15 years on and not much has changed!

For over 15 years now I've had the pleasure (some might say) of paddling with, traveling and generally getting up to mischief with the 'Real' Gav Barker.  So when the idea of spending a week up in Scotland came up we naturally jumped at the chance.

River Dee 1999(??)

As you can see not much has changed in the last 15 years, except for the fact that were a little older, a bit more wrinkled, I have longer hair and we both have some different kit.  (Well actually I think Gav still wears the same wildskin shorts, but thats a different story.)

2014 Older and wiser (actually, we're probably only just older!)

Starting off up in the Lake District for the weekend, catching up with some old friends from the Irwell Shufflers and paddling the river Leven at a great level we set off up to Scotland.

Below Backbarrow weir on the Leven

Arriving in Glen Coe for last light and having a quick blast down the Etive at a good flow we checked in at the Lochgoilhead centre, meeting up with some old friends, watching top gear and getting psyched for what was promised to be big tides on the falls of lora in Oban the following day.

Taking the large burn for a spin on the wave

With the wave not being as good as we had hoped and a real struggle to surf in a freestyle boat, I opted to take out the new large burn for a spin on the wave and also to blast through the rapid.

Following the falls of Lora we paddled the Orchy which if you're ever thinking of doing with just one vehicle is a real mission!  We left my van at the top and opted to walk back at the end, not realising how far the walk would be.  Hiding the boats in the bushes at the get out we set off on what ended up being a five mile walk up the road.  We soon became aware when we got back that trying to find two large lumps of brightly coloured plastic in a forest in the pitch black without a headtorch wouldn't be as easy as we had first expected!

With the falls of lora not really working well we opted for an "easy day" and went in search of the falls of falloch

Lining up on the entry ramp

Ive looked at the falls of falloch for around 10 years now and have never managed to catch it in the right water.  With the river levels being up, the drop looked good to go!  Gav fired it up first and took it second, with the wind being knocked out of me and slightly sore ribs from impact!

Ready to drop

Then came big Thursday, with a morning run on the Roy Gorge, an after lunchtime spin on the Spean Gorge and then 2 runs on the upper spean, with 2 pipes releasing the first run and 4 pipes on the second run!  

No photos from big Thursday runs, but video footage from the upper Spean is on the way!

Stay tuned!

Thanks Scotland

Heres to more time in Scotland!


More paddlers ready for first aid in the outdoors

Yet another great weekend spent training some highly motivated and enthusiastic paddlers from Leeds and Sheffield Uni

As your goal is in sight.......set more goals further away

Ive been working on juggling 5 balls now on and off for about 8 years.  In the last 12 months I feel like Ive made a real breakthrough, and yesterday I had a moment where I thought "yes I can finally do this!  Goal complete"

Then I got sent this video via facebook........time to set bigger and better goals

Simply Amazing......Time to get out and do something special

October 14, 2012, Felix Baumgartner ascended more than 24 miles above Earth's surface to the edge of space in a stratospheric balloon. Millions across the globe watched as he opened the door of the capsule, stepped off the platform, and broke the speed of sound while free falling safely back to Earth.

This video just blew me away.  I need to plan something special to do now!

Someone got a gopro pole mount for Christmas!

For Christmas I was lucky enough to get a go pro pole mount for my boat.  Before I took it down anything too sketchy, I strapped it to the back of my boat and took it to my local run on the river Irwell.  The results seem promising and the angle looks like its really going to give some outstanding images and footage.

Here are a few snapshots from an hour playing around with it.

Time to get out in a boat and get some more shots!

REC 16 Hour first aid course 25th and 26th Jan 2014, Bury Lancashire

REC 16 hour first aid course running at the Burrs Activity Centre in Bury Lancashire on the 25th and 26th January 2014.

This course is suitable for anyone who plays or works in the outdoor environment and will be practical, fun and scenario based with lots of time spent practicing.

This course satisfies the first aid requirements for outdoor leader and coach qualifications and is recognised by BCU, MLTB, RYA etc.

Course costs £120 
Discounts available when 2 or more people book on together. 

Accommodation is available on site (please enquire when making your booking)

email chris@chrisbraincoaching.com for more details or to book onto the course

Thanks

Chris Brain

Swimming upstream

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!