Psychological approaches to coaching climbing

I have had the pleasure of spending last week up in Gloucester, delivering a course to climbing coaches from the Warehouse. I was asked to put a programme together which looked at the psychological approaches we as coaches can employ to build confidence, tackle fears, coping strategies both before and on the route and the language we use as coaches.

The programme consisted of mental researshal techniques, visualisation, anxiety control, coping strategies, relaxation methods and selective attention.

WWSR, Skills courses and sea paddling

Last week/weekend we were blessed with good water levels and I was able to get out and run a white water safety and rescue course and a skills coaching day on the River Erme. Once the weather changed again to beautiful sunshine we ran a BCU/UKCC Level 1 Coach Course for a local outdoor education centre, and climbed a few routes.

Friday, me and very good friend Nick Arding managed to catch up and get out in our sea boats. In moderate to rough conditions with a steady force five wind we made our way from Looe to Polperro, the return was harder work but we found some really good rock hopping around the island.

A busy start to the New Year

January and February have been full on months for me, working a variety of exciting new programmes and catching up on the courses postponed in November & December due to insufficent water levels. I have had the pleasure of running more BCU/UKCC Coach Education courses in the Southwest and Gloscester, training & assessing 4 & 5 star inland awards, delivering white water safety & rescue courses for colleges and clubs and finally assessing and mentoring aspriant level 5 coaches and providers for running there own 4 star courses.

I has been nice seeing new faces coming into the sport and being able to deliver such awards and good coaches going for the level 5 coach certificate.

Trips for 2011

Just like to tell you of the trips ICG have on offer this year, as usual our programmes are designed to compliment the individual, take into account you are on holiday and as usual fantastic accommodation, food and venues.

If any of these trips catch your eye and you want to know more, then get in touch and I will send you our fact sheets.

Isle of Skye - Sea Kayaking 16th - 21st May 2011 £650

Slovenia - White Water Kayaking 1st - 8th June 2011 £650

Isles of Scilly - Sea Kayaking 10th - 17th September 2011 £400

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.