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CarlS · Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 4:42 pm Post subject: Training opportunity

I have copied an email sent to myself from a company offering training and assessment. Don't know anything about them but the prices look okay.

3 star is basically paddling on moving water to grade 2, which anyone who has been on a river with us has done, although you need to do flatwater deep rescues and a roll (flatwater I think?):

Hi All from Andy at www.escapetoadventure.com

Here are a few course you may be interested in for the rest of 2009 and into 2010 please could you pass this on to your coaches and club members/friends

17-18th October 3 star Training (WW kayak) Peak District cost 60 pounds each

25th October 2009 3 Star Assessment (WW Kayak) Peak District 35 pounds each

31st Oct-1st Nov 2009 4 Star Training (WW Kayak) N/Wales cost 80 pounds each also Bunkhouse accommodation available at 10 quid a night ONLY 2 PLACES LEFT

28th Nov---5th Dec 2009 only 3 places left
6th Feb--13th Feb 2010
Scotland White Water Kayaking Trips. you will be based in Fort William and will sample such classics as the Spean Gorge, Roy, Etive, Orchy and such other excellent runs in the area cost only 300 pounds each INCLUDED IS free travel via minibus up from the midlands. Excellent self catering cottage in Fort William and all guiding and coaching.

If these dates or venues don't suit your needs then remember i can do a tailor made course to suit you, anywhere in the country.

Contact myself Andy Holt at the above Email or you can reach me through our website at www.escapetoadventure.com.

Cheers

Andy Holt

Steve T · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 8:22 am Post subject:

This is an example of the emails that Carl, Graham & I receive on a regular basis through the club's contact email address. There are a few each week so I generally regard them as spam and don't tend to publicise them here or forward them via email. However if anyone does want to know details of course providers we do have lots available.

This one does look interesting - the prices aren't bad and the Peak District isn't far away. From personal experience I can also recommend Calder Canoe Centre (www.caldercanoecentre.org.uk/) who I did my four-star training with in January, and have now booked my Level 2 assessment with in October. They specialise in paddling, and do general paddling, coaching and first aid courses, again at good prices, with very knowledgeable coaches and based up the road in Clitheroe (although the 4* stuff was in the Lake District).

Canolfan Tryweryn used to do good (but not cheap) courses but they only do safety training now. On the other side of the coin, without mentioning names here, Jason & I did our Level 2 training with a local provider who I would not recommend.

I would always recommend looking at professional training as there is only so much that the club's coaches can do for you. A professional coach who paddles at a high level on a regular basis can pick up things that we might not spot and will be up to date with best practice. Then you can bring some tips back to the club to share with us all. One of my best paddling experiences was the intermediate WW course at CT - two days hard paddling with a Level 5 coach who was not afraid to criticise brought a huge step change to my technique and confidence. That's when I got my old 4* but the training is worth doing for itself, don't worry too much about bits of paper.

Speak to any of the club's coaches for advice.

Steve

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