It's great being an Outdoor Activity Instructor!

The last few days have been brilliant as an outdoor instructor. Continuing on from Friday I have been working for Exmoor Adventures delivering climbing at the Valley of the Rocks, Lynmouth as part of the new Somersault Festival and Coasteering. Here's my last three days.

Saturday

From 11.00 - 13.30 I delivered a climbing session at Valley of the rocks for 6 clients from the festival. The sun was shining and the wind minimal so it was a bit of a hot one. Todays group had some climbing experience so the first part of the session went swiftly allowing the clients to get plenty of climbing in and have a wander around to take in the stunning valley and coastal views.

After a very quick de-rig of all the ropes I headed over to Hele Bay near Ilfracombe to assist Dan (Exmoor Adventures) with a Coasteering session for 14 Stags! We got in on a dropping neap tide and due to the current weather the water was pan flat and clear! After some swim sections, some scrambling and a few small jumps we headed out to the point between Hele Bay and Ilfracombe to take on the larger jumps. The biggest of the day being about 7 meters. The session went really well and just as we got out of the water a heavy shower passed through.

My day finished by heading over to the festival site to collect my free staff entry and camping wrist band before settling into the crowd (3 rows from the front) to see Jack Johnson's set. Pretty Good day!

Sunday

The only work for today was to head back over to 'Valley of the Rocks' to deliver another climbing session for some festival goers. The session again ran from 11.00 - 13.30.

6 clients arrived on the festival transport today for the climbing session. 2 couples and a father and son. The session went really well with all enjoying climbing on warm rock in dry summer conditions and agin with stunning weather and great views along the north Devon coastline and across to South Wales. The highlight of the day being Fergus' comment about the session being a lifetime memory to cherish, spending quality time with his son doing something active outside and away from all the modern technology.

Another Great way to finish a day! Back to the festival site to meet up with Dan and the other instructors for a chilled afternoon catching some great bands over a couple of drinks culminating with local boy Ben Howard headlining the main stage! Another great set!

'The View West from the top of Castle Rock'

Monday

Just 4 guys today for the climbing session, 4 no shows so the festival must have got the better of them!

The session today was another mirror image of the last three days, the only difference being a slightly smaller group. The 4 guys today were really keen to learn the basics and get climbing. We also had a couple who had come down to the festival from Scotland who left the session buzzing and planning on getting more tuition and buying some kit to get out more back at home. The weather was once again amazing and brought the beautiful setting alive. 

Its been a really good 4 days working with some great groups who were all really keen to learn new skills and be outside. The added bonus being able to see some great live music in the evenings after the work was done. Looking forward to working at the festival again next year!

I'll leave you with a view back up the valley from the top of castle rock.