Magical Sea Kayaking Destination - Islay

What a great way to finish work just before the festive season begins, working up in Scotland on the beautiful island of Islay.  Travelling up from the Southwest to the ferry port and then arriving by boat at Port Ellen is a great way to start a weeks adventure.

We dropped off our bags and grabbed our kit and headed out to make the most of the daylight, leaving Port Ellen behind we headed towards Oa, the scenery and wildlife are spectacular and provided us with some rock hopping fun.


The next two days, I ran a BCU 4 Star Sea Leaders training course for the local club, after an initial chat we got on the water and headed out to Texa, a small island on the south coast. On the second day we were confronted with force 7/8 winds and a sea state i can only describe as big, confused and intimidating.  After finding a more sheltered area around Ardbeg, we looked at personal skills, towing systems and strategies and rescues.


After the stormy conditions had passed it left a great play ground for rock hoping, surfing and general fun around the skerries on the south coast. The tidal influences made the playing even more enjoyable and allowed us to travel along the coast with ease.

Many thanks to Dave and Emma for being such great hosts during our week and I look forward to visiting again in 2013.

Living out of a rucsac has its benefits

Although for the majority of the last month has been spent living out of a rucsac and travelling up and down the country, it has been busy and I have worked alongside some really inspiring people in some stunning locations.


Rescue Management Course
This specifc white water safety and rescue course was delivered to the second year degree students from Duchy College on a Rescue and Emergency Management course.  The week long programme looked at appropriate rescue techniques on a swift water environment, from the use of wading in strategies to live bait systems.





WWSR Courses and moderation in Scotland
Working alongside other providers is always a great way to gain new ideas and be able to discuss delivery methods and appropriate strategies.  Working with Darryll Shaw from PGL always makes me consider new ideas and approaches.  We spent a week in Scotland delivering White Water Safety & Rescue programmes for PGL's river leading staff.  On the River Garry based around the Soliders Leap area allowed the team to look into river rescue in diverse environments.


Coaching Conference
2012 Canoe England Coaching Conference was based in Wakefield, with the main theme aimed at inspiring and developing performers.  There were presentations and talks from a variety of speakers from Olympians including Anna Hemmings MBE, and Jon Schofield.  Other speakers were from various fields in paddlesport delivering a diverse programme of subjects.  My presentation was based around periodisation for recreational paddlers and coaches.  These presentation notes can be found on http://adventureeducationcoachingleadership.blogspot.co.uk/ if this subject area interests anyone.


Coach Education Programmes
The rest of the time this month has been spent delivering BCU Coach Education courses all over the UK. I am really lucky to be working alongside some really inspiring coach educators that not only paddle to a very high standard but also have an extensive and up to date knowledge in sports coaching and its practical application. I also had the pleasure of delivering alongside Gary Peverill on a BCU 4 Star Canoe Training Course.  Gary's willingness to share his passion and eagerness to develop other paddlers really make his courses first class programmes.

Isle of Wight - Training with Wings

Over the month of October, we have run many different programmes. At the beginning of the month we were able to get away and concentrate on training for our trip next year, working with a combination of the Taran and the new Epic wing blades.

Although it takes some time to get use to blade, especially in rougher conditions, it is clear the advantages of such a economical and efficient blade.





Remote First Aid Course

One of the programme run in October was an outdoor first aid programme for a local canoe club.  Over four evenings we covered all aspects of the first aid programme aimed at paddlesport coaches and paddlers.  The programme ended with a night exercise using all the skills taught.

After this course, a remote first aid, 2 day programme was run for some coaches/instructors that operate in more remote conditions, that is further away from immediate assistance.







FSRT & BCU/UKCC Level 1 Paddlesport Programme

Brixham was the venue for a five day programme, running a Foundation Safety & Rescue course, followed by a coach education, BCU/UKCC Level 1 Coach programme.

A mixed group, from local canoe clubs, freelance instructors and military personal on resettlement.








Canoe Coaching on the River Dart


Canoe coaching has been really popular this month, with many one to one programmes/sessions.  Most want to expand their knowledge and skill as a solo canoeist and coaches moving towards their BCU/UKCC Level 2 Coach assessment wanting to develop their technical understanding. 

Two BCU White Water Safety & Rescue programmes were run on the River Dart & Erme and a BCU 4 Star Inland Training.


Fingers crossed, we get a good winter season on the rivers.




Sea Kayaking Courses - Winter / Spring

After much interest and requests we are putting on the following sea kayak programmes over the Winter and Spring periods. If any of the programme interest you and want to book a place contact me

Email: i.c.g@live.co.uk           Tel: 01364 73411                  Mobile: 07805420840


Course:   BCU 4 Star Sea Leaders Training
Date:       18th & 19th December 2012             FULL
Cost:       £150
Venue:    Islay, West Coast, Scotland


Course:  BCU 4 Star Sea Leaders Assessment
Date:      6th & 7th April 2013
Cost:      £150
Venue:   South West Coast, Devon/Cornwall


Course:  BCU Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning Course
Date:      8th April 2013
Cost:      £60
Venue:   Plymouth, Devon


Course:  BCU Open Water Navigation &Tidal Planning Course
Date:      9th April 2013
Cost:      £60
Venue:   Plymouth, Devon


Course:  BCU 5 Star Sea Leaders Training
Date:      10th &11th April 2013
Cost:       £160
Venue:    South West Coast, Devon/Cornwall


Course: BCU Moderate Water Endoresment (Sea)
Date:     25th & 26th April 2013
Cost:     £150
Venue:  South West Coast, Devon/Cornwall

Lundy/ IOW / CPD & running courses

The last few weeks have been a busy one with lots of sea paddling, climbing and running courses.

LUNDY
Our trip to Lundy was fantastic and I never get bored with paddling across to this magical island, the crossing over started early with fantastic conditions, with the occasional down pour, limited visability and a constant sea swell.  Once we arrived the sun came out and after our walk up the hill, set up tents we climbed throughout the evening.

The paddle back was slightly more 'sporty' with breaking waves, and a stiff wind.  After getting through the tidal race at the mainland we arrived at Lee Bay after four and a half hours.

Back on the mainland it was back to climbing and we headed off to Baggy Point and climbed' Kinky Boots' a great climb in superb weather.

COURSES
The following week I had the pleasure of delivering with Phil Hadley and Richard Uren on a BCU 4 star sea assessment and finally I have been signed off to deliver and run BCU 4 Star Sea trainings/assessments and Moderate Water Endoresments (Sea)

Dates:

BCU 4 Star Sea Training - 8th & 9th October 2012 (based on the SW coast)

BCU Moderate Water Endoresment (Sea) TBC

It was back to work and running courses for outdoor centres and colleges, delivering coach education programmes, paediatric first aid courses, some guiding and personal skills programmes on the sea.

ISLE OF WIGHT
Then it was off to the Isle of Wight for a three day circumnavigation with friend Dave Adams.
This is a fabulous trip and would encourage more sea paddlers to do this multi day trip, the paddling is great, wild camping along the way and the need to plan to ensure the tides are in your favour.

Sea paddling throughout the Summer & the Olympics

Much of the summer months has been spent sat in my sea kayak either on personal journeys, training or running skills programmes and BCU courses.

Earlier this month I teamed up with Howard Jeffs to run several BCU sea courses down in the Southwest including the Coastal & Open navigation and tidal planning courses as well as a BCU Five Star Sea Training.

Our BCU navigation courses were run from IBEX Canoe Club, based in Brixham over the two days.  Many thanks to the club for supporting the courses and your hospitality.

The BCU 5 Star Sea Training took place around the Salcombe area, towards Prawle Point, with rough water handling, leadership, rescues, an overnight camp and night navigation.

In the near future, we are looking at running another BCU 5 Star Sea Training, more likely based in Cornwall with Richrd Uren hosting the programme, so watch this space!!!!

Had a great week with my daugter Ella and Jo up in London watching the Olympics and then popped up to Wales for a few days in the mountains and met up with friends.

Has the summer really arrived?

After much rainfall in the UK, our cottage being flooded, kit stolen and vehicles being written off by insurance companies, life seems to be starting to get back to normal!!!!






I have been working on the sea for much of July running several programmes and having the pleasure of working alongside some inspirational coaches and paddling with friends.  These courses have seen us paddling around Lands End and out to Longships, camping out and playing in the tidal race at Start Point.





Many thanks to Joe Leach and Jeff Allen for being so generous with their wisdom and top tips for paddling Around Britain.  Me and Nick will certainly be using many of their tips and altering our training from the comments made.