Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
Categories
In this Discussion
Sea kayak developer weekends (9/10th Nov, 23/24th Nov)
Jane and I will run a couple of sea kayak training weekends aimed at paddlers who have completed the Explore (2*) or Sea Kayak Award (3*) course over summer, and would like to continue to develop their skills. We'll be working towards the level of the 'Sea Kayak Award' (3* in old language), and the 'Paddlesport Leader Award' (but you don't have to be aiming for these qualifications to come). It's a chance to get out to sea, see new parts of the Devon coastline, and put your skills into practice in an intermediate environment.
The dates will be:
- Sat 9th Nov
- Sun 10th Nov
- Sat 23rd Nov
- Sun 24th Nov
There will be a max of 6 people per day, and if possible it would best to aim to do both days of a single weekend (but fine if you can't). If you'd like to do all 4 days, that's great since we'll likely get different venues and conditions each day, but if we're over subscribed, we'll try to make sure everyone gets at least 2 days first.
As well as just getting out and paddling, we'll aim to look at things like:
- Manoeuvring and timing skills (e.g. rockhopping where there is a bit of swell);
- Paddling in up to force 4 winds;
- Towing and incident management;
- Bracing and recovery stokes;
- Surfing (if we can find the conditions);
- Assisted rescues at sea;
- Self-rescues;
- Leadership principles;
- Trip planning, considering the geography, tide, wind & swell forecasts;
- Clothing and equipment;
We'll have to wait and see what the weather does, but we can hopefully find conditions that are at the right level for the Sea Kayak Award.
We won't definitely be getting wet each day, but there's a good chance of it, so having suitable clothing will be important. A drysuit is ideal for paddling over winter, but a thick wetsuit and windproof cag should also keep you warm. Helmets are required.
Please reply below and let us know if you're interested, and which days you'd like to do.
Booked so far:
9/10th
Caroline
Rob
Pete
Owen M (reserve)
23/24th
Kasia (maybe just 23rd)
Jim (23rd only)
Francois (24th only)
Owen S
Sophie
Steve T
Maggie
Fiona
Reserve: Rebecca, Steve F (23rd), Francois (23rd),
Comments
There is a chance 9th may be tacky for me now. I'll up date as I know. Thanks
Hi. Please let me know if you need any back up on any of the days. Also whilst I do technically have my 3* I am still a bit rusty on some key skills so assisting will be good for my own ongoing development. On the basis that this is a development weekend please give priority to all members who have been doing the training through the summer but happy to act as a first reserve for training and support to keep me on the water before the weather turns really foul. Owen
I’d like to do 9th &10th please. I cant do the other weekend.
Thanks everyone for your interest so far! It's looking like it'll be a fun couple of weekends
Fiona: I've put you down for the 23/24th after your comment about the 9th, but let me know which is better
I can get my own boat to the start and give someone a lift, not sure I can get another boat on top though.
Ok, I think that's the 23rd/24th weekend full now. Fiona - do you know if you'd be able to do the 9th/10th instead?
Fiona - no problem, we'll assume you're coming on the 23rd/24th unless you say differently.
Tony & Andy: I think you're both beyond the level that this coaching would be aimed at, and I'd prefer to leave the spaces for newer club members who would benefit from it. I think the dynamic will work best if we keep the group small. Sorry about that - you could meet up and go out for a paddle anyway?
Owen M: If you feel like you could get something out of the coaching, we have space on the 9th/10th at the moment, but if you're happy to be on the reserve list if someone else would like the space, that would be great.
I'm making a bit of a judgement call on people's skill levels, so sorry if I've got it wrong.
Cheers,
James
Owen Smith: Sorry, I meant Owen Michaelson in my last comment. You're fine for the 23/24th. Too many Owens!
Owen S: Yes, space on the 9th if you'd like to do that. Up to you! We'll try to make the weekends work as a pair of days together (i.e. to cover everything on each weekend), so coming on the 23rd and 24th might be best from that point of view, but it's each day will also be fine to attend on its own.
I can confirm I cant do the 9th 10th now, so sticking with 23rd 25th. Thanks
Hi James, could I be on a reserve list for the 23rd/24th please?
Thanks all (and sorry about your shoulder Francois, good luck with the recovery!).
I've updated the list in the original post now, let me know if it's not what anyone is expected. There are still a few places on the 9th/10th (this weekend) if anyone would like an extra day out. I'm aware it clashes with a whitewater trip though, sorry!
More details, including meeting time, etc coming soon...
Those who are coming on Saturday, let's meet at the club at 9am. We should have plenty of boat transport options and car space. We'll likely head to Plymouth Sound since it's looking pretty windy and we can hopefully find some shelter there while still being interesting. Is anyone likely to prefer to head straight to Plymouth?
I’d prefer to go straight there with my boat unless you need me to give someone a lift. I just need a meet up location in Plymouth and a meet time. I’ll assume that you’ll post details on here if there’s a change of plan or I can message you my mobile number.
jane will be at the club at 9am and can help you with a boat and a lift Caroline.
Owen, Francois: no problem with coming on Sunday, yes.
All good with me. See you there. My number is 07966 034884 in case of problems or change of plan
Should be back by 5.30pm.
Fantastic two days! Thanks James & Jane.
Hi everyone. After 53 comments, it's all a bit chaotic sorry, but I have the following people down for this Saturday:
(Updated 8am fri 22nd)
Owen S
Fiona
Sophie
Steve T
Maggie
Rebecca
Steve f
Please can you let me know if you still can or can't make it, as there some people on the reserve list who would be keen to come.
We'll paddle out of Challaborough on Saturday, which will hopefully provide us with some surf and a variety of rock hopping to play around with.
Let's meet at the club sea kayak shed at 8.30am on Saturday. Can anyone coming provide transport for some sea kayaks?
If you want to go straight there, we'll meet at the car park at Challaborough beach at 10am.
It looks a bit overcast and drizzly, but the upside of that is it hopefully won't be too cold.