Gwilym's Adventure Blog

The last 2 days, I have been working with Andy Holborn on a Climbing Wall Instructor Training course for staff from SSE Outdoors . The first day at The Quay Climbing Centre  in Exeter and the second day at their own site,  gave us two very different venues to work with and to explore all the skills needed by a CWI.

Today I was at Wellington School training and assessing staff to use their newly built climbing wall before the students come back next week. This wall is a great new addition to the existing outside wall meaning they can climb year round in all weathers.

Today I have been at The Life Centre running an Indoor Climbing Assistant award for 6th form students from Plymouth College Lot of stuff covered today including personal skills, coaching skills and "assisting" skills.

This was my second and last week as Temporary, Acting, Part Time Head of Outdoor Education.  With Storm Brendan giving us some pretty serious weather, I have ended up inside at The Life Centre climbing wall every day this week with different groups of Plymouth College students. Quote of the week from one student to me was "Sir, when are the proper instructors coming back?"

This week has been a blast from the past for me. I am temporary, part time, acting Head of Outdoor Education at Plymouth College for two weeks paternity cover. A couple for indoor climbing sessions including coaching lead climbing, a few classroom lessons and a day at Haldon Hill on mountain bikes interspersed with some paperwork and other essential admin to keep the department running until everyone comes back to work. Today was so wet on the bikes, big effort from the students as we rode through deluge after deluge with mud and water flying everywhere.

Back at Plymouth Life Centre climbing wall today but this time with some older Plymouth College students for some bouldering and top roping. Much better being inside with the weather we have had this week

This week I am back in at Plymouth College cover some staff absence. I will be a fair bit over the next few months so I had to lean all the IT and other procedures again. The afternoon was spent down at The Life Centre Climbing Wall with a some year 7 to 10 on their afternoon activities.

Day 1 of a Rock Climbing Instructor Assessment based at Dart Rock for the morning and Chudleigh for the afternoon. 3 candidates on the course and we spent the day looking at Personal Climbing and Group Management both indoors and out. Working for Wet and High Adventures Ltd who are providers of a large number of Mountain Training courses.

This weekend I have been running a Level 3 Award in Education and Training on behalf of Wet and High Adventures Ltd .  All the candidates were Outdoor Instructors with either climbing or navigation as their subjects so we managed to spend a fair amount of time outside the classroom. We enjoyed lessons on orientating maps, using compasses, teaching belaying and many more. 4 students in total who did well and just need to submit their portfolios to be awarded the qualification. Well done all.

Another day at Dart Rock today for my second Rock Climbing Instructor Training course this month. Only a small course of 2 due to an injury but as always, Jamie was around and keen to help out to make up numbers. Some personal climbing and lots of ideas how to manage groups indoors were the topics of the day.

Today I was working for Wet and High Adventures Ltd directing the first day of a Rock Climbing Instructor Training course with 4 candidates. We were based at Dart Rock for the indoor element of the award. Lots done today (even with on eye on the sun outside). Warms up, personal climbing, holding falls, group climbing, bouldering, games and much more.

Out at Haytor today working with a group from Hamp Estate in Bridgwater. Unfortunately rain stopped play by midday and we ran to the shelter of Dart Rock where it was warmer and drier. All 5 young people managed to climb and belay and learnt to put on their own harnesses and tie themselves in. At the end of the session they even had a little trip through the Dart Rock cave system. Working with Robin and Ben for Wet and High Adventures Ltd

Inside today at TCA Bristol with Bridgwater and Taunton College students, one of whom was being assessed in leading a session which she did very well. A bit of spare time afterwards allows me to do a little personal coaching with some of them as well as climbing a few problems myself.

Quick, think of a Plan B! I was supposed to be out at Haytor today with the girls from Abbey School assisting with their annual climbing trip. Unfortunately the weather was not interested in playing ball so it was off to Dart Rock for an afternoon of bouldering, top roping, lead climbing and eating cake.