March Activities

With the mixed weather we had during March, it wasn't the best for outdoor activities.  Much of the time was spent indoor climbing at Dart Rock Climbing Centre at Buckfastleigh.  This is a fantastic venue to come and try climbing, or to train on the harder routes over the winter months, suiting both beginners and experts alike.  On the drier days some superb bouldering was had down at the local cove, as well as a fantastic sea paddle from Salcombe to Start Point and back to Lannacombe.

Sea Kayaking

February 13th saw the acquisition of a Tiderace Xcite hardcore Sea Kayak from Waterborne Porthleven in Cornwall.  That same afternoon it was put through its paces in some rough and windy conditions in Torbay, plus a half hour of surfing at Broadsands Beach.  The performance was phenomenal, and it handled the conditions superbly.

The following day it was paddled from Brixham to Kingswear in a rather speedy 2hrs 20mins, including stops for food and photos!  The Xcite covered the distance with ease, and paddled so well in the choppy and swelly conditions that control of the boat didn't need thinking about! Fantastic!  Plans for some sea kayak expeditions are now underway.  Watch this space!

White Water Course '09

The Pure Liquid Kayaking 'Introduction to WhiteWater' course went really well this winter season, with the paddlers rapidly progressing to run the 'Loop' section of the River Dart by day four out of six.  Considering some of the paddlers had never been on a river before, and had only started paddling in summer '09, that is a considerable achievement.  In fact, the two paddlers pictured here on the last day of the course, (Rob and Andy) had done so well that they were able to get their BCU Three Star Training signed off too.  Bonus!  Well done guys!  And yes, it was a bit chilly that day, but that didn't stop them running the 'Loop', including boofing the 'Washing Machine', and eddy-hopping down Triple Drop!  Awesome!

BCU 4 Star Open Canoe Leader Assessment

Most of November was spent paddling the River Dart in the Open Canoe in preparation for the Four Star Open Canoe Leader assessment on 11/12/13-12-09.  

Along side this, the Pure Liquid Kayaking 'Introduction to White Water course' was also running every Saturday, with the students rapidly progressing to paddle the 'Loop' by week four.  Result!  

Thankfully the Open Canoe 4* assessment was passed after a thoroughly enjoyable few days with Gary Peverill, Andy Davie, and the other candidates.  Fantastic weekend, thanks everyone!  

Walking Group Leader Assessment

Passed on 26th October after three days of Walking on Dartmoor with John Diplock and Gavin from 'Spirit of Adventure'.  Pretty heavy navigation sessions were the order of the day, including a mammoth night navigation exercise in patchy fog, with only brief periods of marginal moonlight to aid the poor visibility.  To be honest, it was like pea soup.  Anyway, we all made it to the allocated points and returned back with a full team.  Bonus! 

A great three days was had with a really good bunch of people.  I thoroughly enjoyed their company, and as assessments go it was fantastic.

Introduction to White Water Course

Pure Liquid Kayaking is running a six-week Introduction to White Water kayaking course this winter, starting on the last Saturday in October.  We will be based on the classic grade two sections of the River Dart in the South West of England.  The course is open to those who have completed their BCU 2* Award, or who have attended an improvers kayak course with Ibex Canoe Club, Brixham.  River fundamentals, core skills, along with safety and rescue will be covered during the course, providing the students with the necessary knowledge and skills to journey in their own small groups on the river.

SPA Climbing Assessment

SPA Climbing Assessment passed on weekend of 10/11th October.  A great couple of days spent with John Diplock of Spirit of Adventure and the other candidates at Sheeps Tor and The Dewerstone, despite the mixed weather.

On some of the better days during September and October we managed to get out and do some superb Deep Water Soloing at Berry Head, Brixham.  

Magical Mystery Tour, Rainbow Bridge and White Rhino Buttress were some of the favourites!