Pool session.

Just another small video from the pool session.

Yesterday was a pool session at the Bowhill pool. I made a short video of Ray and myself doing a T-rescue. As well as the rescue we also practiced rolling, re-entry rolls, split paddle rolls and bracing. The pool is to small to do much turning but its good to do these things in the warm.

Kari-tek demo day.

Yesterday I went over to Fairlie on the Clyde, Geoff and Ann Turner of Kari-tek were having a demo day. I spent the morning playing with a Rockpool GT, fantastic kayak but what a price! Oh well one day maybe. In the afternoon went over to Millport on Great Cumbrae.
The snowy hills of the Isle of Aran from Fairlie.

The Rushes.

Here is the uncut, unedited video I made yesterday on Loch Etive. Unfortunately my little 2GB card only had room for 1 minute 45 seconds worth of footage. It was shot on my 6 mega pixel compact camera mounted on a tabletop stand held under my deck elastics.

As you might be able to see it was a misty and very cold day but dead flat calm.

First paddle of the new year.

Last weekend Ray and I went over to the west coast to paddle on the fjord like Lochs Long and Goil. Contrary to news reports we found the roads well cleared and gritted. We had to stop after ten minutes of paddling as we were to hot and had to strip off a layer of thermals. There was no wind and in the sun really nice. It did turn very cold once the sun went down though.

It's quite windy this weekend so I've not ventured out. Instead I've been researching my family tree. So far I've traced most of my mothers family back to the early 1800's; next I'll try my farthers side.

White Christmas.

I'm just not into all this christmas stuff. So as I normally do I went for a long walk in the hills.
The view over the Forth valley from the Ochil hills.

Ben Lawers and the Crianlarich hills from Ben Ever.

The old man of the mountains.

I saw four hardy souls all day, it was great.

UKCC Level one coach.

After thinking about it and talking about it far far to long I finally went away and did it. Over the last two weekends I've been preoccupied with power transfer, posture, connectivity and feel: the fundamentals of paddling. Along with IDEAS, introduction, demonstration, explanation, activity and summary. Both weekends were pritty full on and with a heavy workload in between I'm feeling totally worn out. The main thing is I passed and I'm now a UKCC level 1 coach, "wow wee" I hear you all shout, all I need now is someone to coach.

Andy showing us all a bow draw I think.