Travelling and trying new things are just two of the ways that we like to spend our family time. Chloe and I are adrenalin junkies who love to push and challenge ourselves and water sports is something we both love doing. Looking at my 16 year old daughter is like holding up a mirror to how I was at her age and participating in activities with her is so much fun, we just giggle and laugh the whole time. Saturday saw the four of us crossing the border into Wales for an activity weekend. We had decided to leave Erin (6) at home (not alone, she was off having fun with her grandparents) to enjoy some age related fun with the older two!
Visit Wales had invited us to join in with their ‘Year Of Adventure’ and they encouraged us to ‘Find Your Epic’. After looking at the vast array of activities on offer in Wales we opted to go white water rafting at CIWW which is in Cardiff. Cardiff was really easy to get to and we had so much we wanted to squeeze into our time. Arriving at CIWW we decided to grab a coffee and watch some of the different activities on offer. there were people kayaking, a group doing a ropes course and others rafting. We couldn’t wait to get started.
As I said, Chloe and I are up for challenges but Lee and Dylan are more cautious. They too are very similar and Lee is a non swimmer, which made him a little apprehensive. However he has sailed many many time and does not have a fear of water. Dylan can swim but is not quite so gung ho as Chloe and takes his time to try new things. However he was keen to give rafting ago after learning (and loving) water sports on our Mark Warner holiday last summer.
To start we were kitted out in our wetsuits and life jackets and then we made our way down to the waters edge. The instructor we had in our raft was brilliant and he explained all the moves we would need really carefully. To take part in this white water rafting you must be 12 and Dyl was only 12 the previous week. Chloe and I jumped in the front and we all soon got the hang of rowing together and getting down when required. The course is great fun and certainly gets your pulse racing. The session lasted two hours including getting kitted up. Chloe wore our gopro which gave us some great footage of us. You can see it below.
After getting warmed up we headed to our hotel to check-in. We stayed at Sleeperz which is a budget hotel near the train station and right in the centre. The children loved that in the reception area there was water, fruit and cookies to help themselves too. The children declared them the best cookies ever, not sure whether they had worked up an appetite but they devoured them! We freshened up before going shopping! Again, without Erin, we decided some retail therapy was the order of the day and we loved the shops! Chloe and I found a MAC make up shop and did girly stuff whilst the boys browsed the Apple Store. Dylan also bought new trainers. Chloe decided this might even be the University Town for her. She was really impressed and imagined herself loving uni life there and getting a part-time job at the CIWW too.
For Dylan, no visit to any city is complete without visiting their football ground so we popped along to the stadium too. For more cities in Wales to visit read this.
We then spent a good while deliberating where to eat as there were plenty of options. Â Eventually, we settled on Frankie and Benny’s in the main shopping complex. Â We had a lovely meal and enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and the hustle and bustle of city centre life.
We would recommend a trip to Wales if you are seeking some family fun. Next time Chloe and I want to go gorgewalking which we plan to do when the summer comes. The coastline is beautiful and we want to explore it together, maybe that can be her post GCSE treat.
19 Responses
I must admit u are more brave than me I’m not really into activities that are in water although I can swim I have a fear of going under water.
That sounds something my eldest would love to do, I am not so keen on the cold I must admit! We have never been to Wales as we are up in Scotland so it is a real journey for us, we usually end up going closer to home but it sounds like there is lots to do .
I’ve been wanting to go back to Wales, especially the parts we haven’t visited yet. Looks like you guys had so much fun! We’re not adrenaline junkies like you and your daughter, we’re more on the boring side I have a feeling though that my daughter is more like you though. She’s likes being out there and experiencing things and having fun 🙂 x
Wales is somewhere I want to visit more of, ive only been to Swansea and Cardiff, but loved it x
You are a lot braver than I am. I’m a non -swimmer too so wouldn’t feel comfortable with many water sports. Wales does sound like an amazing place to visit though, and I’m sure we’d find lots to do
maybe I should give my husband way more kudos then for doing it for quality family time!
We love Cardiff – your visit looks amazing! Next time, head further West and come to see Pembrokeshire! Kaz x
we were going to! Next we will if we have more time. Cardiff only takes us 1hr20 so great for a day trip!
I went white water rafting when I was 19 and it was quite a terrifying experience. I can’t say I really enjoyed it but I’ve done it now so it’s ticked off the list. Think I need to find a different sport.
I love Wales , my partners family live there so luckily for us we do get to visit quiet often… sounds like you had a fab time, your definitely one brave mummy xx
We’ve never been to wales but this sounds like something we would definitely be up for if we did! we love this sort of thing as a family!
There’s so much to Wales, and I’m glad you mentioned the coast line. It’s beautiful!
The white water rafting sounds epic! This is something my folks have always wanted to do! Some great activities there! Sounds like a great event X
Hubby and I went white water rafting in Wales about 12 years ago and want to go back and do it with the teen. There is also Velocity at Zipworld to do too
I’m a huge adrenaline junkie but water is my fear! I can go sailing but absolutely wouldn’t go rafting! Glad you had a nice time, Wales is so lovely xx
Wow — you lot are like my brother-in-law and his family!!! They’re total thrill seekers too — and I’m the polar opposite!! I like the quiet life — extreme sports are not my bag at all!! I LOVE seeing other people do them though!! And I LOVE Wales 🙂
We like to try out new adventures when we go away. Wales is on my list of place to visit.
I have never been to proper Wales unless you count Ironbridge which I went to as a young child and it was so much fun. Would love to go.
The white water rafting looks epic!! I cannot wait to give it a go in Cardiff in a few weeks? Chloe is your double Emma! Glad to hear you all had a fab wkd, Cardiff sounds like a very fun city;)