4 Star Assessment PASSED!

This weekend me (Craig) and Ant returned to North Wales for our 4 star kayak assessment, this took place with one day at the Tryweryn on the lower section and the other above JJ's on the Dee. The weather was great nice and not with cool water, which made the swimming bits even more fun. After lots of exercises, river running, leading and scenarios we both finished the course with a pass. The weekend was not only great fun but very informative and I would suggest anyone wanting similar kayak or canoe courses, checks out the course provider Andy Nobletts WEBSITE!

Me (Craig) running Bala Mill Falls Lower Tryweryn



Ant running Bala Mill Falls Lower Tryweryn



Me (Craig) body surfing on the bottom wave at JJ's

4 Star kayak training goes well!

Yesterday me (Craig) and Ant (mate and boating partner) headed down to North Wales for our 4 star kayak training on the lower Tryweryn. We headed down last night and slept in the van for an early start. As we were meeting at 9am we got up for an early Tryweryn run at 8:30 then headed to the cafe for breakfast. After the usual briefings on these courses we jumped on the water with the aim of running the Lower Tryweryn and carrying out the course. Neither me nor Ant had ever run the lower section as it never seemed worth it. But after today I realised it's not all that bad but a bit of a slog in places. As for Bala Mill Falls, over the years people have told me it's a solid rapid, however it hardly seemed worth it. But in all a great day on the water and lots of new skills learned and a fantastic pair of coaches. Andy Noblett who was taking the course is a great instructor with lots of experience and his website is well worth checking out if your interested in any kayak or canoe courses....now we wait for next week when we're off to be assessed.

Me (Craig) Playing in Chapel Falls on the Upper Tryweryn

A day on the Tryweryn....

Today it was time to get out boating, but no water up north, so all the boys head to the best and most reliable, dry day, river the Tryweryn a white water course in Bala, North Wales. I (Craig) have been to the Tryweryn many times before but never on a busy, hot Sunday which I have always tried to avoid in the past. As expected it was busy very busy, however undeterred me, Jonny, Little Tom, Big Tom, Dave, Richard and Sam all got on the water and worked some eddies, some hero moves and had great fun. A long day on the water and in the sun with a fair few runs and some new moves worked, I would say quite a successful day on the whole. This week we look forward to the possibility of rain, however we wont get our hopes up, And if not maybe more visits to the Tryweryn will be necessary over the next few weeks....

Me (Craig) Nailing the hero flair at the bottom of the grave yard section

Jonny on the lead in to Ski Jump



Little Tom powering through



Big Tom trying the rock boof



San Clegg on the Lip of the Ski Jump about to nail the boof



Me (Craig) Landing the Ski Jump

Stand Up Paddle Boards come to Lancaster!

Its been on the cards for a while now but finally the newest paddlesport craze has reached Brookbank and more importantly Lancaster store. The long awaited stand up paddle boards have arrived and Lancaster have got there share of the demo boards. So obviously as a ambassador for paddle sport I (Craig) took on the job of taking the SUP boards out for a spin. I was joined by both Little Tom and Sam Clegg and we fully demoed the boards giving them a good test run on the local play spot at Halton weir. The boards as expected were not easy to get to grips with at first however with a little perseverance and a lot of fun we managed to conquer the boards, well when I say conquer I actually mean fall off less. It is definitely a new hobby I will be keen to pursue along my already busy free time, but I can say this for sure its proper good fun and may even be the future of paddling.

Little Tom river surfing the stand up board

Me (Craig) getting to grips on my knees first

Sam going for the ferry glide



Me and one of the many falls



Little Tom about to hit the wet stuff



Sam pulls out the old school moves



Me (Craig) running the weir on the SUP



Sam demonstrating the dismount



Me and Tom try to make SUP boarding a tandem sport

Bank Holiday Opening Times

Bank Holiday Monday 3rd May 2010 - We are OPEN for business from 10am until 4pm and look forward to seeing you!

A day on the Washburn....

It has been a while since my last post due to a recent trip to Iceland, however after returning to the UK yesterday I (Craig) was keen to get straight out boating. So after hearing that the Washburn was releasing and due to the lack of other paddling options we headed over to Yorkshire. Me and Sam Clegg headed over in the van, meeting Little and Big Tom over there for a good day on the water. The guys were all in play boats but as always my loyalty lies with the trusty Dagger Nomad, which is always far more fun. Anyone who says you can't play it up in a creeker is wrong, they probably mean they can't do it! It's way more fun anyway. This week we pray for rain in the hope that some after work runs open up.

Me (Craig) Sporting the Dagger Nomad on the Washburn



Me (Craig) Playing on the Washburn



Little Tom Surfing on the Washburn



Sam Clegg in the Orbit Fish carving it up on the Washburn



Big Tom on the Washburn