Making maximum use of the past few days good water levels, myself and good friend Ceri Williams run/completed a BCU 5 Star training course and assessment. Good and appropriate
Spent the day on the River Dart delivering a WWSR course specifically aimed at canoeists. Over the day we looked at extractions from canoes, dealing with broaches and pins using self equalising systems, roll over methods, swim lines and use of mechanical advantages.
Over the weekend myself and good friend Ceri Williams ran a BCU White Water Safety & Rescue programme for a local club and the 'paddle pirates'. The course took place on the River Dart & Erme and looked at a variety of rescue skills including safe leadership principles, equipment, throwlines, extractions, protecting technical rapids and much much more.
On Friday spent the day on the River with friends trying out my new purchase, its been a while since paddling solo on moving water in an open canoe, from the River Dart Country Park to Staverton, good levels and much playing.
Spent Wednesday & Thursday running a WWSR course on the River Dart and Erme, during the course we looked at safe river running strategies, rescues, equipment, boat extractions and swimming. Good water levels allowed for lots of swimming and realisitc rescues over the two days.
Spend last week running a BCU/UKCC Level 1 Coach Course for Kelly College in Tavistock on their instructor programme, as always I was impressed by the skill standard of the students and took to coaching paddlesport very well. We were blessed by good weather.
Spent the week in Spain, Costa Blanca climbing with Duchy College and good friend Mark Agnew. Based at the Orange House in Finestrat we visited and climbed at various locations including Calpe, Font d Axia, Montesa, a full mountaineering day on Puig Campana and our last day was spent climbing the famous landmark Penon de Ifach.
Over the past several weekends I have been delivering BCU White Water Safety & Rescue Courses for members of the Port of Plymouth Canoe Club. During the programmes we have looked at throwline priniciples, anchor set ups, rapid protection, live bait, equipment, extractions of swimmers and entrapments, retrieval of equipment and mechanical advantages.
Spent the day around Brixham coaching personal sea kayak skills and rescues. The day consisted of familiarisation of a sea kayak, use of edge control and the importance of consistency, rock hopping, towing sytems and rescues.
Over the past four days I have been delivering a BCU coach education programme for a team from the youth service and freelance outdoor instructors, based at Totnes on the River Dart we looked at personal skills, rescues, development of coaching practices, use of a vartiey of craft and safe, enjoyable learning.
This week I have been delivering a BCU/UKCC Level 2 Coach Course in Totnes for Totnes Kayak Academy. The 4 day course consisted of delveloping existing coaches delivery methods and understanding of the coaching process. Such aspects investigated on the programme are, memory management, teaching & learning styles, use of feedback, linking demonstrations to specific verbal input, use of VAK and much more. 
Spent the last 4 weeks in Tanzania, Africa leading and guiding a team from Sandbach, Cheshire. Throughout the 28 days we explored the region from the dry and dusty areas of Ndarakwai to the volcanic slopes of Mt Meru. The expedition comprised on 4 phases, a wildlife project including a safari to the Ngorongoro crater, a mountain phase on which 16 of the 17 clients reached the summit of Mt Meru (4566m).
