July
July consisted of a visit from staff and friends from Connah's Quay High School - a weekend of team building and fun! Saturday was spent kayaking on the Menai Straits.
Sunday brought heavy rain, wind and rough seas leading to a morning of sea level traversing and brighter skies in the afternoon allowing for some climbing . Thanks once again to Steff for organising the weekend.
1st Barnston Scouts - Paddlepower
The scouts have been out for 4 days in July and August completing their Paddlepower qualification, instructed by myself, Tom and Simon (through our AALA licensed company Bryn Y Mor). They seemed to come at the best time of year with lots of water about. The boys had lots of fun paddling at different venues including Llyn Padarn, Menai Straits and Llynnau Mymbyr at Capel Curig.
Sea Kayaking trips continued during this month, with a school visit and then finally family groups showing the start of the summer holidays.
24th June Open Adventure Race
An early morning (6:30am!) start at Rhoscolyn beach was seen in preparation for the 24 hour Open Adventure Race. Organising the coasteering, myself and 8 instructors set up the course on the cliffs at Rhoscolyn. A route, which had been planned and revisited on a previous nights sea kayaking trip, with Sarah, was quickly adapted due to the force 4 winds and subsequent rough seas.
Then we sat in wait for the 120 competitors who swam across the bay to meet us. 2 hours later, after a few jumps and a lot of jelly fish the competitors moved on to the start at Rhosneigr whilst Tom and I took 2 different groups out for more jumping into the sea.
An early finish meant a visit to Y Felinheli to watch the end of the sea kayaking leg of the race, organised by James from Adventure Elements.
For more information on adventure racing look at: http://www.openadventure.com/
Pembroke
July came to an end, with a visit to St David's with the Anglesey Adventure Club organised by Jamie, from Ogwen Cottage. A keen and enthusiastic group, meant lots of climbing including a trip down to Mother Carey’s Kitchen, often called Mother Scarys by experienced climbers. The group enjoyed a variety of different routes with some personal leads notched up, by the end of the week. On those more cloudier days a trip into the sea was called for, jumping in rather than jumping off. A tiring but great week, working with enthusiastic young people.
August
Started with another sea kayaking course, before I hopped on a plane to sunny Portugal.
Sarah was poised with many books ready for a long deserved rest, whilst I was sent off to entertain myself. With surf board under one arm and deep water soloing guide in the other I was happy. A week of fun, including some sea kayaking, and only the mosquito bites and hot tent which caused any problems.
Climbing and kayaking courses continued to run by Colin and Luke.
To the present day, we have just started a White Water Sea and Surf course. Today saw a visit to the Menai Straits to cover some key skills and different coaching.
