The Scotland Explorer
A Scottish Canoe Coaching Expedition
2nd-6th October 2022
£850pp
A Scottish Canoe Expedition providing the knowledge, techniques and skills to enjoy multi-day canoe expeditions.
Working in collaboration with Leo Hoare of Getafix to create an incredible expedition where you’ll receive coaching from two of the leading canoe coaches in the UK whilst exploring some of the best canoe locations in Scotland.
Two days training in North Wales followed by five days in Scotland in October.
Spaces are limited for this five day expedition. This is to ensure you will get a full immersive experience, which means lots of one-to-one tuition, guidance and the chance to soak up skills and knowledge that will stay with you long after you get home.
Leo Hoare
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Leo for over 15 years. Leo has taught and assessed me for many of my qualifications over the years from starting out in the industry at Acorn Adventure in the Ardeche where Leo provides the technical advice.
Leo is a level 5 canoe coach and a UK canoe legend with a wealth of experience.
Leo represented Great Britain in slalom for 6 years and was ranked in the top 10 UK seniors.
Leo has been on some amazing adventures, including:
- A year living in New Zealand and Tasmania: racing, training, river running and exploring.
- 2 months unsupported sea kayaking in the Ammassalak area of S.E. Greenland in search of Gino Watkins’ grave.
- A very exciting open canoe decent of the Rio Grande in Mexico.
- Solo circumnavigation of Easter Island in a 10-year-old white water boat and kayaking many of the now classic white water rivers of Chile.
- 10 weeks of kayak safari on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe dodging (big) animals and then paddling the mighty Zambezi.
- 3 months paddling with Olly the coastline of Norway, around Nordkapp in an attempt to paddle from the UK to Russia.
Over the past 15 years Leo has led many commercial expeditions in Scotland, North Wales, Norway, Sardinia, Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Hong Kong, Philippines and most recently kayak guiding for Gene17 in the Grand Canyon.
He has contributed chapters to the BCU Canoe Kayak Handbook and the BCU Coaching Handbook, and was actively involved with the development of the new UKCC coaching awards.
Leo now runs Getafix a leading provider of British Canoeing qualifications and Advanced First Aid.
Before setting up Getafix he worked for Plas Y Brenin for 7 years and freelanced for centres country-wide providing staff training and technical direction.
Ollie Sandeman
Ollie is an advanced whitewater and advanced open water canoe coach and a provider of the British Canoeing advanced leadership awards.
Ollie has paddled extensively in Wales, Scotland and the French alps. He has paddled in New Zealand, Sweden, Italy and recently lead an expedition to Canada leading 36 students through the Alqonquin national park over 6 days.
Ollie believes it is essential for a coach to maintain active and passionate in paddling and regularly pushes his personal development paddling the Welsh whitewater and waterfalls of South Wales, taking yearly wilderness canoe expeditions to Scotland and always looking for the next challenge.
Ollie was awarded a Royal Humane Society award in 2011 for saving the life of a woman who was in danger of drowning in the river wye whilst it was in full flood in January.
Ollie is a brand ambassador for NRS
The Expedition
5 days in Scotland progressing your paddling skills on grade two and three whitewater and on open water in strong winds. We’ll be taking a thorough look at the skills and knowledge required for undertaking successful expeditions of your own.
The expedition location will be decided closer to the time so you are involved in the expedition planning and to ensure we get the best conditions available to create the perfect environment to progress your paddling whilst creating an unforgettable experiance.
We’ll take an in depth look into moderate whitewater canoe skills, trim, sailing, expedition skills, traditional skills and navigation including an evening of night navigation in some of the most spectacular locations Scotland has to offer!
Venues could be Loch Shiel circuit, Loch and River Tay, Loch and River Garry.
This week can provide you with your Whitewater and Open Water canoe leader or progressive canoe award and is a sound basis for independently building the experience and expertise associated with the advanced canoe awards.
The Details
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
This trip is for anyone who is competent undertaking journeys on grade two.
WHAT DO I NEED?
You’ll need to get yourself to North Wales for a training weekend.
You’ll need to get yourself to Fort William or a location we decide in Scotland.
A full kit list will be sent out at the point of booking.
WHATS INCLUDED?
All safety equipment
Specialist equipment- Canoes, Paddles, Buoyancy aids, Helmets, Barrels
Guiding and Coaching from Ollie Sandeman and Leo Hoare
PLEASE NOTE
Minimum age is 18 years old
We’ll have a maximum number of 6 participants on this trip.
A deposit of £150 is required at the point of booking.