North Wales - Boat Trial

This week was spent in Anglesey putting the new Rockpool sea kayak to test. Travelling up with good friend Dave Adams, we put the Rockpool GT through its paces, paddling in strong tidal flows, tight rock hopping and journeying.  For a 5.43m boat I was amazed by its manoeuvrability, it had exceptional cruising speed and it surfed well.  An order has now been placed I just need to decide the colour. This also gave Mike Webb and his team at Rockpool the time to fix my Alaw Bach as it recently took a few knocks, as always the workmanship was 1st class.

Performance Coaching

The last few weeks have been busy ones, either delivering coach education programmes, sea kayaking at Salcombe with friends in rather big conditions and getting some time to do some training, getting use to wing blades again.

I was asked to provide a performance coaching workshop for the Warehouse Climbing Centre. The climbing staff attended this programme where we investigated the coaching process, uses and concepts of performer profiling, observation and analysis, use of demonstrations and the power of feedback.


All coaches showed great skill in this area, applying the concepts well in the indoor climbing environment.

Soca - Slovenia

Over the past seven days we have been in Slovenia, running our annual trip, guiding and coaching on the Soca.  Throughout the week we paddled many sections ranging from the mellow class two sections to the more challenging class 4 section from Otona.  The weather was kind to us, with sun on all days and water levels perfect for the boating we wanted to do. 
Many thanks must go out to the clients, Buck, Chris, Jack, Richy, Dave & Chris for making the trip fun, continually entertaining and great to see your paddling inmprove throughout the week.

Next years trips:

Pyrenees - 24th - 31st March 2012

Slovenia - 6th - 13th June 2012

The Isle of Wight & Swanage

With very good friends, Nick & Phillipa Arding, we spent four days circumnavigating the Isle of Wight. Leaving the mainland from Keyhaven we made our way across to the Needles and paddled anticlockwise around the island, wild camping along the way. Tidal races, strong winds and moderate to rough sea states made challenging conditions. A great paddle that I would recommend to anyone.

Returning to the mainland via the sporty Hurst tidal race, we made our way to Swanage to climb the demanding vertical sea cliffs at Subliminal and Cattle Troughs. Weather was kind to us enabling us to complete some great routes.

Sea Stacks & the Jurassic Coast

The last three days were spent on the South coast sea kayaking around sea stacks, playing in tidal races and rock hopping around some wonderful coastline. Although the wind was strong, and sea states moderate, the conditions were challenging but managable.

Sea kayaking in North Wales

Just returned from North Wales sea kayaking around the wonderful coastline of Anglesey. Playing and surfing in Penrhyn Mawr, crossing to the magical Skerries on the northwest of the mainland and exploring the caves around the North and South stacks. A great few days with Olly Sanders and friends.

Coaching & Guiding in the Pyrenees

I had the great pleasure in returning to the Pyrenees to coach and guide a fantastic bunch of guys from South Cerney OEC. Throughout the week we based ourselves in the Ariege region, water levels were perfect and we paddled the Arac, Salat and Garbet rivers providing class 2-4 water. Visiting St Girons market was a must, joining in with the hussle of local traders offering food delights from the region.

Over the week personal skills were developed and also BCU 4 Star training was completed by the team. I want to say a big thank you to everyone in making such a good and memorable trip.