Corporate Team Building

 A few images from the Corporate Team Building afternoon today, which began with a briefing and chat at Ballabrooie (Adventurous Experiences Base) and then headed for one of our exploratory Coasteering routes, sheltered from the sea breezes.

 A mixed ability group, with different expectation, needs and anxiety levels...

 Bright sunshine, a terrific journey away from the office and anything 'normal'...

 ...with a fun team of folk!

 Looking forward to working with you again : )

Coach Development

This morning's Coach Development was a river trip...

 Levels were just perfect for the session, a nice performance. 

 Finished the day with Sam's Circuit Training at Ballabrooie, still sunny...

Coach Development tomorrow morning should be invigorating : )

K

first experiences..

 Your first experience ever in a sea kayak, can feel intimidating and nerve racking , right up to the point where you meet your coach and discuss the session, conditions and put on your kit.

 The anticipation of deciding to do something outside of your comfort zone, to take the next tentative step and actually book with Adventurous Experiences : )

 "Will the other people on the session be really good, will I hold them up, will I...."

 You'll be fine.

 Any session on the Calendar is open to beginners, unless its shows otherwise.

It may have folk who have paddled before, it may have paddlers who are competent as well as beginners, that's why we have a team of coaches, to ensure your needs are met within a group environment. 

 The Island has some stunning coastline, and sheltered bays, allowing us to deliver safe-fun-learning experiences in various weather and sea conditions.

 Last nights evening paddle from Peel was a fine example of this, two absolute beginners and two novice paddlers developing their sea kayaking experience. 

 A totally calm and sheltered journey, perfect!

Coasteering
A Coasteering experience around Peel Castle, with beginners, three of whom have been paddling around the UK... Craig, Stuart and Lee joined the group, they made a late decision not to head to Anglesey on Tuesday, given the adverse forecast of an increasing head wind with deteriorating visibility.

 

 Great visibility too - good to show our visitors some more of our stunning coastline.

 Water temperature is comfortable now as well, loving it!

 Thanks for the pics lads : )
Keirron

ps. Had a text from Tim Cass - an Adventure Club member who's been paddling round the Island solo, to say he's completed on Wednesday Evening, back at Laxey.
That's some achievement, and the weather has been interesting too : )
A big congratulation from all the coaches!

Are you a believer…

...in people?

Just back on the ferry from Heysham (near Lancaster) early this morning, after paddling over to Whitehaven with Chris Allix yesterday. Chris has begun his Man to Monaco trip in style with a 30+ mile open crossing, in a reasonable bouncy sea, with a fair amount of tidal currents to calculate, side winds reaching F5 to allow for, in what deteriorated into poor visibility and rain : )

We left the Point of Ayre at 11:15am with quite a send-off (Chris does like to do things in style) and headed out over the Whitestone bar and North of the Bahama sand bars and into the shipping lanes…

Arriving in Whitehaven harbour at 8:15pm, after 9 hours in the kayaks, we managed to spot a few puffins, various vessels (mostly faint outlines) and a lot of diving gannets. Taking a water break for 5 minutes hourly, a couple of snacks along the way, and then finally sighted Whitehaven directly in front of us, 30 minutes before we got there. 

It’s always nice when the theory planning in the lecture room transfers to fairly accurate judgement on the water, if a somewhat lengthier experience than originally planned : )

A massive congratulations Chris, I’m really pleased to see this project underway, and to see you achieve such a momentous day’s paddling!

All the best for your trip ahead.

Keirron

ps. I'm also pleased I warmed up with few lengths in the pool, and completed Sam's pre-season rugby strength training circuit session the previous day... and Chris, I'll bet the photographers there got some better shots of you!

Theia came down to see us off, with Nad and Jan, adding to the many well wishers on the beach.

These things make a big difference to a trip which requires a robust mental attitude.

 Missed our usual morning adventure yesterday, had to make do with a quick session on the trampoline, hope the rain stops soon so we can make up for it today : )

Ambitions & Inspirations

 Headed down to Port Erin last night to catch up with Stu, Craig and Lee, who had paddled over from Scotland, and down the entire West coast of the Isle of Man yesterday.

http://withlandonourleft.co.uk/

 The lads were on great form, and they are doing some terrific paddling. Heading right round Britain, the trio are set to complete their trip comfortably inside their duration expectations.

 Had a text from Tim, a member of the Adventure Club, paddling round the Island over a couple of days, bet he got a stunning sunset off Kirk Michael yesterday evening too!
Tim is developing as a self-self-sufficient paddler, and heading towards his BCU leadership award this winter.

 Kitted out in their Montana finery, changing to Reed paddling gear for their open crossing to Anglesey this morning, the lads had a short sleep in preparation for another 40 nautical miles they will do today.

Unassuming and totally genuine, you'd have thought they were about to pop out for a morning stroll, to hear them chat as they packed away.

All the best for the rest of your trip!

Keirron