Surfing at the Tokyo Olympics | Surf Snowdonia
SURFING IN THE OLYMPICS!WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?SURFING IN THE OLYMPICS!WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
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Surfing is a sport that first originated atop the sparkling, cerulean waves of Polynesia in the late eighteenth century, during a time when surfboards were thick, heavy pieces of wood that weighed up to 90 kilos. Enjoyed by everyone from royalty through to fishermen, it was a way of life associated with sacred rituals and celebration. Brought to the attention of the masses during the early 1900s by the father of modern surfing and Olympic swimmer Duke Kahanamoku, it was something he passionately campaigned for, saying it was his ‘dream’ to see surfing become an Olympic sport upon accepting his gold medal at the 1912 Stockholm summer olympics.
Fast-forward over a century, and the decision by the Olympic committee to include surfing in the games was made on the 3rd August 2016, when they also announced that baseball, karate, skateboarding and climbing would be added.
So, in a historic year for the sport, what have we learned from watching 40 world-class athletes take to the water?
Even Olympic surfing is at the mercy of mother nature
No matter what the level of preparation is, surfing competitions throughout history have always been subject to one uncontrollable element, the weather. The Olympics is no exception, with the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals all rushed into one day in order to accommodate tropical storm Nepartak.
A lot of different factors go into surf scoring
With a panel of five different judges watching each wave, athletes go head to head in three 30 minute rounds known as heats, where every wave ridden is scored from 0.1-10. On each wave, the very highest and lowest scores are thrown out with the average of the middle three giving the overall score for that wave.
The scores from the best 2 waves are then added together to calculate each surfer’s overall heat score. While all of that might sound complicated, the simple factors being taken into account by the judges include the difficulty and variety of moves, the speed, flow & power of execution and the athlete’s overall commitment to the wave.
Surfing is set to continue it’s Olympic journey
Scheduled to take place in Paris in 2024, surfing will be featured in the 2024 Olympics but with a catch - the surf competition itself will take place in Tahiti, almost 10,000 miles away. It could also be the year that we see Sky Brown qualify for the Team GB surf squad, after she became the youngest British Olympic Medallist by winning the Bronze medal in skateboarding, revealing that it’s her ‘goal to compete in both sports at the Paris games’.
Beyond that, in 2028, Los Angeles is set to play host, meaning athletes will take on the consistent waves of the California coastline should surfing be kept on the agenda. (As surfing was declared the official sport of the state in 2018, we deem it highly unlikely that it will be dropped.)
The wave pool is the perfect place to train
With conditions often proving tricky, even gold-medallists appreciate the calm, clean consistency of a wave pool. Upon their arrival in host city Makinohara, Women’s Surfing Shortboard Gold Medallist Carissa Moore was one of the first to train, adding "The host city has been incredibly generous in sharing their hospitality and culture - from the awesome beach, the cheering crowds, new wave pool and beautiful leis and hotel.”
Improve your surfing at SURF SNOWDONIA
Surrounded by brooding mountains, rugged rolling hills and glorious green forests, the surf lagoon at Adventure Parc Snowdonia is the perfect place to practise your surfing, reconnect with nature and be inspired by this years’ Olympians. Located within an hour of some of North Wales’ best surf spots, you’ll easily be able to take your new found confidence out onto the ocean following a session or lesson.
August Safety Update
SAFETY UPDATEWE HAVE UPDATED OUR COVID SAFETY MEASURES, PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU VISIT!SAFETY UPDATEWE HAVE UPDATED OUR COVID SAFETY MEASURES, PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU VISIT!
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Following updated Government advice and guidelines we can finally make further improvements to the way we operate. Please help us to make your visit as healthy and safe as possible by taking a minute to read our checklist below before you travel to see us.
If you are unsure about anything at all, our friendly team is always on hand to help. We look forward to welcoming you back for adventure and to surf, explore and stay in Snowdonia!
FOR EVERYONE
- You must sign your waiver before you arrive. If you haven’t done so yet, please check your booking confirmation email and do so now. Please make sure everyone in your group has signed their waiver.
- We will have sanitising stations for you to use at all customer touch points.
- We continue to prefer contactless payment where possible to increase safety
- Our food and beverage outlets will be open, and we will be following the appropriate guidelines for socially distanced dining. More information on Surfside dining be found here
- We are following Welsh Government guidelines, and we will be reviewing all systems and operations as new guidance is released.
FOR SURFERS
- Our changing facilities, are back open fully! Located in the main Hub Building with the usual flow through Wetsuits and The Academy!
- Our hot showers are back in use!
- Locker facilities are now available, please request a wristband at reception (£2 charge)
FOR ADRENALINE INDOORS AND OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
- You may have to wait for your session outside under cover, please ensure you are wearing appropriate clothing to keep you warm.
- Unless you are medically exempt, you will be required to wear a face mask during all safety demonstrations.
If you have any additional questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us! You can call our customer service team on 01492 353 123 or email us on info@adventuresparcsnowdonia.com
Meet The Team!
MEET THE TEAM!
Meet: Maddie!
You'll likely find Maddie, one of our awesome lifeguards, encouraging and helping people around the shores of the lagoon here in Snowdonia! Our lifeguard team are the ones keeping you safe in the water at all times. Our friendly, fun-loving team are the all-round good guys that share a passion for surfing and spending time outdoors (whatever the weather)!
Like many of us here, Maddie has huge appreciation for the ocean, conservation and surfing. Maddie is currently studying Marine Biology at Bangor University, with specific interest in seaweed mari-culture and its uses against climate change! Something that we are fully behind, it's great to share views and values with our team and visitors and adventurer's around sustainability and conservation of our natural environment - with all aspects of our Parc being truly #InspiredByNature since 2015!
Favourite Wave? Advanced North during staff sessions, awesome to hangout and share waves after work!
Weapon of choice? keeping it fun with a 7' foamie!
Relaxation space? Working from the Surfside Hub with waves rhythmically rolling past from the huge viewing windows.
we caught up with maddie
“Travel permitting, I am due to be travelling to the Seychelles for a research project, focusing on the conservation of mangrove forests on the islands. These plants form dense barriers in the intertidal zone, creating nursery grounds for lemon sharks and turtles, among other organisms, and contribute greatly to coastal defences and carbon capture!
Working at APS has given me the opportunity to meet so many interesting people, in an environment that fully supports me as a person and my studies. It is great to have such an amazing facility on our doorstep and watch people develop their surfing and confidence in the water, as well as progressing with my own surfing quicker than I ever imagined. This is definitely somewhere where work doesn’t feel like work - always the best kind of place.”
We're always on the lookout for great people to join our team across our departments. Want to be part of the adventure? Take a look at our vacancies!
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Summer Holidays are Nearly Here
July is finally here! Which means the school holidays are waiting just around the corner. Have you you figured out how you're going to keep the kids entertained yet? Get a fun-filled summer escape lined up whilst we still have some availability (though you'll have to be quick!), with accommodation at our beautiful new Hilton Garden Inn, or in our comfortable glamping pods. We're open for award-winning inland surf and adventures, with all bookings protected by our Covid guarantee. Book your break online now, or speak to a member of our team by calling 01492 353 123.
Introducing our home - Snowdonia
To paraphrase the poet William Blake, great things happen when men and mountains meet. And we think you’d be hard pushed to find anywhere better to happen upon greatness than in Snowdonia, North Wales.
We consider ourselves extremely lucky to make our home here, at the gateway to the Snowdonia National Park. It’s a straight-up stunning part of the world, which is just one of the reasons why it is consistently voted as one of the top regions in the world to explore.
Follow the Conwy River for around eight miles from its estuary at the medieval town of Conwy, and that’s where you’ll find us. The grassy whaleback hills of the Carneddau mountains and the dense Gwydir forest rise up from the valley floor behind us, and the Snowdonia Massif – home to Snowdon, the highest peak in England and Wales – lies just a few miles to the south west.
North Wales is the ideal holiday location for anyone who takes pleasure in the beauty, exuberance and boundless potential of the Great Outdoors. Want to get out and explore when you visit us? Check out our outdoor adventures, including gorge walking and mountain biking, here.
We’re just around an hour and a half’s drive from Liverpool or Manchester, or just an hour from Chester. And whilst our location is rural, we’re just 15 minutes’ drive from the main North Wales expressway. Find out more about how to get here, including arriving by train or ferry, here.
WE'RE HIRING!
Come join the adventure at one of Europe’s flagship destinations! We’re now recruiting for various exciting roles across our site, including surf, adventure, hotel and spa. We can offer you very competitive rates of pay with a great working environment and some unique staff perks. Check out our current vacancies and apply here, or email us on HR@adventureparcsnowdonia.com.
Covid safe: we’re doing a few things a bit differently for now
Next time you come to visit, you’ll notice we’ve made some important changes to the way we operate. Please help us to make your visit as healthy and safe as possible by taking a minute to read our checklist below before you travel to see us.
If you are unsure about anything at all, our friendly team is always on hand to help. We look forward to welcoming you safely from Tuesday 18th May 2021.
FOR EVERYONE
- You must sign your waiver before you arrive. If you haven’t done so yet, please check your booking confirmation email and do so now. Please make sure everyone in your group has signed their waiver.
- There will be one-way systems in place throughout the parc, including all surf and adventure areas, at the Hilton Garden Inn and Wave Garden Spa.
- We will have sanitising stations for you to use at all customer touch points.
- For now, we are accepting contactless payments only.
- Our food and beverage outlets will be open, and we will be following the appropriate guidelines for socially distanced dining. More information on dining can be found on our website.
- We are following Welsh Government guidelines, and we will be reviewing all systems and operations as new guidance is released.
FOR SURFERS
- There will be pre-surf ‘dry’ changing in the surf academy and post surf ‘wet’ changing in the original changing rooms.
- For the time being there will no hot water, no showers, and no hair dryers in either changing facilities.
- Your personal belongings will be secured in a box and kept in the surf academy. We have limited space, so please leave as many belongings as possible at home, or in your car.
- Unless you are medically exempt, you will be required to wear a face mask during all safety demonstrations and the pre-surf briefing.
FOR ADRENALINE INDOORS AND OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
- You may have to wait for your session outside under cover, please ensure you are wearing appropriate clothing to keep you warm.
- Unless you are medically exempt, you will be required to wear a face mask during all safety demonstrations.
- Our lockers are not currently in use. Please leave as many belongings as possible at home, or in your car. Check our clothing requirements, and advice on jewellery, on the appropriate activity page before you visit.
If you have any additional questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us! You can call our customer service team on 01492 353 123 or email us on info@adventuresparcsnowdonia.com
20 things to do within 20 miles
Twenty things to do within twenty miles of Adventure Parc Snowdonia
Here at Adventure Parc Snowdonia you’ll be spoilt for choice for awesome activities, but if you’re looking for a longer stay then there are plenty of other nearby areas to explore. With good access to the Snowdonia National Park and the spectacular North Wales coastline, Adventure Parc Snowdonia is a great base to explore the area. From stunning scenery to historical buildings, exciting attractions to ancient monuments, we’ve compiled a list of twenty things to do within a twenty mile radius of Adventure Park Snowdonia.
The Llangernyw Yew
For nature lovers, the ancient Yew Tee located in the St. Digian’s church yard in the rural village of Llangernyw is a must see. Estimated to be dated between 4000 and 5000 years old, the magnificent Yew specimen is worthy of a visit in the beautiful church yard setting.
Distance from Adventure Parc Snowdonia – 13 miles
Conwy Castle & Town Walls
A 13th century fortress built on the order of King Edward I, the medieval Conwy Castle sits on a rocky outcrop overlooking the harbour town and estuary. The castle is open year round, where visitors can explore the grounds and towers. Take a walk along the Town Walls which were built alongside the castle. At 1.3km long, the walk offers fabulous views across the town and surrounding area.
Distance from Adventure Parc Snowdonia – 8 miles
Conwy RSPB Nature Reserve
With views of Conwy across the estuary as well as the nearby Carneddau mountains, Conwy Nature Reserve is a great spot for a relaxing walk, surrounded by nature. A pathway with a circular route around the reserve heads through reed beds and along the estuary wall, with fabulous views over two lagoons. With many bird species to look out for, it’s a fun and educational destination.
Distance from Adventure Parc Snowdonia – 9 miles
The Smallest House in Great Britain
Nestled at the end of a small terrace on Conwy quayside, The Smallest House in Great Britain is popular with visitors to the town. With only one room upstairs, and one downstairs, it’s fascinating to imagine the property being lived in, especially by its last resident – a 6’3” tall fisherman in the late 1800’s.
Distance from Adventure Parc Snowdonia – 8 miles
National Trust Bodnant Garden
Arguably one of the most impressive gardens in the UK, Bodnant Garden is one of area’s most popular attractions. Spread over 80 acres, there are formal gardens, woodland valley dells with impressive redwoods and a stunning acer glade full of fiery autumn colour. A garden for all seasons, spring time is a great to visit to see the world famous Laburnum Arch in full bloom.
Distance from Adventure Parc Snowdonia – 6 miles
Fairy Falls
The village of Trefriw has a number of walking trails to explore, but one of the shortest and most rewarding is the walk to Fairy Falls. A round trip of 1km from the village centre, the trail follows the River Crafnant to arrive at the impressive 25ft falls cascading down the rockface.
Distance from Adventure Parc Snowdonia – 3 miles
Aber Falls Distillery
Located near the coastal village of Abergwyngregyn, Aber Falls Distillery create the finest whiskeys and spirits in North Wales. Using authentic malt barley and fresh Welsh water, the first Aber Falls Whisky will be aged and ready to sample from 2021. With popular gins and liqueurs also produced on site, Aber Falls offer distillery tours along with a visitor centre and newly opened bistro.
Distance from Adventure Parc Snowdonia – 17 miles
Gwinllan Conwy Vineyard
For award winning Welsh wines, Gwinllan Conwy has really put North Wales on the wine production map. The grape varieties grown at the vineyard located near Llandudno Junction, produce a range of five of the finest wines including two whites, a sparkling, a medium bodied red and a rose. Fantastic guided tours are available followed by a tasting in their bright and airy tasting room.
Distance from Adventure Parc Snowdonia – 10 miles
St. Grwst’s Church
The market town of Llanrwst is home to St. Grwst’s Church, in a scenic setting next to the River Conwy. The church is steeped in history and the Gwydir Chapel section contains the ancient stone coffin of Prince Llywelyn ap Iorwerth, also known as Llywelyn the Great who was the ruler of Gwynedd during the early 1200’s.
Distance from Adventure Parc Snowdonia – 5 miles
Dolwyddelan Castle
Located in the Snowdonia National Park, Dolwyddelan Castle sits on a hilltop surrounded by mountains. Built in the 13th century by Llywelyn ap Iorwerth, the castle was taken by King Edward I of England during his conquest of Wales. The picturesque ruin is open to visitors, who can admire the impressive fortress and the surrounding countryside.
Distance from Adventure Parc Snowdonia – 15 miles
Gwrych Castle
Built in 1812, Gwrych Castle is nestled into a wooded hillside overlooking the coastal town of Abergele. The castle ruin was purchased by a preservation trust in 2018 with hopes of restoring the building to its former glory. November 2020 saw the castle catapulted onto our TV screens as the setting for ITV’s ‘I’m a Celebrity’ reality TV show, creating a great deal of interest. The castle and grounds are open for tours, where some of the I’m a Celebrity set pieces still stand.
Distance from Adventure Parc Snowdonia – 18 miles
Zip World Fforest
For an extra dose of outdoor adventure, Zip World Fforest is another great Conwy Valley destination for thrill seekers. Whizz through the woodland at up to 25mph on an alpine coaster, freefall from a 100ft tower on Plummet 2, or bounce around on the Treetop Nets.
Distance from Adventure Parc Snowdonia – 8 miles
Welsh Mountain Zoo
Located on a hillside overlooking the seaside town of Colwyn Bay, the Welsh Mountain Zoo is set in 37 acres of land. With a strong ethos of conservation, the zoo is educational as well as fun to visit. From tigers to chimpanzees, sea lions to brown bears, you can observe over 140 animal species whilst learning about them and their natural habitat.
Distance from Adventure Parc Snowdonia – 11 miles
Betws-y-Coed
It’s easy to see why Betws-y-Coed is one of the most popular destinations in North Wales. The scenic mountain village is picture perfect with riverside walks, waterfalls and narrow winding streets surrounded by steep pine forests. A favourite hub for hikers and walkers, the village has a vibrant feel during the summer season.
Distance from Adventure Parc Snowdonia – 8 miles
Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)
The highest mountain in Wales, Yr Wyddfa’s summit at 1,085 meters draws in the crowds keen to complete the hike to the top. There are six main walking routes with varying degrees of difficulty. Regardless of which route is chosen, the views are spectacular and dramatic, showcasing the best of North Wales and Snowdonia National Park.
Distance from Adventure Parc Snowdonia – 20 miles
Gwydir Forest
With miles of walking and mountain biking trails, Gwydir Forest is the perfect destination for lovers of the outdoors. Explore 28 square miles of wilderness on the edge of Snowdonia including forests and lakes, all surrounded by epic mountain scenery.
Distance from Adventure Parc Snowdonia – 6 miles
Great Orme
A large limestone headland overlooking Llandudno, the Great Orme features a whole host of attractions. The summit can be reached by walking, by use of the historic Great Orme Tramway or for those without a fear of heights, the Cable Cars. Explore the Great Orme Copper Mines, try out your skiing skills at the Llandudno Snowsports Centre or take a stroll and admire views of the bay from Happy Valley.
Distance from Adventure Parc Snowdonia – 13 miles
Llandudno
The jewel in the crown of Welsh seaside resorts, Llandudno is a popular destination thanks to its stunning setting. Stroll along the three mile promenade to the longest Victorian Pier in Wales. The town has strong links to the Alice in Wonderland stories, and walking trail guides are available in the town’s visitor centre. For culture, the Oriel Mostyn contemporary art gallery is a must visit whilst the Venue Cymru theatre provides the best theatre productions, musicals and live music concerts in the area.
Distance from Adventure Parc Snowdonia – 13 miles
Plas Mawr
The imposing gatehouse of Plas Mawr dominates the High Street in Conwy, with its impressive 16th century architectural style and lime rendered walls. Beyond the gatehouse, the Elizabethan townhouse is considered the best preserved townhouse in the UK, of this era. Explore the carefully restored rooms and stunning interiors.
Distance from Adventure Parc Snowdonia – 8 miles
Drew Pritchard Antiques
You might be familiar with the name Drew Pritchard from TV’s Salvage Hunters show. When visiting Conwy, be sure to call into Drew Pritchard Antiques which features a diverse and impressive collection of pieces from the 17th to the 21st century.
Distance from Adventure Parc Snowdonia – 8 miles
GETTING READY FOR A HEALTHY ADVENTURE
Next time you visit us, you’ll notice we’ve made some important changes to the way we operate, in order to make things as Covid safe as possible. Please take the time to read our checklist below before you travel to see us, and follow the clear signage and instructions once you're on site. And if you are unsure about anything at all, our friendly team is always on hand to help! We look forward to welcoming you safely from Tuesday 18th May 2021.
Water, water, everywhere
It’s arguably the most abundant natural resource in North Wales. And without it, we would have no waves for you to ride.
Rainwater. Our 300-metre inland surf lagoon is filled entirely by water that has rained, snowed, drizzled and misted its way down into Snowdonia mountain reservoirs. It pours off the Carneddau mountains – the grassy slopes that provide the backdrop to our adventure parc – and is funnelled into a 5km pipeline which carries it - ultimately - to our site.
But before it fills our lagoon though, the water that makes our waves has an important job to do: it passes through the giant turbines of our next-door neighbour - the RWE hydroelectric plant in Dolgarrog - and helps to power around 20,000 households per year.
To maintain its environmental integrity, and to deliver the best possible user experience, keeping our water chemical-free has always been our priority. Rather than pump it full of chlorine or any other chemical nasties, we clean it using an innovative system of UV disinfection, and particle filtration.
Our water retains a natural peaty colour as a reflection of its natural mountain origins. And because we keep it chem-free, we can release it directly into the Conwy Estuary whenever we need to drain. From there it goes back into the water cycle – no doubt making more waves - as it heads out to the Irish Sea.
