So the last few weeks have been pretty cool to say the least! I got my new Burn and headed up to Scotland for a great trip with the real Gav Barker, ticking off some classic sections of whitewater including the Roy gorge, Upper Spean, Falls of Falloch and of course the middle Etive.
I also took delivery of a new set of Peak UK River Guide Vests that I have purchased for clients to use on my whitewater safety and rescue courses too. So far Im really impressed with the design and styling and having used every single version of the River Vest (I think!) Im pretty sure this is the best yet.
This week Ive had the privilege to deliver a first aid course at the magnificent Stanford Hall in Lutterworth. Stanford Hall is home to a fantastic project that I get involved with every year called Lifebeat. For more than two weeks over the summer the Stanford Hall grounds are transformed into an amazing creative Summer development camp for young people. Young people and staff from all corners of the world come together for a fantastic gathering of music, dance, singing, acting and of course I bring some unicycles and some juggling to that party too! Why not check out www.lifebeat.co.uk if you are interested in finding out more.
Click here for course photos and feedback
Here are some photos from the first aid course
After making the neighbours at home wonder what on earth I must do for a job, I quickly switched all of my first aid kit for a few kayaks and a load of paddling kit and headed 'oop North to deliver a foundation Safety and Rescue course at Doe Park.
The course was for a fantastic group of passionate and motivated teachers who take their pupils out on all sorts of fantastic outdoor based residentials and wanted some additional rescue training to compliment their developing paddlesport skills.
Once again switching my now soaking wet paddling kit (yes I took a swim for the team) for my first aid equipment I finished with what could be the comedy highlight of the week, a first aid course with the Manchester University Canoe and Kayak Club.
These guys are simply an amazing group of people who bring good humour and passion for paddlesport to everything they do. Showing really good skills throughout, they all had a fun weekend, gained some useful knowledge and got plenty of practice pretending to be injured!
I will be out in the Alps with this team in June, so it was in my best interest to give them some useful knowledge and tips!