Kayaking
In 2005, at the age of 20, I decided to learn to kayak so that I could take my local scout group kayaking on the local pond. I figured the best (read quickest and safest) way to learn was to recruit a teacher - so I contacted the Teasdale and Weardale Search and Rescue Team as understood that they had kayakers. John Little invited me along to a series of flat water sessions which he was running for his Scout Group and a few weeks later I achieved my Two Star Award; funny how people help you out.
Upon returning to The University of Manchester, I joined the Canoe Club where I moved onto white water; learning how to negotiate rapids, rescue people on moving water and generally having lots of fun. The following summer I went to the Alps for my first foreign kayaking trip across France, Austria and Switzerland with a brief venture into Germany.
By 2006, I qualified as a British Canoe Union Level 2 coach and was now qualified to take scouts kayaking on that local pond. After graduating from university in 2007, I was asked to help organise the water activities for an international jamboree which celebrated the centenary of the first scout camp; Jamboree 2008. For this event, I organised a training course with Ken Hughes (no relation) to take ten adults with no prior experience through the UKCC Level 1 Coach qualification. This qualification enabled those adults to deliver flat water kayaking sessions.
In 2008, I pursued my own coaching further and achieved the BCU Level 3 White Water Kayak qualification. This enabled me to take groups on moving water rivers - since then I've taken Scout groups on several expeditions to Scotland and the Lake District.
Qualifications
- 4 Star Inland Kayak
- 2 Star Open Boat (Solo)
- Level 3 Kayak Coach
- Canoe Safety Test
- White Water Safety and Rescue award
