I took part in a beginners/improver's, paddling course last March, run by Kim Bull, a level 5 coach based in Bellingham Northumberland.
I learned a hell of a lot of very important skills, as well as gaining immeasurable confidence in what me and my boat can do together.
Anyway, that was back in March. Then Kim ran the same course again over the weekend just gone and invited me along, as a guest!
I was delighted to accept his invitation and went along to Tyne Green at Hexham on Saturday morning, and met up with the small group of paddlers.
This time I was determined to get photo's and expected just to be pootling around the group, but no! I was drawn right in amongst it again and was soon trying extra hard, to remember what I had learned earlier in the year
It was all a bit hectic for the first hour or so and my camera remained in the dry bag but it was brought out at lunch time and I captured a few shots of the canoe club getting on the water.
There were a load of different boats out, this picture was taken after about 15 kayaks had just departed up river.
Then we paddled off upstream too, practising the mornings skills and learning new ones, as we went.
We pulled out, next to the small upstream island, or some of us did anyway, and watched some of the folk we had seen earlier, practising various open boat skills:
Poling:
Canoe sailing:
and just tootling along with the dog:
We did some boat recovery and transferring from boat to boat, all excellent confidence builders but also; solid, practical skills.
Everyone, including me, finished the first day with a head full of knowledge.
Sadly, I had work on Sunday morning and Ian & Louise ( barely & rarelyafloat on SoTP) also could not make the second day but I determined to meet the remainder of the group after work, as they were to be doing some moving water skills at Prudhoe, a mere mile from my place of work!
So, I put in my dayshift, then away along the road to find the lads. I found them ferry gliding and lining, on the other side of the river, so settled down to take photo's.
They were a good 150 yds away so I was using a lot of zoom but they came out reasonably well:
the boats were zipping across the current like surf boards at times!
they did both single and double lining techniques:
With Kim keeping an ever watchful eye on proceedings:
except when it was his turn to be the guinea pig!;
Then they pulled out onto the bank for a quick debrief, before paddling back across to my side.
I've got a bit of video that I'll add later, which gives a better idea of the conditions, it was blowing a gale at times and the lads did well to make headway against the wind.
Kim doing a little "one on one" with Peter.
A tired but happy Peter, with a head full of "stuff" to take away and practice and perfect in the coming months.
This was the same for all of us who attended, even watching from the bank was a worthwhile experience.
I'm hoping to paddle again with Kim soon, possibly incorporating bushcraft skills next time.
He's an extremely able coach, making it all look easy, while at the same time making the learning a real pleasure.
Basically; He's what I would describe as a "natural" with a gift not only for the skills he teaches but also for passing them on in a very laid back but highly professional way.
I'd like to thank; Peter, Rich,Selwyn, Louise & Ian, for their splendid company and of course Kim, for his very generous invitation to join the group for the weekend as a guest.
I really did thoroughly enjoy every minute
very best wishes to all
R.B.
I learned a hell of a lot of very important skills, as well as gaining immeasurable confidence in what me and my boat can do together.
Anyway, that was back in March. Then Kim ran the same course again over the weekend just gone and invited me along, as a guest!
I was delighted to accept his invitation and went along to Tyne Green at Hexham on Saturday morning, and met up with the small group of paddlers.
This time I was determined to get photo's and expected just to be pootling around the group, but no! I was drawn right in amongst it again and was soon trying extra hard, to remember what I had learned earlier in the year
It was all a bit hectic for the first hour or so and my camera remained in the dry bag but it was brought out at lunch time and I captured a few shots of the canoe club getting on the water.
There were a load of different boats out, this picture was taken after about 15 kayaks had just departed up river.
Then we paddled off upstream too, practising the mornings skills and learning new ones, as we went.
We pulled out, next to the small upstream island, or some of us did anyway, and watched some of the folk we had seen earlier, practising various open boat skills:
Poling:
Canoe sailing:
and just tootling along with the dog:
We did some boat recovery and transferring from boat to boat, all excellent confidence builders but also; solid, practical skills.
Everyone, including me, finished the first day with a head full of knowledge.
Sadly, I had work on Sunday morning and Ian & Louise ( barely & rarelyafloat on SoTP) also could not make the second day but I determined to meet the remainder of the group after work, as they were to be doing some moving water skills at Prudhoe, a mere mile from my place of work!
So, I put in my dayshift, then away along the road to find the lads. I found them ferry gliding and lining, on the other side of the river, so settled down to take photo's.
They were a good 150 yds away so I was using a lot of zoom but they came out reasonably well:
the boats were zipping across the current like surf boards at times!
they did both single and double lining techniques:
With Kim keeping an ever watchful eye on proceedings:
except when it was his turn to be the guinea pig!;
Then they pulled out onto the bank for a quick debrief, before paddling back across to my side.
I've got a bit of video that I'll add later, which gives a better idea of the conditions, it was blowing a gale at times and the lads did well to make headway against the wind.
Kim doing a little "one on one" with Peter.
A tired but happy Peter, with a head full of "stuff" to take away and practice and perfect in the coming months.
This was the same for all of us who attended, even watching from the bank was a worthwhile experience.
I'm hoping to paddle again with Kim soon, possibly incorporating bushcraft skills next time.
He's an extremely able coach, making it all look easy, while at the same time making the learning a real pleasure.
Basically; He's what I would describe as a "natural" with a gift not only for the skills he teaches but also for passing them on in a very laid back but highly professional way.
I'd like to thank; Peter, Rich,Selwyn, Louise & Ian, for their splendid company and of course Kim, for his very generous invitation to join the group for the weekend as a guest.
I really did thoroughly enjoy every minute
very best wishes to all
R.B.
