Intro to SUP with Adventure International Staff

Today I was down in Bude, Cornwall delivering an introduction to Stand Up Paddle-boarding with returning instructional staff from Adventure International. The guys were really enthused with the sport and are now looking forward to completing their British Canoeing discipline support module next month. 

The Bude Canal was great venue for the session and the blustery winds made for challenging conditions at times. 

During the day we covered different types of kit, a range of stokes, journeying and games to improve confidence and skill level. 

A really good day. I'm looking forward to going back next month to deliver their Mountain Biking assessments. 

British Canoeing Coaching Matters Workshops - SW

Today I was delivering an introduction to white water stand up paddle-boarding as part of the British Canoe Union Coaching Matters update for the South West Region.

The two and a half hour workshop gave the candidates the opportunity to try paddle-boarding on moving water and get some useful hints and tips. However, the main focus of the workshop was safety.

We discussed the use of leashes, were they appropriate on moving water? We talked about the risks of having clients standing up rather than the norm in paddle-sports of sitting/kneeling. With the river being very low, this gave an opportunity to see first hand the issues with fins on the board and trying to run rivers at low level.

Overall it was a really good session despite the low levels.

Sea Kayaking on the North Devon Coast

It was great to be back out in the sea kayak today after a period of time out of it. 

Darren and I paddled from Ilfracombe to Combe Martin and back again using the tide to our advantage. We spent time rock hoping and assessing the coastline to deliver coastal adventure tours for the upcoming season with Channel Adventure. 

There were numerous varieties of of gulls as well as Oyster Catchers and the welcome sight of an inquisitive seal. 

The north easterly breeze made the start of the day a bit chilly and made for some fun conditions in and around the rocks.  

MIAS Level 1 and 2 Training - Day 2

Back out on the beautiful Quantock Hills AONB today delivering the second day of a MIAS Level 1 and Level 2 training for Wet and High Adventures. 

The whole day was spent outside covering the remainder of the practical elements of the course and the assessment of the candidates at Level 1.

Over the course of the day we looked at mountain bike navigation, warm up games, skills circuits, pre ride checks and PPE fitment and emergency procedures. The candidates were also given the opportunity to lead legs of the route, this meant they had to decide on the best techniques to use on certain parts of the trail. A great exercise to prepare them for their Level 2 assessment.

We also spent a little time on Level 1 terrain assessing the candidates to this level. I am pleased to say that all of the candidates met the required Level 1 standard and have development plans to prepare them for a Level 2 assessment in the near future.

MIAS Level 1 and 2 Training - Day 1

So today I have been delivering the first day of the MIAS (Mountain Bike Instructor Award Scheme) Level 1 and Level 2 Training course for Wet and High Adventures. The course is delivered over 2 days and by the end of the course the candidates hope to be assessed to Level 1 and received the training at Level 2. 

We spent the morning in the classroom at Cannington Activity Centre covering all of the Theory before heading out to the Quantock Hills after lunch to look at leadership techniques, skills improvement games and the remit of the awards.

It was a great day with blue skies, little wind and a great group of aspirant mountain bike leaders.

Tomorrow we will be on the Quantock Hills all day covering the rest of the syllabus and assessing the candidates at Level 1. 

Coasteering Training at Hele Bay

Today Alicia and I went along to Hele Bay in Ilfracombe to attend the National Coasteering Charter (North Devon section) training day. The day consisted of a low tide walk through of the venue looking at the jump spots and potential hazards, a pool session covering dealing with casualties with spinal injuries and the use of a throw line. After lunch their was a charter meeting. 

A good day that re-visited useful techniques and the opportunity to network, putting names and faces to the various companies that operate in the area.   

Coasteering at Watermouth Cove

Having started my new role at Channel Adventure on Tuesday 1st March the majority of the week was taken up with inductions however I did manage to get out on Saturday to take a group Coasteering at Watermouth Cove.

The group of 11 guys on a stag party braved the chilly conditions to take part in our first coasteering session of the year. We spent an hour in the water before the group started to get cold. To fill their time slot the group took on the challenge of the assault course and finished with a quick race in the surf rafts.

Thanks to Ben from Active Escape for supplying another member of staff and access to the cove and equipment.

Hill Skills course - Day 2 on the Quantock Hills

Back out with the six volunteer rangers from the Quantock Hills and Mendip Hills AONB services today delivering day 2 of their 'Hill Skills' course for Wet and High Adventures. 

We headed to the Quantock Hills today for a full day practical session which started and finished from Triscombe on the western side of the hills.

Todays route covered 18km taking in Wills Neck (highest point on the Quantocks), the managed forests of Cockercombe and Ramscombe and the northern commons around Black Hill.

The weather continued with blue skies and great visibility but once again struggled to get above freezing. This gave us the opportunity to look at appropriate clothing and the benefits of layering, especially during the 'movement on steep ground' part of the day.

Over the course of the day we covered the rest of the hill skills syllabus and continued to work on the basic navigation techniques. 

The day finished with well earned refreshments in the Blue Ball pub in Triscombe.  

Hill Skills course- Day 1 on the Mendip Hills

Today I was working for Wet and High Adventures delivering Day 1 of the Mountain Training 'Hill Skills' course. The candidates are six volunteer rangers from the Quantock Hills and Mendip Hills AONB services who are training to lead walks as part of their role.

We chose to deliver day 1 on the Mendip Hills using Charterhouse Outdoor Centre as our base. The day was broken down into a six hour practical session on the hill followed by 2.5 hours in the classroom covering all of the theory.

The practical session covered basic navigation skills, affects of weather in the hills, the hill and moorland environment and walking pace management. This was delivered while taking in a 16km route over Black Down, around Rowberrow Warren and through Velvet Bottom. 

The classroom session consisted of; a weather lecture, appropriate clothing, footwear and equipment for hill walkers and the use of guidebooks and the internet for researching good days out on the hill.

Although the temperature struggled to get above freezing we were blessed with a beautiful blue sky day with views as far as the Gower and the snow capped Brecon Beacons. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy new Year

To all my clients, colleagues, friends and followers.

I wish you all a very merry christmas and a prosperous new year.

May 2016 be full of adventure.

RYA VHF Radio Operators course

Today I have been at the club house of Watchet Sea Scouts to attend the RYA short range radio operators course delivered by Doug and Simon. 

We spent the day covering the syllabus and using the radios with Doug before being assessed by Simon at the end of the day. 

The venue, resources and trainers were great and there was plenty of tea and biscuits available to keep us going. 

The main reasons for doing this course are for safety communications during coasteering sessions and as part of my British Canoe Union 4* Sea Kayak assessment. 

High Ropes and Drive back south

This morning we were up early to pack and load the trailer before breakfast. After breakfast the students had time for a quick high ropes session delivered by the centre staff to give Gwilym and I a break before the long drive back from Snowdonia to Somerset. 

Overall the week was a great success and it was good to be back working with the Bridgwater College level three outdoor education students. 

Raft Building, Overnight Expedition and Climbing

Over the last two days I have been delivering raft building, Rock Climbing and assessing the students overnight expedition for their BTEC expedition skills unit.

Raft Building: On Wednesday morning the students were set a task to design and build a raft to transport them from one side of the bay back to the boat house. They got to choose their launch location, design and teams. After transporting their raft parts to the other side of the bay by canoe, the canoes were towed back and the students left to build their raft and paddle it back. The results were very opposite with one team succeeding and the other having a shocker!

Overnight Expedition: Following some previous training back at college and the completion of the mountain skills course over the last two days the students were tasked to plan a route from Wenallt back to the centre via the Aran Ridge. After being bused out to Wenallt both groups ascended Aran Fawddwy before dropping down to their chosen camp sites on the east side of the ridge. The following morning they made their way back to the centre in time for lunch.

Rock Climbing: Once the students had freshened up after their overnight Camp we headed to Barmouth Slabs for a spot of climbing in the afternoon sun. I took some of the students for some top roping on the lower tier, Gwilym took two students for a session on lead climbing and Rhys took the rest for some bottom roping on the upper tier. Rhys and I swopped our groups half way through the session. 

It was a great couple of days with the students really showing the skills they've learned over the past 13 months. All finished off with an ice cream in Barmouth before heading back to the centre.