Suwannee River

Somewhere Down the Suwannee River!

After the Sweetwater Symposium the coaches headed North to the river made famous by the song. The first night was spent in a fantastic cabin, where the guys swung in chairs on the porch, drunk beer and told lies!
The Suwannee River is absolutely stunningAmerican Sea kayak coaches, no longer burdened with bulkheads and hatches took the opportunity to take BIG coolers! Very relaxing couple of days on a beautiful river. Occassionally we stopped to do some playing and coaching, everyone was very attentive!

Although this was supposed to be a relaxing trip after a hectic symposium - I think some of the coaches were taking it a little too easy!

What a great river - we managed to stop at a number of features to play with ferry's, breaking in and out, and even some traditional skills

Level 1 in Tampa

Congratulations to Jay, Ed, Bret, Rachel, Lisa and Rich on becoming BCU L1 coaches. Jen and myself had a great time teaching this course! What great people!

Florida!

Now at last it was time for some Winter sunshine.

First stop was the Sweetwater Kayak Symposium in St. Pete's, Tampa Bay.

This was the third time I'd attended this event, and as always it was awesome!

We went paddling in stunning sunshine is the Gulf of Mexico.

There's some big boats out there!

I ran a Level 1, a Level 2 assessment and a three star canoe.

How cool - you can buy a huge bottle of Tequila, shaped like a carbine!

Many thanks to my 'brother from another mother' Russell Farrow, for inviting me again, and organising such a cool symposium!

Check it out next year!

4 Star Canoe Down South!

OK, January 2011. after seeing in New Year at Butlins Minehead (much better than it sounds, and better than I expected!) it was back to work.

First off was a 4 star assessment on the Dart, open water day done on the estuary, and the river day on the Lower, because of very high levels we had to have a week off inbetween the two days!

The open water day was a little bleak! Cold, wet and windy! Good challenge!The day was brightened somewhat by a seal, who followed us for quite a while popping up between us.He then sat and watched as we ate lunch and set up sailing rigsThe open water day the following week, by comparison was absolutely gorgous! Devon is a truly beautiful place when bathed in Winter sunshineOoops - time for a rescue!Working up a sweat poling!Oh this could go badly!Guessed it might!

Catch up

Oh Dear, I'm afraid I've been a bit lax keeping up to date with this in the last few months, so here goes for a whistle stop catch up!

December started with a drive down to PGL Liddington in freezing conditions to work at the Canoe England Annual Coaching Conference, I ran some Foundation Modules and did some work with some L2 Mentors - good fun!

Then I was running a number of Level 2 and a Level 1 courses -they were all cold!

Sammi - demonstrating her L2 walking on water skills!

Cold, but stunningly beautiful!I'm getting so good at these L2s now I can do them standing on my head!

WWS bRRRRRRRR

So, my cold week just gets better!!!

This time its extreme White Water Safety and Rescue course for the Hardcore Leam Boat Centre Massive!!!

Todays office -

The temperature readout on the truck says it all!

Alex testing the water!!Nicks in next! Rolling over the eddy line.Cold but happy!Everyones safe - Duncan's on the line!

Well done guys, I was all for cancelling the course, and would have done if it were for lesser mortals!!!

More cold level 2

This time it was the second weekend of a L2 training at Leamington. The ice was a little thick!!!

Off go our intrepid kayakers on an ice breaking mission.

Don't try this at home kids!

Pretty though huh?