Congratulations

A huge congratulations to both Darren Joy and Sean Rider for passing their BCU Level 5 Assessment this weekend. I have really enjoyed being their mentor over the past few years and hope that our working relationship continues. It's so good to be involved and see such talented coaches. Well done guys

A cold spring and now rain and winds

SEA PADDLING COURSES

Its been a busy month running not only the usual BCU/UKCC Coaching Courses and seeing such passionate new coaches coming into the scheme but also a full on programme of sea paddling programmes.

Its been great working alongside Howard Jeffs again. Howards enthusiasm, and knowledge is extensive. Together we ran a 4 star sea assessment, coastal navigation and open water navigation course and 5 star sea programme.

BCU 5 Star Sea Training

With the run up to the trip around Britain, me and Nick have been busy putting the boats and our bodies through their paces. Experimenting with boat set ups. equipment and nutrition.  Roll on the 17th May - I just want to get started now (as long as the winds calm down and it gets warmer!!!!)

Navigation day for GBROW13 Team Savoir Faire

This week i have had the pleasure of meeting a team competing in the GBROW2013 http://www.gbrowchallenge.com/ race starting from Tower Bridge on the 1st June. Both Jason and Josh from Salcombe made contact with me to spend the day looking at their route, influences of tidal streams and weather throughout their adventure.

 

After a day ploughing over charts, tidal stream atlases and synoptic weather charts the Savoir Faire team were happy with the skills acquired and really understand the benefits of using the tides to their advantage.

Follow their preparation and epic race details  on http://gbrow2013.com/index.html and on facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Savoir-Faire-UK-Rowing-World-Record/329841720462430

                                               GOOD LUCK GUYS AND CALM SEAS

Wet at first and then a cold February

This month has been a complete mixed bag of weather, river levels and bitterly cold eatery winds!!!

At the begining of the month I landed on my feet completely running three BCU WWSR courses and a BCU AWWSR course and two BCU 4 Star Inland Leaders training courses for local colleges and a club from Sussex.  Conditions were perfect for practical application of the skills required to keep safe in a moderate and advanced moving water environment.

Mid February we saw a change in the weather, although good friend Gavin Lewis was blessed on his wedding day with wall to wall sun, Gavin married his wife Mandi, a great day guys, thanks a really perfect day. All the best for the future.

As always this time of year we see many coach education programmes being run and yet again I have had the pleasure of working alongside some really insiprational directors and tutors working hard to provide some outstanding courses and providing the candidates with a great platform to start their coaching in paddlesport.

On a cold windy day I ran a two day 3 star canoe programe for Tris, Simon and Trevor, the first day we were on the Dart Estuary sailing in some great conditions.  After a long day one they moved to Exeter for the next day to run the weirs, carry out rescues and specific skills workshops.

At the end of February I ran a BCU Moderate Water Endorsement (Sea), based from Brixham we had ideal moderate water conditions for the programme. Well done guys and thanks to the mock students, Tris, Simon and Rich.

 

BCU AWE / 5 Star & night time training

BCU 5 Star Training & Advanced Water Endorsement

In between Xmas and New Year we were treated to good water levels and due to demand I was able to run a BCU 5 Star Inland Training, based on the Dart and Erme. 


The following weekend a very strong team of candidates attended a BCU Advanced Water Endorsement training course, including a current Level 5 coach and two aspriant Level 5 coaches, both procedding to their assessment in April this year.  The two day programme was spent examining coaching in advanced conditions, including personal skills and development, specific site coaching choice, tactics, control of arousal levels, building confidence and coaching on the move.





Night time training

After working on coach education programmes throughout the last few weeks, we have been venturing out during night time hours to develop and practice night time navigation on land and sea. 

2013 Winter/Spring courses

A full programme of events and courses are set before me and Nick Arding head off on our next adventure, Around Britain paddle in May.

The courses listed below are ones I am independently running and if any of these interest you please do not hesitate in contacting me for further details or a booking form to secure your place.

INLAND COURSES

Course: BCU Advanced Water Endorsement Training
Date:     6th & 7th January 2013                                              FULL
Cost:     £150
Venue: South West Rivers

Course: BCU 4 Star Inland Leaders Assessment
Date:     26th & 27th February 2013
Cost:     £150
Venue:  South West Rivers


CANOE COURSES

Course: BCU 3 Star Canoe
Date:     20th & 21st February 2013
Cost:     £90
Venue:  River Dart, Devon

SEA COURSES

Course: BCU Moderate Water Endorsement Sea
Date:     25th & 26th February 2013
Cost:     £150
Venue: South West Coast, Devon/Cornwall

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 4 Star Sea Leaders Assessment
Date:     24th & 25th April 2013
Cost:     £165
Venue: South West Coast, Devon/Cornwall

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.