River Ure, Mickley to Sleningford in Open Boats

Sunday the 16th of November we headed up to North Yorkshire to lead a group down the rive Ure. The river was just fining down from previous rains and looked at a nice comfortable level - through my untrained eyes.

I was offered the position of leader but on this occasion I declined in preference to observe, concentrate on personal skills and to generally become more comfortable in a white water context.  

The day was a brilliant success and goals achieved, Fiona who has spent even less time than me on moving water thoroughly enjoyed the day, a really big thank you to the group for making it happen. All that aside and we even found time to make a little video - check out the grade 3 rapids at the end..

Canoeing the River Ure from Ken Oliver on Vimeo.

16 Hour REC First Aid

Second weekend in November and I travelled up to Catterick to re-sit a First Aid course. To be honest my certificate still had another year to run but thought an early re-fresh would be good.

Tim Cain is a qualified Rescue and Emergency Care (REC) Trainer, He delivers Rescue and Emergency Care 1st Aid training courses specifically tailored to people who live, work and play in the Great Outdoors. Tim is a volunteer for the Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team and this course was delivered at the SMRT purpose built rescue headquarters on Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire.

Most of us complete this training as a matter of necessity due to our leading and coaching responsibilities but it has to be said this was a very rewarding and worthwhile two days. This course goes beyond simple first aid and equips you with the skills to manage situations and incidents in the outdoor environment where a lot of us do spend a great deal of time.

One of the problems we may encounter in a rural environment is that it may be more difficult to 'get help' and the emergency services could take an awful lot longer to reach us. With this in mind we were equipped with the knowledge to make good decisions and taught the skills to manage incidents for, what could possibly be, a longer period of time.

It really is quite simple, if you enjoy and spend much time in the outdoors then this is the First Aid course to attend, don't put it off, your family and friends may be relying on you. The one thing I would really hate is to be involved in an incident and feel helpless, this course furnishes you with the skills that really could make the difference, the difference between life and death..

Scarborough to Hayburn Wyke

It was difficult to find the enthusiasm to load the car on Sunday morning, it was raining stair rods and the forecast wasn't that much better. I'm just so glad we did, on arrival in North Bay-Scarborough, the day was much brighter. Dave and Marion where having breakfast sat outside the beach front cafe and we were soon joined by Roger who had made the long journey from Lincoln.

A lovely trip, a little blustery and a small swell raised itself over the shallow scars making it more interesting, the sun was a welcome bonus too.