Canoeing on the Bridgwater Canal

Today I have been back out with the Level 3 Public Services students students canoeing on the Bridgwater to Taunton Canal. It was the last of their training weeks before next weeks assessment where the students can gain a BCU 2* Paddlesport award. Todays session comprised of an assessed trip to the Boat and anchor pub and back. Along the route the students had to deal with an impassible weed bed and towing boats back when I asked them to Tandem up. All the students showed good team work skills and opted to take with them the correct safety equipment. Luckily for them the weather took a massive change from yesterday and blessed them with sunshine and little wind.

Another day Kayaking on the River Dart

Back out on the River Dart today but this time with six students from Plymouth College. Gwilym and I opted to run the section between Holne Bridge and Buckfastleigh (grade 2 with weirs). The students very quickly picked up some basic whitewater skills which meant we could run all the features on the river on not have to portage. Smiles all round were a sign of a good day and many of the students are eager to get out on the river again.

Kayaking on the River Dart, Holne Bridge - Staverton

The River Dart was todays venue for some outdoor fun. Gwilym and I paddled two sections of the River Dart today, Holne Bridge to Buckfastleigh (Grade 2) and Buckfastleigh to Staverton (Grade1/2). The aim of today was to acquaint ourselves with the two sections of river before taking some students from Plymouth College on them. The level was pretty low but not too low that we needed to get out and walk. Unusually we didn't see any other paddlers on the first section but the lower section was busy with open boaters. We did portage the weir at Buckfastleigh on the recommendation of Uk rivers guidebook and having looked at it from below it was the right choice.

Cycling along the Kennet and Avon Canal

Today I have been working with Jonny Cooper from 'The Adventure Tour Company'. Jonny bought me and my bikes in to deliver a guided tour along the Kennet and Avon Canal to a corporate group of claims managers from Admiral Insurance. We met at Dundas Canal Boat company and cycled to Bradford on Avon where the clients had a look around the Tithe Barn and craft shops. On route back to Dundas we stopped at the Cross Guns pub for a hot buffet lunch. Another good day blessed by unusual november sunshine.

Mountain BIking on the Quantock Hills

A very chilly start to a day mountain biking with Level 2 Public Services students on the Quantock Hills. The students were transported out in two groups, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. With the sun out the morning session wasn't too cold so we rose the ridge from Wilmot's pool all the way over to staple plain and returned along a similar route. With the afternoons cloud cover the wind was biting so I opted to take the students down the nice single track of Stert Combe to get out of the wind. We climbed back up to Bicknoller post via Lady's Edge and returned to the start point via the ridge. A very cold but successful day!

Open Boating on the Bridgwater Canal

Back out on the Bridgwater to Taunton canal today for the third session of open canoeing with the level 3 public services students from Bridgwater College. In today's session the students spent time consolidating their solo open canoe skills and learnt how to rescue an up-turned boat. All the students managed to deep water rescue and curl the open canoes with and without air bags. Most of the students are well on the way to achieving their BCU 2* paddlesport award.

Mountain Biking at Haldon Forest Park, Exeter

Today I took 7 students from Plymouth College to Haldon Forest Park for some Mountain Biking. We started out on the blue route, it's not technical but flows nicely through the trees and gave me chance to gauge the ability of the students and give them a few pointers. Following this the students spent some time in the skills area and pump track, as you can see by the photos they were not afraid to get airborne. After Lunch we headed out on the slightly more technical red route. All of the students flew through this trail and you could see the improvement from the mornings activities. The day was finished with a session on cleaning bikes after use. Overall a very successful day with glorious weather, it's hard to believe it's November!!

Kayaking on the River Walkham!

The River Walkham seemed like a good way to utilise may day off. I met Gwilym in Tavistock at 12pm to paddle the lower section of the Walkham which joins the River Tavy before the get out point. The level was pretty low due to the lack of rain and abundance of rare November sunshine but that didn't stop the river being enjoyable. Generally the river is easy grade 2 but has one rapid known as 'The Slot" which gets grade 3+. The Slot is pretty straight forward and looks a little meaner in low water due to the jagged rocks being visible and the drop a little bigger, having said that I still managed to mess it up and take a swim (the first one in a little while). The only thing to remember with the slot is to turn your paddles so they are in line with your boat so they don't get caught in the narrow slot. I foolishly chose to forget this and ended up capsizing after my paddles were ripped from my hands. The paddles got wedged in the slot and looking back at the video footage it's amazing just how much a set of carbon Werner Sidekicks can bend without breaking! Oh, and in the process of bailing out of my boat I managed to break the back rest, this made for an entertaining rest of the trip. Overall though it was a good day and swimming every now and again reminds you how your clients feel when it happens to them!!

Click here to see the video!

Climbing at Bridgwater YMCA

The other half of the Level two Public Services students came down to the Bridgwater Ymca for their climbing session today. The students had a 3 hour session on the climbing wall. We started with a bit of traversing as a warm up and to look at some climbing movement skills. The students then moved on to fitting harnesses, tying in and safe belaying. Many of the students improved as the session progressed and could see the benefits it had to their course. Next week they are having a taster session in Mountain Biking on the Quantock Hills.

Canoeing with Bridgwater College

Today I have been delivering week two of open canoeing with Bridgwater College students. The aim is to get them all through a 2* paddle sport award which will go towards their water-sports module of a Level 3 Btec in Public and Emergency services.
During todays sessions the students consolidated their tandem skills and made a start on some solo skills which were J-strokes, draw strokes, sweep strokes, stern rudders and reverse paddling. We also spent some time learning how to throw and retrieve throw bags. Apart from a nip in the air we managed to miss the rain and with minimal wind it made for a productive couple of sessions.  

Power-kiting and climbing

Back working for Plymouth College today and the boarders planned activity was Power - kiting.

16 students signed up for the activity so we walked down to central park where the winds were moderate and consistent, great for teaching the basics of flying 4 line ram air kites. All of the students commented on having a great time, a few managed to get the hang of brake turning the kite but all managed to fly the kite in a figure 8. 

After dinner Jay and I decided to make use of the dry november evening and head out again for a spot of night climbing. On arrival we were greeted by a couple of other local climbers making use of the dry weather. We climbed two routes, Leviathan (VS 4b) and Mucky Gully (D). A good end to another activity filled weekend.

Kayaking with Exmoor Canoe Club

With last nights rain and sunshine forecast for today a great day on the river was a sure thing. I headed out to assist Mick Kemp in leading a trip on the River Dart for Exmoor Canoe Club. We met the guys at Newbridge with the plan to paddle the Loop section of the river. The car park was just heaving with paddlers so we knew it would be a busy day of dodging other boats, with this in mind we opted to paddle the lower section of the river as well and get out at Buckfastleigh. A great day was had by all with the river at a good level giving the perfect opportunity for some skill development. Mick and I were kept on our toes with a couple of swimmers and keeping tabs on our group with the shear numbers on the water. Well done to Clive and Ian who only paddled the river for the first time today, and thanks also to Rosie, Mel, Dan Barnett, Rupert and Willow.

Climbing at Bridgwater YMCA

Bridgwater YMCA has been the base for todays activities. Level 2 Public services students from Bridgwater college met me at the YMCA for some indoor climbing. The original plan was to meet at Goblin Combe so the students could experience some climbing on real rock but unfortunately the weather played it's part and I decided they would have a more productive session by climbing in the dry. The students were split into two groups of 6 for a 2 1/2 hour session each group. This proves to be productive with all the students learning to correctly fit harnesses and helmets, tie in, belay safely and thinking about how they moved on the wall.

Canoeing with Bridgwater College

Today I spent the day at Bridgwater YMCA teaching students from Bridgwater College. Having already spent 4 sessions in closed cockpit kayaks and sit on top kayaks today we started 4 weeks of open canoe skills. The students (who turned up) did really well in the miserable conditions, putting up with persistent drizzly rain and gusty winds. We spent some time on basic tandem and solo skills as well as throw bag work and loading/securing canoes to a trailer.

Mountain Biking and Night Climbing

What a great day to be an outdoor instructor! I started the day by taking some Plymouth College students mountain biking on Dartmoor. The weather was good to us and blessed us with clear blue skies and sunshine although the november winds were a little chilly at times. I took the students on the classic Burrator loop which included some mildly technical ups and downs as well some road sections.

After returning to Plymouth College and having dinner my colleague Jay suggested we make good use of the dry conditions and clear night skies by heading to the Dewerstone for a spot of night climbing. My first experience of purposely climbing at night with moonlit crags and even shooting stars. We climbed two routes, Route B (HVD) and Central Groove (HS). I'm definitely going to make use of the dry winter evenings in future and head to the local crags to climb in the dark! A swift pint of ale produced a great end to a weekend of Kayaking, Mountain Biking and Climbing.

Kayaking - Upper Dart

Today I made full use of a day off and last nights rain kayaking down the Upper Dart with Mick and Bob. A fantastic grade 3/4 section of water on Dartmoor with interestingly named rapids such as Euthanasia falls, surprise surprise and the mad mile. With all of us having run this section before we opted to spot the line down the rapids from our boats instead of getting out to have a look. This resulted in a swift 2 hr blast with time to play on a few waves. Rain the night before and sunshine on the day resulted in a fine day for kayaking.

Mad River Explorer 14TT's Arrive

Today I have been outfitting the four new Mad River Explorer canoes that arrived at Discover Moor head quarters. I chose the Explorer 14 tt due to their robustness and stability on the water. I have been paddling one myself for the last 5 years and I love it.
The boats were fitted with Buoyancy Blocks and 3.5m painters and will have kneeling thwarts fitted in the near future. All the boats are now ready for their first excursion with the Level 3 Public Services students from Bridgwater College.
Thanks to Rich Walter at Performance Kayaks for your support and speedy delivery of all my paddle-sport equipment.