WAVES, MUD & MOUNTAINS – WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE RACE EVENT OF THE YEAR

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

You mean you haven't registered yet? This Saturday 23 November it’s only the best multi-terrain race event of the year…

Waves Mud and Mountains is a unique fitness challenge with added good vibes and a party in our bar when you finish. Happening right here in the heart of North Wales, in and around our beautiful Conwy Valley adventure parc. There's still time to register. You can do that here.

WHAT’S THE COURSE LIKE?

Apart from a huge amount of fun? There are three main stages to the course which take in the kinds of challenges that the title suggests. Distance-wise you can expect to cover just under 10k.

STAGE 1: WAVES

Yes, it’s a big ‘wave’ off from the start line. Your first challenge will be to power through 300 metres of ‘em in our world-first inland surf lagoon. That’s 6 million gallons of watery opposition. You can freestyle this bit – run through the shallows, power through waist-high, or just swim your way to the other side. Up to you.

Once you’ve made it across our lagoon it’s a quick run through our woodland and along our old railway track to our chunky muddy battlefield.

STAGE 2: OBSTACLES & MUD

This is where things get a little messy. You’ll be taking on a whole lot of mud and a series of interesting obstacles including log runs, combat nets, water jumps and tyre pits.

STAGE 3: MOUNTAINS

Brace yourself. This is where you’re going to need a bit of grit to get you over the finish line. Your mountain stage is an infamous killer pipeline of pain – the notoriously steep Dolgarrog Water Pipe incline. How many steps is it? We’re not telling. Just don’t. look. up.

By the time you’re at the top, you might want to pause to take in the view before your cross-country descent down to the finish line.

FINISH LINE:

Your finish line is back at Adventure Parc Snowdonia. Once you’re there, it’s time to enjoy the celebrations with your supporters and give yourself some post-race R&R! There will be a free beer or soft drink for every competitor, with post-race celebrations in our bar & kitchen.

REGISTRATION

(LIMITED AVAILABILITY – THESE PRICES ARE SET TO RISE!).

SINGLE PERSON ENTRY – £35

TEAM OF 4 – £120

TEAM OF 6 – £180

You can register here.

EVERYBODY WILL RECEIVE:

  • A cool WM&M T-Shirt
  • Free drink (beer or soft drink)
  • Chip Timing

THERE WILL BE PRIZES FOR:

  • Fastest Solo Male
  • Fastest Solo Female
  • Fastest Team of 4
  • Fastest Team of 6

Your team time will be registered when the last person in your team crosses the finish line. We have some beaut little prizes from our sponsor Animal.

 APPROPRIATE KIT: 

Trail running shoes (no metal spikes). The water and mud will be cold, we suggest base layers for top and bottom and gloves are recommended. You'll have access to our showers and changing rooms after the race.

EAT AT OUR BAR & KITCHEN:

Our bar & kitchen will be serving food until 9pm. If you’d like a table, we recommend you book ahead. You can do that here. Last orders for drinks is 11pm.

STAY OVER:

If you’d like to make a night of it, book a glamping pod! Each cosy heated pod sleeps up to 4 guests for £50. You’ll need to bring your own sleeping bags and pillows. Breakfast is served from 8am. Please call us on 01492 353 123 if you would like to make a reservation for Saturday night.

SPECTATORS:

This is a free-to-watch event. Entry and parking to our adventure parc is always free. Our deli will be open all day, serving hot drinks, light meals and snacks.

FAQ

See below for some of our most frequently asked questions.  If there is anything that we haven’t managed to answer, please feel free to drop us an email on info@adventureparcsnowdonia.com

“Registration and start time”

Registration is from 9am and the first race group will start the race at 11am. Each competitor will be assigned a start wave time, look out for your email from us with your specific instructions.

”How old do I have to be to take part?”

This year’s race is for over-16s only.

“Can I enter a group?”

Yes, but to register as a group you must all book together on one booking so we can ensure you’re all put together on the same wave. If you hit any snags just email us on info@adventureparcsnowdonia.com or call 01492 353 123.

“Do I need to be able to swim?”

Yes, you should be able to swim confidently for at least 25 metres. All water elements of the course will be well lifeguarded.

“What if I can’t complete one of the stages?”

This is about having fun and enjoying the challenge! You can miss out any part of the course you don’t feel confident with.

“What should I wear?”

Trail running shoes (no metal spikes). The water and mud will be cold, we suggest base layers for top and bottom and gloves are recommended. Bring a smile and some grit.

"Where should I change?"

Probably easiest to store your kit in your car, but you will have access to our showers and changing rooms after the event! Don't forget your towel.

 

by Iwan Phillips

ENTER OUR WAVES, MUD AND MOUNTAINS RACE AND RAISE MONEY FOR VULNERABLE CHILDREN

We are v. proud to announce that we are supporting the North Wales branch of UK charity Action for Children with our unmissable Waves Mud and Mountains obstacle course race this Saturday November 23, 2019.

Action for Children supports children, young people and families across Wales and the UK. We have donated free entry passes to the charity which they will be able to use to raise vital funds to support their very important work.

ABOUT OUR WAVES MUD AND MOUNTAINS RACE EVENT

Our unique take on obstacle racing is set in the kind of terrain that the name of the event suggests, with a distance that comes in a 8-10 kilometres. Deep breaths everyone, this is what you're up against:

  • POWER through 6 million gallons of powerful waves in our world-first inland surf lagoon.
  • RUN FOREST, RUN! It's through the woods on the next stage of the race.
  • A MUD-FUELLED OBSTACLE COURSE, including log runs, combat nets, tunnels and tyre pits.
  • THE PIPELINE OF PAIN - your grand finale is a run up the notoriously steep Dolgarrog water pipe steps.

Our course is challenging but a huge amount of fun and very rewarding – every year we do this we are blown away by the atmosphere on the day, and the pure joy on our competitors faces (yes, even as they run through that lagoon!).

 

SIGN UP TO TAKE PART 

You can sign up for a regular entry on our website. Runners who would like to apply for a pass from Action for Children to raise funds for the charity should contact their community fundraiser Nikki Booth on Nikki.Booth@actionforchildren.org.uk.

 

EVENT DETAILS, INCLUDING PRIZES, T-SHIRTS AND POST-EVENT BEERS

Everyone who takes part in our Waves Mud and Mountains event will get a chip timing, and an event finisher’s t-shirt. There will be prizes for fastest male, female and for teams of 4 and 6, and a post-event celebration in our bar & kitchen, with a free beer or soft drink for all competitors.

Waves, Mud and Mountains is a free-to-watch event, and parking and entry to our parc is also free. If you'd like to stay over before or after the event, just book our glamping accommodation online for £65 per pod per night. Each pod sleeps up to 4 people.

Our Waves, Mud and Mountains event is also sponsored by wetsuit brand Animal and supported by Conwy County Borough Council.

 

FACT BOX

Waves, Mud and Mountains event date: Saturday 23 November 2019

Distance: 8 - 10 kilometres

Course type: Running through waves, multiple obstacle, trail and uphill run.

Recommended clothing: Base layers recommended. No wetsuits.

Standard entry fee per person: from £35. Competitors entering as a team get a reduction.

To enter with a pass from Action for Children: contact community fundraiser Nikki Booth on Nikki.Booth@actionforchildren.org.uk

Age restrictions: over-16s only.

Registration time: from 9am on race day.

Race time: first group starts racing at 10am.

Finish line: every gets a drink at the Adventure Parc Snowdonia bar and a finisher’s t-shirt.

More information at adventureparcsnowdonia.com

by Iwan Phillips

Meet the Team: Josh from Surf Retail

A former surf coach with a sports coaching background… our surf retail manager Josh has travelled the world in search of waves.

He’s also a self-confessed surf geek. Ask Josh anything you like about fins, boards, leashes, wetsuits, deck grips or tail pads (and plenty more!!) and he’ll be able to give you informed, intelligent and personally tailored advice about which products will work best for you.

In fact, Josh can help you with all sorts – from hints and tips on catching our waves to the best secret surf spots around the globe to head for on your next holiday!

Josh is always up for a chat, so please do drop in and say hello next time you’re passing. In the meantime, we’ve grilled him for answers to a few essentials…

Where did you grow up?

I grew up on the south coast of England not too far from Bournemouth.

What was your first introduction to surfing?

It was on holiday in Cornwall when I was around 12 or 13. I managed to convince my dad to let me hire a board from the local surf school and was hooked from then.

What kind of surfer are you?

I’m a goofy surfer. I surfed longboards until I was in my early 20s, and I loved cruising and the relaxed style of longboarding. Now I’m very strictly a shortboarder – it’s all about how fast I can go! Having said that, I do throw in the odd fun board foamy session to keep things fresh. It helps to iron out the creases when I feel I’m hitting a bit of a plateau.

 When did you start working at Adventure Parc Snowdonia?

I started at APS in March 2018 as a full-time surf instructor. I was fresh off the plane from three years in Australia and New Zealand and timed it perfectly as APS was hiring! I worked as an instructor up until July 2019 when the opportunity to take over the surf shop arose.

What do you like most about working at APS?

First up was the fact that Adventure Parc Snowdonia was the world’s first commercial wavepool, and a pioneer of this big new global trend. But it was also that the team is great - I’ve been lucky with who I’ve gotten to work with and meet during my time here - some really top coaches and surfers. With consistent waves every day it’s the perfect place to keep on improving my surf. And there’s always one of the other coaches watching to give me feedback on my form, which is great.

What drew you to retail?

I love the fact that I can help our customers out in a different way. And I really love talking to people about the things that they are passionate about. If I can provide some good advice so that surfers are able to pick up the best equipment for what they need and enjoy their surfing even more then I’m happy.

What gives you the edge?

I am a huge surf equipment and tech geek. I’ve been studying boards, fins, wetsuits and the rest for as long as I’ve been involved in surfing. I’ve tried out pretty much everything we stock, which means I can give really genuine feedback. I would never want anyone buying the wrong bit of kit getting bummed out by it, so I make sure I try, test and get as well-informed about our products as it is possible to be.

What is it like working at surf retail?

What I really like is that we get surfers at all different stages of their surfing ‘careers’, from beginners to seasoned vets. It’s great to engage with all of them. Seeing the excitement of new surfers buying their first wetsuit or board is great. And with the more experienced surfers, it’s awesome just chatting surf spots around the globe and helping to kit them out for their next trip.

What are your ‘hero’ products at the APS store?

My favourite products in the store… I really like our Surf Snowdonia tee’s and hoodies – and obviously I’d say that they are an essential piece of kit ?. Our Stance socks are great because they’re just so comfy. But I have to say the ‘Surf Ears’ ear plugs might just be the best bit of kit I’ve ever purchased. Keeps the water out but I can still hear perfectly – so no more ear ache for me!

Your favourite wetsuit?

My favourite wetsuit is the O’Neill Hyperfreak 5/4+ hooded suit. It’s warm enough for the winter swells but so comfy and stretchy. It feels like you’re wearing a 3/2.

And what’s your favourite board?

My favourite board is the ‘FRK’ by Slater Designs. It’s a classic high-performance shortboard, nice and simple but goes amazing. So much so I have just ordered myself one! Another favourite is the No Brainer by Slater Designs – it’s so easy to ride anyone can get on it and rip. It’s nice and flat which makes it really fast, so it goes great in the wavepool here. And the faster you go, the better you surf - right?

What’s your top tip for surfers buying new kit?

I think the best bit of advice I can give anyone is don’t be afraid to pay that bit more and get a good wetsuit. I have seen so many people freezing and uncomfortable in the water because they have picked up a suit from a budget beach shop. A good wetsuit has the potential to increase your experience 10-fold because it allows you to stay in the water for longer, move more easily and ultimately have a much better surf experience.

Anything else to say before we let you go?

I just want everyone to feel that no matter what product they are looking into – even if it’s something we don’t stock – they should feel they can come pick my brain about it because I can always help, advise and add value. To be honest, I just love it when people stop by for a chat, just like I used to at the surf shop on the beach where I grew up.

 

by Iwan Phillips

What We're Doing for World Mental Health Day 2019

Like millions of people across the globe, we will be giving particular thought to how we can contribute positively to the conversation around mental health this World Mental Health Day, Thursday 10th October.

Mental health is just like our physical health: everybody has it, and everybody needs to take care of it. And sometimes, all it takes to make a real difference to it is the smallest step forward. And usually that starts with a conversation.

We want to be part of that conversation. So we were delighted when Ysgol Friars in Bangor, North Wales, got in touch to ask us to spend this World Mental Health Day with them. We first met Ysgol Friars when they came to take part in our Women in Sport conference last June.

The school is running a mental health well-being fair to promote and support better physical & mental health for everyone. So we will be spending the day with students and teachers, listening to their experiences and exchanging ideas about how we can all work together to support each other better.

We’ll be listening carefully to what they tell us. School can be a highly stressful environment, and how our young people learn to deal with that stress and anxiety whilst still at school can have life-long implications for their mental – and physical – wellbeing.

Regular exercise can really help to mitigate stress and turn it into something positive. Being active can also help to improve memory, encourage better sleep and boost overall mood. There is plenty of evidence to show that it can have a transformational impact on depression, anxiety, ADHD, and more.

We hope that we can help more young people to use exercise as a positive tool to support their mental health and wellbeing today, tomorrow, and in the long term.

To find out more about how we work with schools, clubs and youth groups please head to our schools page here. You can drop our schools coordinator Natasha a line on n.evans@adventureparcsnowdonia.com.

by Iwan Phillips

August Bank Holiday Gin & Prosecco Festival

A sell-out event last summer, this is fast becoming a summer highlight here in the valley. Join us at our beautiful lagoon-side TiPi for music, great food, meet-the-distiller sessions, a super-friendly crowd, surfers on our waves and lashings of gin and fizz.

Tickets are limited for this very popular event, and the sun is set to be shining! If you’d like to be there gather your buddies together and buy your tickets now!

What's on in North Wales:

Gin & Prosecco festival

Sunday 25 August 2019

2-9pm

Over 18s only

£10 entry, which includes your first drink

 

by Iwan Phillips

SmoothStar: why we love this surf training tool

Over at our onsite Surf Retail space we stock a pretty comprehensive range of high quality wetsuits, boards, clothing and accessories.

Surf Retail is a place where we like to showcase the best in new products, design and technology; kit and caboodle that is relevant to you whether you’re a fully signed up surf pro or a just-starting-out beginner.

With that in mind, we were pretty excited when we got the opportunity to become the only Wales stockist of a truly amazing and ground breaking surf training product: SmoothStar.

What is SmoothStar? Well we reckon it’s the closest you’re ever going to get to surfing on dry land. Yes really.

SmoothStar: the surf training tool

Whether you’d like to supplement your wave time with some land-based training, or you really want to work on a specific technique, SmoothStar boards will keep you well and truly stoked.

The SmoothStar boards replicate the surf feel due to the front truck featuring a special turning device known as the SmoothStar thruster.

The thruster makes the front of the board loose allowing the board to turn and drive off the back trucks – the same as you would with surfboard rails and fins. The feel is “rail-to-rail” surfing on land. The turns are not sharp or stiff – they are “Smooth” but as radical as you want them to be. That is why they call it “SmoothStar”!

Once the rider is pushing off from rail-to-rail, this creates a “self-propelling” motion, removing the need to push off the ground with the foot.

This is what our retail manager Josh has to say about Smoothstar:

“I’ve been using SmoothStar boards for a few years now, the connection between my upper and lower body when surfing has improved massively. I now rotate further and compress much deeper through my turns. I love that I can take surfing everywhere with me and it’s also a wicked workout for the lower body!”

Check out our video to see how a SmoothStar could improve your surfing too! 

Surf Retail is open daily from 9am until 5pm. Email us on retail@adventureparcsnowdonia.com for more information about SmoothStar, or to enquire about any of our other retail lines.

by Iwan Phillips

WIN EXCLUSIVE USE OF OUR NEW ADRENALINE INDOORS FACILITY!

Have you been to check out our brand-new Adrenaline Indoors facility yet? Had a go on the UK's only extreme kicker slide (expect to fly high), taken on our epic aerial assault course, dared to throw yourself off our 6.5 metre stunt jump towers or braved our 100+ metres of artificial caves?

Then what about this: how do you fancy having this giant of adventure all to yourself and your mates? If that's a yes you need to enter our mega Adrenaline Indoors competition right now. Just head over to Facebook, Insta or Twitter and answer a simple question about what adventure means to you to be in with a chance of winning this truly epic prize.

WHAT'S UP FOR GRABS

Two hours exclusive use of our brand-new Adrenaline Indoors facility for you and nine fellow adventurers - big or small. You must be 18+ to enter this competition, and the prize is suitable for adults and children age 9+ (under 18s must be accompanied by at least one participating adult).

ABOUT ADRENALINE INDOORS

Our brand-new giant of adventure features one of the longest artificial caving systems in the world, climbing & racer walls, leaps of faith, possibly the most extreme slides you will ever encounter - including the UK's only kicker flight slide -  an aerial assault course, stunt jumps and parkour ninja floor trail. There are ‘freefall’ jumps for the fearless, and you can even take a tandem zip line from the rooftop across the surf lagoon! A totally weather-proof day out for thrill-seekers of all ages, Adrenaline Indoors includes a separate soft play zone for younger visitors.

Adrenaline Indoors from age 5+, from £12. Soft play for babies & toddlers, £5, free for under 1s. Find out more and book here.

Please scroll down to read our full terms and conditions. And the very best of luck!

 

 

OUR COMPETITION TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. The promoter is: Adventure Parc Snowdonia Ltd trading as Surf Snowdonia and
Adventure Parc Snowdonia (company no 8220978) whose registered office is
at Adventure Parc Snowdonia, Conway Road, Dolgarrog, Conwy, LL32 8QE.
2. The competition is open to residents of the United Kingdom aged 18 years or over
except employees of Adventure Parc Snowdonia Ltd and their close relatives and
anyone otherwise connected with the organisation or judging of the competition.
3. There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition.
4. By entering this competition, an entrant is indicating his/her agreement to be bound
by these terms and conditions.
5. Route to entry for the competition and details of how to enter are via https://
www.facebook.com/AdvParcSnowdonia/, https://www.instagram.com/
AdvParcSnowdonia/ and https://twitter.com/advparcsnowdon.
6. Only one entry will be accepted per person. Multiple entries from the same person
will be disqualified.
7. Closing date for entry will be 31/08/19. After this date the no further entries to the
competition will be permitted.
8. No responsibility can be accepted for entries not received for whatever reason.
9. The rules of the competition and how to enter are as follows: To enter, simply let us
know in the comments on the competition post what the word ‘adventure' means to
you! You can enter via our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter page.
10. The promoter reserves the right to cancel or amend the competition and these terms
and conditions without notice in the event of a catastrophe, war, civil or military
disturbance, act of God or any actual or anticipated breach of any applicable law or
regulation or any other event outside of the promoter’s control. Any changes to the
competition will be notified to entrants as soon as possible by the promoter.
11. The promoter is not responsible for inaccurate prize details supplied to any entrant by
any third party connected with this competition.
12. The prize is as follows:
Two hours exclusive use of our brand-new Adrenaline Indoors facility for you and nine
fellow adventurers - big or small. You must be 18+ to enter this competition, and the prize
is suitable for adults and children age 9+ (under 18s must be accompanied by at least one
participating adult).
The prize is as stated and no cash or other alternatives will be offered.The prizes are not
transferable. Prizes are subject to availability and we reserve the right to substitute any
prize with another of equivalent value without giving notice.
13. Winners will be chosen at random by software.
14. The winner will be notified by email and/or DM on Twitter/Facebook/Instagram and/or
letter within 28 days of the closing date. If the winner cannot be contacted or do not claim
the prize within 14 days of notification, we reserve the right to withdraw the prize from the
winner and pick a replacement winner.
15. The promoter will notify the winner when and where the prize can be collected / is
delivered.
16. The promoter’s decision in respect of all matters to do with the competition will be final
and no correspondence will be entered into.
17. By entering this competition, an entrant is indicating his/her agreement to be bound by
these terms and conditions.
18. The competition and these terms and conditions will be governed by English/Welsh law
and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England/
Wales.
19. The winner agrees to the use of his/her name and image in any publicity material, as
well as their entry. Any personal data relating to the winner or any other entrants will be
used solely in accordance with current UK data protection legislation and will not be
disclosed to a third party without the entrant’s prior consent.
20. Entry into the competition will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and
conditions.
21. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated
with, Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Network. You are providing your information
to Adventure Parc Snowdonia and View Creative Agency and not to any other party. The
information provided will be used in conjunction with the following Privacy Policy found
at https://adventureparcsnowdonia.com/privacy-policy/
22. Your exclusive session must be booked before 31st December 2019 and is subject
to availability.
23. Please check https://adventureparcsnowdonia.com/shop-category/adrenalineindoors/
to make sure you are aware of any age or weight restrictions for Adrenaline
Indoors activities.

by Iwan Phillips

Richard Parks launches Adrenaline Indoors!

The day has finally arrived! We were absolutely thrilled to open the doors to our fantastic new indoor adventure facility, Adrenaline Indoors, for the first time this morning.

This giant of adventure was launched for us by another giant of adventure - former Wales rugby international, record-breaking extreme endurance athlete and all-round Welsh legend Richard Parks. We are so pumped that he was able to be part of our big day.

Packed full of high-thrills activities, Adrenaline Indoors features one of the longest artificial caving courses in the world, as well as climbing & racer walls, leaps of faith, possibly the most extreme slides you will ever encounter – including the only kicker flight slide in the UK – an aerial assault course, air bag stunt jumps and a parkour ninja floor trail.

There are ‘freefall’ jumps for the fearless, and you can even take a tandem zip line from the rooftop right across the heads of our surfers on our inland lagoon!

WEATHER-PROOF ADVENTURES - PERFECT FOR RAINY DAYS OUT THIS SUMMER

Adrenaline Indoors is a totally weather-proof day out for thrill-seekers of all ages. A rain-proof facility with some of the biggest, boldest, most daring of new adventures in the UK. With something for adventurers of all ages, entry starts at £12.

So, what have we got in store for you? Take a look at our adventures below, and head to our Adrenaline Indoors page to book your entry!

ADRENALINE PASS

Awesome parkour ninja trail with extreme slides, bag jumps and aerial assault.

Age 9+, from £12

INDOOR ADVENTURE CLIMB

Clip & climb routes + racer walls, with a stairway to heaven and leap of faith.

Age 5+, from £12

THE GRAVITY PACK

High-rise kicks and thrills on outdoor climbing walls and ‘freefall’ jumps.

Age 7+, from £30

ARTIFICAL CAVING

All the thrills and skills of caving in a remarkable system of tunnels and caves.

Age 5+, from £12

ZIP LINE

The only zip on earth where you can race surfers and waves as you fly over a beautiful inland lagoon.

Age 7+, from £18

SOFT PLAY CAFÉ

Soft sensory play that will keep the smalls happy whilst you relax with a cuppa. Babies under 1 go free.

£5 entry.

by Iwan Phillips

A world-first stop for the Adaptive Surf Championships

This week we are seriously delighted to welcome some of the world’s best adaptive surf athletes – including former world champions Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart (AUS) and Bruno Hansen (DEN) – to a very sunny North Wales.

They are here at Adventure Parc Snowdonia to take part in a world-first inland surf competition which we are the very proud hosts of.

 

A world-first for adaptive surfing

The Welsh Adaptive Surf Championship will take place Friday 5 and Saturday 6 July 2019, on our man-made waves. It will be the first international adaptive surf championship to be held on an inland lagoon anywhere in the world.

Twenty-four surfers – male and female – representing thirteen nationalities will take part in the event. The current adaptive surfing circuit sees competitions in Hawaii, Bali, South Africa, USA and Europe. It serves as a qualifier for the ISA World Adaptive Surf Championships which have been held in La Jolla, California, since 2015. This is the first time Wales has hosted a stop on the circuit.

Each of the surfers taking part has overcome significant personal challenges – including limb amputations, cancer, life-changing accidents and paralysis – to excel at their sport at a globally competitive level.

The main sponsor is Abersoch Land & Sea, and competitors include Welsh surfers Ethan Jolosa from Monmouthshire, and Llywelyn Williams from Abersoch.

Llywelyn, who lost his leg after a skateboarding accident, is a member of the organising committee who brought the event to North Wales. He said:

“Surfing is in the lifeblood of so many people living in Wales. I grew up surfing at local beaches like Porth Ceiriad and Porth Neigwl.

“I always wanted to see a Wales stop on the adaptive surf circuit, but the uncertainty of waves and unreliable weather was always a limiting factor. On top of that, access to beaches can be difficult for adaptive surfers.

“That changed when Adventure Parc Snowdonia launched its world-first inland waves. It ticks all the boxes for us: guaranteed surf, fantastic food and accommodation, and world-class facilities in the most beautiful location. The international surfers coming here will get a real taste for Wales whilst seeing the great facilities that are on offer.

“Competing on consistent and reliable inland waves will make for a better competition, and the fact that spectators can get so close up to the waves makes it a much more interesting event."

The event has been generously sponsored by Tony Ford and powerboat specialists Abersoch Land & Sea.

Consistent & reliable inland waves

The surfers will compete in three categories: standing, kneeling and prone.

Standing surfers are typically able to stand on their board and steer, kneeling surfers will surf on their knees or one knee, and prone surfers lie on their board.

Australian Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart is amongst the competitors. In September 2015, at the age of 53, he won the inaugural International Surfing Association World Adaptive Surfing Championship in La Jolla, California. He said: “The wave here is amazing, well worth the two-day journey from Australia. The accessibility, quality and consistency of the waves is a game-changer. Inland waves are without doubt the future of our sport.”

Andy Ainscough, managing director of Adventure Parc Snowdonia said: “A few of the competitors arrived early to enjoy a bit of North Wales sunshine and to get some practice before the big event.

“Watching them surf is technically impressive and genuinely inspiring. We hope we’ll get a good crowd down on Friday and Saturday to watch some world-class surfing and soak up what will be a great atmosphere.”

The popularity of adaptive surfing has grown significantly since the first ISA World Adaptive Surf Championship in 2015. The International Paralympic Committee, the body which oversees the Paralympics, will make a decision on whether to include it in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games later this year.

This year’s international adaptive surf competitive circuit will culminate in the ISA World Adaptive Surf Championship at La Jolla, California, in Autumn / Winter 2019.

Event details 

  • Come and support these amazing athletes! Admission to the event is free.
  • The Welsh Adaptive Surf Championship has been organised by the Welsh Adaptive Surfing Society and sponsored by Abersoch Land & Sea.
  • Adventure Parc Snowdonia has accessible facilities and viewing areas.
  • Competition takes place 11am – 3pm Friday 5th July and 11am – 1pm Saturday 6th July.
  • A podium presentation will follow the last waves on Saturday.
  • Parking is free.
  • Delicious food and drink served all day at our deli, and out surf side Bar & Kitchen.

Learn to Surf in North Wales

Fancy getting on board with surfing and having a go yourself? We offer surf lessons and waves and paddleboard sessions to all abilities from age 5+, from £35. Please contact us in advance to arrange a chat with our expert coach team if you are a first-time visitor and an adaptive surfer. Find out more here.

 

Friends Surfing North Wales

by Iwan Phillips

Adrenaline Indoors is Now on Sale!

It's big news we bring you today - we are delighted to announce that tickets are now on sale for Adrenaline Indoors!

Featuring the kind of obstacles and jumps you might find expect to find in a stuntman’s repertoire, this colossus of indoor family adventure will open its doors in time for summer 2019. Stay tuned to our newsletter to be the first to get all the news about our grand opening weekend!Adrenaline Indoors North Wales Slides zip line

CGI of Adrenaline Indoors

THE PERFECT FAMILY ADVENTURE

Think Gladiators meets The Krypton Factor, with all sorts of adventures to discover: 9 & 12-metre climbing walls, one of the world’s longest artificial caving courses, flight towers, extreme kicker slides (you want to see how extreme the drop is on these slides), leaps of faith, an aerial ninja assault course, parkour floor trail, a via ferrata and tandem zip lines!

This is high-thrills, all-weather, all-action adventure - the perfect family day out in North Wales! And yes, you'll be relieved to know (given our recent soggy weather) that it's also the perfect rainy day out too.

Adrenaline Indoors Climbing Walls North Wales
CGI of Adrenaline Indoors Climbing Walls

THE RETURN OF THE BEST SOFT PLAY IN NORTH WALES

Mums, dads, nains, taids, grannies, grandpas and anyone who looks after the little 'uns will be delighted to hear that our brilliant Soft Play Cafe is back in time for summer 2019!

This is a dedicated soft play zone for the under 7s, a great way for babies, toddlers and young children to have fun, explore and burn off some energy.

  • Free parking,
  • £5 entry per child
  • Free for babies under 1.

Head to our Adrenaline Indoors page to check out all our brilliant new adventures.  To avoid disappointment, we strongly recommend you book your activity ahead of your visit.

by Iwan Phillips