SEA KAYAK SESSIONS ON THE SATURDAY OR LAST YEAR TO BOOK ONTO THIS.

Introduction to White Water Kayaking: A river journey taking in small and basic rapids helping you focus on learning how to keep yourself safe on a river, read rapids and navigate yourself through them successfully. YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE TAKEN PART IN ONE OF THE KAYAKING SESSIONS ON THE SATURDAY OR PREVIOUSLY TO BOOK ONTO THIS.

Stand Up Paddleboard Coastal Journey: Take your SUP skills out onto the sea (weather permitting) and experience the stunning North Wales coastline, maybe see some wildlife and learn how transfer your skill set onto the open water. YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE TAKEN PART IN ONE OF THE SUP SESSIONS ON THE SATURDAY OR PREVIOUSLY TO BOOK ONTO THIS.

If you’ve paddled before and are looking to hone your skills set, increase your knowledge or try out a completely new discipline then our improver and advanced sessions are for you. You will be expected to have a good level of understanding and control in a boat already but be looking to further your knowledge or confidence.

SATURDAY - HALF DAY 

Intro to Freestyle: Perfect for paddlers who are curious about freestyle kayaking and want to try it in a supportive, fun environment. You’ll learn the basic techniques needed to start spinning and throwing your boat around, while developing confidence and control in your kayak. You should be comfortable paddling a kayak in moving water and have a reliable roll or assisted recovery. No prior freestyle experience is required.

Intro to Slalom/racing: A chance to take to the water in fast slalom boats. No prior slalom experience is required. 

Forward paddling workshop (kayak): The first stroke you learn but have you ever thought about whether it is as effective as it can be, book on this workshop to take a deeper dive into how to get the most out of your forward paddle stroke. 

New for 2026 Rolling Reconstruction: Struggling with your roll or feel like you’ve lost the skill completely? Then join us in our heated pool where our wonderful team of instructors will analyse your current roll and work with you towards building it back up to where it needs to be.

SUNDAY - FULL DAY

There will be 4 different sessions available at an improver/advanced level on the SUNDAY, these are as follows. If you have undertaken the beginner journeys in the specific craft below on previous She Paddles events and have consolidated your skills over the year then these sessions could be great for you:

Improver White Water Kayaking: For those who have spent time on white water in the past but are looking to increase their confidence in grade 2/3 rapids. Expect to learn more about reading rapids, how best to navigate them and feel more confident in your ability in a white-water boat. You should be confident handling and manoeuvring a White-Water boat in moving water including simple rapids. Please note if you regularly paddle grade 3 or above you are too advanced for this session.

Improver Sea Kayaking: For anyone who has spent some time on the sea before but would like to increase their knowledge and skill level on open water. Expect to learn more about handling a sea kayak, the tides and their effect on you and how to navigate yourself around a coastline safely. You should be confident handling and manoeuvring a sea kayak in moving water.

Improver Canoe: For anyone who has spent time in an open boat previously but would like to learn more advanced techniques and build their confidence further. Expect to learn more about handling yourself in the wind (if we have any) and planning journeys. You should be confident handling and manoeuvring a Canoe in moving water/wind.

Advanced White-Water Kayaking: You are a regular white-water paddler happy on Grade 3 rapids and want to push your skill level further whether that be technique or moving towards grade 4. You will need to have a competent moving water roll or at least a good understanding of what to do if your roll fails

We will also have brands, partners and surprise events throughout weekend... 

On Saturday evening, Sal Montgomery will take us on a journey through her paddling (and life!) in an evening lecture. Maybe there will be drinks... maybe a chance to let your hair down, and definitely good times! 

FAQs

Who is ShePaddles Cymru for?

ShePaddles Cymru is an event for women ranging from complete beginners through to those that are advanced. We welcome everyone who identifies as female or non-binary to take part.

What workshops should I choose?

I have never paddled before:

Look at our introductory/beginner sessions. You can book two sessions on the Saturday, choosing which craft you would like to learn about. For the Sunday we would recommend the Multi Craft journey as then you can choose what boat you use after you have spent some time in/with them on the Saturday.

I have a small amount of paddling experience but don't do it regularly

Book onto our intro courses on the Saturday these sessions are adapted to who turns up on the day and then if you want to improve your skills in a particular discipline then our Sea Kayaking/White Water/Coastal SUP journeys will be best for you

I have been to She Paddles Cyrmu before but have spent little to no time in a boat since

Book onto our intro sessions, you can repeat what you have done before or pick a different craft, these sessions are adapted to who turns up on the day. On the Sunday feel free to choose one of our craft specific journeys (Sea Kayaking/White Water/Coastal SUP) if you would like to progress your current skills further.

I have been to She Paddles Cyrmu before and have done lots of the beginner sessions but I'm unsure as to whether I should do the improver sessions

This answer will depend how much time you have spent in a boat other than at She Paddles and where you were at with your skill level during previous events. Read the descriptions for our improver sessions carefully and see if you match the required prerequisites, these sessions are designed to be the next step on from the beginner sessions.

Can we swap the workshops that we are booked onto? 

We have a range of courses from beginners to advanced which you can choose from when booking, please choose carefully to ensure you are happy with the course choice. Once booked we are unable to offer any swaps, if you are unsure of which course is right for you please give us a call or email.

What is included in the food package? 

Both residential and non-residential tickets include:
Friday: Evening Meal
Saturday: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Tea+Cake, Evening Meal
Sunday: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Tea+Cake

Am I able to use kit from Plas y Brenin's stores? 

If you have your own wetsuit and paddling equipment please do bring it along. For those without their own kit, we can provide it from our stores free of charge. Any kit you bring will need to be inspected by instructors.

Am I allowed to bring my own boat?

You may bring your own boat to all outdoor sessions. Unfortunately, we cannot offer storage for personal boats, so you will be storing this at your own risk. For our pool sessions, we use specially cleaned boats, so you will not be able to bring your own boat to our water confidence or rolling sessions.

What accommodation options are there? 

At Plas y Brenin we have a range of onsite accommodation made up of a mixture of single rooms, twin rooms, and bunk-bed dormitory rooms. Most of our rooms are in our Main House, while some are in separate cottages and farmhouses across our site. Please notify us if you have any mobility issues or other special requests regarding bedrooms, and we will try our best to accommodate these. If your preferred accommodation option is sold out, please get in touch with us at info@pyb.co.uk and we'll see what we can do.

What happens if there are poor weather conditions during the event? 

Our experienced instructors will adapt the program depending on weather conditions to make sure all attendees stay safe and get the most from their sessions.

Will my instructor be female?

Where we can, we will endeavour to provide female instructors for our women-only courses. Sometimes this is not possible, and some instructors for the ShePaddles Cymru weekend will be male. The vast majority of our instructors for ShePaddles Cymru will be women, but there will be some exceptions to this.

What happens if I can no longer attend the event? 

Terms and Conditions apply, please see our website for further details: https://pyb.co.uk/terms-conditions/