For the last 12 months I have been working hard and doing plenty of swimming in my mission to become a whitewater safety and rescue provider. The journey towards this has been incredible and through it I have met, shadowed and been in touch with some incredible coaches and participants during the courses.

I can honestly say that as I have served my time as the apprentice I have done my fair share of swimming, having ropes thrown at me and without a doubt have spent some days feeling pretty cold and wet! However it is most certainly worth it as I have learnt so much and have loved every minute.

So over the last two days I have been assessed and received my final sign off for course delivery. It was a pretty cold one, but the guys on the course gave it there absolute best and went away with some refreshed techniques, some new skills and plenty of experience swimming and learning how to stay safe.

There is no way that I would be in the position I am today having just completed this process without the help of some great people, many of whom didnt know me and said "yes" to helping me, simply because they are great people. In no particular order Leo Hoare, Jules Burnard, Ken Hughes, Fraser Marr, Billy Lo, Darren Joy, Lee Pooley all helped show me the way and move me towards my final assessment.

I still feel a bit like the new kid on the block as I know I still have a long way to go. All I can say is bring it on!