Local windsurfers who support the Windswept Watersports are riding the waves this month after being presented with their Welsh Sailing Impact Awards.

Volunteer instructors David Picker, Bob Jones, Leslie Burton and Graham Smith

have all been recognised for their commitment to encouraging the next

generation of windsurfers at the community watersports centre in Dale.

The dedicated team has played an essential role in supporting the Windswept

Warriors youth windsurfing club since its launch more than four years ago.

Sarah Bagley, Director of Windswept Watersports, said: “A huge congratulations go to

our windsurf volunteers on being chosen for Impact Awards – Bob, Leslie, Graham

and Dave have supported us so much by making our Windsurf Warrior sessions

happen every week, and they couldn’t deserve this more.

“They have made a huge impact in making the club what it is today and we’re able

to grow the club’s numbers and keep the costs down due to them giving up their

Sundays. Since the club started they’ve been so enthusiastic about inspiring

the next generation of windsurfers and their passion for the sport really is

Infectious.

“What’s more, the club has gone on to win medals at windsurfing national

championships and none of this would have happened without our superstar

volunteers.”

Windswept Watersports is a Not-For-Profit organisation which aims to make

activities accessible for all, including delivering outreach sessions to local schools,

youth and community groups, and running a variety of clubs encouraging local

people to enjoy getting on the water.

The Windswept Warriors group enables young people aged 10-19 to learn the

sport and take their skills to the next level, with Sunday morning sessions for just

£10 a go, including all equipment and tuition thanks to its volunteer instructors.

Impact Awardee Leslie said: “I didn’t start windsurfing until my late 30s so I really

love helping the juniors to progress. It’s great to see their confidence grow by just

having fun on, and in, the water. We just love sharing our sport with youngsters

and seeing the enjoyment they get from it, whether that’s improving and

progressing their skills or just having a go occasionally.”

Explaining their enthusiasm for giving back to the sport, fellow Impact Awardee

Graham said: “I’ve had some fantastic times and I’ve met some amazing people while

windsurfing and by volunteering I get the opportunity to give those chances to

others. I also love it when I see people progress and what it means to them.”

Award-winning team members Bob and Dave likewise sum up the satisfaction

and rewards of seeing young windsurfers progress from beginner to intermediate

to themselves becoming instructors. 

Bob said: “I love coaching the junior club, seeing their progression week by week, especially those big ‘Hallelujah, I did it’ moments. I’m super proud to be a colleague of Windswept’s young instructors who were part of the junior crew not so far back.” 

Welsh Sailing Impact Awards are presented by RYA Cymru Wales to recognise the

hard work of individuals and organisations who go the extra mile to support

activities afloat, in line with the governing body’s Together on our Waters strategy

to create a connected, inspired and inclusive sailing and boating community.

Hester Walker, Club Development Officer for RYA Cymru Wales, said: “This team

commit a huge amount of time to supporting the youth windsurfers at Windswept

Watersports. Their time allows for the training to be offered at a lower rate, helping

to remove the barrier of cost and enabling more young people to get on the

water. Dale has become one of the most active windsurfing communities thanks

to Windswept Watersports and the fantastic support of these volunteers.”

PLAID CYMRU has urged voters in Sir Gaerfyrddin to back the party on Thursday, claiming it is the only party able to beat Reform UK in the new constituency.

The appeal comes after the latest ITV Cymru Wales, YouGov and Wales Governance Centre MRP poll suggested Plaid Cymru is on course to become the largest party in the Senedd, with Reform close behind. The poll put Plaid on 33% across Wales and Reform on 29%. (YouGov)

Sir Gaerfyrddin is one of the new Senedd constituencies being used for the first time in this election. It has been created from the Carmarthen and Llanelli Westminster seats and will elect six Members of the Senedd under the new closed-list system.

Plaid Cymru’s list in Sir Gaerfyrddin is led by Cefin Campbell, followed by Nerys Evans, Adam Price and Mari Arthur. (Who Can I Vote For?)

The party says the contest locally is now between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK, and has called on voters who want to stop Nigel Farage’s party from gaining ground in Carmarthenshire to “lend” Plaid their vote.

Nerys Evans said Plaid was offering “new leadership” and a “positive vision” for Wales, including childcare support, a National Development Agency to grow the economy, and a new numeracy and literacy scheme for children.

She said: “As the voters of Sir Gaerfyrddin head to the polls on Thursday, the choice could not be more stark.

“Only two parties can win here: Plaid Cymru, who offer new leadership, a positive vision, and which will be accountable only to the people of Wales; or Reform, which would divide our communities, threaten the future of our NHS, cut support for our culture and language and is controlled by Nigel Farage, billionaires, and ex-Tories in London.

“Support for Labour has disappeared in Carmarthenshire, with people unwilling to vote for a party that has let Wales down for over 27 years and in Westminster since Keir Starmer became Prime Minister.

“There is no evidence that the Greens or the Liberal Democrats will secure enough votes to come close to winning a seat.

“We ask anyone who wants to prevent a victory for Reform in Carmarthenshire to lend their vote to Plaid Cymru on Thursday.”

The Senedd election takes place on Thursday (May 7).

BROADCASTER and environmental campaigner Chris Packham has backed a free public screening in Carmarthen aimed at encouraging local discussion about the climate and nature crisis.

The People’s Emergency Briefing will be shown at St Peters Civic Hall, Carmarthen, on Friday, May 22, at 7:00pm.

The screening will be followed by a facilitated community discussion involving residents, local leaders and invited decision-makers.

The event forms part of a UK-wide programme intended to help the public and policymakers better understand the risks posed by climate change and biodiversity loss.

The film follows the National Emergency Briefing held at Westminster Central Hall in November 2025, where more than 1,200 MPs, peers and leaders from business, culture, faith, sport and the media gathered to hear evidence from leading experts.

The briefing, introduced by Chris Packham CBE, examined the impact of climate and nature breakdown on food security, public health, infrastructure, the economy and national security.

It has since been adapted into a 50-minute public film, which launched nationally in April and is now being screened in communities across the UK.

Chris Packham said: “I’d encourage people everywhere to attend a screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing.

“It creates exactly the kind of honest local conversation we now urgently need, both about what these changes mean where we live, and about what we can do together to address them.”

Organisers say the Carmarthen event comes at a time of growing local concern over flooding on the rivers Towy and Gwili, as well as biodiversity loss linked to pollution incidents.

After the film, those attending will be invited to take part in a structured discussion about the issues raised and what they may mean locally.

Local MPs, councillors and other influential figures have also been invited.

Philip Hughes, one of the organisers, said: “This is about creating space for people to come together, look at the evidence, and begin a more open and informed conversation about what it means for our community.

“It is also about how we can support the bolder action now called for by the science, which will also do so much to improve lives, as the film explains.”

Tickets for the Carmarthen screening are free, but advance registration is encouraged.