Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Indoor Kayaking

Indoor Kayaking at the Western Swimming Pool, Peel continues to grow in popularity, with all groups fully booked until the end of the year.
Safe, Fun, Learning
Well done to those in our Junior Paddlesport who completed their Level 1 Paddlepower Start on Saturday. Looking forward to seeing you continue your journey over the coming stages.
Our adults classes later on Saturday afternoons work on developing paddlers skills.
Typically with low coach to student ratio's 
Next places available for adults and juniors - January 2016. Contact us now to reserve a place.
Finally, a few shots from out on the sea with the Adventure club last Sunday, enjoying the still mild conditions at the Sound.
Catch you on the water soon.
K



Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Coasteering documented as National Health Solution

The UK's first Drowning Prevention Strategy was launched 21st October 2015 at the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) conference in Durham.

Senior leaders from RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents), MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) and the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) met to launch the strategy, discussing how to work together to bring the strategy to public focus. Key to water safety is respect and understanding, both of these are outcomes of activity in and on the water.


Keirron Tastagh, from local adventure sports centre Adventurous Experiences represented the UK Coasteering industry at the conference, in his position as secretary of the National Coasteering Charter (NCC), alongside the Chairperson Jethro Moore, Pembrokeshire). 

The NCC is a poignant case study in the National Drowning Prevention Strategy document, describing how an activity industry that had initially caused concern for a national safety organisations, had worked with providers and the RNLI, RoSPA, MCA and other lifesaving organisations to build a national framework of good practice and guidance. The culmination is that members of the NCC are now an established solution to the national drowning prevention strategy. They have the skill-set to deliver the training directly to the community, experiencing and understanding real risk on the UK's coastlines.

The key message summarised at the strategy launch was:
Through increased activity, we will have an impact on health, physical (obesity) conditions, mental health, and drowning prevention.

Dave Walker (RoSPA) and Keirron Tastagh (NCC) at the strategy launch in Durham

Speaking about the event Keirron Tastagh said "What was greatly refreshing to hear is the approach is to get more people in the water, not preventing activity or increasing legislation."

The NCC committee has representatives from every Coasteering region in the UK, (all of whom are current providers) who meet to discuss ideas, incidents and solutions, and then share this considered good practice back out to regions. Regions (such as the Isle of Man) host seminars before and after the peak coasteering season, where all current providers train together and share ideas.

Keirron went onto say "There are situations where Health and Safety has been misinterpreted, resulting in the loss of essential outdoor play by young people. The Isle of Man is well placed to make best use of its excellent opportunities to access water in a natural setting. With so much water around us, it is essential that people learn how to use it, and progressively build the transferable skill of real risk management."

Isle of Man outdoor providers attending their recent regional NCC seminar on the island. (Left to right) John Keggin, Keirron Tastagh, Matthew Read, Tom Bergan, Mike Read, Sarah Hickey, Kieran Stout, Simon Read, lying down Joe Callister



Sunday, October 18, 2015

Autumn leaves...

...the summer behind, with colder nights, clearer skies and an excuse to accessorise with your winter woolies...

Coasteering Birthday Adventure




Saturday morning's Coasteering off Peel, St Michael's Isle. Amazing water clarity, and a lot of laughs!!



 Saturday Afternoon's Indoor Kayaking


Stage's 1-5 Junior Paddlesport running over 3 different one hour sessions, delivered by our dedicated coaching team.
Places available on our course beginning 9th January.



Sea Kayaking Sunday - Adventure Club Training



 Today's morning sea kayaking training with the Adventure Club was really satisfying, watching the folks all becoming proficient in their more demanding skills...

The afternoon trip used the rocks and caves for exploration, delightful!
Great to see new faces and great enthusiasm!!

Catch you on the water soon
Keirron & the Team


Thursday, October 15, 2015

Sea kayaking...

.. during the week days... Tuesday's afternoon Adventure Club paddle to the Sound.


Youth Scholarship - TR. 22

Wednesday late afternoon sea kayak training for the Youth Scholarship team took place from the Queens Hotel, Douglas Bay. Andy Bass from Conister Bank joined us on the water.


Coaching People, Changing Perspectives
Delivered by Adventurous Experiences in association with Conister Bank.


 A very pleasant paddle with a highly motivated group : )



Adventure Club - night paddle



 Calm water, ambience and blissful stillness... a relaxing evening : 0

Catch you on the water soon
K