4* Leader Sea Kayak Training - Day 2

Due to the late return from Cornwall I didn't get to post this last night.

Yesterday was day two of my 4* Leader Sea Kayak training with Richard Uren from Paddlecrest Coaching. The aim of the day was to cover the rest of the syllabus that we didn't cover on saturday. This mainly consisted of covering a descent distance to check our fitness, observing leadership styles and strategies, moving in and around confined spaces and rescue techniques.

We joined the Penzance Canoe Club monthly paddle heading out of Porthleven which meant there were 11 of us in the group, this gave plenty of opportunity to look at group management. It was also nice to move between the group and chat to other paddlers about their experiences. The trip took us west along some stunning coastline to our lunch spot at Prussia Cove, some 7.5 miles. After lunch we made the return journey to Porthleven where we performed all of the rescues before surfing a few waves in the harbour mouth.

A really good day with some nice people resulting in a productive action plan to complete before assessment. 

4* Leader Sea Kayak Training - Day 1

Today was Day 1 of my BCU 4* Sea Kayak Leader training with Richard Uren from Paddlecrest. The course is based out of the Penzance area in South West Cornwall for the two days. Before coming on this course you have to go on the BCU Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning (CNTP) course which I attended yesterday at Porthpean Outdoor Centre. This course was also run by Richard Uren.

The main emphasis of today with the sea conditions was to cover the personal skills element of the 4* training and also start to look at leadership. These areas would be covered during a trip that Mark and myself planned during yesterdays course. Porth Gwarra would be our entry and egress. The images above don't actually do the sea state the justice it deserves. Following yesterdays winds there was a big rolling swell coming in off the Atlantic. The swell period made for easy going one away from the coastline but did minimise the landing opportunities due to the surf hitting beaches and small rock coves. Today would have been on the 4* Leaders limit.

A great days Sea Kayaking overall with clear blue skies, 8 -10 mph winds and some wildlife (Grey Seals, Porpoises and Sea birds). 

Tomorrow the plan is to head East for slightly more sheltered water to work with some candidates from Penzance Canoe Club and also cover all of the Rescue techniques. 

Bridgwater College Residential - Day 4

Anstey's Cove in Torquay was the venue for todays activities. We headed over to the3 coast from Dartmoor with a fleet of tandem sit on top kayaks and coasteering equipment. The bay was well sheltered from the south/south westerly winds which meant great conditions for an introduction to kayaking on the sea.

I took half the group kayaking while Gwilym took the other half coasteering, the groups swapped activities after lunch.

During the kayaking sessions we looked at paddling along the coastline and crossing the bay discussing the potential risk involved. The students applied the transferable skills they have learned in their Open Canoe sessions over the past few weeks. There was also time to play a few games and get wet! As the swell picked up a little we also had a go at rock hopping, using the swell to our advantage to get in and out of small gaps in the rocks.

Another great day with the students taking control of their session with just a little help from me. 

King Alfred School 2* course at Wimbleball Lake

For the last two days I have been based up at Wimbleball Lake in glorious weather delivering a BCU 2* course to Level 3 Sport and Public Services students from King Alfred School. This is the 5th year Discover Moor and Active Adventure South West have teamed up to deliver this course. 

Following a taster session at Apex lake in Burnham on Sea, the students spend two days at Wimbleball Lake undertaking a number of training sessions with the hope of achieving a 2* award. Some who have less experience only get to achieve 1* but the whole experience is a valuable one. They are also assessed in line with the Pass, Merit and Distinction Criteria for their 'Skills for Water-based Outdoor Education' module for their respective Level 3 Btec course. 

The students worked through all areas of the 2* award and also had the opportunity to try many different Paddle craft including, closed cockpit kayaks, sea kayaks, sit on top kayaks, Open Canoes (solo and tandem) and paddle boards.

All achieved their 1* with a few achieving 2*.