Go Dales project

 
April 2010
 
More than 200 young people will be descending on Yorkshire Water's Thruscross Reservoir near Harrogate next month for a day of adventure organised by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) in partnership with the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
 
They will be trying their hand at a range of outdoor activities including sailing, orienteering and rock climbing.
 
The event on May 8 is being organised by Go Dales!, a project run by the YDNPA to encourage under 25-year-olds to take up active pursuits in the countryside.
 
And the project's major event of the season has now been granted the Inspire Mark the badge of the London 2012 Inspire Programme, which recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
 
Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, said: "The Go Dales! Adventure Day is encouraging young adults to fulfil their potential. I am proud that, with the help of partners such as the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, we are delivering on our vision to use the power of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to boost participation in active outdoor recreation in the countryside."
 
Go Dales! Project Officer Kath Needham said: "The Adventure Day is completely free and is aimed at 14 to 25 year olds who want to have a go at some of the activities the project offers.
 
"And, if they live within an hours drive from Grassington, there may be an opportunity to attend further funded sessions to continue developing their skills.
 
"We would like to say a big thank you to Yorkshire Water who have given us permission to use the site and also to North Yorkshire Sport and Canoe England for helping to organise it."
 
The event, which also forms part of Canoe England's 'Go Paddling' programme, will run from 10am until 4pm at the reservoir, which is east of Harrogate and taster sessions will include canoeing, sailingorienteering, and cycling. There will also be an information hub to help people find clubs, societies and facilities in the project area to help them continue with the activities.
 
Go Dales! is supported by Sport England through National Lottery funding and aims to introduce primarily, 16 to 25-year-olds from the Keighley, Bradford, Craven, Richmondshire and Sedbergh areas to the National Park and to the huge range of adventurous sports it offers. It then tries to act as a link between the young people and clubs and organisations specialising in their chosen activity.
 
Anyone wanting an Adventure Day information and booking pack should email godales@yorkshiredales.org.uk