Gwilym's Adventure Blog

  An excellent morning afloat with a Mums and Sons Stand up paddleboard session on the canal on the outskirts of Bridgwater.  Wet and High Adventures Ltd offer beginner session and a hire service for the more experienced.

Out on the Bridgwater Canal this afternoon with a small group of students. Warm and sunny (out of the wind) for a few hours of gentle paddling and a few games. Today I was working for Cannington Activity Centre running this groups whilst others were on High Ropes, Low Ropes and undertaking some Archery.

Another day of Tech Advice today for Cannington Activity Centre with some staff training on the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal. We looked at the use of the canal from the Docks to The Boat and Anchor including a number of access and egress options. We even managed a bit of improvised sailing (proof you should always carry a group shelter) on the way back

Last day afloat with my Level 3 Outdoor Students from Bridgwater and Taunton College . From next week it will be all the land based activities. A number of 1 Star and 2 Star awards gained over the last few months and a number of good paddlers looking to progress.

What a difference to Tuesday. Today was a warm, sunny day with little wind making for a great day afloat. My second year Bridgwater and Taunton College  Outdoor Students were running sessions for my first years. A bit of skills coaching in the morning followed by a trip in the afternoon was the order of the day and all took place with very little input from me needed.

Another day afloat with Bridgwater and Taunton College  L3 Outdoor Education students on the Bridgwater Canal. Today was all about them leading kayak skills sessions whilst I observed and gave feedback in preparation for their assessed sessions coming up soon.

It's a Thursday, therefore I was out paddling with my L3 Outdoor Education students from Bridgwater and Taunton College . A trip up the canal was the agenda for the day with all the students paddling solo canoe. Some good techniques from most of them but with a few weeks left until their 2 star assessment, we have time to get it sorted.

Just because no blog for last few days doesn't mean I wasn't busy. All the Mountain Leader course admin and some general kit maintenance over the weekend. A day yesterday showing new college staff around the local climbing venues and then back aflaot today. L3 Outdoor Education students from Bridgwater and Taunton College  refining their open boat skills before they start leading some sessions next week.

Out and about the fields on the outskirts of Bridgwater today with my L3 Outdoor Education students  from Bridgwater College looking at navigational basics. Orientating the maps, pacing, timing and hand railing. A very wet day at times but that just added to the fun (type 2 fun).

.... the sun shone, there was little wind and it was a relaxed day refreshing my second year Bridgwater College  L3 Outdoor Education students on the art of paddling Open Canoes.

Back out on the canal today with Bridgwater College students looking at how to handle Open Canoes in the wind. And it was very windy!

Well, it is September and a Tuesday so therefore I am out on the canal with L3 Outdoor Adventure students from Bridgwater and Taunton College in my role as Associate Lecturer. New first year students today so a gentle introduction into what is in store.  Forward paddle, backward paddle and turning were the skills for today which all 8 students made some good progress with.

Today was a quick paddle and a climb for 3 potential students for next years Level 3  Outdoor Education Adventure and Leadership course at Bridgwater and Taunton College. There are still some spaces so if you are a school leaver or completed a Level 2 and are interested in applying then please get in touch with the college via the link.

Super hot day so I dumped the office admin and took the Stand Up Paddleboard ( SUP ) out for a quick blast along the canal followed by a coffee ( sup ). As Hannah and Heidi rocked up, it turned into some impromptu coaching (or goading them into do handstands).