Storms and Winter Sea Kayaking, a Reflection ...

Nine Storms have impacted the UK this Winter, with three of those in 2016 - Gertrude, Henry and Imogen.  Yet in between these storms theres been time and space for some super Winter Sea Kayaking this January 2016.

The course I want to draw attention to is the Advanced course and this one in particular was the 2nd, 5* Leader preparation course I had run over the Winter.  The course was aimed at those who had done the 5* Leader training and wanted to work in 5* assessment conditions.  This was in a work shop format on specific skills and tasks or areas each person felt supported their individual action plan.  

From the forecast we had the perfect weekend with Penrhyn Mawr working for some tide race action, some swell, wind picking up from the NW for the night navigation in Trearddur Bay and then a Skerries open water crossing on the Sunday with remnants of the wind.  It had been a long weekend with conformations, further learning and further action plans created ...

A Leadership model I have used over the years which I feel really works and may help to provide a useful structure is by John Adair and is called Action Centred Leadership (ACL) and works around three circles - Task, Team and Individual.  You may have a main Task for example of leading an Advanced journey involving a couple of tide races and then sub tasks.  A sub task could be getting the team of the beach, through the surf at the start of the day.  If we consider the Task: Whats the strategy to achieve the task most effectively? How are you going to work the team, team functions, giving purpose, buddy system, sub leader/No2?  and do any of the individuals need specific attention, encouragement, how can I use individuals so there work contributes over all to the team objective?  

Generally its difficult, if not imposable to manage all three areas at once, so time is given to one of the three areas and once thats been achieved, attention needs to be given to the other areas.  If for example only the Task is focused on, one can probably see the job gets down, at the expense of the Team and the Individual!

So why not explore and experiment using the model below and enhance your leadership abilities and skills, as well as surfing that tide race wave!

Action Centred Leadership - John Adair

Tavi getting a good hit and looking solid ...

Zoe working with Debs in Buddy Leadership

The main race, with Zoe up flow, Julie centre and just the head of Debs (on the right)

Leaving The Skerries on a flood tide

Thanks to Tavi Murray for originally contacting me about the weekends and the idea.  And Julie Jones, Debs Heldon and Zoe Robinson for making the weekend work.  As for me, my personal learning was when you get a new paddle, remember to put reflective tape on it, just like you have on the other one.  So if you ever loose a black paddle at night it may then just have a greater chance of seeing it!!

Roger

PS:  Thanks to Zoe for finding my paddle, some 30+ minutes later!

www.coastalspirit.com

info@coastalspirit.com

explore. dream. discover

Traditional kayak building workshop - Adriana Eyzaguirre

Traditional kayak building workshop -  Adriana Eyzaguirre.

Our kayak building workshop is one of those classes that we can truly call “Once in a lifetime” – Kiliii Fish, founder of Seawolf Kayaks, is coming from the Pacific Northwest to teach the ancient art of building traditional skin-on-frame kayaks. He has been delivering the workshop for over 10 years so the experience, learning and results you will get as a participant are outstanding.

When you bring a boat to life in the traditional fashion, you create stories just as the first kayakers did and still do. You learn complex building techniques like steam-bending, but also how to understand wood, lashings and hand tools. In class we talk about kayak history, native history and paddling adventures.

Every participant creates a functional piece of art: In our workshops, every builder completes an ultralight kayak. On the final day, weather permitting, we will paddle our boats and learn about Greenland kayaking technique.

All the Seawolf kayak models undergo extensive R&D and are each designed with a particular set of needs in mind - from long expeditions and fishing, to surfing and rock gardening. Our builders will have 4 models to choose from.

Our next workshop will be September in Scotland. Our plan is to follow the workshop with a two day expedition in the fiords and seas around our base.

If you want more information then contact Adriana - exploralondon@gmail.com

Current Courses and Exciting Opportunities for 2016

2015 was a busy year, right until the end and I thank you for that!  These last few weeks have been really useful and I have relished, doing those out standing jobs, like inputting on my new website, some study and generally catching up with my self.  Except my tax return/accounts which was really boring, but had to be done.  Its currently grey, windy and sleeting outside, so its easier to be sat in front of my PC!

2016 has started well and a number of courses are already full. The new calendar or find course by category, is up and running and dates are now up to August 2016.  The following currently have places on and are going ahead:

6-7th Feb - Intermediate: aimed at working on 3 star skills and has only 2 places left, at a cost of £160.

5th March - Open Water Navigation & Tidal Planning:  An element of the 5 star leader training, although this can be a stand alone theory course as well, providing a good understanding of coastal planning is already held. Cost £90

6-9th March - 5 star leader training:  Advanced leadership and performance training, with night navigation also included.  2 days is the minimum requirement - 4 allows more time to allow for different sea conditions and processing. 5 days incl OWNTP at £330, 4 days at £270, 3 days at £230 and just the training at £160.  Gain feedback and leave with a comprehensive action plan. 2 places are left.

16th March - Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning (CNTP): Theory day around understanding weather, tides, charts and planning coastal journeys.  Part of the 4 star leader training, although this day can also be attended if you have basic tidal planning understanding and you want to increase your understanding.  Cost £90.

17-18th March - 4 Star Leader training:  Leadership and performance training in Moderate conditions.  3 days with the CNTP above is £230, just the training is £160. Gain feedback and leave with a comprehensive action plan.  3 places are left.

2/3rd April - IntroMediate:  Only 4 places on this course which gentle brings a paddler into contact with flow, wind, swell and small surf - Now only 2 places left.  Cost £160.

Two further courses I will highlight here are the Pembroke Sea kayaking, which follows the Stackpole sea kayak festival which I'm working on and 'Coaching the Mind', sports psychology course.

23-25th May - Pembroke sea kayaking:  This 2 or 3 day course is for InterMediate paddlers as a minimum and aims to paddle some to Pembroke's classic islands and locations.   It follows the stackpole sea kayak festival, so hopefully within the 5 days we will get a mix of sea conditions, weather, wildlife and with Puffins galore!!.  This is separate from the Stockpile festival so go direct to them to book on the weekend.  With me, its £230 for 3 days or £160 for 2 days and only 4 places are left.

16-17th July - Coaching the Mind:  This is the 2nd course we have run and it was a great success, in 2015.  This year we are adding a one day option, by attending only the theory course.  Or as before with the 2nd day on the water sea kayaking and putting mental skills training into action.  

The first day is theory behind sports psychology, in brief and is a mix of PowerPoint, active work shops and discussion.  This means its open to any one who is interested in improving their own performance and coaching style.  So if you rock climb, white water paddle, stand up paddle board or mountain bike, then come along.

The 2nd day is putting mental skills training into a sea kayaking environment, to enable your confidence to be able to grow and use the techniques, with on the water support.  Because of this minimum ability is InterMediate and the working ratio is 2:8 - two coaches to 8 individuals or one to four.

One day costs £90 and two days is £180.  On both days Lee Pooley, one of British Canoings national trainers and Roger Chandler owner of Coastal Spirit.

Only 8 places on the 2 day option, and 6 are currently available.  A further 4 places are available on the first day. 

With all of the above either email info@coastalspirit.com or message me on FB, for further information.  Check out my website for other course and if you want something unique and individualised, then consider Bespoke sea kayaking.  In the week, set at your pace and designed for you.

I hope a course above inspires you and I look forward to working with you on the water soon.

Roger

www.coastalspirit.com

Adventures in Chile 2015

Its been cancelled, our flight from Madrid to Santiago, Nick said.  We were both tired and really could do with out this.  Thankfully after being patient and talking with Iberia, they managed to get us on a flight that evening, so we were back on track!

Before I go much further, I would like to say a BIG thanks to Pueblito Expediciones, for inviting me out to Chile, to work on the 3rd Sea Kayak Symposium.  Its a long way to travel, from the UK (30+ hours) so creating other plans and adventures, is essential for me.

After an evening in Valdivia, catching up with Kate Hives, the plan was to get a bus to Pucon and then on to Puesco Fest. A festival of whitewater paddling, local culture and supporting Patagonia without Dams.  The event was in a super and beautiful location, great campsite with fire fits shared around the site.  The white water we saw was extreme, so i for one was happy to soak up the atmosphere of the event. Evenings were taken up with live music, with a strong Reggae influence.

Back in Pucon and the lovely Ecole hostel, which served vegetarian meals with breakfast, lunches and dinners.  In town but set a few blocks back from the main street.  Ben from Kayak Chile had hired kayaks to Kate and Nick, the previous year.  So after a few words we had kayaks, a driver and a van to drop us on the river and pick us up.  Perfect!

Rio Liucura and the Rio Trancura, lower and upper were run over the following three days and a good mix from class 2-4.  It was good for me to cover familiar ground again and work on getting a more accurate line, from a previous day.  I was on a steep learning curve, that was for sure.  Everything was faster, bigger and words such as 'pushy' became common place. Nick below.

Day four and Ben said he and a few buddies were off to do the Rio Machin a class IV, 7km.  River running, amazing canyons and with some steeper rapids.  Would we like to join them ....   I was pleased with my progress and felt we had been working really well as a team.  I won't know otherwise, so lets do it!

The Rio Machin had been amazing. Yes I had been scared and excited.  I'd walk one short rapid, that looked really awkward.  And even after that decision I was still happy with my call.  I'd also paddled what felt like the crux rapid,  which had taken me a few moments to gain my focus.  I new I could make the right to left, must make move.  Although what followed was much more hazy.  Which probably explains why I landed in a hole and took a moment to roll up!!

A truly beautiful river.  Technical and fast and at other times allowing enough time to pause.  It was by far the hardest sustained and committing white water I had ever paddled.  I was chuffed and tired!!



The following day I had booked to climb Villarica, with a company, as this was now a requirement.  That evening was the first clear view of the Volcano towering over the town.  Earlier in 2015 there had been an eruption, so the Volcano had been closed.  Deciding to open the Volcano had moved very slow for the local companies, but at least there seemed to be a more standardised approach.  For example, you could only access the mountain through booking on with a company and no more than 12 people with 3 guides also.  I was looking forward to getting my legs working and at 2,800 mt, they were going to get worked!!

It took about 4.5 - 5 hours to get to the top and the view was amazing.  It had been tough and I had felt the effects of altitude - feet very heavy, lungs not getting enough air and shuffling forwards.   Max 12 people and 3 guides made sure people moved at an appropriate pace.  Coming down was a total blast and took about 1.5 hours and is another advantage of going early in the season when there is more snow around.  Your given a plastic bum sledge, which you clip into your waist belt.  On the steeper sections you slide on the waterproof trousers and as the slope gets gentle, then the bum sledges are sat on and off you zoom.  Each person has an ice axe to help control speed.  I LOVED IT!!

Id never done a whitewater road trip before and the 4 of us fancied hiring a pick up truck and kayaks off Ben and heading over to the West to paddle the Rio Fuy class 3+ and 4k and then the Rio San Pedro class 3 and 18km.

This is the Rio Fuy from the bridge and the get on is down in the eddy on the right.  The guide book said the first section was steeper, then it eased off.  This was my 5th white water day and 6th day of action.  It was going like a train and all of the other rivers, had begun steady and allowed me time to warm up.  This was fast, powerful and I was feeling anxious.  My quiet inner voice was saying 'drive the van and run the shuttle' and i tried positive self talk and actually talked my self into running the river.  After all its only 4km and I'd paddled harder and much further ....

As i left the eddy, I wasn't happy and then I was hit, by a wave and I was over .... I rolled and paddled hard to the edge of the river and got into another eddy.  I looked down river watching the other bounce about.  As I left the eddy, wave after wave hit me, it was like i was in a boxing ring and all I could do was take the punches.  I was finding it difficult to see any form of line, then I hit a hole.  My weight was to far back and my bow went over my head and I got recirculated.  What happened next I'm really not sure, but I hung in ... missed another roll and I felt I had moved out of the stopper, I set my self up for another roll and then felt the rocks pressing against me ... time to exit!

I popped up, grabbing my kayak and paddle kicking for the bank.  Nick soon had his bow towards me and paddled backwards into the eddy.  Few ... my first swim in 5 years!!

For the next 3.5 km Christian and Kate led and Nick worked with me.  The end was a relief and I was pleased to have kept it together on the other rapids.  Christian below, we met him at Puesco Fest and we all got on well.  He was from France and had dovetailed well into the team and was clearly enjoying him self. 

That afternoon we drove across to the start of the Rio San Pedro and I reflected back on the day. Was it wise to do the next river?  I didn't want to hold my buddies back and create difficulties but it was supposed to be an easier river and it certainly looked like it started gentle!!

Well it was a super nights sleep, really peaceful and a still morning.  There was a river gauge and it was reading 1:8 mt, which based on the fact there was others further up the bank, suggested it was not in spate and more like normal conditions?!

I did a load of stretching and had a leisurely breakfast.  This worked well.  I took my self off 30 mins before every one else and did load of rolls.  Working on the belief and understanding that mind and body are linked, so if I can influence my physiology I can also effect my psychology.  I got my self into a good place and I felt happy to give it all a go. 

Two rapids had been huge.  Amazing wave trains, like South Stack race being funnelled into a narrow channel.  I just kept looking for my amigos, working hard to see my line and deciding to follow or go more left or right of them.  With also an awareness and one eye on any recirculating holes.  None appeared that were problematic, and could be easily avoided. Body forward, eyes up and concentrate on the line, was my mantra.  I was very pleased to have decided to paddle the Rio San Pedro as it felt like a fitting end to my time before SKPS.http://www.skps.cl

It had been totally amazing and good, to be in that student learning place.  Uncomfortable at times with a need to dig deep, but also to be reminded of that inner voice that's often quite and gentle, yet is so knowledgeable.  

The four amigos, with Kate, Christian, Nick and my self.  Thanks to both Kate and Nick for the white water photos and for sharing a super time in Chile.  And enabling me to achieve a BIG tick on my 50 things to do in 50's - paddling ww outside the UK!

Roger
www.coastalspirit.com

explore. dream. discover

Chile and the 3rd South Pacific Sea Kayaking Symposium

To have been invited back in 2013 to the first Sea Kayak Symposium in South America, was very special.  Two years later and having just finished the 3rd SKPS I feel very privileged, to be part of a great coaching team, with a well organised event and to work with the wonderful Chilean people.

The first two events had been in November and this year, the 4 days were moved to December.  We had 3 super sunny days, although the Patagonian wind was still present on two of those days, the venue of Chaihuin provided suitable shelter and challenge.

Our first evening in Chaihuin, was very special and the local community were the food is served produced a cocktail buffet of local produce.  The time, effort and love each had put into the preparation was clear.  Many thanks.

The Great team of Eduardo Saldias, Jorge Muller Roberto Saldias (with the cap).

The first morning as sea kayaks arrived (high proportion of P&H) and were unloaded was colourful and my sessions for the 4 days ranged from Rough Water Rescues, Coastal Navigation and Tidal Paddling - practical and Rock Gardening x2 days.

I let the photos below tell there story ....

Paulo and his Rockpool Taran 16, who was my super interpreter for 2 days.  Many thanks my friend, it was hugely appreciated.

Working with James from Anglesey, UK (one on the left)  was great and we had some good conditions for the rock gardening.  The before, as the wave hits and ...

The after ....

My final day was working with Nick (from Anglesey, UK) and who's Spanish has really developed - nice one fella.  The day although bright and sunny had a stronger wind and a bigger swell was running.   Areas to work were chosen carefully!! It was also good to be working with students earlier in the week and to see their progress ....

After a fantastic surprise evening meal, in a beautiful venue - a wooden shack in the woods, with a big fire pit.  An Asado was cooked for us all.  This is a traditional Chilean bar b que of a sheep slowly cooked on a big spit.  It was so delicious and a really special end to the event.  Once again, I had left my camera behind, so no pictures, sorry!!

The next morning we said our good byes, as a few of the coaching team were going straight to the airport.  While the rest of us travelled back the hostel in Valdivia.  I'll write another Blog soon about my travels and adventures in Chile, but for now a BIG thanks to www.pueblitoexpediciones.cl  and the super friendly people of Chile, for such a wonderful time.  

Ciao, gracias.

Roger

www.coastalspirit.com