A family-run activity centre in Powys is celebrating its 30th year of trading.

Black Mountain Adventure, located in the village of Three Cocks, offers a huge range of outdoor activities from archery to white water rafting.

In total, the business has 17 activities for the public to take part in. The business is owned by couple, Ann and Carl Durham, and activities are run by professional instructors.

Ann told the Brecon & Radnor Express about the business and its beginnings. She said: “We’re a family business, always have been. Our two daughters work here, and we offer 17 activities in total. 

“We started off just offering canoe and mountain bike hires and it grew through demand. It’s gone from working out of our garage to this large base. 

“It’s a perfect location. We cater for all types of groups: families, corporates, stag and hen-dos, schools, scouts, and individuals too.”

They moved to their current base in the year 2000, and haven’t looked back since, recently installing a shop, named ‘The Paddlesport Shop’, that sells specialist equipment and clothing for paddle sports.

Black Mountain Adventure was recently named a finalist in the Retail & Tourism Business of the Year category at the South Wales Business Awards in September.

Ann and Carl’s daughter, Hayley Lagerweij was also shortlisted as a finalist at the awards in the Female Entrepreneur of the Year category for her work with the shop.

Talking about the shop, Hayley said: “The shop started from people phoning and asking if we sold paddleboards, canoes and kayaks, so Ann suggested we open a shop.

“Not too many women are traditionally involved in paddle sports, it’s quite male a dominated environment. However, lot of customers that come into the shop now are female because during Covid paddleboarding just took off, particularly for women, I think.

“We also have the more extreme paddlers come in too, but we’re here for beginners mainly and to share advice and make sure they have the correct equipment.”

Ann added: “The two businesses complement each other well and we hope we can continue to encourage more people to get out and be active.”