appreciated. Recently there was the death of Nicholas Zawadzki, a well known and respected down river paddle boarder who died running a stretch of a river in Idaho he had run 100s of times before. Three people have died and one is in critical condition in hospital after a group of paddleboarders got into distress on a river in Wales, police have confirmed. The accident is believed to be the worst paddle boarding accident in the history of the sport. 3 min read. Though I can speak out, and will keep doing so despite those advise me otherwise (many who are my friends as well as those who really dont care for my input). The arrest comes as police confirm the fourth death, 41-year-old Andrea Powers, from Bridgend, who was taken to hospital after the incident. 'Joel was crazy to do it at the time but how can you not when there are people fighting for their lives? Paul was a member of 108 Fd Sqn (W) at R Mon RE (M), serving until 2014. 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. One of the victims, former soldier and ardent supper Paul ODwyer, 42, died while trying to rescue the other two victims Morgan Rogers, 24, and Nicola Wheatley, 40 during the tragedy. He's lost a few friends from heart attacks and was raising money for other men to get screened. Nothing to be learned from the incident for fear of any discussion of what happened would be taken as some sort of disrespect to the victims, families, friends, community, and oddly enough seen as an attack and risk to the industry and activity. 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 five other participants on the trip were rescued unharmed. 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. 2023 BBC. 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 . It is ultimately your responsibility. "Following the incident on Cleddau River, Haverfordwest on Saturday 30/10 a woman from the South Wales area has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter as part of the investigation," police said. 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. Did you encounter any technical issues? A Dyfed-Powys police spokesperson said: The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated, but it is believed that the group got into difficulty in the water. Another person is in a critical condition in hospital. Salty Dog Co, a watersports clothing shop, paid tribute toe Paul ODwyer, who is believed to be one of those who died. A woman who died in a paddle boarding accident on a river in west Wales had a "beautiful, kind and loving soul", her family have said. Published The waters receive Atlantic swells, but they rarely get massive due to the shallow basin. Heddlu Dyfed-Powys Police said: 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Perhaps the biggest SUP accident in the world unfolded in Wales on Oct. 30 when four standup paddleboarders died on the flooded Cleddau River in Haverfordwest. Jun 2014. Sadly two women and a man died at the scene and a woman remains in a critical condition in hospital., The Health and Safety Executive, the coroner and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch have been informed. One woman remains in hospital in a critical condition. He also organised an event in September that raised more than 2,000 for the RNLI and a local lifeguard club. A woman has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter after the deaths of four stand-up paddle-boarders in Wales. Fun and exciting adventure days out in the stunning Wye Valley Monmouthshire exploring river, rocks & gorges. At the Taffs Mead Embankment, near the Principality Stadium, there is a small pontoon, and you can paddle upstream. More than 20 police officers, as well as 30 firefighters from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, including specialist water rescue technicians, were involved in the rescue. However, it does get swamped, especially when the weather is good. It read: 'She will be remembered for her calm, friendly and totally professional manner even when faced with the most difficult of cases. South Wales Paddle Boarders in Porthcawl Rest Bay For a long time, Rest Bay has been where surfers have flocked. When in fact all the training in the world will teach you all the training in the world does not guarantee safety. River conditions at Haverfordwest Town Weir the day after the fatal paddleboarding accident, Press enquiries during office hours 01932 440015, Press enquiries out of hours 0300 7777878. October 31, 2021 11:45 am. News stories, speeches, letters and notices, Reports, analysis and official statistics, Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports. 04:57 EST 06 Nov 2021 Driven by a passion for adventure and exploring the waterways of the principality, the club was formed over 13 years ago. In a unique twist, there is even regular yoga on paddleboard classes. Cardiff Bay offers a lot for paddleboarders. Ms Wheatley, who worked as a specialist in poisons information with the National Poisons Information Service (NPIS), was described by her family as loving mother, daughter, daughter-in-law and wife. Wheatley, who worked as a specialist with the National Poisons Information Service, was described by her family as a loving mother, daughter, daughter-in-law and wife. "We've always been proud of him," she added. There is a small jetty you can launch from, and the calm waters are also ideal for beginners. The report, available via this link, contains details of what happened, subsequent actions taken and recommendations. There are even a few pubs you can stop at along the way. Putting phones in plastic waterproof cases for emergencies, wearing a buoyancy aid, dressing "for the temperature of the water", and training is also recommended she said. which supports veterans in the South Wales area. 'God speed the emergency services and support the families.'. 'Paul O'Dwyer, where do we begin? Our rafts accommodate 4-8 persons per raft. She was amazing in every way. Wales News Service, (L-R) Paul O'Dwyer, Nicola Wheatley and Morgan Rogers. AquaBound Releases Norway: A Kayakers Playground Video, Holiday Gift Guide for Paddlers from Mustang Survival. 8 Inflatable SUPs to Get You On the Water in Style, Jackson Kayak Introduces The Knarr Big Water Fishing Kayak, Mustang Survivals Live Beyond Land Vid Showcases Kayak Angler Annie Nagel, Longtime Industry Vet Kelley Woolsey Joins Hobie, New Oscar Chalupsky Book: No Retreat, No Surrender, Thought Soup (and Other Games Paddlers Play on a Long Expedition), Plastic Tides: Using Sea Kayaks to Help Rid the Ocean of Waste, Holy Eye Candy! According to the Dyfed-Powys police, two women and a . Andrea Powell, 41, from the Bridgend area who was in hospital following the incident on the Cleddau River in Haverfordwest on October 30, was named by police as the fourth victim to die. Second, remember that in certain conditions weirs can develop treacherous hydraulic towbacks that can trap and drown you. Much respects go to people like Nicholas Zawadski who are trail blazers and dare to go for it and for all to aspire to be. A 'paddle out' has been arranged on Aberavon beach Saturday 6 November by Aberavon Surf Club in Mr O'Dwyer's memory. One person said to him 'you can't jump in', he said 'I am'. He and two women died, and another woman is critically ill, after the group got into difficulty on the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, on Saturday morning. Endurance race 230 miles in two days from North to South Wales along Offa's Dyke. During the event, surfers from Aberavon surf club, many of who were his close friends, took to the water despite the choppy sea. Being a whitewater SUPer and seeing these accidents, its mostly been shock and what went wrong. The beach offers shelter from the wind and swell. It is not very deep, and there is no worry about tides, so the body of water has quickly become a popular paddleboarding location. Some of the smaller beaches nearby may suit you better. A statement from Morgan's family said: 'Morgan was the best that she could be. There are even social sessions where you can meet other enthusiasts. I think the UK has a history of learning from these type of incidents, the Lyme Bay Disaster back in 1993 certainly tightened up Sea paddling safety. The group of nine adults from South Wales had travelled to Haverfordwest for a paddle-boarding excursion. The water in the bay is sheltered from the weather and relatively flat all year round, giving new or young paddlers excellent conditions to practice in. The suspect, who police said comes from . They were part of a group of nine people on a weekend exploring the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest. I'm heartbroken. TEAM GeoPark Adventure (Brendon Prince, Jon Harry and Matt Bettesworth) finished in first place, 1 hour ahead of the next team. For a scenic and relaxing paddleboarding experience, visit the River Wye, along the border of Wales and England. We are supporting her family, and would ask for their privacy to be respected at this very difficult time, the statement said about Powell. THE devastated family and friends of three people who died in a paddleboarding accident in Wales have spoken of their heartache. 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 confirmed. The families of the victims who died in the incident last week paid tribute to them. The arrest came as police confirmed the death of Andrea Powell, 41, from Bridgend, who was taken to hospital after the incident. One of the paddle boarders who was on the trip, Vickie Mckinven, from Milford Haven, said Mr O'Dwyer had died attempting to rescue two fellow paddleboarders who had got into difficulty near the weir. It is also a top spot for paddleboarding, with its golden sandy beach. I am speaking out about; the human factor of incidents and the pitfalls of heuristic decision making; the unwillingness to challenge the norms of it should be this way without periodically evaluating the way it is; the unwillingness to try to make gear better; and the unwillingness to admit the gear just might not work as intended for river safety. A risk tolerance that he had set for himself and was willing to push the limits even if it meant death. Her mother Teresa Hall posted on Facebook: 'My beautiful daughter Morgan, taken too young. Youll see many SUPs going around the lighthouse island with the tide, which is easily accessible from the beach. If you paddle west, you can reach Ogmore-by-Sea, but be careful around Nash Point as the currents are strong. Lastly, to the paddle board community; dont let the grieving process blind you, and instead let the accidents of the UK and Idaho be moments of open discussion of self-reflection of how to be safer and then turn that into a teaching moments for us all. Those involved are said to have been a part of the South Wales Paddle Boarders and Salty Dog Co, an organisation based in Port Talbot. You can hire a canoe, sailboat, or paddleboard on Cosmeston Lakes during the summer if you dont have your own. This route has a lot to offer, especially if youre looking for that connection to nature. We use some essential cookies to make this website work. A woman who died in a paddle boarding accident on a river in west Wales had a "beautiful, kind and loving soul", her family have said. Founded by a team of industry veterans and reaching everyone from first-timers to seasoned pros, Paddling Life keeps its fingers on the sport's pulse through timely news coverage, event updates, profiles, gear reviews, video links, photo galleries, story links and more. Unfortunately for my Friend Chris he had not had the opportunity to be scared by avalanche classes prior to that day and was unfamiliar with the areas history of instability. Im no expert in whitewater recreation. Plus, unique jumbo paddleboards allow 4-8 people to paddle together. Nicholas Zawadzkis death has been described as a freak accident. On completion you will receive a Ready to Ride certificate. A woman who died in a paddleboarding accident on a river in west Wales had a "beautiful, kind and loving soul", her family have said. Yesterday police named the fourth person to die because of. But the SUP community, the river enthusiasts, and the public at large needs learn from what happened to Nicholas Zawadski. Cardigan Bay. The Corps of the Royal Engineers tweeted a tribute to Mr O'Dwyer, adding he was a reservist with the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers until 2014. It is with heavy heart that we say goodbye to our salty dog Paul, it tweeted on Saturday night. We have noticed that there is an issue with your subscription billing details. What happened in the Ukraine helicopter crash? She has been released under investigation.. She will be sadly missed by her mother, father, Rhys, Harry, Holly and Katy. Hed be like your corny uncle in the corner, with his corny jokes. A family spokesman said: 'Paul was a devoted husband, father, son and brother. They also organise regular litter picking to help clean up rivers and beaches. DCI Jonathan Rees said a full investigation was under way and his thoughts were with the victims families and friends and the injured paddleboarder in hospital. Haverfordwest: Fourth paddleboarder dies and woman arrested - BBC News. Its one of the fastest-growing water sports in the world. He asked people with information to come forward to help their investigation. 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. Lee West, a business partner and best friend of 22 years, paid tribute to ODwyer, who was a former director of the Copr Bar in Swansea and a co-founder of veterans charity Sa1ute. 2. Three paddleboarders have died in south-west Wales after getting into difficulty on a river. A woman who died in a paddle boarding accident on a river in west Wales had a "beautiful, kind and loving soul", her family have said. Stand Up Paddle Boarding at Margam Park Adventure is suitable for all abilities as long as you can swim! I blame us all, the river surfing community, the river surfing/SUP manufacturers, and the river safety experts for not evaluating and learning from Michael James passing, a thing called flush drowning that is completely ignored by the river surfing and paddle board community. The northern parts of Wales and Scotland and the south-east and north of England were expected to see the most snow, with it falling in Kent, Northumberland, Carlisle and Falkirk. Paddling Life Kayak (and SUP) Sampler Roundup, Dane Wins Green Race at 4:12, Sub-4 Still Holy Grail (And Watch His Winning Run!) The deaths of the 4 UK paddle boarders reminds me so much of the Loveland Pass, Colorado avalanche deaths of 5 split boarders in 2013. The aim of the MAIBs preliminary assessment is to help with determining the way forward., Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Morgan Rogers, 24, from Cefin Coed, Merthyr Tydfil was. 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. There are some superb locations to stand up paddleboard for all ages and abilities, including a national park, rivers, canals, lakes and coastlines. A woman has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter after a paddleboarding incident in Wales in which four people died. News. Well send you a link to a feedback form. Honestly, all deaths are freak accidents to the family and friends but in reality, death is a function of life. Many paddleboarders have reported seeing pods of dolphins just outside the deep water at the end of the pier. Everything the man did was for the benefit and betterment of others, he really did make the world a better place and has left a legacy of inspiration and hope to those who perhaps didn't realise they needed it. 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. Let's talk about Spade Kayak's 'Bliss'. A man and two women died at the scene while another woman continues to be treated at Withybush Hospital, Dyfed-Powys Police said. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Dyfed-Powys police said the victims next of kin were being supported by specialist officers. ), https://www.wildsnow.com/9980/sheep-creek-avalanche-site-visit/, What a package! It is the leading SUP club in Wales. Appreciate that call to action, David. Andrea Powell, 41, from the Bridgend area. Ms Powell, from Bridgend, had been taken to Withybush hospital immediately after being rescued but has now succumbed to her injuries with her family at her side, it was confirmed today. The beach is one of the longest in Wales, nearly 3 miles long. Three people have died in a paddleboarding incident on the Cleddau River in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed. Two fire service boats helped with bank and river searches, which also involved coastguard teams and helicopters. However, like all water sports, those that buy or rent a paddleboard need to understand the risks. Tighten up your mukluks. All forces asked to check every officer against police database in wake of David Carrick case, Ambulance strikes: GMB union announce six further dates for action, Cost of living latest: People with recent mortgage offer urged to renegotiate; yearly MOTs could be scrapped; why prices may never go back to what they were, "She has been released under investigation.". Mumbles beach is ideal for paddling. 894646. We as a family are truly thankful for the kind messages sent to us in our time of great sadness.. Discovery Company. He thought he was safe under the arms of a so called Expert. You may see kingfishers, otters and salmon on the river, which is an exciting prospect as you paddle along. 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. A friend in a paddleboarding group said Paul O'Dwyera former soldier and. Youll also find stand up pedal boards here, which combine the fun of a SUP with the comfort of handlebars. A man and two women died at the scene while another woman continues to be treated at Withybush Hospital, Dyfed-Powys Police said. She is a passionate cider drinker, spiced rum enthusiast and a cook from scratch advocate. 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. ', '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. 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