Sea Kayaking in the Isles of Scilly

Spent a delightful week exploring the magificent and magical islands of the Scillies. Based on St Martins, a simplistic but wonderful island we ventured everyday to uninhabitied isles, paddling amongst seals and seeing such a vast amount of birdlife.

With sandy beaches, remote craggy islands and clear blue water this must be the number one destination for sea kayaking.

Next year we will be running a weeks coaching and guiding around the islands, email me for more information.

BCU 3 Star Sea for Haven Banks Staff

3 days at sea on the Southcoast with the core staff from Haven Banks. Over the three days we covered personal skills, rescues, towing, passage planning, a night paddle and overnight camp.

A great 3 days with very good company

BCU/UKCC Level 2 Transfer Course

A day spent preparing exisiting BCU Level 2 Coaches to move onto the new scheme. Looking at the coaching process in detail and the pathway to being a newly qualified BCU/UKCC Level 2 Coach.

Next BCU/UKCC Level 2 Transfer Course: 27th February 2010

After returning from Cyprus with my daughter Ella, having a very relaxed beach holiday, the last two weeks have been very busy.

New Climbing Wall

For the past few days I have spent sometime with friends at the new indoor climbing wall at Buckfastleigh. A great venue for introducing novices to climbing to pushing your grade and working on your technique if the weather is bad outside.

A resource that SW climbers have needed for a long time.

BCU/UKCC Level 2 Coach Course

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.

Other coaching courses coming up:

BCU/UKCC Level 2 Transfer Course 5th September 09
BCU/UKCC Level 1 Training Course 5th - 8th October 09
BCU CPD Unit 'Fitness in Paddlesport' 19th October 09

BCU CPD Unit 'Coaching the Mind' 21st October 09
BCU/UKCC Level 2 Training 16th - 19th November 09

Tanzania, Africa - July - August 09

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).

The following phase based in Mosi, a community project at a school/orphanage consisting of building work to improve the quality of provison for the local children. After leaving Mosi the team headed to the Indian Ocean for a well earnt rest on the beach which provided time for reflection on this unique expedition.