Surf, flow and rough water - 4 star leader training, Anglesey,

Rich, Douglas, David, Hazel and Leif were joining me on a 4 star leader training course.  Both Leif and Hazel had done the previous days Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning theory day.  In brief the 4 star focus on personal performance and leadership in a moderate environment.  Some people end up doing just the training and some times a year later another training, choosing not to go any further, but having gaining skills, awareness and techniques.  

While other chose to work towards an assessment. To quote Canoe wales   -  "Successful performance at this level indicates that you have the skill level required to lead a group of 4 competent paddlers (Paddlers who do not require coaching to be in/on that environment.) for a short journeys (6-8 miles), up to "moderate conditions" (winds up to force 4 or sea state 4). The award shows that you can judge the conditions and the standard of the group to make appropriate decisions, understanding the need to modify plans when required. 

Well after discussions, planning and coffee we headed NW to Trearddur Bay, for some surf and working in wind.  Working in 3 small teams, we went through rolls, and rescues (keeping the water in the boat to shorten the rescue time) and then self rescues.  Then putting them into the conditions, which were super .... and pretty chunky closer to the flag pole.

Then surfing with purpose ...

We rounded up the day with a rocky landing or two, from the kayak (no towline) and body surfing the kayak back out to swimming in on a towline and focus on careful management of line and quick release on the front.
 

The 2nd day we went to the Menai Straits and the Swellies for work in current, leadership and scenarios ...

Rich finishing the day off ... before individual debriefs and action plans ...

Leif and Hazel were on for another two days and so we worked again to avoid the wind but get some conditions. Point Lynas gave us just that ...  rolling and surfing for Leif, then back in the bay more complex rocky landings and gully and rocky rescues working with contact tows and towlines ...

and Hazel got her roll back ...  ;)

4th day was back in the Swellies, and personal skills on eddy turns, ferry glides, rolling in flow, self rescue and not to be out done ... Leif pulled off standing up in a kayak ... ;)

Great few days and the next 4 star leader training is down for the  10-14th April - (CNTP 10th, 11/12th 4 star leader training and also 2 further days training/development on 13/14th April).

Thanks,
Roger


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