Welsh National Koi Show 2010

After a very successful first show we are pleased to announce that the Second Welsh national will be held on the 18th & 19th of September 2010.

Last year’s show came about because of the sad demise of the West Wales Closed show at Margam Park. Although the organizers had put in a tremendous amount of work, the show needed to move on and we felt we could offer a new perspective. We knew the way forward was for Wales to stage an Open koi show, so in June 2009 we set about organizing a show with a difference.

As far as I was concerned there was only one major priority for me (The Koi)

With this in mind I decided to do what no other Koi show in the UK had done before, that was to provide show vats that were filtered with a gravity fed system. The filter we chose was the Nexus Eazy Pod from Evolution Aqua.

Using this filter would enable contestants to provide us with an instant bio-mass by bringing their K1 (kaldness) media with them. Once the show was over the media could be returned to their own filtration system.

Finding a manufacturer who could make a bespoke a vat to my specification was to proving to be a difficult issue, until I contacted a company called Show Koi. The firm is run by Dave Hartey who is very amiable chap and together we set about designing a vat to suit the Eazy pod. The main criteria for the vat were to have no protruding pipe work. The vat also needed to be deeper than conventional vats in order to accommodate the Eazy pod. We resolved the flow and returns issues by fabricating them into the walls of the vats, this would also allow for the water to circulate properly creating a slight vortex.

Another important feature of any koi show is bio-security. The measures we had in place were contestants would provide their own filter media, each vat had screening to prevent any splashing, and each vat had their own nets, bowls, towels and disinfectants. There were also stewards on hand to make sure the public viewed the koi in the proper manor. Last but not least all show vats had purpose made covers to prevent any unnecessary accidents overnight. Another aspect of the show which was important to us was security and we employed a specialist firm to cover this.

Another area we felt needed changing for smaller shows was the competition itself. To have Koi entered in all classifications is fine for larger shows were there are many examples of one variety. At smaller shows this seems to make a mockery of the word competition as any koi can win a classification by default being the only koi entered. We wanted to change this and decided to have two classifications in six sizes, Go-Sanke and Non Go-Sanke this we felt would make a much more interesting show and this was proved to be the case.

Having been to many koi shows in Japan one thing has always been very apparent. Koi shows are about Koi. The Welsh National was going to be primarily about the Koi, yes we would have some other attractions and vendors, in fact this year’s show will have more but our show is not about who is selling the latest gadgets for the lowest price, it is about appreciating the beauty of Nishikigoi. If its gadgets you’re after then this is not the show for you.

Last year’s show was criticized for awarding prize money; we feel that this incentive gives contestants a chance to recoup some of the costs for showing their living jewels. Nearly every hobby awards prizes why should Koi

Be different.

This Year’s Show Sizes Are:

Size One         20cm to 29cm

Size Two         30cm to 39cm

Size Three       40cm to 49cm

Size Four        50cm to 59cm

Size Six          60cm to 69cm

Size Seven      70cm +

Those people wishing to take part in this prestigious event can contact Tony on Cardiff 02920489600

email: ajyellen@hotmail.com

Entry Fee for each vat is £100.00

Entry Fee is £6.00 for adults and children under 12 go free.

Entrance fee is for both days.