Gwilym's Adventure Blog

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

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.

Back on The Wye today from Lucksall Campsite to Ross on Wye. Fast flows certainly helped the progress but there were some wicked headwinds at time. I did get a tail wind and the sail up for a very short time but probably wasn't worth the effort. 

I should have been out on the sea today but conditions were due to be a bit too tasty for the planned work so I paddled the Exeter Canal Loops with Leon, Hannah and Heidi. Good to get my sail out heading down the river and then a paddle into a small headwind back up the canal (after coffee and cake at the cafe). A spot of shopping in AS Watersports completed the day.

Today I have been on Llyn Tegid (Lake Bala) undertaking my 4 Star Canoe Assessment with Inspiring Adventure . A great day afloat with sailing, rafting, navigation, solo canoeing and all in rescues were covered. I had a great relaxed day and the Broadland 15 coped well with whatever I asked it to do (and was obviously the best looking boat there)

Yesterday I added a few more mods to my Silverbirch Broadland 15 supplied by AS Watersports . Today I joined Will and Kate for a paddle on The Dart from Stoke Gabriel to Totness. We took a ride up on the tide (and a bit of helpful wind for a short sail) to The Steam Packet Inn for lunch before returning on the falling tide but also into wind a bit. This is my first time in the Broadland 15 into wind and with the kit bag well forward, she was very capable and I am more than happy with how she performed. This is by far the best looking Canoe I have ever paddled or owned.

Another day working for Wet and High Adventures in partnership with Action Based Training . After some time constructing some canoe sailing rigs we launched onto the Rive Dee (as too windy on Bala Lake) and paddled, floated and sailed about 4 miles downstream.

A great day afloat being a guinea pig for yet another 4 Star assessment, I might get round to taking it myself soon. Sun and light (bit too light really) winds mixed with spring tides gave a relaxed day out on the estuary between Stoke Gabriel and Dittisham. Whilst the candidates were being assessed in rescues and getting wet, I managed to pop my sail up to play around. This may have been the last time out for this canoe as a new one is coming soon.

This morning I headed off down the river with Olly, from Ironbridge through the Jackfield Rapids (must have been at least grade 1 1/2) where we waited to watch the group come through (see video). After that we drove down to south of Bridgenorth and sailed back up stream for a bit testing the sail I bought a few weeks ago before paddling back to the camp site arriving about 30min before the students.

Last week whilst I was away I ordered an  Endless River Canoe Sail Kit  which was here when I got home so I spent some time fitting it today. It was very easy and quick (apart from the waiting for glue to go off) 10 mins - Open Packaging - It was well wrapped. Included is the sail, pole, ropes, thwart, mast foot and glue. Strangely no instructions but it isn't that hard. 5 mins - measure up the thwart and mark it up 1 hr - drive to parents (2 miles away), get Dad to cut thwart, drink coffee, return home. I didn't want to cut it by hand but I guess you could if you wanted to. 5 mins - drill holes in gunwales and thwart, fit bolts 2 mins - rough up surface and put glue on mast foot/canoe 4 hrs - wait for glue to go off 2 mins - add more glue to mast foot and place where wanted 2 mins - set the mast to check foot is in the right place 2 mins - set the whole rig up and tie ropes to sails. 24hrs - let the glue go off completely So, actual real...