Part of my work involves me periodically inspecting our Personal Fall Protection Equipment (PFPE) and other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This type of PPE is class 3. That means it helps minimise the risk of mortal injury due to falls. It is essential that it is inspected regularly. We have ropes, harnesses, carabiners and other …
A canoe restoration project, amazing! There is an opportunity to acquire a rather dilapidated canoe, for free, and the plan is to restore it to it’s former glory. My experience of DIY and the use of fibreglass etc., is non-existent but I hope to learn as I go. It’s an Old Town Discovery 158 and …
Those of you that know me well will know I am a bit of a fanatic about water. I’m always near it, on it, or in it and I am very passionate about other people getting a chance to experience the same. I was taught to swim from an early age and I consider it …
My employer, the University of Worcester, holds a 24 Hour Charity Challenge every two years. Due to COVID-19 it could not take place last year. So we were extra delighted to help make it a success this time around. In aid of Cure Leukaemia, teams from across all areas of the university competed in several …
My work is not often about the calm outdoors. My focus is usually on the excitement and risk and my videos tend to reflect that. However, the outdoors has much more to offer. The healing and calming benefits of being in the outdoors are undisputed. Much research in to mental health and wellbeing shows that …
Would you like to join me on a relaxing river trip? One of my roles is that of a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) powerboat instructor. This time though I was taking our boat out solo to provide escort to some canoeists. Our short journey was from Upon-Upon-Severn in Worcestershire, to Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire. I wanted …
I have been working toward my British Canoeing Coach Award for some time. I should have completed it in early 2020, but the pandemic put a stop to that. Last week, after several delays, I finally achieved success. The Coach Award (formerly known as UKCC Level 2) allows me to move on from just facilitating …
I am looking at planting some wildflower seeds at work to create a bee and butterfly friendly space. Beebombs have the ideal solution. I read a scary statistic, that 97% of native British wildflower habitat has been lost since the second world war. These habitats are vital to the survival of both bees and butterflies …
I have the best job in the world. I realise that is quite a claim, but as far as I am concerned it is true. I work in outdoor education which means that I essentially get paid to play. My employer is a university and so I get to work with adults and children from …
If, like me, you paddle a canoe on a regular basis, at some point you’ll want to purchase your own paddle. But because I spent my hard earned money, I want to keep it in good condition. For a while at least. A common problem is that the paddle can scrape along the gunwale, causing …
