Gwilym's Adventure Blog

  Today started with facilitating a Beach Lifeguard exam before ending up have a Coasteering session to a bit of CPD for a group of Outdoor Instructors from Swanage. All 3 who were being examined passed. Well Done Off to a yacht for the night

What a way to start 2019. I was running a joint staff training session for me for Wet and High Adventures with Robin and Ben from Somerset Adventures as we intend to do some combined SUP and Coasteering days later this year. Also great to have Hannah along as chief photographer and SUP "lookerafterer" - is that a word? Anyway, the sun shone, the water was warm, there was little swell and low wind. We SUPped out along the coast from Meadfoot to Torquay before Coasteering our way back (with Hannah towing the boards) exploring caves and jumps. Ultimately we ended up behaving like kids messing about doing headstands and jumping off the paddleboards before going for lunch and coffee at the marina. Lets hope the rest of 2019 goes this well

The last three days I have been working for Cannington Activity Centre on their NCS programme. A mixture of running instructor observations, logistical support and running a couple of sessions myself. We had groups out biking, paddling, High Ropes, Low Ropes, Orienteering, Night Line and trips to Kilve Beach.

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.

Yesterday and today were spent with Crys who is Wet and High Adventures new Lead Trainer for Lifeguard courses for a bit of staff training (aka surfing) at Saunton Warm sea, sunny weather and a steak dinner making all a very pleasant two days. We did also plan lots of courses and write some procedures so t was also very productive.

Back out at Cannington Activity Centre today running some High Ropes training and Low Ropes assessments. Good to have 4 new staff ready to run sessions for the students starting back next week.

After my weeks of travelling, it was back to normal today with some Staff Training at Cannington Outdoor Centre in the morning and putting holds on the wall in the afternoon. Fortunately being an agricultural college we have a lot of useful toys at our disposal, so the use of the MEWP (mini crane thing) made that a lot easier than hanging about of ropes to fit holds.

A busy day starting with delivering some High Ropes and Low Ropes Training at Cannington Activity Centre followed by some staff observations at Bridgwater YMCA. Basically I have ben watching people work all day! This afternoon was some last minute packing and admin as I am off to Northampton tomorrow to meet with the group from Caroline Chisholm School who I will be joining in Malawi from Wednesday.

Back out at Cannington Activity Centre today for some competency assessments on both new and long term instructors. A good performance by all and was good to see some new ideas being used but staying within all the usual safety parameters.

Today I have been at Cannington Activity Centre delivering staff training on the use of High and Low ropes elements. A good team to work with and lots covered. Back tomorrow for some more training and assessments.

After a busy few days of paper work, risk assessments and various other things you need to do when you have been away from the office for 3 weeks, I was back in action today with a visit to a local activity centre to deliver some staff training on their wall. Really nice to be working somewhere less than 2 miles from home which means that drop in visits are really easy and I don't have to spend hours in the van.