Wednesday, December 04, 2013
Wednesday, November 06, 2013
Tuesday, October 01, 2013
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
DVD Release: Yoga For Outdoor People
Yoga For Outdoor People With Helen Wilson and Mark Tozer is now available for purchase through the Greenland or Bust website.
This is a multi-level yoga DVD specifically designed for rollers, kayakers, climbers and other outdoor people and sells for $29.95 to USA residents and for $34.95 to residents outside of the USA.
The DVD contains three yoga sequences. Two are full-length, and one is a standing-only mini workout. They are multi-level, with both modifications and variations shown. There is also a breakdown section, which includes detailed breakdowns of some of the poses that require a little more explanation.
You can read Helen's thoughts about how the DVD came out in her weekly blog.
You can read Helen's thoughts about how the DVD came out in her weekly blog.
Here is the trailer which was prepared for us by Bryant Burkhardt, who also filmed the DVD.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
UKSGS: BCU Week - November 12 to 17
BCU Paddlesports Performance Awards are planned to run from November 12 till 17, 2013 after the 7th UK Storm Gathering. These courses and other specialist programmes will occur when workable numbers are reached. Please check the BCU website for full syllabus details and prerequisites. These are all non-residential course and are priced accordingly.
Options include:
3* Sea Assessment - Tuesday, November 12
This will be a one day assessment covering the 3* Sea syllabus and will cost £75
4* Training - Wednesday, November 13 & Thursday, November 14
This two day course will cover the necessary syllabus elements of leadership, safety and navigation skills required before progressing to assessment. The course will cost £150.
4* Assessment - Saturday, November 16 & Sunday, November 17
This two day assessment will examine leadership, planning and incident management skills as well as personal performance as set out in the 4* Sea syllabus. Success at this level indicates that a candidate has the skills required to lead a group of competent paddlers in appropriate locations, up to moderate conditions. The course will cost £150.
5* Training - Wednesday, November 13 & Thursday, November 14
This two day course will cover the necessary syllabus elements of leadership, safety and navigation skills required before progressing to 5* Sea assessment. There will be a night navigation element. The course will cost £175.
5* Assessment - Saturday, November 16 & Sunday, November 17
This two day assessment will examine leadership, planning and incident management skills as well as personal performance as set out in the 5* Sea syllabus. Success at this level indicates that a candidate has the skills required to lead a group of competent paddlers in advanced conditions. There will be a night navigation element and a written paper. The course will cost £175.
BCU Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning - Tuesday, November 12
This one day classroom based course has been designed by the BCU for all sea kayakers who want to develop their understanding and skills in tidal planning and navigation. It is also a pre-requisite for the BCU 4* Sea Leader Award, as well as being suitable for any coastal paddler wanting tidal planning knowledge. The course will cost £75.
This one day classroom based course will give participants the tools needed to plan and navigate effectively on open water journeys in advanced conditions. It will increase the knowledge and awareness of the paddler and improve their seamanship. It is a pre-requisite for the BCU 5* Sea Leader Award, as well as being suitable for any ocean paddler wanting detailed tidal planning knowledge. The course will cost £75.
If you have any question, queries or wish to book a course please contact us at Greenland or Bust.
Wednesday, September 04, 2013
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
UKSGS: What Level Are You?
Of course, weather conditions will have an effect on whatever we take part in afloat, but our coaches will seek to deliver a session that aims to meet your goals and also reflects the publicised activity.
To help you make the best choices, we have set out three levels that link to the sessions we plan to run as part of the symposium. So think about your aims, your current level of experience and how much of a challenge you want during the event. Try to be realistic, as we aim to ensure that everyone finds the right activity, the right group and has the right experience at UKSGS '13.
Many paddlers may find themselves at or around the standard of ‘Level 2’ or BCU 4 Star. With this in mind, many sessions will be ‘Level 1-2’ and ‘Level 2-3’. This will allow you to choose coaching activities that will be either within your comfort zone or will stretch you somewhat. It’s your choice!
We will be asking participants to make session choices in advance and these will be advertised before we begin to take bookings from June 3rd onwards. There will be a little flexibility during the event to make changes and we will do our best to ensure that you get your first choices.
If you are not sure, get in touch - info.uksgs@gmail.com - and we will do our best to advise you. .
LEVEL 1
If you are used to paddling as a member of a led group and/or have previously restricted your sea kayaking adventures to relatively calm conditions (BFT. force 2-3), consider yourself Level 1 (about BCU 3 Star personal skills).
If you are used to paddling as a member of a led group and/or have previously restricted your sea kayaking adventures to relatively calm conditions (BFT. force 2-3), consider yourself Level 1 (about BCU 3 Star personal skills).
We will ensure that Level 1-2 sessions offer the right amount of challenge for your current experience.
LEVEL 2
LEVEL 2
If you are an independent paddler in moderate conditions (BFT. force 4-5) with personal skills at or around BCU 4 Star, Level 2 sessions are aimed for you. You should be used to dealing with wind and waves as well as be able to self-rescue effectively.
If you join a Level 1-2 session you can expect a more relaxed, comfortable experience; be prepared for rather more challenging conditions on Level 2-3 sessions.
LEVEL 3
LEVEL 3
If you are used to paddling with independent groups in more challenging conditions (BFT force 5-6) and are confident in breaking waves, surf and stronger tidal streams, you’ll be looking for the more challenging sessions at the 7th UK Storm Gathering. These are suitable for paddlers working toward the 5 Star award, or those simply looking to enjoy the best conditions we can find each day.
We aim to ensure that you get the right level of challenge, while placing the safety of the group first in our decision-making each day.
ALL LEVELS
ALL LEVELS
These sessions can appeal to paddlers of all abilities and levels of experience. The aims are broad and inclusive and do not require specific sea conditions.
Other sessions, such as ‘Forward Paddling Skills Clinic’ and ‘Open Crossings - Tactics & Techniques’ require a specific interest in these aspects.
Look out for our next announcement which will be the scheduled sessions and the corresponding ability levels required.
Wednesday, August 07, 2013
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
UKSGS: Event Timetable & Sessions
Below is a guide to the sessions that will be running during the 7th UK Storm Gathering.
A full list of activity descriptions will be sent out when booking forms are requested.
Please be sure to check what level you are when making your choices.
Each day will begin with a pre-breakfast option of Yoga for Paddlers with Helen Wilson.
We plan to put on some form of social event each evening including presentations.
SATURDAY 9 NOVEMBER
ALL LEVELS
Core Skills: Fun, Balance, Games & Rolling
LEVEL 2 - 3
Safety Essentials: Leadership For BCU 4 – 5 Star Paddlers
Fundamental Seamanship: Sea Kayak Journey
Master Class: Rough Water Boat Handling
Core Skills: Efficient Forward Paddling
Fundamental Seamanship: Navigation
Master Class: Greenland Techniques and Traditions
LEVEL 1 - 2
Core Skills: Introduction to Moving Water
Safety Essentials: Incident Management
Fundamental Seamanship: Sea Kayak Journey
Core Skills: Moderate Water Boat Handling
Core Skills: Intermediate Tide Race Skills
Fundamental Seamanship: Sea Kayak Journey
Fundamental Seamanship: Sea Kayak Journey
LEVEL 3
Master Class: Rough Water Boat Handling
SUNDAY 10 NOVEMBER
ALL LEVELS
Core Skills: Efficient Forward Paddling
Fundamental Seamanship: Navigation
Master Class: Greenland Techniques and Traditions
LEVEL 1 - 2
Core Skills: Introduction to Moving Water
Safety Essentials: Incident Management
Fundamental Seamanship: Sea Kayak Journey
LEVEL 2 - 3
Core Skills: Intermediate Moving Water Skills
Core Skills: Moderate Water Boat Handling
Core Skills: Intermediate Tide Race Skills
Fundamental Seamanship: Sea Kayak Journey
MONDAY 11 NOVEMBER
Safety Essentials: Boat Care and Repair
Master Class: Open Crossings - Tools & Tactics
LEVEL 1 - 2
LEVEL 1 - 2
Core Skills: Introduction to Moving Water
Safety Essentials: Leadership For BCU 3 – 4 Star Paddlers
Fundamental Seamanship: Sea Kayak Journey
Safety Essentials: Leadership For BCU 3 – 4 Star Paddlers
Fundamental Seamanship: Sea Kayak Journey
LEVEL 2 - 3
Safety Essentials: Leadership For BCU 4 – 5 Star Paddlers
Fundamental Seamanship: Sea Kayak Journey
LEVEL 3
Master Class: Rough Water Boat Handling
If you have any question, queries or concerns please contact the UKSGS Team - info.uksgs@gmail.com
Wednesday, July 03, 2013
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
7th UK Storm Gathering - It's Time To Sign Up!
Get in touch for your booking form & session choices - info.uksgs@gmail.com
Wednesday, June 05, 2013
Wednesday, May 01, 2013
Wednesday, April 03, 2013
Wednesday, March 06, 2013
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Surviving Alone in Alaska
Heimo Korth is the last man standing in 19 million acres of Alaskan wilderness. His neighbors are polar bears and caribous. Say good bye to civilization and see how they do it in the arctic circle on the last frontier in America.
In 1980, Jimmy Carter established the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in the Alaskan Interior, cutting off 19 million acres of prime boreal wilderness from the mitts of fur trappers, oil tycoons, and would-be lodge owners alike. Only six families of white settlers were grandfathered in and allowed to keep cabins in the refuge—of them, only one still stays there year-round living off the land. His name is Heimo Korth, and he is basically the Omega Man of Americas Final Frontier.
Wednesday, February 06, 2013
Thursday, January 31, 2013
BCU Course: 5 Star Sea Assessment
We offer a number of BCU training and assessment courses across the UK, US and Europe. Please visit our Events page to see when classes you can join in on might be running. These programmes are also available on demand for groups of friends and clubs so get in touch to discuss dates. Here is one such course we provide - 5 Star Sea Assessment.
Location: Various
Description: This two-day discipline specific assessment is designed to show that a successful candidate has the appropriate level of skill to safely lead a group of paddlers on challenging journeys in advanced tidal waters and dynamic weather conditions typified by the Climate of the British Isles. This award is intended for paddlers who journey on the sea in areas where tidal races, headlands, open crossings, swell and overfalls will be encountered.
Achieving the award demonstrates that a candidate is competent to judge the conditions and the standard of the group to make appropriate decisions on the water as part of a planned route, while showing an understanding of the need to modify plans when required. The assessment will be against criteria set out in the BCU 5 Star Sea syllabus and will examine the following areas:
Personal Paddling Skills
• Launching and landing
• Efficient forward paddling
• Effective manoeuvring and boat control
• Navigation on the water and in poor visibility
• A range of self-rescues
• Rolling in rough water
Rescue Skills
• Application of appropriate rescue skills
• Different towing methods
Safety, Leadership and Group Skills
• Leadership, judgement and decision making processes
• Safety awareness and risk management
• Group care and management tactics
• Paddler welfare and community building
• Ability to handle a range of incidents
Theory
• Equipment
• Safety (includes coastguard and rescue services)
• Weather
• Hypothermia/ First aid
• Access
• Planning
• Group awareness and management
• Navigation
• General (and historical)
• Leadership responsibilities
• Water features/hazards
Prerequisites: Endorsed LR form; BCU 4 Star Sea; BCU 5 Sea Star training (or equivalent evidence); BCU Open Water Navigation and Tidal Planning (or equivalent course); a valid first-aid award (minimum 16 hours); 25 days logged experience in 3 different sea areas.
BCU Information: For syllabus details, visit the BCU website.
Contact: For more information, course fees or to register, e-mail: info@greenlandorbust.org.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
BCU Course: 5 Star Sea Training
We offer a number of BCU training and assessment courses across the UK, US and Europe. Please visit our Events page to see when classes you can join in on might be running. These programmes are also available on demand for groups of friends and clubs so get in touch to discuss dates. Here is one such course we provide - 5 Star Sea Training.
Location: Various
Description: This two-day training course will cover the necessary elements of leadership, group safety and seamanship skills, as well as developing personal performance as set out in the BCU 5 Star Sea syllabus. This award is intended for paddlers who journey and lead others on the sea in areas where tidal races, headlands, open crossings, swell and challenging coastlines will be encountered. Completion of the training course will lead to a personalised action plan in preparation for the BCU 5 Star assessment. The course will cover:
Personal Paddling Skills
• Launching and landing
• Efficient forward paddling
• Effective manoeuvring and boat control
• Navigation on the water and in poor visibility
• A range of self-rescues
• Rolling in rough water
Rescue Skills
• Application of appropriate rescue skills
• Different towing methods
Safety, Leadership and Group Skills
• Application of leadership principles
• Leadership strategies, judgement and decision making
• Safety awareness and risk management
• Group control and management tactics
• Paddler welfare and community building
• Incident management
Theory
• Equipment
• Safety (includes coastguard and rescue services)
• Weather
• Hypothermia/ First aid
• Access
• Planning
• Group awareness and management
• Navigation
• General (and historical)
• Leadership responsibilities
• Water features/hazards
Prerequisites: BCU 4 Star Award or the 'old' Level 3 Sea Award.
BCU Information: For syllabus details, visit the BCU website.
Contact: For more information, course fees or to register, e-mail: info@greenlandorbust.org.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
BCU Course: 4 Star Sea Assessment
We offer a number of BCU training and assessment courses across the UK, US and Europe. Please visit our Events page to see when classes you can join in on might be running. These programmes are also available on demand for groups of friends and clubs so get in touch to discuss dates. Here is one such course we provide - 4 Star Sea Assessment.
Location: Various
Description: This two-day discipline specific assessment is designed to show that a successful candidate has the appropriate level of skill to safely lead competent paddlers on coastal journeys in moderate water conditions.
Achieving the award demonstrates that a candidate is competent to judge the conditions and the standard of the group to make appropriate decisions on the water as part of a planned route, while showing an understanding of the need to modify plans when required. The assessment will be against criteria set out in the BCU 4 Star Sea syllabus and will cover the following areas:
Personal Paddling Skills
• Lifting, carrying and launching/landing
• Efficient and effective sea paddling skills
• Forward paddling
• Reversing and stopping
• Maintaining direction
• Changing direction
• Moving sideways
• Support strokes
• Rolling
• Practical navigation
Rescue Skills, Safety, Leadership and Group Management
• Boat and shore based safety and rescue skills
• Incident management and first aid in the 4 star environment
• Being an effective team leader and team member in rescues/incidents
• Application of leadership
• Leadership strategies, judgement and decision making
• Safety awareness and risk management
• Group control and management
• Equipment
Theory
• Safety (includes coastguard and rescue services)
• Weather
• Hypothermia/first aid
• Access
• Planning
• Group awareness and management
• Navigation
• Etiquette (includes collision regulations and signals)
• General (and historical)
• Leadership responsibilities
• Water features/hazards
Prerequisites: Be 16 or over; endorsed LR form; BCU 3 Star Sea; BCU 4 Sea Star training (or equivalent evidence); BCU Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning (or equivalent course); a recognised first-aid award (minimum 16 hours); 10 days logged experience.
BCU Information: For syllabus details, visit the BCU website.
Contact: For more information, course fees or to register, e-mail: info@greenlandorbust.org.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
BCU Course: 4 Star Sea Training
We offer a number of BCU training and assessment courses across the UK, US and Europe. Please visit our Events page to see when classes you can join in on might be running. These programmes are also available on demand for groups of friends and clubs so get in touch to discuss dates. Here is one such course we provide - 4 Star Sea Training.
Location: Various
Description: This two-day training course will cover the necessary elements of leadership, group safety and seamanship skills, as well as developing personal performance as set out in the BCU 4 Star Sea syllabus. Completion of the training course will lead to a personalised action plan in preparation for the BCU 4 Star assessment. The course will cover:
Personal Paddling Skills
• Lifting, carrying and launching/landing
• Efficient and effective sea paddling skills
• Forward paddling
• Reversing and stopping
• Maintaining direction
• Changing direction
• Moving sideways
• Support strokes
• Rolling
• Practical navigation
Rescue Skills, Safety, Leadership and Group Management
• Boat and shore based safety and rescue skills
• Incident management and first aid in the 4 star environment
• Being an effective team leader and team member in rescues/incidents
• Application of leadership
• Leadership strategies, judgement and decision making
• Safety awareness and risk management
• Group control and management
• Equipment
Theory
• Safety (includes coastguard and rescue services)
• Weather
• Hypothermia/first aid
• Access
• Planning
• Group awareness and management
• Navigation
• Etiquette (includes collision regulations and signals)
• General (and historical)
• Leadership responsibilities
• Water features/hazards
Prerequisites: Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning. Be of 3 Star Sea Standard.
BCU Information: For syllabus details, visit the BCU website.
Contact: For more information, course fees or to register, e-mail: info@greenlandorbust.org.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
BCU Course: 3 Star Sea Assessment
We offer a number of BCU training and assessment courses across the UK, US and Europe. Please visit our Events page to see when classes you can join in on might be running. These programmes are also available on demand for groups of friends and clubs so get in touch to discuss dates. Here is one such course we provide - 3 Star Sea Assessment.
Location: Various
Description: This one day discipline specific test is designed to show that a successful candidate has the appropriate level of skill to paddle safely in moderate water conditions on coastal journeys, and they may consider themselves an intermediate sea kayaker. They can do this in a competent manner as part of a led group and have the knowledge and ability to help the smooth running of a trip in this environment. The assessment will be against criteria set out in the BCU 3 Star Sea syllabus and will cover the following:
Personal Paddling Skills
• Lifting, carrying and launching/landing
• Efficient forward paddling
• Reverse paddling, stopping
• Maintaining direction
• Changing direction
• Moving sideways
• Supporting
• Rolling
• Securing
Rescue Skills
• Deep-water rescue
• Contact tows and use of tow line
• Eskimo rescue (self rescue sit on top)
Safety, Leadership and Group Skills
• Personal risk management
• Awareness of others
• Paddle as part of a led group
Theory
• Equipment
• Sea safety
• Weather
• Hypothermia/First Aid
• Access
• Environment
• Planning
• Group awareness
• General knowledge
• Navigation
Prerequisites: BCU 2 Star Award, or equivalent
Contact: For more information, course fees or to register, e-mail: info@greenlandorbust.org.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
BCU Course: 3 Star Sea Training
Description: This two training day course will address all the necessary elements of boat handling, group safety and seamanship skills, as well as developing personal performance, as set out in the BCU 3 Star Sea syllabus. Completion of the training course will lead to a personalized action plan in preparation for the BCU 3 Star Sea assessment. The course will cover:
Personal Paddling Skills
• Lifting, carrying and launching/landing
• Efficient forward paddling
• Reverse paddling, stopping
• Maintaining direction
• Changing direction
• Moving sideways
• Supporting
• Rolling
• Securing
Rescue Skills
• Deep-water rescue
• Contact tows and use of tow line
• Eskimo rescue (self rescue sit on top)
Safety, Leadership and Group Skills
• Personal risk management
• Awareness of others
• Paddle as part of a led group
Theory
Theory
• Equipment
• Sea safety
• Weather
• Hypothermia/First Aid
• Access
• Environment
• Planning
• Group awareness
• General knowledge
• Navigation
Prerequisites: BCU 2 Star Award, or equivalent
Contact: For more information, course fees or to register, e-mail: info@greenlandorbust.org.
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