Taylorian

Sport

Archery, Climbing, Kayaking, Surfing and Skiing

race technique, after which we practised on the giant slalom gates. The Giant Slalom race took place on the following day. Josh Hooles, George Gordon and Ollie and Ciaran Davies all put in great performances, before a late notice of a change in race structure unfortunately put the second set of racers at a disadvantage. The day after, the Slalom saw strong performances by Niels Redman and Seb Mansfield, for which they were both placed in the top 10 in their age group. The Parallel Slalom took place on the final race day. We were split into an A Team and B Team: Niels, Seb, Josh, George and Munro comprised the A team, and placed 3rd with a fantastic time. The trip was a huge success; everyone improved their skiing abilities. Many thanks to Mr Firestone and Mr Anderson for their hard work in organising the trip. Sebastian Mansfield (U6th) Ski Trip to Sestriere, Italy I thoroughly enjoyed the February half term ski trip to Sestriere, Italy: despite the snow being a couple of weeks old, the conditions were still good; we had a fantastic time skiing on the well-groomed (albeit very icy) slopes. The instructors were friendly and helpful, making our skiing experience even more enjoyable: they were patient with beginners and offered helpful tips to more experienced skiers. Off the slopes, we explored the charming town of Sestriere, with its lively atmosphere and friendly locals. We sampled delicious Italian cuisine, including a memorable visit to a local pizzeria. In the evenings, we gathered as a group for dinner and shared our experiences on the slopes. Alex Cumming (L6th)

Kayaking Trip Last summer, five kayakers made the journey to Rhos y Gwaliau to take on the physical and psychological challenges of Grade 3 white water on the River Dee and the River Tryweryn. We also went white water rafting at the Welsh National White Water Centre on the Upper Tryweryn. All paddlers made rapid progress: Perry Cross showed impressive courage during his first white-water experience and proved to be a natural throwline rescuer; Reece Vecchi gained the British Canoeing White Water Award, showing confidence and control on the River Tryweryn; Cian Omert stepped up to lead the group safely down the River Dee. We are already looking forward to our next trip! Reece Vecchi (Divisions)

Archery Archery was a popular option this year, especially among the Divisions, and provided pupils with the opportunity to learn a new skill. After learning about safety commands, the correct stance, how to load, and how to draw and release an arrow, boys then focused on the consistency of their technique, showing excellent progress at 16 metres. The aim was for boys to progress to scoring shots, and a highlight was when Charlie Apps achieved a score of over 200 with three dozen arrows. Monday sessions had to be suspended due to lack of light in December and January, but were reinstated after the spring half term, when we used novelty targets such as popping balloons and apples. Dr A. Komissarova Climbing Trip Last summer, a small cohort of budding climbers visited Rhos y Gwaliau Outdoor Education Centre in Eastern Snowdonia. Over the four days we explored various climbing disciplines: via ferrata, bouldering, sport climbing, and trad climbing, each of which posed new challenges and allowed us to explore some of Northern Wales’s most interesting sites. Evening swims in a nearby river helped us prepare for the next day’s climbing, sometimes followed by a visit to the local town. Climbing with a mixed-ability group allowed for everyone to learn from each other, and real camaraderie was developed over the trip. Daniel Self (L6th)

Surf Trip We visited Fuerteventura during the October half term for a wonderful experience of surfing. I especially enjoyed our first day because the waves were calm; it was almost impossible to catch a wave on the last day as the current was so strong! My favourite moment was our catamaran trip around the island, during which we snorkelled and saw loads of amazing fish. We also explored a dormant volcano and witnessed some great views of the island. Milo Feeney-Oates (Divisions) Ski Racing Trip to Sestriere, Italy During the Christmas holidays we visited the ski resort in Sestriere, Italy. The first two days included training from our Impulse instructor, Nile, who gave us tips and exercises (with a focus on carving and pressure on our outside ski) to improve our

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Taylorian 2023