The word coracle comes from the Welsh word cwrwgl which is, in turn, related to the Irish curagh.

In 1974, one was paddled across the English Channel!

The frame of the coracle is traditionally made from wicker, each boat having willow or ash struts across the base and sides. They were originally covered by animal hides but, more recently, canvas or callico has replaced the hides. When painted with pitch or tar the hulls of these lightweight little boats are totally waterproof.

Weighing just over 12 kg, each coracle was designed to be carried on a man's back, a strap over the chest holding the boat steady.

There is no single blueprint or definitive style for a coracle, these little craft being unique in design. They were tailored for the river conditions they would have to face during their working lives. So, a Teifi coracle is invariably flat bottomed because it has to cope with the waterfalls and rapids at Cenarth Falls. A coracle from the Carmarthen area, on the other hand, is rounder and deeper as there are no rapids on the River Tywi.