Gwilym's Adventure Blog

The last 3 days have been spent mentoring Alex as he is preparing for his Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor  assessment. Alex taught Ben amd Dan climbing skills on Idwal Slabs and Milestone Butress. We then practised rescues on Tryfan Bach followed by a damp scrambling day on Idwal Butress and Continuation This is very much a two way process where both I as the mentor and Alex as the mentee get some benefits. I learnt a new route to get off Idwal Slabs and a scramble I had been up before (though I have come down it) whilst Alex got some feedback on his teaching clients. Tomorrow I will be a student myself as I have just arrived at one of my favourite locations for my own development.

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 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.

Back on the canal again with Bridgwater and Taunton College students. The morning was a mentoring session of a trainee Level 2 coach and then in the afternoon I coached a group myself. It was all about connectivity and boat control today. The Dagger Kayaks are all part of the Wet and High Adventures fleet.

An interesting day afloat in Canoes with Bridgwater and Taunton College students. This morning I was observing a session being delivered by a Trainee L2 Coach and then this afternoon I delivered a session whilst being observed by the same individual. A useful process for both of us as too often we work in isolation so good to chat ideas through.

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 a morning of admin, I was out in the sun on the River Exe mentoring a trainee L2 coach as he prepares for assessment. The was also the first trip out for my sea boat this year as I seem to have been in my canoe a lot so I fancied a change of craft. We were afloat for about 3 hours so loads was done and it was nice to work with a keen, motivated and capable trainee coach. Good luck with your assessment.

This morning I was teaching some Sit On Top Kayaks at Durleigh Reservoir (forgot my camera) and this afternoon I was mentoring a trainee Level 2 teaching canoeing coach on Exeter Canal.

Today I was up at Meldon Reservoir above Okehampton mentoring a Trainee Level 2 coach and doing a bit of coaching of my own with Wellington School CCF. It was hard to believe it was October at time and was a very pleasant day on the lake with a great bunch of students and staff