THREE Dyffryn Taf pupils have gained selection to the Welsh White Water Slalom Performance Squad.

Gabrielle Ridge, her sister Alexander, and James Coney have capped a successful season by being included.

A fourth pupil, James’ brother William, has joined the Welsh Development Squad.

The quartet have all justified their selections with strong performances this season.

At the recent Welsh Canoe Slalom Championships in Llandysul, Gabrielle won the Welsh Junior 14 Ladies Slalom title. William won the the Welsh Junior 14 Canoe Slalom Championship, while he and James also took the Welsh Junior Canoe doubles title.

Back in May, Gabrielle also competed in the British Junior Championships, winning the National Cadet Championship Trophy by finishing as the top female under 14.

Alexandra, Gabrielle, and James have been training twice a week in Cardiff as well as attending sessions in Llandysul.

They have also been travelling to Bala, Cardiff, and the national White Water Centre in Nottingham for Welsh development training weekends.

Their hard work has been recognised by the Canoe Slalom UK organisation, who now class all three competitors in division one of their rankings.

The youngsters have already had the chance to wear their Welsh helmets this year when they competed for Wales in the Pan Celtic Championships in Nottingham.

The race, between Wales, England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, saw Wales finish in second place.

Later this month, the trio will be joined by William in competing in the next Pan Celtic round at Teeside.

All four pupils were first introduced to the sport when the school were invited to submit a team in a water sports promotion in Cardiff Bay in 2009.