Outdoor education students at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in Preston will soon be field testing the latest pyranha kayaks after the university was chosen as the company's preferred education partner.

Pyranha is a British manufacturing success story and a global market leader manufacturing the Pyranha white water kayak, the P&H Sea kayak and the Venture touring kayak brands.

The new agreement with UCLan will see the Company provide all of the kayaks used for teaching at the University's new Tyn Dwr Outdoor Centre in Llangollen.

UCLan's senior lecturer in sports coaching, Nigel Garrratt, said: "Our partnership with Pyranha is fantastic news for our students as they will be water' testing a wide range of the company's kayaks and associated equipment.

"Though our new campus in Llangollen, North Wales, we are aiming to build a national and international reputation for the quality of our outdoor courses and this new initiative, with a company that holds such a successful and outstanding reputation for manufacturer of kayaks, is a perfect match for us."

Students will have the benefit of using the most up-to-date kit and in return will field test the latest models.

As main users, UCLan students will be feeding their evaluations back to the company.

Pyranha's sales director, Chris Hopkins, said: "This is a great opportunity for Pyranha to work with UCLan's new world-class education facility supporting the future leaders, coaches and managers of the outdoor, adventure and kayaking industry."

Students on UCLan's Outdoor education courses such as, the BA (Hons) Outdoor Leadership and the Foundation Degree in Outdoor Education will spend approximately five weeks over each academic year at the new multi-million pound centre in Llangollen.

The courses place a strong focus on practical experience and students can either complete an initial National Governing Body award or upgrade an existing award, paid for by UCLan.

Pyranha are also set to take advantage of UCLan's wide range of sports science research to carry out further product testing and provide human performance support to Pyranha's team of sponsored elite athletes.