Hen's take on a Team Challenge in Simonsbath, Exmoor

Today I was working for Exmoor Adventures, the first time this year. I travelled over to Simonsbath on Exmoor to meet Tom to set up a multi activity team challenge for 14 ladies on a hen party.

The ladies took part in Archery, Orienteering, Spiders Web, River Crossing Task and other problem solving tasks in order to gain points. The winning team were awarded a bottle of prosecco.

The ladies all enjoyed the tasks despite the mixed weather. 

Thanks to Louise from Simonsbath House Activity Centre for letting us use the Archery range.

Coasteering at Anstey's Cove

Back working with Active Adventure South West today delivering a coasteering session at Anstey's Cove for a stag party of 10 down from Northampton.

The weather turned out better than forecast with little wind and blue skies. We made our way along the coast scrambling, swimming and jumping from various points.

On the return journey as the tide dropped from the morning high tide it opened up the opportunity to go through on of the swim through sumps.

All the guys enjoyed their session, i've no doubt they'll be back again for more. 

Stag Party fun at Wimbleball Lake

Back at Wimbleball Lake on Exmoor today to deliver Mountain Biking and Kayaking for a stag party group of nine booked through Exmoor Adventures. 

We thought we would start with the mountain biking before the strong afternoon sun came out. Our route took us around the pump track at South West lakes Trust before following the green trail down to the dam. Once we crossed the dam we headed out on a loop over and around Haddon Hill taking in some single track, open moorland tracks and a short road descent back to the dam before heading back to our base.

After a short stop for lunch I took the guys for a sit on top kayaking session on Wimbleball Lake, from the lake side near the activity centre we headed across the lake and up the central spur where we got some competitive games going along with lots of getting wet. 

The nine guys were all up for a good time and with their competitive edge they took on all the challenges without hesitation. 

A really good day on Exmoor with a great group. I'm sure the guys will enjoy their climbing session tomorrow with Dan French at Valley of the Rocks.

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.

Lovely Day at Valley of the Rocks.

Today I have been working for Exmoor Adventures delivering Climbing sessions at Valley of the Rocks near Lynmouth, Devon.

The participants were all from the Somersault Festival. There are a range of activities on offer for festival goers. The plus side being a free ticket for activity staff so I will be going along tomorrow and Sunday eve to catch Jack Johnson and Ben Howards sets.

The 7 participants who came along today had a little climbing experience which made teaching tying in and belaying pretty quick. They then got to use the rest of the 2.5 hour session climbing as many routes and variations of routes as they liked. 

The sun shone for the whole session but it was very humid, the odd cool breeze that blew through was very welcome.

I am also delivering similar sessions for the next three days all for the same festival but different clients.   

Team Tool Box and Personal Potential Qualifications - Train the Trainer

Today I have been back at Bridgwater college but this time to assist in staff training rather than teaching students.

The aim of today was to assist Greg in the delivery of the Team Toolbox and Personal Potential Qualifications staff training for 8 college staff so that I could be signed off as a trainer.

It was a really good day and the staff were really receptive to the new qualifications to be delivered at Entry 2, Entry 3 and Level 1using the Team Toolbox. The Toolbox will also be integrated into higher level programmes for the delivery of leadership modules.

I am now signed off as a trainer and will be covering the South West for colleges and establishments that wish to buy into the resource.

For more information on the Team Toolbox go to: http://www.closertotheedge.co.uk/team-toolbox-1

For more information on the Personal Potential Qualifications go to: http://aimawards.org.uk/aim-awards-qualifications-units/?p=qual&fid=2&sid=90

A Very Wet Archery Session at the Wyvern!

This Evening I was at the Wyvern Club in Taunton delivering an Archery session for Cossimo and 9 of his friends and family for his birthday.

The session lasted two hours and the group had time to shoot plenty of arrows, during which we had a few team and individual competitions and some mother/son rivalry. All healthy and in good spirits.

The evening was awful, the rain came down for the whole two hours even though it was forecast to clear. Despite this the group all really enjoyed the session and talked about returning for a further session to learn about shooting using sights.