For release 13th June 2011
This year’s World Bathtubbing Championships are being held in Llanwrtyd Wells – famous for its bog snorkling – so would be participants are invited to bring their bathtubs to the Brecon Canal Basin, near Theatr Brycheiniog to try bathtubbing themselves on Sunday 26th June. It’s just like kayaking except in a bathtub – so don’t forget to pack a paddle!
Everyone is invited to join Tony Bain, organiser of the World Bathtubbing Championships as he makes his journey on and along the canal from Brecon to Talybont on Usk, as he uses a variety of different transport methods including the trusty bathtub to travel the length of the canal. The idea is that people can walk, run, cycle, canoe, kayak, coracle, bathtub or even canal boat to Talybont. Once they’ve completed their journey participants will be able to get back to Brecon using the organised transport from Brecon Taxi Service which includes a Bike Trailer or take the X43 bus.
The journey will start at 9am on Sunday 26th June 2011 from the Brecon Canal Basin by the Theatr Brycheiniog and will wend its way to Talybont. It’s not a competition but all are welcome to join the journey at any stage of the event.
Participants, spectators or those who fancy just eating their way along the route can also pick up a copy of the new Canal Food Trail leaflet now available which describes the different local cafes, pubs, inns and restaurants along the way. Developed by Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority and British Waterways, the new leaflet is all part of the build up to the 200th Anniversary in 2012 of the Brecon Monmouthshire Canal. The Canal Food Trail follows the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal south out of Brecon for 12kms/7.5miles through Brynich Lock, Llanfrynach, Pencelli, to Talybont-on-Usk and is serviced by easily accessible local pubs, cafes and restaurants that will offer you plenty of delicious local food and refreshments to continue your journey.
Why not make the most of the lighter summer evenings by strolling to one of the pubs along the canal, then walking off the dinner afterwards? You can follow the tow path right the way back into Brecon. With recent changes to the canal towpath users rights of access , visitors and residents to the National Park are now welcome to run, walk, paddle, and cycle the route of the canal from Brecon to Talybont, all the way through to Abergavenny.
But the best news is that anyone taking part in the canal journey can enter the Travel Challenge 2011 competition for a chance to win a walking or cycling holiday break for the whole family! Travel Challengers are entered into a monthly prize draw, each month until September and will also be in the running for the grand holiday prize. To enter either travel without your car (walk, run, cycle, canoe, bathtub, kayak) and make a journey in the National Park or travel in or to the National Park using public transport (travelling to and from work is not included). All entries to the competition should be accompanied by proof of travel, in the form of a receipt, ticket or a photograph and travel must take place between the 1st May and the 30th September 2011. Entries can be made online www.travelbreconbeacons.info or via the Travel Challenge competition leaflet.
If you want to join Tony Bain in a bathtub you can contact him on info@greendragonactivities.co.uk or 01591 610508. To find out more about the Bannau Brycheiniog National Parks Canal Food Trail you can pick up a leaflet from a Tourist Information Point near you (Brecon, Abergavenny or Llandovery, or contact Carol Williams on 01874 620 478.
-ENDS-
Pictures: Copyright of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority
Organiser of the World Bathtubbing Championships, Tony Bain pictured on the Irfon River in Llanwrtyd Wells.