Gwilym's Adventure Blog

  After a very long and boring journey from Gatwick to Dubai and onto Male, Lesley and I got onto Blue Voyager yesterday afternoon. Today we had 3 dives and saw Mantas, Grey Reef shark, White Tip Reef sharks and lots of fish. Water is 28-29 degrees and I am diving in shorts and rash vest. So far so good. Today's dive sites Lankan Reef (N. Male) Kuda Haa (N. Male) Rasdhoo Madivaro (Rasdhoo)

(Photo from RLSS website) Today I was training to deliver the new RLSS Pool Extraction Board (PXB) to Pool Lifeguard Trainers and Assessors. Looks and feels like a good bit of kit that should be useful for a large variety of pools. Get in touch if you want to be trained to use it (courses available from Feb 2016)

Like all Outdoor Instructors, I often struggle with getting kit dry in between sessions so came up with a plan. I looked on ebay and bought a Hydroponic Tent for £92 which took about 30 mins to put together You can get smaller ones but I wanted the maximum size I added some  Plastic Shelves  for £19 and a dehumidifier that I got for £72 as a "bought but never used" second hand bargain. This plus a £10 extension lead finished the project. Now just to make some more wet kit to give it a full test but it worked very well with the small amount that is in there now. Voila, a drying room for under £200, and as a bonus, I can always grow tomatoes if I have no wet kit.

Today Olly and I jumped on The Barle at Tarr Steps and paddled down to Dulverton in Kayaks. Just a relaxed day off work floating down the river with a mate. We did swap boats for a Burn vs Shiva test but as neither of us wanted the other fiddling with our footrests, I was slopping about and Olly couldn't get in properly so it was a very short lived and unfair test. Then it was off to AS Watersports for me to collect some new gear

Today in order to avoid the crowds Hannah, Will, Dom and I decided to paddle the Teign which was at an OK level, I certainly wouldn't want it much lower. No swims for me today as I am getting the hang of this OC1 now.

Back down on the Dart Loop today with Mark for a quick blast in the kayak. Levels were up from Wednesday and it was a less bumpy run down. Still really happy with my drysuit which is comfortable and dry. Then it was off to The Dartbridge inn for lunch. This is the second time this week so becoming a rather nice habit. Forgot my camera today, well actually had camera but forgot to put the battery in it. Just a pic from phone and a go pro still.

Today was my last paddlesport day with the Outdoor Education students at Bridgwater College. We were on the canal in kayaks and 4 students either led a trip or ran a coaching session as part of their module. From now until Christmas it is personal white water paddling which I am looking forward to.