A number of Club members attended a two day REC first aid course run by Pete Richardson this last weekend. A good couple of days spent learning core skills and applying in the great outdoors. Many thanks to Pete for putting everyone through their paces
Category: Coaching events report Page 1 of 2
As it was such a nice night, decision made to head out to Gletness. Leaving with one of the biggest group trips of the year, working on forward paddling and staying upright was order of the day. A quick five minute break on the beach was had at Gletness after an hour paddling, then out to South Isle and across to North Isle to try and pass through the arch. Unfortunately the tide was too low, but a good twenty minutes was spent checking out the nooks and crannies of North Isle.When we got back at 10pm everyone seemed to have enjoyed themselves, even if they were a wee bit tired after their first real trip
We’re going to run an introduction to sea kayaking day covering the basics and preparing for easy trips. Further details on our facebook page
If you are interested please get in contact.
iainmacbride737@gmail.com
A great evening for a paddle saw 22 people on the water, a good mix of experienced paddlers and beginners.
Starting at the Bod of Gremistra, we went straight cross to Bressay and turning south headed to the ferry terminal. After a bit of a rest while a huge tug headed through the harbour, it was time to head across to the old manse and along to the Knab. The large cave with window just had to be visited before rounding the Knab and rock-hopping into Brewick, ending with a gentle paddle to the slip next to Fjara.
I can’t sum it up any better than Mike’s comment on facebook “…a late night but a good night in excellent company…”
Many thanks to Mat and Mike for working with the trailers, Craig for sorting shuttles, Debs and the other experienced paddlers for supervising, everyone for turning out and being an easy group to take out on the water!
With a brisk breeze blowing from the south, a trip to north seemed a good idea.
Over the first few miles the beginners encountered their first waves to surf on, gradually building the nearer we got to Scalloway.
Rafting up in Clift Sound gave an opportunity to relax for a few minutes, stretch the legs and take in the views. In spite of the growing swell, there was even a chance for a Craig to take a photo or two.
By the time we reached the bridge there were a few tired bodies glad to see the end in sight, the myth that using the waves to go fast was easy firmly dispelled. The swell dying down as we entered the harbour also give Jim the chance to chase down Mike who’d swapped the plastic Etaine for Jim’s glass version and was thoroughly enjoying himself!
And there we were, off the water, stowing boats and gear, trip finished. Just the shuttle to sort out to get folks back to their cars and kit sitting at Bridge End.
Many thanks to Jim and Matthew for towing trailers; to Mike and Craig for helping run the shuttle at the beginning of the trip; Craig for coordinating the shuttle in reverse; and everyone for getting stuck in there and sorting gear out so we could all get home.
Another nice Thursday evening out on the water, getting a little further each time. With the majority now at 1* can’t call these beginners sessions for much longer! Anyway, relatively calm meant we got to almost to Houss before swell kicked in. Shetland provided a break in the clouds and one of it’s stunning sunset which just got better and better. Many thanks to Angus and seakayakshetland.com for letting us use the photo
This week we had a stunning evening for getting out there and paddling and, after some work on emergency stops, 30 paddlers went for a paddle! Along the way we did some work on sweep strokes on the move and then back to forward paddling before a bit of a rest on the big beach at Papil. 
By the end of the evening we’d got just that bit further away from Bridge End and a lot closer to getting that 1* tick for the whole group.
Thursday proved to be nice and breezy so some of this year’s beginners took to the Canoes for their first experience of sailing, while others had a short trip to Papil. Coming back as three rafts proved fun, especially with some kind folks ‘volunteering’ to stand up.
Some brave souls even did some swimming and rescuing at the end of the sessions. From one or two comments, it was quite an experience…
Well done to everyone, see you next week
Just a reminder that this Monday sees our final session indoors and we’re moving outdoors to Bridge End on 14 May!
Mags Duncan and Steve Mackinnon from Nairn provided a great two days taking eight of us us through part one of the syllabus in not the warmest of weather. While they were up they also spent some time with Angus and Catriona working on Level 2 coaching with the help of some keen volunteers, plus a coaching update to Jim who’s one of our existing level 1 coaches .
Many thanks to both Mags and Steve for making it a really interesting and informative weekend for all those involved. Hopefully the weather will be warmer in six weeks when we do part two! And of course thanks to Angus for arranging it, and SQA for helping part- fund the training and being flexible.
…Time for eight of us to get on with our homework…