Gwilym's Adventure Blog

Today I was working for Wet and High Adventures Ltd down at Salcombe with Sam who I was assessing for his Sea Kayak Award . We had a great time in warm water, low wind with just enough "wind over tide" to make things interesting at Bolt Head. A large and friendly Barrell Jellyfish cam over to say hello. As part of my development, Rich Uren was there overseeing my assessment so that I can get a recommendation to be a provider in my own right and I am pleased to say he will be making that recommendation to British Canoeing. Well done Sam for a good performance.

Today I was down at the Mount Batten Centre for a British Canoeing Paddlesport Instructor Tutor Orientation so that I can run these courses in 2019. Looking forward to adding this to the range of courses that Wet and High Adventures Ltd already offers. After a classroom based morning, it was on the water for the afternoon on a Stand Up Paddleboard session.

Today I was at Bridgwater YMCA working on behalf of Wet and High Adventures Ltd delivering a British Canoeing Foundation Safety and Rescue Trainin g course for some of their staff. It was so hot and the water was so warm today that I didn't even bother with a wetsuit which made a nice change.

Out on The Barle from Tarr Steps to Dulverton today at reasonable levels conducting 3 Star White Water Kayak assessments for Wet and High Adventures Ltd . Well, more accurately mentoring Robin running one. 4 Candidates today and please to report all 4 passed. Following a good performance from Robin then I have also recommended he becomes a provider himself. Very bust on the river with some big groups (one was around 20) sharing the features.

Out and afloat in Brixham today for the 3rd and final day of the Advanced Canoe Leader Training course. Pretty blowy at the start of the day which made progress into wind a little difficult. We had some excitement with the solo sailing but typically (as always happens to me) at the end of the day, after we had rigged the full sail to get back, the wind dropped and it was a bit of a let down. We were followed by a couple of seals for most of the day and they were very interested in what we were up to. More likely thinking we were mad.

On the lower part of the Upper Dart today looking at portages, tracking, lining, rescues, poling and of course paddling and leading each other on the rapids in between. Then it was a quick break, and a drive round to Stoke Gabriel to complete a 3 hour night paddle up the tidal section of The Dart to Totnes. A long day but lots covered and a very pleasant evening for the night navigation exercise.

Today I was on the River Dart (The Loop section) on the first day of an Advanced Canoe Leader training (previously 5 Star) course being run by Gary Peverill of I nspiring Adventure . Lots of skills and leadership styles looked at today as well as refining our existing paddling techniques.

Running another British Canoeing  Foundation and Rescue Training course for  Bridgwater and Taunton College  L3 Outdoor Education students on the Bridgwater Canal. 6 students have now completed this award and are looking forward to using it as a progression to becoming a coach in the future. Thanks again to Robin for helping out

After spending the weekend at the AMI CPD event in The Peak Distrciut, I was back in Bridgwater today running a FSRT course for Bridgwater and Taunton College L3 Outdoor Education students. A nice sunny day to be on (in) the canal and lots of skills looked at. Thanks to Robin who came to help out as he works toward becoming a provider himself.

Today I was working close to home on Bridgwater Canal running a British Canoeing Foundation Safety and Rescue Training (being signed off by Gary). 4 candidates, a mix of boats, some sunny weather and warm water made it all very pleasant and easy to manage.

Today I was down in Brixham assisting with a Foundation Safety and Rescue course with Baz Coaching as part of my consolidation period before starting to run them myself. It was good to work with someone new and steal his ideas for future stuff. 6 candidates and lots of different boats gave us plenty of ides to try out.

Lots of Tandem and Solo work for the L3 Outdoor students today in relation to their British Canoeing 2 star assessments. Nice that there was no ice to clear first but there was a bit of wind to spice things up.

Today I was back out down at Salcombe out Sea Kayaking with 3 other candidates and our trainer Sid as part of the  British Canoeing UKCC Level 3 Sea  programme. It was a little less windy today and we worked on observation and coaching.

Today I have been down at Salcombe out Sea Kayaking with 3 other candidates and our trainer Sid as part of the British Canoeing UKCC Level 3 Sea programme. It was a bit windy today so we stayed inside the bar (a spit of sand not a pub) and sought the shelter of the eastern shore. We looked at a lot of skills but the highlight was going surfing at the end of the day. No pictures of that as I was too busy playing to get the camera out.