Turned out nice again!

The weather has been outstanding! While looking at the home page on the website I realised that the video of the Smurfs heading off to Jackfield was shot on 2^nd October 2010, how different the weather is a year on. We headed down the Severn prepared for a cold session and were quite happy not to be freezing. Yesterday I went to Burton on Trent for a FSRT provider’s course and wearing a drysuit became more an act of endurance that the necessity it had been last October. I could have got away with sharing intimate contact with the water, but there’s probably a very good reason that the water of the Trent became famous for being turned into beer and not taken for its healing properties.

Hence today has become a rest day, much needed after spending Friday night listening to the traffic on the A38. Why do hotel chains put their buildings on industrial estates? Certainly isn’t for the benefit of their guests. Rest day means the course calendar has finally been updated and I may even make a start on the staff profiles. As for the shop prices, this may take a lot longer as I’m not yet suffering from the sort of downward spiralling geekery that motivates me to spend hours producing PayPal button scripts. Just the thought of it is a cure for insomnia, so if you’re after a bargin checkout the shop. The prices are listed still haven’t had the VAT updated on many items.

I know we’re still not as cheap as some of the outdoor superstores, but there is still a degree of ethics in our lines. We do source from UK companies (even if they choose to get the stuff made up aboard – their choice not ours) and paying a little more to the manufacturer helps pay for continuing research and development. Something that is being eroded by the big stores buying in bulk, the amount they buy means they could be stocked for up to two years and the price they pay means less funding is available for R&D. This why boat design may not be changing a fast as it was ten years ago and why designs have ceased being radical. So next time you see a cheap piece of kit at a large superstore just off the motorway – just think about what you’re buying into. As for ebay – don’t even get me started on that one!

Anyway, back to the weather. The dry spell may have seen some rivers at an all time low, but it has meant no summer floods for the first time in years and a summer season without any courses being rescheduled and no dodging day boats on the canal. It has also meant more clients out on the water and hopefully more people deciding to take up paddling as a sport.

As the long days of summer drop into the dark depths of winter the rivers will once more fill and begin to flow. When this happens expect to see us out on the water and hopefully you will feel inspired to join us!

Busy time out on the water!

When the school holidays started, activity certainly cranked up! The usual diet of BCU Star Awards were supplemented by some unusual family days on the water. Firstly congratulations to Greg and Patrick on passing their three star award. Not only did they have a rewarding day at Llangollen, but I think they may also have joined the darkside - short boats, steep waves and fast moves.

One of the family days had Ray and his family join us to celebrate his 60th birthday. This saw us taking out a mixed fleet of open canoes, kayaks with much laughter as we guided the group of 9 around Ironbridge. Such a large group of novices was a new experience for us and I'm glad we were able to make Ray's day such a success.

Another first was taking Jamie, Jed, Zak and their parents down Jackfield. Nothing new there, except I think the 8 year may now hold the record for the youngest person to paddle down Jackfield under his own steam. We've certainly never taken such a young paddler down the rapid and I don't know of any other 8 year olds who've paddled a kayak on their own down there. Please let me know if you know otherwise! From a safety point, paddling young children down simple white water works if there are enough competent staff to guide them and the child feels safe and confident. All three were in place for our trip.

This summer has also seen us take the decision not to renew our AALA Licence. This is because AALS will be wound up next year as part of government savings. To renew I would still have to pay for a full 3 year licence with no refund for the time after abolition.

"There is a fee of £715 to be paid when you submit your application – unless the fee is sent with your application, it will not be processed. You should note that the licence fee covers some of the costs of processing your application, carrying out the inspection and preparing the report that must take place before a licence is issued. It is the stated intent of Her Majesty’s Government that the adventure activities licensing regime will end at some point, and it is anticipated that licensing will remain at least until autumn 2012. You should be aware that in line with HM Treasury rules, there will be no refund of any fees paid in respect of any unexpired duration of your licence at the time the regime ends You are reminded that you must have a valid licence at any time you are providing in scope activities – it is an offence to provide activities without one ."
http://www.hse.gov.uk/aala/apply-for-a-licence.htm

The only difference not having a licence will make is that under 18s will have to be  accompanied by a responsible adult - something we have always encouraged and a situation that happens for the majority of sessions as parents usually want to paddle with their children. The lack of licence will not affect any aspect of our work as we already adopt safety standards from the BCU and the local educations authorities with whom we have close contact. Many of the standards we work to are in excess of those laid down by AALA and our staff are far more qualified and experienced than many of the centres and companies operating locally. To reiterate this point I’m going to be adding staff profiles and some detail about us to the website. I hope this will showcase the high standards we work to and help make the point that some of the cheaper activity providers do not always offer the same high standards of service.

Open boating!

After years of trying to avoid getting in open canoes, I've finally wasted a weekend getting to know them and passed my 3 star for canoe. As a confirmed kayaker I've always held the view that such boats are for beardie weirdies - well if you can't beat them.....

Despite getting some criticism of my stroke work, I did get a compliment for running ballsy lines, well no change there then! So if anyone fancies a play this week, I'll reach deep in the shed and dust off the Kaos. I may also have a shave.

Happy paddling - what ever your craft!