Gold D of E Canoe training Hike
Ben Hall & Michael Wells
During hikes a group of willing lower sixth departed on the first stage of their gold Duke of Edinburgh training. This comprised of the group first heading off to Darley Abbey near Derby to do some initial skills, especially capsizing drills. As most people will agree the water was slightly below the temperature of the Atlantic sea, and spending a large amount of time in this we became rather chilly. This made it even more important to get our rescue drills right in case there was an emergency.
That evening we travelled up to north Wales, just south of Conwy. This enabled us to paddle along the river located near to the bunk barn we were staying in. This day seemed much longer but luckily there was no need for our rescue drills to be put into practice. On the last day we travelled back towards school, stopping off near Chester to meander down the River Dee. This again consolidated our strokes and other such skills that we will need to carry forward onto our expedition.
Huge thanks to Mr Sellar for providing us with his vast knowledge and expertise; in canoeing and everything else outdoors, thank you also to Mr Wilson for his support both in and out of the water.