Mark Grundon

Diary of a CA - Niamh

My first week! (19th to 26th April, 2026)

Why I came here:
Juggling a full-time job while living at least an hour from the mountains, lakes, or even decent woodland makes fitting in QMDs, and actual enjoyment of the outdoors, difficult. I came to Plas y Brenin for the opportunities the Centre Assistant scheme could offer: qualifications, experience, and development. More importantly, though, I came to spend as much time in the mountains as possible, and surround myself with like-minded people.

On the ferry over, all I could think was: why did I leave a job I loved to move somewhere I knew no one?

First impressions:
Despite arriving a week later than most of the other CAs, both the people and the environment welcomed me with open arms. I arrived during the sunniest week of the year so far, to a million introductions to the most interesting and accomplished adventurers.

The people here are incredibly welcoming and supportive. The knowledge base among the staff is unreal. From day one, we were invited to join the morning instructor meeting (every morning meeting feels like a masterclass from massively experienced instructors and contractors). With the Duty Instructor’s door always open, and Mountain Training not 30 seconds from our accommodation, any question, query or concern is answered. There is a bottomless well of learning and knowledge at our fingertips.

Week 1:
Since arriving, I’ve driven a grand total of 30 minutes. Everything is right on the doorstep: hills, trails, lakes, climbing, and training opportunities. In just 7 days, and alongside my first week of work, some days have genuinely become 3 activity days! Here's what I got up to in just the first seven days

• Hiking(4): As I’m currently working towards my Mountain Leader assessment, hiking has been my main focus so far. That is hardly a difficult objective when every window seems to frame a new mountain view. This week I completed 3 separate Quality Mountain Days, covering a total of 47.2km and 3509m of elevation gain, alongside an evening navigation session on the hill with a fellow CA.
• Climbing (3): I managed two post-work trad climbing sessions with other CAs, as well as borrowing climbing pads from stores for a morning bouldering session before work.
• Paddling (2): Introductory paddling masterclass from Sid, covering everything from strokes and basic rescues to the even more challenging task of paddling in a straight line in my tiny borrowed kayak. With the fantastic access to stores, borrowing kit and knowledge, we headed out later in the week for another paddling adventure to practise what we’d learned and explore further ourselves.
• Mountain Biking (1): Hosted by a fellow CA and supported by Alex, we had an introduction to mountain biking using the Centre bikes, pump track, and skills track - a completely new experience for me.

What I’ve gained so far:

In just one week, I’ve gained confidence, learned new skills, and thrown myself into new challenges. The environment here encourages curiosity, adventure, and development in every form.

As I continue through the scheme, my aim is to say yes to every opportunity, ask questions, get involved, and make the most of the incredible surroundings during every morning, evening, day off, or spare hour.

by Mark Grundon

A New Chapter for Plas y Brenin

It’s with real pleasure that we share the news that Sport England has confirmed a five-year commitment for us to continue running Plas y Brenin as the National Outdoor Centre on behalf of the outdoor sector.

This is a big moment for us — not just in securing the future of the centre, but in reinforcing the role we play in helping more people access and progress in the outdoors.

Just as importantly, Sport England has supported this with an investment programme into our facilities, activities and environment. As a centre based within a listed building, that support really matters. It means we can keep improving what we offer while looking after a place that’s unique and steeped in history, and ensuring it remains fit for the future.

Together, this commitment and investment give us a strong platform for what comes next.
We care deeply about the role Plas y Brenin plays in the outdoor community. Our focus is simple: delivering high-quality experiences for everyone — whether it’s someone taking their first steps outside or coming back to build on years of experience.

To help drive this forward, we’re delighted to welcome Sam Mason as our new CEO. Sam joins us full-time and locally based, bringing a people-first leadership style and a strong track record of building sustainable services and high-performing teams. His connection to the outdoors runs deep — he’s been walking, climbing, skiing and biking since childhood, and still spends most of his free time in the mountains of North Wales and the Lake District.

His career brings together outdoor culture, heritage venues, visitor experience and partnerships. From leading Kendal Mountain Festival to his work at Brockhole on Windermere, Sam’s focused on creating accessible, meaningful outdoor experiences. He also brings valuable experience in fundraising and partnerships, working with organisations like Wanderlust Women, The Great North Swim and Wheels for All.

Alongside Sam, we’re also really pleased to welcome Paul Warnock as our new Director of Outdoor Training & Education. Paul is a British Mountain Guide and brings over 15 years’ experience across instruction, leadership and programme development. A former Senior Instructor here at Plas y Brenin, he’s worked at Course Director level on the MCI programme and contributed to the development of British Cycling’s mountain bike leadership pathway.

In addition to his technical expertise, Paul is also an MSc-qualified counsellor and psychotherapist, using the outdoors to support resilience, reflection and wellbeing. This combination will play an important role as we continue to grow both our training offer and our work in outdoor health and wellbeing.

With this renewed commitment and investment, we’re excited for what comes next.

by Mark Grundon

Sid Sinfield Returns!

We are delighted to announce a temporary secondment from Paddle Cymru. We welcome back Sid Sinfield, a former senior instructor at the centre, who joins us as our Interim Director of Education and Training.
This appointment reflects the deepening collaboration between Plas y Brenin and Paddle Cymru. Both organisations are dedicated to elevating standards in outdoor education, coaching, and leadership. By integrating Sid's expertise, we ensure continuity in our training provision while strengthening the multi-disciplinary approach essential to our work. We are really grateful to Paddle Cymru for seconding Sid to us.
Sid brings extensive experience in performance management, coach development, and pathway design, not to mention his love of the outdoors. His deep-rooted network across national governing bodies will be invaluable in refining our programmes and delivering safe, inspiring learning experiences. This partnership allows both organisations to share insights and align pathways, ultimately benefiting the wider outdoor community across Wales and the UK.

by Mark Grundon

International Mountain Day

Olly Sanders - Senior Instructor PYB

"Changabang (aka the shining mountain) India. I read Pete Boardman's classic book during my first ascent of the west face in my youth, and until recently hadn't had a second ascent . I was lucky to be invited on an attempt about 15 years ago and we had a good go but were stopped by massive snowfall. It was a fantastic desperately hard and humbling trip , but I got to see it in the full glow and to see why it was called the Shining Mountain"

Kenton Cool - Climber and Mountain Guide

"Everest. It's totally defined my guiding career"

Charles Gay - Partnerships Manager, Ellis Brigham

"Carnedd Llewelyn. It tends to be quieter than it's neighbours and has better views!"

Andrew Denton, CEO, Outdoor Industries Association

"An unnamed summit in Antarctica. If I have to name just one, single mountain from 50+ years of climbing, it’s an unnamed summit in Antarctica. My wife and I made the first ascent with a friend, Nick, as part of an extended ski mountaineering trip. We were down there for a month climbing and skiing incredible mountains, many of them unnamed and unclimbed. This particular one took three days. We stashed our skis about a hundred and fifty metres below the summit and climbed an airy, corniced ridge to a tiny pointed top – the first people ever to stand there.

by Mark Grundon

Our Partnership with O'Shea Surf

We’ve been working with O’Shea for nearly a decade now, and it’s a relationship we’re really proud of. They’re a team who share our values of creating a great product, and more importantly, helping more people get out on the water.

O’Shea was founded by Farrel O’Shea, a record-breaking windsurfer who spent his life chasing adventure. The brand grew from that passion, with a focus on creating boards that are, in their own words, “built to perform and built to last.” Just as important, they’ve always championed getting people, especially young people into board sports, and that’s been a huge driving force behind O’Shea International.

That’s why our partnership works so well. As paddlers and coaches, we’re not only about teaching technique, we’re about building confidence, sharing our passion, and giving people the tools to head off on adventures of their own.

Whether it’s schools, corporate groups, Paddle UK qualifications, or guided tours, O’Shea boards deliver the quality and reliability we need to give our community the best possible experience on the water.

by Mark Grundon

Embark: Snake river Northern Yukon territory

A year ago, Olly Sandeman was flipping through the pages of a guidebook, "Best Canoe Trips in Canada," when he came across the Snake River—300 kilometres of Grade 2/3 whitewater carving its way through the vast wilderness of the Northern Yukon Mackenzie Mountains.

After some research, we decided to offer the trip as part of PYB's Embark expedition series. These trips are coached expeditions, complete with training weekends and supported prep sessions to get a team ready. Five canoeists soon signed up for the adventure of a lifetime. The training weekend was a two-day mini-expedition focused on tandem whitewater skills, river-running strategies, and the specific skills needed for an expedition, like loading and paddling heavy boats. We also practiced essential campcraft and learned how to live safely in the wilderness and handle potential wildlife encounters.

The journey to the Snake River is a long one. It began with a flight from the UK to Vancouver, then another two-hour flight north to Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon. From there, it was a five-hour drive to the small town of Mayo, where we boarded a floatplane for an hour-and-a-half flight even further north to Duo Lakes. This final leg was a spectacular flight through the mountains, where the sheer scale of the wilderness truly set in. Once we landed, the roar of the floatplane faded, and we were left with the quiet understanding of just how alone we were.

The first night was surreal. We’d assembled our boats under the 24-hour daylight and watched a caribou swim across the lake. The next morning, reality set in: an 11-day portage over a two-kilometre trail. Four gruelling hours later, with all our gear on the other side, we ate a hurried lunch and launched our heavy, loaded boats into the river.

The river was a swift, narrow creek, the first few kilometres a slalom through overhanging trees and bushes. We were still finding our rhythm as a group, but the river gradually widened, becoming a boulder-strewn gauntlet. We paddled kilometre after kilometre through stunning forests, catching glimpses of the distant mountain range. It was a constant struggle to focus on the water in front of us when the scenery was so breathtaking. The real test came 15 kilometres in—a tight gorge with 90-degree bends pressed against a steep cliff. A single mistake, a swim, and we could easily pin a boat or get hurt. We were a long way from help.

As the days passed, the river’s whitewater pushed us forward, and the views became even more spectacular. We glided past the towering peaks of Mount Macdonald, our camps marked by the footprints of wolf, caribou, moose, and bear. We were vigilant, camping with our food and cooking gear far from our tents and a tripwire alarm to alert us to any night time visitors.

By day eight, we left the mountains behind. The river gained volume and speed as we entered the lower section of the Peel River. The intense concentration we’d needed for days gave way to a newfound relaxation. We rounded bends to see moose, watched bald and golden eagles soar overhead, and were constantly entertained by the beavers that swam in front of our camp.

On day 11, we reached the final stretch and joined the vast Peel River, a legendary waterway that meets other famous rivers like the Bonnet Plume and the Wind. We approached our take-out at the “Taco Bar” (which, disappointingly, had neither tacos nor a bar) and met other groups who had completed their own journeys. Our final night was spent around the campfire, sipping the last of the whisky and, of course, watching more beavers. The last morning was a blur of packing as we awaited the floatplane.

The Embark expedition to the Snake wasn't just a trip; it was a bucket-list journey shared with incredible people in an incredible place. My gratitude to UpNorth Adventures for the Esquif canoe hire, Peak PS for the amazing gear, and to Bill, Sian, Mark, Sharon, and Carol for being the best possible team.

by Mark Grundon

Drysuit or Separates?

Paddlers: Should you be in a drysuit?

Drysuits are great don’t get me wrong, nothing beats being able to climb out of your suit at the end of the day and jump straight in your car for the drive home. But personally, I’m not convinced that they are the be all and end all of paddling clothing. For starters they’re a lot of money and when you fall over on that muddy, slippery, bramble choked bank and rip a hole in it, you have to send the whole thing away to get fixed. That's your entire paddling shell gone, so no boating for you for the next few weeks. My experience (depending on what you use them for) is that the tops and bottoms of drysuits don’t wear out at the same rate I often end up with one half trashed while the other half still has some life left in it.   

With separates on the other hand, you have choice and this is particularly great if you are into more than one type of paddlesport or are just starting out.

I remember back when I first started paddling many moons ago that my first dry cag even though it was only single waist was a complete revelation making paddling in the depths of winter so much more pleasurable. This is still a great way to start out... a Long John wetsuit and a dry cag. Possibly the most cost-effective all-weather option.

A dry cag also works well with: 

• Board shorts such as Peak’s Bagz shorts ... Great when the weather is nice and warm.
• Thermal / neoprene leggings: Peak’s Neoskin Strides ... Super when it gets a little colder.
• Dry or semi dry trousers: Explorer Salopettes Evo ... Amazing for those winter paddles.

A good set of semi dry or dry trousers also work well with:

• A waterproof jacket such as your normal mountain jacket or multi sport jacket ... Great for canoe tripping or SUP touring, pockets and a hood what more could you want?
• A super warm synthetic insulated jacket ... So nice when the temp drops below freezing.
• Sea kayaking / touring jacket ... great when you want a hood and the benefits of dry arms.

But what happens when I swim? I hear you ask. Obviously if you’re in a drysuit you tend to stay pretty dry. If you are in a good quality set of dry trousers and dry cag then it’s almost as dry, especially if it’s a short swim. Don’t get me wrong if I’m teaching a rescue course where I’m intentionally repeatedly swimming then I’ll be in a dry suit. But most of the rest of the time I’ll be sticking with the versatility of separates.

Joining us on one of our paddling courses and not sure what to wear? We have a fully stocked store to keep you warm and dry.

Our Paddling Courses

by Mark Grundon