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Programme – OCA Canoefest Rally https://rally.singleblade.co.uk Open Canoe Association Symposium Sat, 25 Apr 2015 21:56:04 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.9.9 Darting Around On The Dee https://rally.singleblade.co.uk/2015/04/25/darting-around-on-the-dee/ Sat, 25 Apr 2015 21:56:04 +0000 http://canoefest.info/?p=413

On Monday 4th, the Canoefest team will be based at Llangollen Outdoors – formerly known as Mile End Mill.

Highlights will include:

Half-day coaching is available at 1:4 levels for £15 / morning (10am-1pm) or afternoon (2pm-5pm).

This is all in addition to Monday‘s “core” activities – which are as follows:

  • Independent play on the Dee at Llangollen Outdoors (AKA Mile End Mill)
  • River trip on the lower Dee – finishing in Chester – with Dan Spry and Mike Fennell
  • A jaunt over the stunning Pontcysyllte Aquaduct (Llangollen) – With Mark-Jan and Vicky Dielemans

 

 

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“Leave No Trace” with Ian Purkis https://rally.singleblade.co.uk/2015/04/25/leave-no-trace/ https://rally.singleblade.co.uk/2015/04/25/leave-no-trace/#comments Sat, 25 Apr 2015 12:50:42 +0000 http://canoefest.info/?p=381

On Saturday 2nd May we’ve got Ian Purkis offering a half-day taster of what we’re hoping to add into the regular OCA calendar as entire weekends centred on Leave No Trace training – all especially developed by canoeists, for canoeists!

This 3 hour taster-session will look at things like:

  • Site selection for camping and minimising the effects of fire
  • Limiting disturbance to wildlife and how to avoid spreading invasive species
  • Guidance on waste – human waste, food waste & litter

For more idea of what looks like becoming a distinctively British approach to Leave No Trace see The Seven Principles – or go and find Ian over the weekend!

Ian Purkis

Ian was bought up - or rather largely left to bring himself up - deep in the countryside and had an affinity with the forest deeply rooted from an early age.

From a childhood spent playing and chasing rabbits around the Sussex woods, through early working years as a woodsman, gamekeeper and deer manager to years working on conservation projects in Africa and throughout the UK he absorbed the traditions, techniques and desire to work respectfully and responsibly with this most beautiful of habitats, our forest, with the materials it can sustainably produce and with the wildlife with which we share the land.

Ian's involved with everything from The Art of Mentoring to Natural Building Courses and was the guide featured in Paul Villecourt's recent Scottish "Freedom" feature in the French lanuage Canoe and Kayak magazine.

IanP 2

At Canoefest 2015, Ian will be running Leave no Trace taster session and miniature workshops on "selecting, sharpening and using axes and knives" and introducing wooden canoes.

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    “Trad” on the Tryweryn with the Canoefest Team https://rally.singleblade.co.uk/2015/04/25/trad-on-the-tryweryn/ https://rally.singleblade.co.uk/2015/04/25/trad-on-the-tryweryn/#comments Sat, 25 Apr 2015 04:19:05 +0000 http://canoefest.info/?p=352

    On Saturday 2nd May, Matt Mandrell and others from the Canoefest team will be available to take “Trad” Boaters onto the lower Tryweryn.

    Expect quite flexible arrangements, with scope to be guided and/or coached.

    This can be independently of the C-Boating with Kelvin Horner and Friends – or mixed in with the dudes in little boats.  We’ll send a team of experienced coaches over to work out details!

    Click HERE for the booking form 🙂

    **** And Matt’ Canoefest Team entry ****

    Matt Mandrell

    Matt Mandrell is founder of Adventure 7, a canoeing and bushcraft company based on River Severn in Worcester.

    Matt's personal expedition experience and expedition leadership experience ranges from Scotland and Sweden to Nepal and New Zealand.  He's also a Level 3 Forest School Practitioner with a passion for camp cooking, and has the distinction of having been the first UKCC L3 Canoe Coach in England.

    Website: www.adventure7.co.uk

       

       

       

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      Upstream Travel with Jules Burnard https://rally.singleblade.co.uk/2015/04/16/upstream-travel/ Thu, 16 Apr 2015 15:41:13 +0000 http://canoefest.info/?p=317

      On Monday 4th May, Veteran expedition canoeist and leading coach Jules Burnard of Voyageur Canoeing will be running a full day on Upstream Travel on the River Dee (Llangollen area).

      This will NOT be a series of set-piece workshops in a short stretch of river: the idea is to travel in a meaningful manner and draw on Jules’ extensive experience of doing exactly that in a wide range of environments.

      This days should cater for a range of abilities, from strong intermediate canoeists (solo or tandem) through to leaders and coaches looking to operate in such environments.

      Click HERE for the booking form 🙂

      **** And Jules’ Canoefest Team entry ****

      Jules Burnard

      Ex-marine and adventure paddler Jules Burnard is a BCU Level 5 Canoe Coach, inland WW paddler, sea kayaker and bushcraft specialist with a passion for solo expeditions in remote locations. Amongst other roles, he's also European Chief Instructor for Rescue Training International. If we could clone him to run simultaneous workshops in all of his areas of expertise, we would!

      At Canoefest 2015, Jules will be running advanced Coastal Canoeing and river canoeing workshops.

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      Stand Up Paddleboarding https://rally.singleblade.co.uk/2015/04/16/stand-up-paddleboarding/ https://rally.singleblade.co.uk/2015/04/16/stand-up-paddleboarding/#comments Thu, 16 Apr 2015 10:39:54 +0000 http://canoefest.info/?p=263

      No-one’s going to miss Alex at Llyn Brenig on Saturday 2nd May: he’ll be the looking after this:

      **** And Alex’s Canoefest Team entry ****

      Manzo Alejandro Cordero

      How do you introduce Manzo Alejandro Cordero?  He's an ACA certified maestro in / on whatever floats... and a dive master & cave diver when he sinks. Oh - and he's got rescue-instructor certifications for everything from "high angle wizardry" through "Swiftwater" to scary sounding stuff linked to plunging the deeps.

      First and foremost though, Alex is Stand Up Paddleboard ambassador.  He's paddled professionally for manufacturers, pioneered training, organised festivals and helped expand SUP to both sea / surf and wild water river environments - and aside from coming along to meet us, he's a bring us a monster of a SUP!

      You can see him guiding it here:

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        “Mythbusting” and “Does Leadership Exist” with Dave Kohn-Hollins https://rally.singleblade.co.uk/2015/04/16/mythbusting/ https://rally.singleblade.co.uk/2015/04/16/mythbusting/#comments Thu, 16 Apr 2015 08:50:45 +0000 http://canoefest.info/?p=257

        Over the Bank Holiday weekend, Dave Kohn-Hollins of will be offering two workshops we’d like to develop into regularly-offered Open Canoe Association modules – and if you sign up to these you get a chance to shape what develops!

        On Sunday 3rd Dave’s offering:

        Mythbusting in Safety and Rescue

        A subject where fact and opinion are often confused with each other, Safety and Rescue is a vital area of the sport. Dave helps you differentiate between solid fact and overblown guff, shooting sacred cows with abandon along the way.

        On Monday 4th, Dave’s offering:

        Does Leadership Exist – a conundrum

        Dave-Hollins asks the question and challenges your perception of river leadership, giving you food for thought and new tools on the way.
        Click HERE for the booking form 🙂

        **** And Dave’s Canoefest Team entry ****

        Dave Kohn-Hollins

        Dave has lived and paddled all over the UK but now calls North Wales home. He started paddling when he was at school and began coaching whilst at University. He has worked coaching and guiding all over the UK, Europe and in Chile.

        Starting from his first paddling trip abroad in Spain, Dave developed a passion for travel and exploration. His travels have so far taken in all of the great European white water destinations as well as trips to Chile, Argentina and New Zealand and expeditions to Colombia and Tajikistan.

        When not working or off on expedition, Dave also coaches as a volunteer for Colwyn Bay Canoe Club and competes in white water extreme races as part of Team Pyranha.

        Afon Cynfal - North Wales (2015) from Shaun Hazell on Vimeo.

        At Canoefest 2015, Dave will be offering “Mythbusting” and “Does Leadership Exist” workshops.

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          Canoe Sailing with the Open Canoe Sailing Group https://rally.singleblade.co.uk/2015/04/16/canoe-sailing/ https://rally.singleblade.co.uk/2015/04/16/canoe-sailing/#comments Thu, 16 Apr 2015 08:35:47 +0000 http://canoefest.info/?p=255

          Over the weekend of 2nd-3rd May Canoefest 2015 has a base on Lynn Brenig – a great place to harness the wind!

          Advice and guidance will be available all weekend for those on the Core Programme – and Sunday afternoon we’ve got an intensive workshop – available on the booking form.

          If you’re an experienced canoe sailor you might also be interested in joining one of two tours:

          • Sunday 3rd April on the Conwy (into the estuary)
          • Monday 4th April on the Dee (Chester)

          Those interested in coastal adventure sailing may also be interested in a few of the coastal canoeing courses:

          Queries to bookings@canoefest.info – and ASAP if you have specific interests!

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          Lightweight Tripping with Hammocks for Trad boaters and C-Boaters with Mat Howes https://rally.singleblade.co.uk/2015/04/16/hammock-tripping/ https://rally.singleblade.co.uk/2015/04/16/hammock-tripping/#comments Thu, 16 Apr 2015 08:33:48 +0000 http://canoefest.info/?p=253

          Just because it’s 16′ long does not mean you need to pack the kitchen sink!!!

          Come and join Mat Howes, the owner of UKhammocks and lead guide of the Jungle Outfitters Borneo Expeditions for an insight into lightweight kit selections, the use of hammocks and camping technique.

          Lightweight doesn’t have to mean uncomfortable!

          We will cover gear packing, equipment selection, site selection and camp setup. All in beautiful settings of lakes and rivers.  Not only will a lightweight approach benefit your paddling ability when conditions demand your attention but portages will be a breeze!

          **** And Matt’s Canoefest Team entry ****

          Mat Howes

          Nickname: The Minnow (this was a while ago - I try not to swim so much these days)

          Hometown: York, England (UK)

          Current City: Tidworth, England (UK)

          Favourite Paddle: AB Edge Canoe Paddle

          Favourite Paddling Location: Upper Fium Orbo- Corsica

          Biography: OC1 WW is my life! Seriously ask my wife…. The hit of running “Extreme White water” in an open Canoe is like no other, each move harder than the last due to water in your boat and just being cooler than any kayaker on the water

          Accomplishments/Experience: OC1 Descents of Allt a Chaorainn(UK), Upper Fium Orbo(Fr), Travo(Fr), Ger(Fr) Big Brush Cr(USA) Cane Crk (USA) and many more… OC1 5*WW Leader. Full Gnarlz Paddler

          Supported by: Aquabound, Astral, FallLine Canoes

          When I’m not pushing the limits of an open Canoe I’m usually found guiding expeditions into Borneo or teaching hammock camping and advanced campcraft around the world.

          Website(s):

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            Advanced Solo Canoe with Greg Spencer and/or Matt Blackwell https://rally.singleblade.co.uk/2015/04/16/advanced-solo/ https://rally.singleblade.co.uk/2015/04/16/advanced-solo/#comments Thu, 16 Apr 2015 08:06:30 +0000 http://canoefest.info/?p=249

            Advanced Solo Canoe means different things to different people… but in a few hours on Llyn Brenig, this session will focus on what one small part means – or could come to mean – to each participant.

            This introduction to American Canoe Association (ACA) ‘Freestyle’ will utilise modern solo canoes to inspire and nurture enthusiasm for subtlety, finesse and ‘feel’.  Participants will explore what is involved in helping paddlers find their own, distinctive approach to connectivity and power transfer.

            The workshop will also introduce strategies to make the most of this subtlety, finesse and feel in in the context of meaningful trips and journeys.

            Click HERE for the booking form 🙂

            **** And Greg’s Canoefest Team entry ****

            Greg Spencer

            Chairman and Rally Coordinator

            Greg is Chairman of the OCA and works near enough full-time to promote independent adventure, exploration, journeying and self-development.  He is a British Canoeing Coach and an American Canoe Association (ACA) Coach and has coached throughout Europe and in North America. In quiet moments he serves as Head Coach of his local Canoe and Rowing Club, as Area Coaching Representative for British Canoeing, as a member of the Yorkshire Regional Development Team, as the UK Representative of the ACA (see Symposium) and as Membership Secretary for the Open Canoe Sailing Group.

            • Email Greg Spencer

            **** And Matt’s Canoefest Team entry ****

            Matt Blackwell

            Matt is Head Coach at Wokingham Waterside Centre.

            Following early days in racing, Matt has worked his way through the disciplines - and he's now one of a very few coaches who are truly comfortable in anything from a high-kneeling sprint boat to a specialist WW canoe. He's already a 5* trained and Moderate Water Endorsed UKCC L2 Canoe Coach.

            Oh - and he's 5* WW and MWE in k***k - and he's an aspirant UKCC L3 WW K***k Coach!

            Matt Blackwell 3

            At Canoefest 2015 he will be working with Greg Spencer on the Advanced Solo Canoe programme and working as part of the Canoefest team to deliver coaching on the Dee at Llangollen.

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              Natural Navigation, Foraging, Bushcraft and Wilderness Skills! https://rally.singleblade.co.uk/2015/04/16/original-outdoors/ https://rally.singleblade.co.uk/2015/04/16/original-outdoors/#comments Thu, 16 Apr 2015 07:03:04 +0000 http://canoefest.info/?p=239

              For Canoefest 2015, Richard Prideaux of Original Outdoors is offering a wide range of bonus sessions linked to canoe culture:

              On Friday 1st May Richard will offer:

              Tracking – animals and people!

              This condensed session will be based on Richard’s full day of tracking and will cover techniques and methods used by professional and experienced trackers across the globe.  Expect bits from a list including:

              • Introduction to spotting and interpreting sign
              • Sign and shape recognition
              • Footprint and gait analysis
              • Wildlife ID
              • Tracking tools
              • Recording and annotating tracks
              • Efficient tracking techniques
              • SAR tracking

              On Saturday 2nd May OCA Member get to join an all day Foraging workshop at a special Canoefest rate.

              On the morning of Sunday 3rd May we move on to:

              Natural Navigation & Wilderness Skills

              This will be a condensed version of one of Richard’s usual Natural Navigation course.  It is suitable for any outdoor enthusiast, including walkers, sailors, bushcrafters, mountain bikers, kayakers and pretty much everybody else.
              Rather than using a map and compass as the main method of finding your way across the landscape we look at ancient navigation techniques, the relationship between the movement of the earth, sun and stars and how we can use this, the landscape, and the weather to plot a route across the landscape.

              On the Sunday afternoon Richard moves on to:

              Afternoon – Bushcraft – Firelighting – Tarpology – Edged Tools

              This will take elements from Richard’s Bushcraft Basics Course – tailored to suit those signed up.  Core skills will be developed, and by the end of the day you will have extended skills widely regarded as being at the heart of canoe culture.

              On Monday 4th May we offer a specially arranged:

              Canoefest 2015 day of Foraging, Wild Food Gathering in the forests @ Rhewl.

              This will be again be based around Richard’s standard Foraging Course – though at a fraction of the usual cost!

              Click HERE for the booking form 🙂

              **** And Richard’s Canoefest Team entry ****

              Richard Prideaux

              As a qualified Mountain Leader, Richard has worked all over the U.K. as a freelance expedition and challenge leader on challenges such as the National Three Peaks or the Coast to Coast. As well as challenge events and expeditions Richard works in outdoor personal development He is an experienced navigation and leadership instructor, and is involved in the training of Mountain Rescue and Search and Rescue personnel across the country.

              At Canoefest 2015, Richard will be running on-site and off-site workshops on Natural Navigation (without map and compass, using natural clues and signs), Foraging and Wild Foods, Tracking (animals and human) and General Bushcraft/Wilderness Skills.

                 

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