Winter Sea Kayaking courses and more ...

Here is a brief summary of courses that still have availability, over the Winter and into early Spring.  Plus this Summer's sea kayak expeditions:

6-9th November - Advanced sea kayak leader training (5*) with Open water navigation and tidal planning.  With ratio of 1:4 - 2 places left.

13-17th November - Moderate sea kayak leader training (4*) with Coastal navigation and tidal planning.  With ratio of 1:4 - 4 places left

9/10th December - Advanced sea kayaking.  For those who are close to being assessed at Moderate sea kayak leader (4*) or Advanced sea kayak leader trained (5*).  Based around the Advanced sea kayak leader and performance syllabus.  ratio of 1:4 - 3 places left

16/17th Dec - Surf & tide races.  From Intermediate to advanced and with the aim of really getting you surfing those waves.  ratio of 1:4 - 3 places left.

13/14th January 2018 - Advanced sea kayaking, with ratio of 1:4 - 4 places left

3/4th Feb - Surf & tide races.  Details as above and ratio of 1:4 - 3 places left

17/18th Feb - Intermediate Plus, working on Moderate water skills and ideal for those who have completed the Moderate sea kayak leader training and want support with their action plan.  ratio of 1:6 - 4 places left

24/25th Feb - Surf & tide races.  Details as above and ratio of 1:4 - 4 places left

28/2 - 4th March - Advanced sea kayak leader training and Open water navigation, with ratio of 1:4 - 4 places left

10 -14th March - Moderate sea kayak leader training and Coastal navigation, with ratio of 1:6 - 3 places left.

17/18th March - Surf & tide races.  Details as above and ratio of 1:4 - 4 places left

Shetland sea kayak expedition - 23-29th July at £695 - 2 places left

Orkney sea kayak expedition - 4-10th August at £695 - 4 places left.

Interested in any of the above then email roger@coastalspirit.com with your questions and I will get back to you with further information.  

Make a change in 2018 and have an adventure! 

#findyourfun

#exploredreamdiscover

Greenland - Eat, Paddle, Sleep, Climb 2017

Back in 2008 Olly first invited me to Greenland but at the time it was my first real season with Coastal Spirit, so I said no!

When discussing the possibility of a trip in the summer of 2017, I was really keen to be part of it.  That possibility has now become a reality with funding from the Artic Club and supported by Gino Watkins Memorial Fund; A & J Simpson Award.  Many thanks for this!

The plan is to be self contained and journey in sea kayaks going North of Upernivik (on the North West coast) to explore the numerous potentials for climbing on the many islands in this area. The main objectives will be climbing alpine style roures we come across, accessed in a low impact approach from sea kayaks.  

We will have 28 days in total.  This will allow us to travel to the area, and probably 24 days  in Greenland.  We will need to pack our sea kayak with all of our food, camping kit, paddling and rock climbing gear for the whole time.

Im really looking forward to my 

first time in Greenland and my second time above the Artic 

circle.  I'll aim to keep you all updated with progress.

I would also like to thank Tent Meals  for their support towards our expedition, with great tasting, natural high energy breakfasts and evening meals.  

Photo taken by Olly Sanders

Photo taken by Olly Sanders

Photo taken by Olly Sanders

Performance Psychology - Coaching the Mind Module - By Keith Wilbraham

Coaching the Mind Course my personal experience.

I did the coaching the mind course last year run by Lee Pooley and Roger here is my experience of the course and where it has taken me since.

I was in a bit of a rut with my paddling getting out about once a month and sticking very much to my comfort zone and avoiding getting wet. This was proving to be a problem as my paddling had not really progressed for years and I really wanted to pass my 3star assessment.

The first day’s session with Lee was interesting and went through a lot of approaches to how you considered things and how you could use the techniques taught to improve your performance and approach to activities. Lee’s teaching is interesting, his depth of knowledge and experience keeps you engaged with the subject enabling you to learn effectively. This is important to me as I tend to have a short attention span and don’t always do well in a class room.

The second day was on the water and the idea was to take what you had learned during the first day and come up with a plan to do some focus on some aspects of paddling which you wanted improve. I had a sleepless night, but found a bit if pizza box to jot down my ideas for day 2. I decided to work on the three worst areas of my paddling, rough water, self rescues and rolling. The plan was hopelessly ambitious for time available and for my fitness level but Roger and Lee somehow managed to accommodate the variety of things people wanted to try and I did some work on rough water, rolling and rescues.

Highlights of the weekend for me was feeling more in control in rough water and completing three rolls.

Since the course I have achieved a number of things that I don’t think would have accomplished without the input from Roger and Lee.

My partner and I went to Plockton last summer and paddled in a place I was unfamiliar with.

I completed my first solo paddle.

I passed my three star.

I have and approach to paddling in tide races which is allowing me to slowly improve my performance and cope with the environment.

I think this course enabled me to move my paddling one and was excellent in helping me achieve my goals.

Keith Wilbraham

Many thanks Keith, for your comments and Blog above.

The next course is this weekend 16/17th July for Intermediate paddlers or above and you can attend both days or just the first day.  The first day involves various work and theory inputs and is fairly active and dry!  The day can count as a British Canoeing Coach update and is aimed at Coaches, Leaders and those that want to improve their understanding and performance.  

This could be white water paddlers, canoeists, climbers and so on.  The skills are highly transferable.  

The 2nd day is putting the theory into practice for sea paddlers.

Email roger@coastalspirit.com or call him on +44 7873 132999 for more specific information or to book a place.  £180 both days or £90 for the first day.

Roger