Monday 13 June 2011

Sea kayaking courses - 4 star leader training ... Pembroke

At the weekend I was down to Pembrokeshire working for www.seakayakguides.co.uk providing a 4 star leader sea training course. The last time i was down, was back in April, when I guided a Coastal Spirt expedition to paddle round Wales. So I was keen when invited to see more of the coastline and at a more leisurely pace!

Saturday was what you expect from June with some super sunny weather, although we could have done with some wind .. we had current and rough water, to choose from. Plan was to paddle from Porth Clais through Ramsey Sound, around St Davids head and on to Aberridy, a total distance of around 20k. This was also largely down to the fact Sunday was forecast to be F5-7 and lots of rain, so to make the most of Sats forecast and stay out longer.

Navigation, leadership, CLAP in action, top tips, towing and personal skills, were the focus of the day. Photo below is looking back up to the southern end of Ramsey Island.


Just after St Davids Head.


Fishguard harbour it was as the wind howled and the rain poured and followed the forecast! We had kept all the wet stuff until today, and although we had no rough water we went through the motions, of deep water and self rescues, wind ferry gliding to cross windy sections and incident management.

Photo from the van looking out from the harbour ...more like October!


3rd team member waiting by, ready to anchor tow or give support to the rescuers kayak.


Around the world balance and self rescue back in.


Back into the vans and back up to Niges, for a brew and a final look at tidal planning and final questions before working on individual action plans and wrapping up the course.

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