Monday, June 27, 2011

Discover Sea Kayaking - Sunday sessions

The last few sessions we have delivered have been folk wishing to experience their first sea kayaking session. Having enjoyed it immensely and found that they wanted to learn more, the next step is the 'Discover Sea Kayaking' course. Running year-round, this course is offered as 4 consecutive sessions on the sea.
Our training sessions on Sundays split into groups for absolute beginners & improvers, up to those pushing their limits in Intermediate and Advanced conditions. 

 Scrambling, swimming, shuffling and shrieking your way along along a section of intertidal-zone on the Manx coastline is a definite must this summer. A fun-filled couple of hours, and terrific team-building activity.
Excitement can be a much or as little as required...

Corporate Evening Paddle
 
Off the beach at Port Erin, really nice to see the progression within the session, as confidence and balance increased, and the small shower became insignificant!


Wednesday, June 22, 2011

1st experiences - the ones that matter most

On a flat calm day off Peel, in the clear waters off Fenella Beach beneath the inspiring Peel Castle, on the West coast of the Isle of Man, Theia enjoyed her first kayaking experience....
The next evening we introduced a group of lads to sea kayaking, many of whom had never done it before.
Although the needs of the individuals were different on each paddle, the overall thinking (and our philosophy) remained the same. Safe, Fun, Learning providing an Unforgettable Adventurous Experience!
Join us on the water soon
K

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Coach Education in Finland

 Prior to heading out to Finland earlier this June, I was invited to work with Sean McGrath of Wild River, delivering a Coach Level 1 course at Doe Park Water Activities Centre in Bradford, Yorkshire.

 Then it was off to Manchester, and after a small issue over a passport, I joined Trys Burke (another BCU Coach educator) at Sea Kayaking Finland, run by Jukka Linnonmaa, and enjoyed a fantastic week with his family and current Finnish paddlesports coaches. A familiar environment, as i've been travelling to Finland each year on this rewarding project.
An ideal venue for the new UKCC Paddlesports Coaching Courses - and weather to suit!
The first course was to transfer the existing BCU Level 2 coaches over to the new UK Coaching Certificate.
The following UKCC Level 1 Coach paddlesports award ran over 4 days.
Working with Trys was such a valuable experience, both in terms of course structure, delivery styles and benefiting my own personal development program.

I thought the family group playing just downriver was an excellent example of how many of us were introduced to the sport and a reminder for us about how big a role fun has to play in 'learning',
some great pictures from the Foundation Safety and Rescue training course, and practical assessment during the coach level course.
following the last practical coaching assessments on day four, it was time to complete the session reflections and personal action plans, whilst fresh coffee and cake continued to arrive..
As always - an absolute pleasure!
Looking forward to introducing the group attending our International Training Weekend this September, and everyone else in Finland next summer. : )
All the best
Keirron 



"I just want to give you my honest thanks once again from your GREAT and LIGHTNING course you gave us!
Your detailed and passioned attitude open many closed doors to my personal paddling and my approaching to "work" in my kayak-club.

Hope you and your family have excellent summer & hope to see you again!"
Yours: Timo 

Monday, June 20, 2011

Isle of Man Adventure Race 2011 - day 1.

... a team effort!
Putting out the markers in the early morning.
Official sponsors of the Isle of Man Adventure Race - PricewaterhouseCoopers.
48 competitors, twice as many supporters and a crowd of spectators.
Line-up of the sea swimmers just before the start - the sea swim was also supported by Speedo.
 Geoff Corkish MHK gave a short speech then started the 1km sea swim at exactly 10am. Geoff was also on the beach to congratulate individual competitors at the finish. The course included the eddy current across the bay,  making it a real challenge!
 Some phenomenal performances - pic George Shaw, Captain of the 'Adventure Club Outsiders' team winning the sea kayak race, having also won the sea swim with a clear lead on the final stretch.
Mountain Bike mass start on the West Coast.
Russel Sansom (Sammo) in pole position on the Mountain Bike route. Sammo from team 'Hardly Athletic' won both the Bike and the Hill Run the following day.
 Kim Tastagh competing in the 'Green Mann Spring' team, burning off strong competition from Ollie Keenan 'Youth Scholarship' team, to take 3rd place in the sea kayaking.
At 16 years old Kim and team mate Lucas Croyden are the youngest athletes to compete to date. Kim also finished 6th in the Bike event earning him the prize for Best Newcomer.
Onnor Collister in team 'Baker Tilly Marine Corp' at the end of the Mountain Bike route.
Onnor picked up the prize for 'Individual Most Effort'.

details of all timings and race positions at;

Adventurous Experiences would like to thank the Adventure Race official sponsor - PwC, and supporters of the Isle of Man Adventure Race; IoM Steam Packet Co, Sea Kayaking UK, Green Mann Spring, Mychreests Motors, Speedo swimwear, 3FM, members of the Adventure Club and our team of highly trained, professional coaches for all their considerable effort.
Thanks to everyone for another terrific event!
See you all next June (16th & 17th) 2012
Keirron


ps. many more pics and awesome footage to follow...