Hi all,
Sorry for not blogging more recently, its been rather busy over the summer.
I have been all over, Pendine, Peak District, Pen Y Fan, Surrey & Dartmoor to name but a few locations!
Up coming personal development include, Sea Kayak Leader training (formally 4*) and a Paddle sport instructor provider course (formally Level 1 ).
So onwards and upwards I will post more fully later this month as and when things begin t calm down!
Diolch.
Thanks!
Steve
Showing posts with label course. Show all posts
Showing posts with label course. Show all posts
28 September 2018
12 December 2016
Seasons greetings.
Seasons greetings to one and all, this bloger approaches 2017 as...
Non of this is possible without the brilliant teams of people I have worked with particularly at Pendine OEC and with A to Z expeditions. I am truly blessed with professional and really fun co workers. With an underlying Integrity that is refreshing and at a level I aspire to match, hopefully on a daily basis.
Thanks for reading.
- The newly appointed lead canoe instructor for A to Z expeditions,
- Pendine outdoor education centres on site advisor for the newly launched Llanion project (previously princes trust),
- Recently 5 star trained and looking for assessment next year for open canoe,
- nearly finished with UKCCL3 open canoe assessment portfolio (the end is in sight),
- up and running First aid at work Instructor (with Nuco training),
- an all ready busy employment for 2017!!!
Non of this is possible without the brilliant teams of people I have worked with particularly at Pendine OEC and with A to Z expeditions. I am truly blessed with professional and really fun co workers. With an underlying Integrity that is refreshing and at a level I aspire to match, hopefully on a daily basis.
24 March 2016
Coming up
As we rise our head from the mire and desolation of an unemployed winter, hope springs eternal as I have been working at Pendine OEC these last weeks and am really enjoying being out of the 'Senior' seat and just being allowed to take my group of 12 (yes 12) off on adventures. The team of Instructors I am working with are lovely for the most part with some question marks still to be figured out!
Next week I will be attending three days of training one to cover surfing and Stand Up paddle boarding (SUP), I am really looking forward to these as I am aiming to get a SUP coaching module this year. Through a British Canoeing course which will count as my annual refresher, in case I am not quite ready for my level 3 assessment (see previous blog posts).
The other two training days is a training course covering Coasteering, an activity I have done very little of but one that now I am living in South West Wales is well worth attaining. I am looking forward to this also with my brand new wet suit ready in my kit store, I have been practising getting into it as a new wet suit requires some considerable efforts, I only look cool once it's on, the fitting process... not so much. Lots of potential this year, just hoping the finances mirror that optimism.
Next week I will be attending three days of training one to cover surfing and Stand Up paddle boarding (SUP), I am really looking forward to these as I am aiming to get a SUP coaching module this year. Through a British Canoeing course which will count as my annual refresher, in case I am not quite ready for my level 3 assessment (see previous blog posts).
The other two training days is a training course covering Coasteering, an activity I have done very little of but one that now I am living in South West Wales is well worth attaining. I am looking forward to this also with my brand new wet suit ready in my kit store, I have been practising getting into it as a new wet suit requires some considerable efforts, I only look cool once it's on, the fitting process... not so much. Lots of potential this year, just hoping the finances mirror that optimism.
23 November 2015
F.S.R.T. Course Provider Course
Two weeks ago last Saturday I found myself in Cardiff, at the white water centre, sadly it was not for a decent of the slalom course, to attend an F.S.R.T. providers course, something I have been pursuing for a while.
It was a full course and ran over 7 (ish) hours, unpacking some of the legislation, theory and expectations of an F.S.R.T. provider for British Canoeing and Welsh Canoe Association. Then onto the water to explore and unpack consistent styles of teaching water safety and rescue skills within the sheltered water environment.
The F.S.R.T. course is a training course covering foundation safety and rescue skills and techniques required for different paddle sport craft you may find in the sheltered water environment e.g.. canals, small lakes and very sheltered parts of beach* (there are very strict criteria for a beach area by the sea to qualify as 'sheltered').
The course aims to promote safer water use for both the individual on the course and for any poor individual they may come across who may need rescuing.
One thing I found on the course is that after a season of encouraging Instructors assisting me on sessions to take care of any rescues, to give them the opportunity to practice, I have got out of practice. I can still perform any flat water rescue with competence but I did need to think about it.
Which made me realise that whilst I am in charge and have a responsibility to encourage and develop the instructional teams I get put in charge of, a duty that any leader should take seriously, I still need to set my own examples and demonstrate more often what it is I expect of my Instructors. The best way for people to learn is with a sound example.
One of the main action points from the course (things I have to do before going for assessment) was to go out and practice flat water rescues so that they are slick and automatic. I've done hundreds of flat water rescues in different boats, when we forget to practice the basics it ultimately affects the more advanced stuff we do, the basics are our foundations, as is the Foundation Safety and Rescue Skills I aim to teach. I will be deliberately demonstrating these rescues on a more regular basis!
It was a full course and ran over 7 (ish) hours, unpacking some of the legislation, theory and expectations of an F.S.R.T. provider for British Canoeing and Welsh Canoe Association. Then onto the water to explore and unpack consistent styles of teaching water safety and rescue skills within the sheltered water environment.
The F.S.R.T. course is a training course covering foundation safety and rescue skills and techniques required for different paddle sport craft you may find in the sheltered water environment e.g.. canals, small lakes and very sheltered parts of beach* (there are very strict criteria for a beach area by the sea to qualify as 'sheltered').
The course aims to promote safer water use for both the individual on the course and for any poor individual they may come across who may need rescuing.
One thing I found on the course is that after a season of encouraging Instructors assisting me on sessions to take care of any rescues, to give them the opportunity to practice, I have got out of practice. I can still perform any flat water rescue with competence but I did need to think about it.
Which made me realise that whilst I am in charge and have a responsibility to encourage and develop the instructional teams I get put in charge of, a duty that any leader should take seriously, I still need to set my own examples and demonstrate more often what it is I expect of my Instructors. The best way for people to learn is with a sound example.
One of the main action points from the course (things I have to do before going for assessment) was to go out and practice flat water rescues so that they are slick and automatic. I've done hundreds of flat water rescues in different boats, when we forget to practice the basics it ultimately affects the more advanced stuff we do, the basics are our foundations, as is the Foundation Safety and Rescue Skills I aim to teach. I will be deliberately demonstrating these rescues on a more regular basis!
18 November 2015
First Aid Instructor
First Aid Instructor!
I am now officially a FAW instructor, including AED (De fibulation) and Anyphalaxis managment (epi pen's), I can run out door First Aid Courses and Paediatric courses. I will also be a qualified L3 teacher (very very basic entry level) I just need to sort out some Liability Insurance and I will be away, watch this blog for the very best of best deals!
The course took 5 days and was hosted by Nuco training a company based in Cornwall and focused on the delivery of First Aid at Work nationwide. There support structure and resources are the very best in standard and I am excited to be under such a professional and well regarded banner.
A few things I learned, you or we are now protected by law in the equipping or the delivery of people suffering from asthma attack a blue inhaler. Ie if a member of my group has "forgotten" his inhaler despite reminding and all the safe guards, If he were to undergo an Asthma attack I could legally give him someone else's in the groups. It is also possible to obtain a blue inhaler from the local chemists/ pharmacists if you can prove you may have need of it. EG. a School First Aid Kit or A Churches, Scout groups, Guide groups.... Outdoor Instructor operating with groups, you get the picture.
Better to give an individual an inhaler then let them pass out and die whilst waiting for an ambulance which will just give them a (you guessed it) blue inhaler if they get there in time and CPR and defibrillator if they are to late.
The same applies to the administration of self injectors or epi-pens when dealing with anaphylaxis.
I am now officially a FAW instructor, including AED (De fibulation) and Anyphalaxis managment (epi pen's), I can run out door First Aid Courses and Paediatric courses. I will also be a qualified L3 teacher (very very basic entry level) I just need to sort out some Liability Insurance and I will be away, watch this blog for the very best of best deals!
The course took 5 days and was hosted by Nuco training a company based in Cornwall and focused on the delivery of First Aid at Work nationwide. There support structure and resources are the very best in standard and I am excited to be under such a professional and well regarded banner.
A few things I learned, you or we are now protected by law in the equipping or the delivery of people suffering from asthma attack a blue inhaler. Ie if a member of my group has "forgotten" his inhaler despite reminding and all the safe guards, If he were to undergo an Asthma attack I could legally give him someone else's in the groups. It is also possible to obtain a blue inhaler from the local chemists/ pharmacists if you can prove you may have need of it. EG. a School First Aid Kit or A Churches, Scout groups, Guide groups.... Outdoor Instructor operating with groups, you get the picture.
Better to give an individual an inhaler then let them pass out and die whilst waiting for an ambulance which will just give them a (you guessed it) blue inhaler if they get there in time and CPR and defibrillator if they are to late.
The same applies to the administration of self injectors or epi-pens when dealing with anaphylaxis.
7 April 2015
UKCC Level 3
So the last few weeks have been quite eventful the work at Llain Activity Centre has picked up and I completed the next stage of my journey to become a UKCC Level 3 coach by completing the canoeing specific section of the training.
The course was undertaken with Plas Y Brennin (also known as the national mountain centre or PYB) and lasted two days with on the water and in the boat coaching throughout. Our venue for this course was the River Dee. A river I had not paddled before. The coach assigned to us for the two days was Sid Sinfield the senior paddle sport guy at PYB.
The course was brilliant and I left with a clearer understanding of the mountain of work ahead of me before I am ready for my assessment, which I'm hoping to be ready for in a year or so.
The second day of the course in particular was good as we had two genuine 'guinea pigs' to run a session on, My two sessions covered reverse ferry gliding or setting, I was amazed at the knowledge stored away in my own head, when being questioned about the technique's needed to perform the task I seemed to pulling out all the correct comments from my memory library!
I do how ever have a lot to work on including my ability to accurately profile a client so that I can more accurately deliver there wants and needs. More thoughts on this will follow as I aquire long term students and start assembling my assessment portfolio.
On which point I will finish, I registered if you remember my CR form back in January letting Canoe Wales know I was intending to do this course and paid my moneys (in the region of £30 I seem to recall). The paper work I received including my assessment portfolio is an out of date copy, with sections no longer included in the assessment and with some sections and missing several sections the assessor will need to see, I was mildly disgruntled on hearing this and after a polite but firm -mail I am assured Canoe Wales will deliver an up to date portfolio as soon as they receive them from British Canoeing in Nottingham. What a saga, Meaning I am unable to get started as efficiently as I would like. Aghhhhhhh.
The course was undertaken with Plas Y Brennin (also known as the national mountain centre or PYB) and lasted two days with on the water and in the boat coaching throughout. Our venue for this course was the River Dee. A river I had not paddled before. The coach assigned to us for the two days was Sid Sinfield the senior paddle sport guy at PYB.
The course was brilliant and I left with a clearer understanding of the mountain of work ahead of me before I am ready for my assessment, which I'm hoping to be ready for in a year or so.
The second day of the course in particular was good as we had two genuine 'guinea pigs' to run a session on, My two sessions covered reverse ferry gliding or setting, I was amazed at the knowledge stored away in my own head, when being questioned about the technique's needed to perform the task I seemed to pulling out all the correct comments from my memory library!
I do how ever have a lot to work on including my ability to accurately profile a client so that I can more accurately deliver there wants and needs. More thoughts on this will follow as I aquire long term students and start assembling my assessment portfolio.
On which point I will finish, I registered if you remember my CR form back in January letting Canoe Wales know I was intending to do this course and paid my moneys (in the region of £30 I seem to recall). The paper work I received including my assessment portfolio is an out of date copy, with sections no longer included in the assessment and with some sections and missing several sections the assessor will need to see, I was mildly disgruntled on hearing this and after a polite but firm -mail I am assured Canoe Wales will deliver an up to date portfolio as soon as they receive them from British Canoeing in Nottingham. What a saga, Meaning I am unable to get started as efficiently as I would like. Aghhhhhhh.
12 February 2015
UKCC Level 3
I am confirmed onto a UKCC level 3 discipline specific training course at Plas y Brenin. After my initial cancellation I contacted the Plas Y Brenin head of department for paddle sport, a few days later He had found another interested party and I am now booked on!
So on the 19th + 20 March I will be at PYB learning how to put everything I learned last year ( and have all ready been using in general day to day work) and applying it to the beautiful sport and my personal favorite boating discipline, the open canoe.
So on the 19th + 20 March I will be at PYB learning how to put everything I learned last year ( and have all ready been using in general day to day work) and applying it to the beautiful sport and my personal favorite boating discipline, the open canoe.
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| I wish it looked like this. |
20 January 2015
Frustration
So on Friday I booked my Level 3 UKCC Training, only to be informed by PYB that the course had been cancelled... Only a day after receiving an e-mail confirming that there were spaces on the course and that it was going ahead. Plas Y Brenin is one of only two Centres that offer this crucial part of the Level 3 process, the other being is Glenmore Lodge in Scotland (a considerable long distance from south west Wales). To title this blog post as frustrating is a diluted emotion.
20 October 2014
Safety on the high seas
Finished the RYA Safety Boat course yesterday after an interesting exercise involving a turtled (fully capsized) Dart 16 (fast yellow catamaran). I was the 'victim' for the exercise and was adrift in a good swell F5-6 gusting F7. The power of the sea, especially when you are in it, is very awe inspiring. Also earlier in the day we managed to get our RIB airborne.
Thanks to Crawford and all the team at Cardigan Bay Watersports. www.cardiganbaywatersports.org.uk
Thanks to Crawford and all the team at Cardigan Bay Watersports. www.cardiganbaywatersports.org.uk
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| Turtle |
10 October 2014
First Aid Course and Essential Kit
I finished a Mountain First Aid Course yesterday with CRT Medical (www.crtmedical.co.uk). It was a very cool location and a very knowledgeable ex-army medic, Russ, who was instructing us. Good course and one of the cheaper ones I found.
If you're looking to put together a first aid kit be sure to include these essentials:
If you're looking to put together a first aid kit be sure to include these essentials:
- A pair of Tuff Cuts
- A couple of decent long crepe bandages
- A Sam Splint or it's equally good cheaper cousin the Anaconda Splint
- An Emergency Care Bandage (E.C.B.)
- Several pairs of Nitrile Gloves (that fit your hands!)
- Knowledge of how to use the above.
All items and more available from the CRT Medical Shop.
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| Not actual location. |
8 May 2014
3 Star Sea Kayak
Passed my 3* Sea Kayak assessment today after two awesome days in Pembrokeshire. On Tuesday, our training day, Nige Robinson took us to Solva harbour where we spent the first half of the morning on basic sea kayaking skills. Then on to the mouth of the harbour to experience the incoming swell of 4-5 feet on a force 5-6 wind (Beaufort). Practiced turning on the crest of the wave and surfing back into the harbour. Today, our assessment day, began with route planning. It was another windy day so we went to the Dinas Head on the north Pembrokeshire coast for rock-hopping and cave exploration. Truly stunning scenery.
Thanks to Nige Robinson for the good teaching and for pushing our limits. www.nigerobinson.co.uk
Thanks to Nige Robinson for the good teaching and for pushing our limits. www.nigerobinson.co.uk
29 March 2014
Mod Water
Passed my moderate water endorsement yesterday! I can now take people out on rivers! After waiting 2 years while every course I was booked on got cancelled (due to not enough people, i.e. just me) it went well and we were pretty much done by lunchtime. Went for a paddle afterwards on Lake Windermere and River Leven in the South Lakes.
Thanks to Ashley St John-Claire of Outdoor Resources for the course, www.outdoor-resources.net.
Thanks to Ashley St John-Claire of Outdoor Resources for the course, www.outdoor-resources.net.
20 February 2014
Level 3 Core Training (Canoe)
Just back from Level 3 Core Training at Plas y Brenin (great centre, highly recommend, even just for the food!). Training included optimising fitness and performance 1 & 2 and coaching processes and it was good to be learning again as well as just out on the water with other paddlers.
www.pyb.co.uk
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