The power of Facebook

Due to joining Facebook, I am no longer going to keep this BLOG updated, however my Facebook page will keep you informed of what I have been up to, courses and trips available and the latest news in coaching.

In Sept I am starting a MSc in Performance Coaching and will share my research and thoughts on various subjects, so please add me as a friend so we can keep in touch


          https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lee-Pooley/408824519231215?ref=hl

The build up towards our trip around Britain

April and the days into May have been busy ones, with carrying out technical advisor visits for local companies getting them ready for the season ahead, and working for Canoe England supporting directors through the quality assurance and internal verification process.

I have also been involved in running several coach education programmes, leaders awards and personal coaching on the sea. The weather has been varied and we have seen some really nice conditions but on other occasions some challenging days.


In between the work, the training has continued, out on the bike, regular days in the boat and trying out equipment to see if it is fit for purpose for the 2400 mile trip around our coastline.

Sponsors have been extremely generous by providing food, boats, paddles, clothing and much more. All such items have had to be looked at to see if it will withstand the conditions expected over the three months.

So this will be my last entry for awhile, but please follow us on our trip around Britain on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/AB4Bpages

Join us on a beach clean or donate to our charities the MCS and CLIC

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.