E Company News
CCAT Open Canoe Foundation Course |
I attended an open canoe foundation course earlier this year which was based at Halton training camp in Lancashire. The course started on a Sunday evening and finished mid afternoon on the following Friday. Whilst I was there several different courses were also running such as kayak, climbing and mountain walking. My course instructor was called Iain and he was a member of the Kendal mountaineering services but helps out on various courses when he is needed. There were only 4 of us on my course, myself and 3 CCF lads and all the courses which were running whilst I was there were undersubscribed - most of the cadets were from the CCF so we definitely need to get more ACF cadets on these courses! Day 1 started with a swim test and the weather was quite good but by mid week it was very wet and windy and the waves on the lakes were so big they were coming over the side of our open canoes; on one of the days everyone had to be brought off the water for safety reasons. |
Solo paddling in an open canoe in high winds was very interesting and on one capsize I had to swim about 50 metres to get my canoe back due to the current! We spent time paddling on Lake Windermere, Coniston water, Derwentwater and the Upper Derwent River, before camping over night in Borrowdale on the Thursday evening. For the expedition we were all given some money and then taken to a local supermarket to buy our own food.I learned a lot of new paddling skills whilst at the same time having a great time and all for £35! Details of next year’s courses are all out and the cost is still £35, so if you are over 16 years old and enjoy adventure training see your detachment commander for details and get your bids in to Captain Davanna, the county AT officer. Cdt Sgt Hannah Bradbury |
