Currently working on the selection of new staff for the three UK centres and French centre. Working in Lockerbie, Scotland establishing sites and identifying long term activity sites for the company and developing the centre infrastructure.
Very challenging, especially with the severe conditions, looking forward to Saturday, truly tropical +8.
Heading out to the France centre on Tuesday to do staff selection.
Nearly Christmas!!!!!!!
Thursday, 9 December 2010
BCU- Canoe England Coaches Conference 2010
A fantastic weekend , very well supported by over 250 delegates.I delivered the UKCC Level 2 Portfolio support session for aspiring level 2 coaches.
The session was a great success, with varied candidate expectations and a real mixture of delegates, ranging from level 3 coach mentors wanting more guidance on the portfolio completion, to candidates who had only just completed their UKCC L2 training course the week before.
Good luck to all candidates on the transition to the assessment in the future.
The session was a great success, with varied candidate expectations and a real mixture of delegates, ranging from level 3 coach mentors wanting more guidance on the portfolio completion, to candidates who had only just completed their UKCC L2 training course the week before.
Good luck to all candidates on the transition to the assessment in the future.
Friday, 26 November 2010
4 Star White Water Training Course - North Wales 6 - 7th November 2010
8 candidates arrived well prepared for this course, with lots of varied experience and very different skills. I was working with Kevin Edwards on this course,always a great pleasure as he always adds real value to the courses.
We decided to use the Llugrwy on the first day, from Pont-cy- fan to the camp, really ideal to discover your students on day 1, work on Line of sight and student basic skills. Although a little "boney" on the second run down this proved an ideal lead into day 2 .
We spent the second day on the upper Conwy, again ideal conditions and challenging for the candidates on very different water. A successful weekend, with positive outcomes for all and varied action plans for all students. Thank you to the stray paddler - David who hitched a lift and a trip with the group down the river.
We decided to use the Llugrwy on the first day, from Pont-cy- fan to the camp, really ideal to discover your students on day 1, work on Line of sight and student basic skills. Although a little "boney" on the second run down this proved an ideal lead into day 2 .
We spent the second day on the upper Conwy, again ideal conditions and challenging for the candidates on very different water. A successful weekend, with positive outcomes for all and varied action plans for all students. Thank you to the stray paddler - David who hitched a lift and a trip with the group down the river.
White Water Safety & Rescue Training 30 - 31st October 10
A full course of 12 candidates from Cadet Centre for Adventure Training CCAT, North Wales, i was working with Jules Burnard, a river safety legend with vast experience. The candidates were all very keen, and the water conditions suited the course fantastically.
We decided to stay local for the two days and Forestry Falls which is conveniently located right behind our accommodation for the weekend, so no travel time and loss of training time. A great spot, and fairly quiet on both days 
BCU-UKCC Level 1 & FSRT - Rock and River - South Lakes - 25th - 29th October 10
Good luck with your coaching and hopefully see some of you back on future courses..
UKCC Level 2 training course - 23 -24th October 10
This course was organised through CCAT in north Wales. We managed to have only seven students on the course, but the best seven student you could wish for. Very enthusiastic and fielding lots of questions. Most even arrived with the full prerequisites and portfolios to hand, so a very positive start to the split course weekend. We spent most of the first weekend discovering, memory management, coaching styles, delivery methods, feedback and practice structures. A little heavy going for the candidates at times, but well balanced with the use of the lake at Llanberis.We were blessed with fantastic weather for both weekends, especially considering the time of year and the fact we were operating over the border.Overall a great course with some really fantastic coaches in the making, you just need to get the hard bit done and chase up the coaching and portfolios, good luck to you all. Ans Stephan , no you can not do it all in the swimming pool !!!!!!
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
White Water Safety and Rescue Training Course WWS&RT - 16 -17 Oct 10
White Water Safety and Rescue Training Course , delivered for Stroud Valley Canoe Club.
What a really fantastic club to be involved with. Thanks to Jeff Tyndall for organising it all behind the scenes and getting everyone out of bed nice and early on both days. We had exceptional weather , but less so with the water.
A great deal of time was spent using the dry skill as revision and mock river beds, to ensure that when the time came to get wet , things were pretty autonomous.
Like all practical training courses, there are many ways to achieve a suitable, efficient outcome to most common scenarios, so lots of ideas and scenarios were practiced and practiced again on day 2. Looking at the most likely events and perhaps the less hazardous. A fantastic couple of days.
What a really fantastic club to be involved with. Thanks to Jeff Tyndall for organising it all behind the scenes and getting everyone out of bed nice and early on both days. We had exceptional weather , but less so with the water.
A great deal of time was spent using the dry skill as revision and mock river beds, to ensure that when the time came to get wet , things were pretty autonomous.
Like all practical training courses, there are many ways to achieve a suitable, efficient outcome to most common scenarios, so lots of ideas and scenarios were practiced and practiced again on day 2. Looking at the most likely events and perhaps the less hazardous. A fantastic couple of days.
White Water Safety and Rescue Training Course WWS&RT - 2 & 3 Oct 10
A real struggle to get this off the ground, despite lots of advertising. Whata contrast a day makes, especially in Wales and the river Usk.We all set off from Bristol on the Saturday expecting monstorious levels , having watched the Ryder Cup and weather forecast. After a quick check on the Wye-Usk Cams we decided to head off and have a look.
Great conditions for day 1, with the levels just at the gauge ensuring sufficient water for the more practical elements of day 1. Some interesting aggressive swimming to be done.
Day 2 began much the same as day 1, although how differently things can change. Although the levels were a pushy grade 3 on the upper Usk, it was decided through some miss judgement that we would abort the wet sessions and boat Chase to Brecon and beyond for the day. All good stuff and a real time situation.
Eventually re grouping thanks to a Turkish Market Man, and an offer of £20 to take me back to Aberbran Bridge to meet most off the group.
Successful outcomes all round, all safe and lots to think about. C.L.A.P.Thanks to Brendan for making the team up for day 2.At least you got a paddle in mate.
Great conditions for day 1, with the levels just at the gauge ensuring sufficient water for the more practical elements of day 1. Some interesting aggressive swimming to be done.
Eventually re grouping thanks to a Turkish Market Man, and an offer of £20 to take me back to Aberbran Bridge to meet most off the group.
Successful outcomes all round, all safe and lots to think about. C.L.A.P.Thanks to Brendan for making the team up for day 2.At least you got a paddle in mate.
UKCC Level 2 Transfer Course - 30th Sep - 1st October 10
A great venue with challenges all of its own. The two day transfer course gave us all plenty of time to go through the requirements for the transition phase and also ample time to have a look in depth, into the portfolios. We spent valuable practical time out on the river Avon, practicing coaching delivery and styles (new style) and we even had the opportunity to look at some dubious skills.
A great couple of days, in spectacular settings. Orsam feedback, and hopefully three more coaches coming on line with the new system.
3 Star White Water Training and Assessment 27 -28th September 10
UKCC Level 1 course - CCAT - 25/26 Sep - 9/10 Oct 10
Like all Level 1 courses , a huge variation in competencies and backgrounds from the start, so really key to get the course structured to the audience.Candidates ranging from Police officers and prison catering tutors to Higher Education teachers, a real mix, but all with the same expectations.
A really great course with a mixture of tutors. Kevin Edwards joined me for the first weekend of the course before jetting off on expedition to the Himalayas,joined on the second weekend by the open boat guru that is Jules Burnard. So a really great team, with lots of experience to share.
The course went without any hitches although not all candidates were successful first time around, due a mixture in incorrect pre course info and skills to the more common lack of skills in the alternative craft. Despite trying to make up some additional time on the course to , coach the personal skills, it is hard to get someone to 2 star if they have only had NO time in a open boat. So it begs the question, how/who is giving out the new 2 Star awards, as it is really unfair on candidates who think they are at the right level, when clearly they have been miss lead.
A really great course with a mixture of tutors. Kevin Edwards joined me for the first weekend of the course before jetting off on expedition to the Himalayas,joined on the second weekend by the open boat guru that is Jules Burnard. So a really great team, with lots of experience to share.
The course went without any hitches although not all candidates were successful first time around, due a mixture in incorrect pre course info and skills to the more common lack of skills in the alternative craft. Despite trying to make up some additional time on the course to , coach the personal skills, it is hard to get someone to 2 star if they have only had NO time in a open boat. So it begs the question, how/who is giving out the new 2 Star awards, as it is really unfair on candidates who think they are at the right level, when clearly they have been miss lead.
Foundation Safety and Rescue Training Course - FSRT 24th Sept 10
A lead in FSRT course to the 4 day UKCC level 1 course, so ensuring all candidates are up to date. Despite being bitterly cold, but sunny all candidates managed to get the syllabus completed, although a struggle as always, with the time limitations.
Good use was made of the location, and despite the River Lune , running pretty high into Lancaster we manged to work well with the environment, and had some pretty speed open boat recoveries.
Good use was made of the location, and despite the River Lune , running pretty high into Lancaster we manged to work well with the environment, and had some pretty speed open boat recoveries.
White Water Safety and Rescue Training Course WWS&RT - 16 -17 SEP 10
A fantastic safety course run as a closed course for a individual company. The conditions were near perfect and very warm, just struggling for some good old H2o on day 2 of the course. A mixture of candidates who wanted Canoe and Kayak skills, so lots of variation.
UKCC Level 2 Assessment - North Wales 11 -12 September 2010
I have recently completed a 2 day level 2 assessment for CCAT. The overall conditions were fantastic and all students had a very fair opportunity to express there abilities over the two days. We used Llanberis for the whole course, and real mock students were provided by a visiting Army Cadet unit, so a very big thanks to them.
From the 8 on the course, 4 were successful , 2 were deferred on skills and 2 on coaching on the move and incomplete paperwork and pre-course admin.
The general feedback was very positive and it is always nice to get the results from the students, although we all like to pass first time i am sure those that need additional work will come back and be far better coaches for there work. So see you soon................
Check out the new logo................
From the 8 on the course, 4 were successful , 2 were deferred on skills and 2 on coaching on the move and incomplete paperwork and pre-course admin.
The general feedback was very positive and it is always nice to get the results from the students, although we all like to pass first time i am sure those that need additional work will come back and be far better coaches for there work. So see you soon................
Monday, 16 August 2010
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
4 Star White Water Leader Assessment 6 - 7 March 10 - North Wales
Fortunately enough for the course we managed to get on to the Trewyrn site as this was the only water to be found country wide. A very strange season for boating in deed, to much or not enough H2o.
A very busy first day, starting at the Ski Slope as access above was restricted to the people who chase sticks down rivers. Thankfully for us, they were paddling Div 1 competition.
We focused in on individual skills with the students on day 1,looking at some scenarios and working the site well in between poity boats and river racers. Kev Edwards was on board as the second assesor, along with Jon Warrick who was observing on his route to becoming an assesor himself.
The usual miss haps and swims followed, a good chance to look at kit and all this whilst drenched in spring sunshine. Day 2 concentarted on leadership and CLAP principle, allowing all 5 candidates to lead on at least two occaisions and dealing with various scenarios on the way down to Bala Mill Falls.All students decided to run this section (not part of the assessment) and some very credible boat handling was had by all. We finnished the course with a hot coffee and sticky bun in Bala, followed by comprehensive de briefs and action plans for all. Out comes were 4 recommendations and one not recommended.
A very busy first day, starting at the Ski Slope as access above was restricted to the people who chase sticks down rivers. Thankfully for us, they were paddling Div 1 competition.
We focused in on individual skills with the students on day 1,looking at some scenarios and working the site well in between poity boats and river racers. Kev Edwards was on board as the second assesor, along with Jon Warrick who was observing on his route to becoming an assesor himself.
The usual miss haps and swims followed, a good chance to look at kit and all this whilst drenched in spring sunshine. Day 2 concentarted on leadership and CLAP principle, allowing all 5 candidates to lead on at least two occaisions and dealing with various scenarios on the way down to Bala Mill Falls.All students decided to run this section (not part of the assessment) and some very credible boat handling was had by all. We finnished the course with a hot coffee and sticky bun in Bala, followed by comprehensive de briefs and action plans for all. Out comes were 4 recommendations and one not recommended.
Thursday, 7 January 2010
New Courses
NEW COURSES
WWS&R 9 - 10 Jan 09 cost £120.00
WWS&R 30 - 31 Jan 09 cost £120.00
WWS&R 12- 14 Feb 09 cost £120.00
4 Star Leader Training WW
Jan 16 -17 cost £140.00
Assessments
23 -24 Jan - 6 -7 Feb costs £140.00
Please check out my web site for further details
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
