Xmas/New Year Period

With low water levels, Xmas, New Year period and the winter season really set in, it has been time to take advantage of the conditions.

Although there has been no water in the rivers for white water kayaking, the rivers do lend themselves well to practising some canoe poling, tracking & lining with good friend Baz.

Surfing at Salcombe on the bar was fun and sporty with 7ft waves making for practising surfing my sea boat With some time off coaching I have also had time to climb more and even get out on the bike and do some new routes i have been wanting to do for a while.

Training, climbing & sailing (canoes)

After running a few more coach education programmes for several companies and now with very low water levels and cold conditions,it has meant that I have had time to play. At last I have had time to do some more training, get out climbing and even doing some canoe sailing with friend and paddlesport tutor Baz. Although cold the wind was perfect force 5 and gusting!!!

Open boating & Coach Education programmes

Over the past few weeks I have been either delivering coach education courses for Totnes Kayak Academy and winter professional instructor programmes. These courses comprised of examining the coaching process, use and importance of demonstrations, feedback and much more. In between these programmes I have found time to enjoy the recent good water levels and get out in the canoe and brush up skills on the River Dart.

Making the most of the good weather

With all this good weather over the October period, river levels super low,it has been a chance to get out and climb and boulder, so in between work there has been lots of playing either climbing at the Dewerstone, or bouldering into the early evenings on Dartmoor.

Coach Education Programmes

The last few weeks I have been running BCU/UKCC Level 2 Coach Education programmes for outdoor education centres up and down the country. These courses comprise of enhancing existing skills and introducing new concepts to the coaches delivery such as experiementing with learning styles and coach delivery, structures of practice, learning curves and memory management. I have been fortunate to run these courses with some really talented tutors such as Robert Bazeley & Gavin Lewis. It hasnt been all work I have been able to find time to climb at the Warehouse Climbing Wall, a few training paddles and climb at the Dewerstone.

The Winter season looks busy with some really fun and exciting projects.

Motor Cruising

Brixham was the venue for this course enabling the proud owners of this new motor cruiser to be able to control and manoeuvre the vessel in confined spaces, coming along side, anchoring and the picking up of moorings. A great day out on the water and maybe the last of the good weather!!!!

Rolling Clinics

At last and after popular request ICG are now delivering rolling clinics. With our own private indoor heated pool we provide either introduction to rolling, or a rolling reconstruction for paddlers either wanting to develop their roll or have seemed to have lost the ability to roll.

The rolling sessions are held twice a month on a Thursday evening (7-9), maximum of two clients. For information either visit our website or email to book your place.

Sea Kayaking on the Isles of Scilly

Well the run up to this trip was a busy one and worrying, whilst looking at the weather forecasts and low pressures that seemed to dominate the SW of England. As always the weather was not the best accurate and we had a week of good weather with sun and light winds on most days and when it rained it was during the evenings whilst tucked up in our sleeping bags and under canvas. The trip was led by good friend Nick Arding and myself taking seven clients out to discover the wonders of the Scillies. Over the week we visited a host of islands including Tresco, St Martins, Bryher, Samson, Agnes, the Eastern Isles and St Marys.

This week we witnessed big tides, even enabling some brave souls to walk from island to island. These tides provided great playspots for rock hopping, tide races and even some interesting swell on the fringes. During our stay on these magical islands we joined in with the relaxed way of life and whilst out on the Eastern Isles a couple of clients swam with the seals.

My thanks to Nick for joining the trip and helping out in the coaching and guiding and thanks to all the group for being such a great bunch to share such a fantastic environment to sea kayak.

Staff Training

A busy run up this week before the Scillies trip, with staff training for several companies. The first outdoor company wanted their staff to have an introduction to sea kayaking and after the inital concerns they developed a good skill level landing and launching in rough conditions and rock hopping around the South Devon coastline.

Today I found myself at Looe, I realised it is a great place to coach and go for a paddle with a beautiful back drop you can discover the island and enjoy being surrounded by seals. A great learning environment for the staff to look at contextualisation of their coaching, leadership and safety and rescue skills.

Totnes Kayak Academy Winter Programme

Totnes Kayaks Academy winter programme is now out offering the following:

BCU White Water Safety & Rescue Courses

BCU 4 Star Inland Training

BCU 5 Star Inland Training

BCU Moderate Water Endoresment Courses

BCU CPD Course 'Fitness in paddlesport & Coaching the Mind'

BCU/UKCC Level 1 & 2 Coach Courses and transfer courses

For more informationlook at the website: http://www.totneskayaks.co.uk/

August Update

Well its been a very busy August, spending some quality time with my daughter in Cornwall climbing, riding and going on some really scary rides!!!!

Then it was up to North Wales working on a corporate job with some really fantastic people, delivering with a great team is always such a pleasure.

Then back down to sunny Devon to run a BCU/UKCC Level 2 Coach Course for Totnes Kayaks Academy, looking in depth at the coaching process and how we can use such skills to coach our performers.

Managed to get out a few times and play in the sea boats down Salcombe in what can only be described as commiting conditions.

Trips & Expedtion 2011 Dates

IGC are now able to offer the following trips and expeditons for 2011:
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White Water Kayaking in the Pyrenees 19th - 26th March 2011
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Sea Kayaking Adventure oon the Isle of Skye 16th - 21st May 2011
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White Water Kayaking in Slovenia 1st - 8th June 2011
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Sea Kayaking in the Isles of Scilly 3rd - 10th September 2011
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For more information on these trips go to the ICG website and fill out an enquiry form:
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www.internationalcoachingandguiding.co.uk

Coach Development in the French Alps

It has been a long time since I have been paddling and coaching in the Alps in July and was reminded that the Alps still at the end of July offers some really nice paddling venues and play waves.

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This week I was asked by a club to provide some training and development of their coaches, we spent the five days looking at leadership and personal skills on the local rivers. During the week I was joined by a talented paddler and friend, Sean Rider, who is working towards his BCU Level 5 Coach Award. A really positive week developing some really nice, enthusiastic and talented coaches, thank you.

NEW ICG WEBSITE

International Coaching and Guiding are pleased to announce the launch of their website.
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The website is an overview of the company, its ethos and programmes on offer. Our blog will still remain very active and keep you up to date with developments, new courses and exciting trips and expeditions on offer.

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Any feedback on the new website would be gratefully received.

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http://www.internationalcoachingandguiding.co.uk/

Isle of Skye

I have spent the last couple of weeks sea kayak coaching and guiding around the magical islands of Skye in Scotland. I was fortunate enough to be part of a team that delivered a multi activity programme of rock climbing, mounatineering and sea kayaking.

Skye is a first class destination for sea kayaking and even though the weather was challenging with high winds (70mph at times) there was always somewhere sheltered to explore the wildlife, caves and its wonderful coastline.

French Alps White Water Kayaking

ICG has spent the last week in the French Alps, soaking up the sun, paddling some fantasic rivers and enjoying the quaint village of Vallouise. After the inital rumours of huge water levels and sustaining for weeks ahead, we found that our week in the Alps was a perfect level with almost all rivers to our disposal. Based up in the hills in the beautiful village of Vallouise, with full board accomodation, great food, and wine. Each day we headed to a different river to guide and develop performances. Our team was joined by the very talented Liz Scott, a great coach and awesome paddler. Many thanks to all our clients who joined us on this trip.

New boats arrive from 'Rockpool'

Our new boats arrived from Rockpool, so me and good friend, Nick Arding went out from Salcombe to put them through there paces. A very stable responsive boat that handled beautifully on the waves. Rescues seemed effortless and a really comfortable seating position.

Paddlesport Week

Spent the last 4 days coaching 3 students from Duchy College. Having four days we looked at the forecast and ensured we gave them a full experience ranging from surf kayaking on the South Coast, Sea Kayaking around Wembury and Plymouth Sound, and Canoe skills on theTamar including solo skills, sailing and poling.

A great 4 days with some really nice students.

Kayaking & Climbing Week

Spent the half term having a great few days with the children and enjoying the weather. Also found time to go out and play. Had an interesting paddle with good friend Nick Arding from Plymouth to Salcombe experiencing a rough sea state between Bolt Tail and Bolt Head, our boats being thrown around all over the place and a large swell. Managed to pop up to the North Coast to climb at Baggy Point in the blazing sun, such a great place to climb and surprisingly not many other climbers.

Climbing & Paddling Week

Had a fantastic week climbing and paddling with good friend Nick Arding. Making the most of the weather and tidal conditions, we came up with a cunning plan! Our first day we found ourselves at the Dewerstone climbing some classic routes such as Vala, Central Groove, Scimitar and Leviathan. The next day we left early to travel to Wales in search for Tusker Rock and paddled from Porthcawl towards Brigend, this was a great trip which had some strong tidal movements, overfalls and hidden (submerged islands).


Our next trip we had the pleasure of being accompained by Richard LB. We decided to paddle around Portland, planning is a must for this journey due to the confused and rapid tidal movements, a trip we would highly recommend, it is full of great rock hopping, caves, strong tidal movements and a look out for the seacat wake is a must.

Sea Kayak Coaching & Guiding

Having returned from Slovenia, I found myself back into my sea kayak, I spent 2 days coaching and guiding a client on the sea. Our first day found us looking at sea kayak handling, in the tidal flow of the Brunel Bridge at Saltash, going at the time the flow was at its quickest and with additonal wind influence it allowed us to have some fun and discovered what these craft can really do. Our next day was a complete contrast, paddling from Hope Cove to Burgh Island and returning, a great venue to consolidate handling skills amongst the rocks and use of skegs on the crossing of the bays.

Slovenia White Water Kayaking

This week was spent on the Soca river in Slovenia. With six clients and two coaches, myself and Gavin spent the five days guiding and coaching in the fabulous valley, the Soca offers some outstanding sections of river for developing confidence and brushing up on skills and making them more modern and dynamic. In luxury accommodation, based in Zaga, great food and wonderful weather, well for the first three days, what a perfect recipe for an outstanding trip.

Over the first three days we paddled all the class 2 and 3 sections of the river and enjoyed approximatley 50 cumecs each day, the rain then made its way to us from Italy and provided us with flood paddling conditions of 100+ cumecs.

A big thank you to all clients, making this trip enjoyable and fun.

Already from requests, we have dates planned for next year, 1st week in June 2011.

BCU/UKCC Level 2 Training & Coaching the Mind module

Over the last week I have been busy delivering BCU courses for Totnes Kayak Academy. The week comprised of the first four days delivering the level 2 coach award, which examines coaching and learning styles and complementing them within our coaching, the relationship between demonstrations and verbal instruction, memory management and learning curves from practice structures.

The last day was the CPD module 'Coaching the Mind' over the 3 hours we discussed, had practical input and examined the uses and purposes of mental skills training, concentration, use of visualisation, re-enactment, and control of arousal levels.

Good courses to deliver especially with such passionate coaches wanting to improve and understand about the importance of good delivery.

Week Off

A week off and spent time with my daughter, horse riding, cycling and having some quality time. Managed to get down to Cornwall and enjoy the fabulous weather riding the Camel Trail and walking along some fantastic coastline.

Sea Kayaking & BCU Coach Award in Bude

A busy few weeks delivering a BCU/UKCC Level 1 Coach award for Adventure International in Bude preparing their staff to be ready for the up and coming season. A BCU 3 Star Sea Training for returning staff which was held at Mountbatten in Plymouth and paddled down to Wembury. Then the first half on a Level 1 for Haven Banks staff and some more sea paddling at Teignmouth looking at rescue techniques in a tidal flow environment.

BCU Awards

Spent the last week delivering BCU qualifications for Totnes Kayak Academy on the River Dart in Totnes. Over the week we delivered a FSRT (SafetyCourse) for kayakers wanting to become coaches, looking at rescues in various craft. During the rest of the week I ran a BCU/UKCC Level 1 Coach for a really nice group of local coaches and a kayaker all the way from Greece on how to coach and look after a group of kayakers on sheltered water. In the evening we ran a CPD module 'Fitness in Paddlesport' looking at a balanced healthy diet, eating habits and appropriate training programmes.

Climbing in North Wales

Last week I spent 5 days climbing in North Wales with good friend Mark Agnew. We managed to bag a climb on the way up at Avon Gorge and then spent the next 4 days climbing multi pitch routes in the Llanberis and Ogwen area. A week of climbing in March, outside in North Wales with no rain, we couldnt of asked for better conditions.

First Aid Course

After a week off and enjoying the weather out on the sea, kayaking in Cornwall on both South and North coasts, I ran a first aid course for a local canoe club.

The course consisted of resuscitation and recovery and then onto realistic and simplisitic approaches to first aid incidents.

North Wales

Well great winter conditions experienced up in North Wales last week. I spent the week delivering a variety of activities to an instructor training course based in Betws-y-Coed. A few days running a rolling clinic at Plas y Brenin, the National Mountain Centre then moved down onto the Dee to finish off a BCU 3 Star Award. The next few days were coaching climbing on sports routes and trad in the local area.

Coach Education Courses & Sea Kayaking

Over the past two weeks I have been busy delivering BCU/UKCC Level 2 transfer courses and Level 2 full programmes for several outdoor activity companies and colleges. The last two days I have found myself sea kayaking some stretches of the Southwest coastline I havent done before.

Delivering a practical sea kayak navigation course on the first day and the next day exploring the caves and rocks around Saddle Rock Cove, a most wonderful place and beautiful stretch of coastline, landing on one of the tiny coves we found what we think must of been a whales bone!!!

Sea Kayak Coaching on the Southcoast

Spent a few days sea kayak coaching, paddling from Hope Cove to Salcombe then around Start Point. Over the two days we had a consistant SW swell creating some interesting rock hopping, but with the sun out made the two days stunning with seals, isolated beaches and a fantastic coastline.

Expeditions & Trips this Spring / Summer

Just to tell you about the trips I am running this year, as always I work on a maximum of 1:4 ratio on coaching and guiding trips and offering 3 unique opportunities:

Slovenia 29th April - 4th May (White Water Progressive Kayaking)

French Alps 20th - 25th June (Apline Leaders Course & Progressive Kayaking)

Isles of Scilley 3rd - 10th September (Sea kayaking guided trips and coaching)

For more details email me: i.c.g@live.co.uk

Sea Kayak Coaching

Spent the past three days coaching sea kayaking skills to Haven Banks instructor course. Over the 3 days we looked at sea kayak handling skills, rescues, navigation inc passage planning, rough water handling, a night paddle and surfing a sea kayak. A really fun three days with a great bunch of people.

Winter conditions on Dartmoor

Last week I found myself in sub zero conditions on Dartmoor coaching winter navigational skills to an instructor training course based at Mountain Water Experience. Great weather to enhance micro navigation. A really good group to work with.