Plas y Brenin

National Outdoor Centre. Helping people learn, develop, perform and qualify in adventure sports National Outdoor Centre
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05/06/2026

It's Volunteers Week in the UK, a chance to celebrate people who donate a something of themselves for others. Across the team we are proud have mountain rescue, environmental activists, community groups, scout trustees, conservationists, mental health advocates, youth engagement and citizen scientists, to name but a few.

To each and every one of them, let's take a moment to thank them, whatever their volunteering happens to be!
Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation
Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team
Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team
South Snowdonia Search & Rescue Team
Surf2Heal East Cork
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Trash Free Trails
Save Our Rivers
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Mountain Rescue England and Wales

04/06/2026

New kit day! Is there any sweeter day?! We've just added a fresh set of women’s specific Wrapid Vests and Wraptor Zips from Peak to our stores. Developed with input from out ShePaddles events, they offer a new perspective on PFD fit.

Unisex PFDs can often feel restrictive or sit too high, but these are built with a unique contoured chest design that actually maps to your shape. No riding up, no compromise on movement—just kit that does its job so you can focus on the paddling.

Both the over-the-head Wrapid and the front-entry Wraptor are available to demo right now.
If you’re booked onto a course with us soon, don't just stick to your usual gear. Ask the stores team or your instructor to try one out for the day and put the women's fit to the test on the water.

Peak PS

02/06/2026

❄️ Opportunity for Student Mountaineers: The James Brownhill Memorial Fund
Applications are now OPEN for the James Brownhill Memorial Fund (JBMF) bursaries. 🏔️

James Brownhill was a passionate climber and a key member of his university mountaineering club. Following his tragic passing in 2011, his family established this fund to help other young climbers develop the skills they need to enjoy the mountains safely and responsibly.

What is on offer?
The fund provides eight subsidised places on a world-class Scottish Winter Mountaineering course at Plas y Brenin.

The Course: 5 days of essential winter skills in the stunning Western Highlands (based in Glencoe). 15th to 19th February 2027

The Subsidy: The JBMF contributes £645 towards the cost of the course, leaving a student contribution of £450 (full value £1,095).

What’s Included: Expert instruction, full-board accommodation at Alltshellach, and technical equipment hire.

Who can apply?
To be eligible for a bursary, you must be:

Over 18 years of age.

In full-time education.

An active member of a University Mountaineering Club.

This bursary is designed for those who want to bring their new skills back to their university club, fostering a culture of safety and good practice amongst their peers.

Don’t miss this chance to take your mountaineering to the next level in memory of a truly dedicated climber.

Apply now here: https://hubs.ly/Q04g1ScZ0

01/06/2026

"Dress for the swim, not the paddle"

A tricky one, that experience will temper.

The Sense: It might be a beautiful 25°C day, but if the water temperature is 10°C, you are in danger. This adage tells you to wear a wetsuit, cag, or drysuit based on the water temperature, because if you capsize, that’s when the clock starts ticking on hypothermia.

The Verdict: Potentially life-saving. For evevry river trip you need to make a judgement on water temperature, air temperature, time to get to warmth, and the probability of ending up in the water. The more experienced you become, the easier it gets to pick the right layers and not end up sweating the day away in too many layers, or the opposite, which could be much worse.

29/05/2026

Ah Welsh Summer... one minute it's sweltering, the next the heavens have opened and that dusty path has become a torrent. On our Mountain Leader trainings, we spend some time getting in the river, looking at different ways to manage a crossing as an individal or a group. Doing that in a controlled way, with some additional gear means that you can experiment and ultimately appreciate that the best kind of river crossing is one where you don't get wet!
Don't - take a breath and consider your options.
Delay - mountain streams rise and fall extremely quickly, sometime waiting it out is the best option
Divert - can you adjust your route to find a bridge or easier way across?

28/05/2026

Thunderstorms in the Mountains : Stay Safe Out There

The mountains have a way of reminding us how small we really are. One moment the sky is calm and wide open… the next, thunder rolls across the ridges like a warning whispered through stone.

If you’re out exploring and the weather turns, don’t try to “push through.” Storms move fast at altitude, and lightning doesn’t negotiate.
Here’s what to always keep in mind:

Check the forecast before you set off, mountain weather changes faster than anywhere else.

Descend early if you hear thunder, even in the distance. If you can hear it, it can reach you.

Avoid ridgelines, peaks, and high open exposed areas they’re lightning magnets.

Stay away from lone trees and metal gear or anything that conduct's electricity. You may want to remove walking poles and climbing gear if the situation turns serious.

If your caught out; Find the lowest open ground rather than taking shelter in caves or under trees as the lightning takes the quickest route to the ground.
Crouch down in a ball-like position with your head tucked and hands off the floor with as much minimal contact with the ground as possible. Ideally sit on top of an insulating material such as a rucksack or sleeping mat.

Know your route so you can retreat quickly if the sky turns.

There’s nothing wrong with turning back. The mountains will still be there tomorrow and they’re always better when you return safely.

Stay alert. Stay humble. Stay alive.

Address

Plas Y Brenin Conwy
Capel-Curig
LL240ET

Website

http://www.pyb.co.uk/

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