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Welcome

Welcome to the official website of The Coracle Society.

Dave Purvis demonstrating at Glasson DockThe Coracle Society is an organisation, founded in 1990, with the aims of:

  • promoting the knowledge of coracles, curraghs and allied craft, their making and use, and also their study and collection;
  • taking all reasonable steps to support the
    continuance of fishing involving the use of coracles and to encourage the holding of coracle regattas, races and the like;
  • publishing a newsletter as a means of communication between all those interested in coracles;
  • using its best endeavours to obtain supplies of materials for the construction of coracles; and
  • promoting demonstrations, courses, exhibitions, discussions and lectures relating to coracles.

This is done with the support of its members, some of whom are coracle builders dispersed throughout the United Kingdom. They demonstrate the traditions of coracle building and "coracling" (paddling a coracle) to people of all backgrounds - from primary school pupils, to teenage youth groups, families, local organisations and the general public. Coracle demonstrations appear in all sorts of places and events - schools, family fun days, marine and agricultural shows, scout groups, outdoor education centres and, of course, coracle-related events.

The Society aims to be community open to all, whether they wish to research the fascinating history of the craft, or simply get out on the water and have a good time. Many of our members have built their own coracles, which gives them an added pleasure to gentle river trips. No matter how hard you try, a coracle doesn’t go fast, so we relax and go with the flow.

Hopefully your exploration of the site and its extensive links page will tempt you to become a coracler yourself. If there’s anything you want to know that’s not answered here, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

Coracles of the World

Coracles of the World cover - copyright Gwasg Carreg GwalchSir Peter Badge, the President of The Coracle Society, has just released a brand new book, Coracles of the World.

'If you thought that coracles were particularly Welsh, this book will surprise you. Peter Badge is an expert on coracles worldwide - past and present - and has written here with passion, warmth and clarity about coracles themselves, and about the coraclemen and makers he has met during his travels.

The book explains - and illustrates - the difference between coracles on rivers in Wales and England, looks at the Scottish and Irish versions of the craft, and then at the coracles of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia - especially at Vietnam, the only place in the world where coracles are thriving.'

Coracles of the World is available now, priced at £6.95, from all good bookshops, The National Coracle Centre, or from the publisher, Gwasg Carreg Gwalch.

(Book cover image copyright Gwasg Carreg Gwalch)

 

The Inland Waterways Association - Corporate Member
The Coracle Society is a Corporate Member of The Inland Waterways Association