Gary Price, the new Chairman of the Open Canoe Association, a national organisation which held their 60th anniversary festival in Ross-on-Wye, told the Ross Gazette that it had been a fantastic site for the event and he would very much like to bring future events to the town.

He said that Ross is an easy place for the 200 members who attended, who come from all over the country, to get to. He added that Ross Rowing Club had been very welcoming.

He went on to say that many of the members already know the River Wye at Ross from canoeing in the area. There was a great festival atmosphere as they celebrated their 60th anniversary. There were workshops to develop skills, demonstrations and a chance to try different boats, along with chances to learn bushcraft and camping craft, and even how to make wooden boats. Two internationally renowned paddlers from Canada were also at the festival.

All the members use a single paddle or sometimes a pole and kneel in the canoes, unless standing up. They kneel rather than sit because there is more connectivity with the boat, and the poles are used if they are travelling upstream or through Rapids such as Monnington Falls.

Mr Price added:?“This has been the ideal site and I hope we can return soon.”