Sea Kayak Award Assessing

Today Gwilym was down in Salcombe assessing Sam for his Sea Kayak Award

They had a great time in warm water, low wind with just enough "wind over tide" to make things interesting at Bolt Head. A large and friendly Barrell Jellyfish cam over to say hello.

Sam put in a good performance and passed. Well Done Sam!

As part of Gwilym’s development, Rich Uren was there overseeing they assessment so that Gwilym can get a recommendation to be a provider in his own right and I am pleased to say he has got that. Thanks Rich.

Hill and Moorland Leader Refresher

Gwilym was out on Dartmoor today with Zak helping him prepare for his upcoming Hill and Moorland Leader Assessment next month

Super warm and sunny (almost to hot) and lots of navigation, decision making, environmental knowledge and leadership issues covered.

National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches

This weekend Stu has been at Quantock Lodge running a National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches for employees of Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership.

All 7 passed. Well done

Coasteering at Anstey's Cove

Gwilym and Ben were down at Anstey's Cove running a Coasteering session for students from Bridgwater and Taunton College. A much smaller group than expected but they all had fun.

Warm water and a little swell made for a very pleasant day. A bit of Sun would have been nice though

Introduction Rock Skills

This weekend Gwilym has been down on Dartmoor running a Rock Skills - Introduction for 7 students from The Abbey School. Normally a one day course but it was split over the Saturday afternoon/evening and the Sunday morning to get the most form the weather.

With some climbing at Haytor, bouldering at Bonehill and Abseiling at Chudleigh, the girls got a lot of variety in a short amount of time and have had the opportunity to learn loads. They even got back to the vehicles about 20min before the rain came down really hard

Sea Kayak Coaching in Torbay

Gwilym has been in Torbay today for a 1:1 seak kayak coaching course.

Launching from Meadfoot Beach and starting with acclimatising to a sea kayak and waves. After this it was some rock hoping and some self rescue skills before venturing round into some rougher conditions on the way to and under London Bridge.

Rock Climbing Instructor Training

Another Rock Climbing Instructor Training course on Dartmoor for Gwilym this weekend. A smaller course with only 2 candidates gave lots of time to look at personal and group climbing both inside and out. They visited Dart Rock, Bench Tor and Chudleigh to get a real range of experience.

National Navigation Tutors Course

It was a long drive up to Finchley (North London)and back for Gwilym as he was running a NNAS Tutors Course for the Air Cadets today.

9 ATC staff and lots of different navigational games and ideas both inside and out kept them all busy and the feedback was really positive.l

Rock Climbing Instructor Training

For the last 3 days Gwilym has been on a very sunny Dartmoor running a Rock Climbing Instructor Training for 4 candidates. With a day at Dart Rock, Bench Tor and Chudleigh, the candidates got to experience different ways of setting up climbs and different rock types.

National Navigation Award Tutors Course

Today Gwilym was at Quantock Lodge and out on The Quantock Hills teaching a NNAS Tutor Course to 4 candidates in glorious sunshine. Lots of different navigational teaching activities looked at and practiced.

Hill and Moorland Leader Assessment

A mixed weather weekend for Gwilym and Mark on Dartmoor for the last three days working on a Hill and Moorland Leader assessment with 6 candidates

Day one was very wet, day two very windy and day 3 was a bit of both.

It was interesting to see the damage cause by last weeks fires but hopefully this will regenerate soon and fingers crossed the loss of ground nesting birds has not been to tragic.

National Navigation Award - Silver

Wayne has been on North Dartmoor with 2 candidates on a NNAS Silver course.

They had 2 very different but enjoyable and interesting days on staying out of the high winds as much as possible and they were lucky enough to dodge the hail showers.

On Sunday the wind had gone but they had steady rain most of the day. Luckily some low cloud arrived just on time to test what was learnt over the 2 days.

National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification

This week Gwilym has been at Adventure Activities base on the Isle of Wight running a National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification for some of their staff

They had mainly sunny days but the water was still very cold and sub 10 degrees which made the open water sessions a little challenging at times.

Good efforts from all candidates and all those who took the exam passed. There were some very impressive swim times in the pool.

Mountain Leader Assessment

Gwilym, Stu and Si have been busy in Snowdonia this week assessing Mountain Leaders. With 7 candidates on a full 5 day assessment and 2 candidates coming back for a 1 day re assessment it was pretty busy for the team. The weather was awesome (almost too nice in fact meaning the teams had to stay up very late for some night navigation) and we are very pleased to report there are 7 new Mountain Leaders heading off into the mountains to inspire their own groups. Well done

Intermediate Rock Skills

This weekend Gwilym has been at The Dewerstone and Chudleigh with 2 teenagers on an Intermediate Rock Skills course. Lots of skills covered and lots of climbing done

This is our first Rock Skills course and we are looking forward to running more in the future

Mountain Leader Training

This week Gwilym and Stu have been running a Mountain Leader Training course in Snowdonia between them. Gwilym had the drier start to the week and Stu the wetter end. 4 candidate all super keen to be out in the mountain whatever the weather and now heading off to get some more experience and prepare for assessment.

Lowland Leader Assessment

Yesterday and today Gwilym has been directing a Lowland Leader Assessment for Wellington School staff. Day one was around Wellington and day two on The Quantock Hills.

100% pass rate so well done all.

A very busy weekend

This has been a very busy weekend with both a Hill and Moorland Leader Training and Assessment course running on Dartmoor as well as an Indoor Climbing Assistant course at Dart Rock in the evening.

Thanks to Andy and Mark for assisting Gwilym out on the wet and windy moor and to Jamie for helping out in the warm and dry climbing wall.

Indoor Climbing Assistant

Today Gwilym was down at The Life Centre in Plymouth running a Mountain Training Indoor Climbing Assistant course for 11 Plymouth College Outdoor Education students. assisted by one of the college staff.

Winter Mountaineering Course

For the last few days, Gwilym has been with 2 clients, Mark and Paul for a Winter Mountaineering course. With the first day on snow looking at belays and other snowcraft the second day was Drytooling to look at movement with crampons and axes on steep rock. The third and final day was a mountaineering route (Golden Oldy) looking at moving together as well as other mountaineering skills.