7th UK SGS - Turning Off The Lights

The 7th UK Storm Gathering has now come to a close, and the team are taking a well earned break.

We will keep you informed of future developments, and the next UK SGS is likely to be in 2015.

Thank you to everyone who supported the event, as well as the coaches and participants who attended.

All the best.

UKSGS Team: Mark Tozer • Helen Wilson 

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Photo Gallery - Jim Krawiecki

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7th UK SGS, 2013 - Parting Thoughts

Now that things have settled down again, and the storm has moved on, it seems timely to take the opportunity to say 'thank you' to you, the participants, who joined us in Oban.

The impression we get, from feedback received so far, is that the 7th UK Storm Gathering was a tremendous success, both on and off the water.

Kilbowie offered us a very functional base for the event with incredibly helpful staff, and Sea Kayak Oban provided us with a great deal of support, not just a retail presence.

We hope that everyone who attended the evening presentation by Erik and Sarah were as enthralled and entertained as we were.

By and large the on-water sessions appeared to go without incident, other than some cases of sea sickness and a blackend eye plus a missing paddle.

The coaches running each session where of the impression that most people had gauged their skill levels well against the event criteria we created.

With that in mind, it would be great to hear your views about what worked and what, if anything, might we do differently next time. 

Is there are coach you feels deserves particular praise? Would you like to see different session offered next time?

If you have written about the event, please do share it with us and via the various social media outlets we have available.

Also, if you have a picture that sums up the spirit of the Storm Gathering, please do consider posting it on FB or letting us publish it on the website.

The next UK Storm Gathering is likely to be held in 2015 and we are in discussions with Rob McIntyre of Sea Kayaking South West to so if we make it happen in his part of the world.

In the meantime, we really would welcome your thoughts and comments to make the 8th Storm Gathering even better.

Thank you once again, to one and all, for without folk like yourselves attending and coming with such a positive attitude events like this will struggle for success.

All the best, and we hope to see you on the water again sometime.

Cheers!

UKSGS Team: Helen Wilson • Mark Tozer • Nick Cunliffe • Matt Giblin

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Announcement: UKSGS Timetable

Friday

18.00 Evening Meal For Residents

19.00 Event Registration

Saturday

07.00 - 07.45 Yoga For Paddlers

08.00 - 08.30 Breakfast for Residents

09.00 Morning Gathering and Announcements

09.30 Sessions Begin

16.30 Sessions End

17.30 Evening Meal For Residents

19.00 Evening Presentation, Oban

Sunday

07.00 - 07.45 Yoga For Paddlers

08.00 - 08.30 Breakfast for Residents

09.00 Morning Gathering and Announcements

09.30 Sessions Begin

16.30 Sessions End

17.30 Evening Meal For Residents

Monday

07.00 - 07.45 Yoga For Paddlers

08.00 - 08.30 Breakfast for Residents

09.00 Morning Gathering and Announcements

09.30 Sessions Begin

16.30 Sessions End / Groups Depart

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Announcement: Are You Going?

Hey there everyone, we would like to encourage those of you that have enquired about the 7th UK Storm Gathering to submit their booking form before October 18 to avoid disappointment and to allow us time to put the finishing touches to the event. 

If possible, please submit forms via our event e-mail in the first instance and we would be grateful if payments could be made using bank transfer to make the administration process smoother in the time we have left before the event goes live. 

Many thanks. The UKSGS Team.

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Announcement: Guest Speaker

Who: Sea Kayak Oban and the UKSGS Team are pleased to announce that Erik Boomer will be presenting his adventures on Saturday evening, 

Where: November 9th at the Skippinish Ceiladh House. 

All proceeds raised will go to the RNLI.

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Announcement: Event Accommodation

Kilbowie Outdoor Centre is next to the Sound of Kerrera and is a mile to the south of Oban, Argyll. The centre will be our base for the main event. 

We have negotiated a three tier accommodation structure with Drhue Forbes - singl (£50p.n), twin (£45p.p.p.n) and dorm room options (£35 p.p.p.n). All include breakfast,packed lunch and dinner. 

You will need to book accommodation directly with Kilbowie.

When contacting the centre, please state clearly which option you would prefer. 

Telephone: 01631 563287 E-Mail: Kilbowie@ea.n-lanark.sch.uk

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Announcement: BCU Week - November 12 to 17

BCU Paddlesports Performance Awards are planned to run from November 12 till 17, 2013. These courses and other specialist programmes will occur when workable numbers are reached. Please check the BCU website for full syllabus details and prerequisites. These are all non-residential course and are priced accordingly.

Options include:

3* Sea Assessment - Tuesday, November 12

This will be a one day assessment covering the 3* Sea syllabus and will cost £75

4* Training - Wednesday, November 13 & Thursday, November 14

This two day course will cover the necessary syllabus elements of leadership, safety and navigation skills required before progressing to assessment. The course will cost £150.

4* Assessment - Saturday, November 16 & Sunday, November 17

This two day assessment will examine leadership, planning and incident management skills as well as personal performance as set out in the 4* Sea syllabus. Success at this level indicates that a candidate has the skills required to lead a group of competent paddlers in appropriate locations, up to moderate conditions. The course will cost £150.

5* Training - Wednesday, November 13 & Thursday, November 14

This two day course will cover the necessary syllabus elements of leadership, safety and navigation skills required before progressing to 5* Sea assessment. There will be a night navigation element. The course will cost £175.

BCU Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning - Tuesday, November 12

This one day classroom based course has been designed by the BCU for all sea kayakers who want to develop their understanding and skills in tidal planning and navigation. It is also a pre-requisite for the BCU 4* Sea Leader Award, as well as being suitable for any coastal paddler wanting tidal planning knowledge. The course will cost £75.

BCU Open Water Navigation and Tidal Planning - Tuesday, November 12

This one day classroom based course will give participants the tools needed to plan and navigate effectively on open water journeys in advanced conditions. It will increase the knowledge and awareness of the paddler and improve their seamanship. It is a pre-requisite for the BCU 5* Sea Leader Award, as well as being suitable for any ocean paddler wanting detailed tidal planning knowledge. The course will cost £75.

If you have any question, queries or wish to book a course please contact us at Greenland or Bust.

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Announcement - It's Time to Sign Up

Get in touch for your booking form & session choices - info.uksgs@gmail.com

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Announcement: Event Timetable & Sessions

Below is a guide to the sessions that will be running during the 7th UK Storm Gathering.

A full list of activity descriptions will be sent out when booking forms are requested.

Please be sure to check what level you are when making your choices.

Each day will begin with a pre-breakfast option of Yoga for Paddlers with Helen Wilson.

We plan to put on some form of social event each evening including presentations.

SATURDAY 9 NOVEMBER

ALL LEVELS                                                                                                                                                                

Core Skills: Fun, Balance, Games & Rolling            

Safety Essentials:  Boat Care and Repair.                        

Fundamental Seamanship:  Navigation            

LEVEL 1 - 2                                                                                                                                                                   

Core Skills: Effective Stroke Work

Safety Essentials: Leadership For BCU 3 – 4 Star Paddlers

Fundamental Seamanship: Sea Kayak Journey

LEVEL 2 - 3                                                                                                                                                                  

Core Skills: Intermediate Moving Water Skills

Safety Essentials: Leadership For BCU 4 – 5 Star Paddlers

Fundamental Seamanship: Sea Kayak Journey

LEVEL 3                                                                                                                                                                       

Master Class: Rough Water Boat Handling

SUNDAY 10 NOVEMBER

ALL LEVELS                                                                                                                                                               

Core Skills: Efficient Forward Paddling

Fundamental Seamanship: Navigation

Master Class: Greenland Techniques and Traditions

LEVEL 1 - 2                                                                                                                                                                  

Core Skills: Introduction to Moving Water

Safety Essentials: Incident Management

Fundamental Seamanship: Sea Kayak Journey

LEVEL 2 - 3                                                                                                                                                                 

Core Skills: Intermediate Moving Water Skills 

Core Skills: Moderate Water Boat Handling

Core Skills: Intermediate Tide Race Skills

Fundamental Seamanship: Sea Kayak Journey

MONDAY 11 NOVEMBER

ALL LEVELS                                                                                                                                                              

Core Skills: Fun, Balance, Games & Rolling

Safety Essentials: Boat Care and Repair

Master Class: Open Crossings - Tools & Tactics

LEVEL 1 - 2                                                                                                                                                                  

Core Skills: Introduction to Moving Water

Safety Essentials: Leadership For BCU 3 – 4 Star Paddlers

Fundamental Seamanship: Sea Kayak Journey

LEVEL 2 - 3                                                                                                                                                                

Core Skills: Moderate Water Boat Handling

Safety Essentials: Leadership For BCU 4 – 5 Star Paddlers

Fundamental Seamanship: Sea Kayak Journey

LEVEL 3                                                                                                                                                                      

Master Class: Rough Water Boat Handling

If you have any question, queries or concerns please contact the UKSGS Team - info.uksgs@gmail.com

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Announcement: What Level Are You?

It is important to us at UKSGS HQ that everyone has an enjoyable, comfortable and safe experience at the 7th UK Storm Gathering Symposium in Oban this year.

Of course, weather conditions will have an effect on whatever we take part in afloat, but our coaches will seek to deliver a session that aims to meet your goals and also reflects the publicised activity.

To help you make the best choices, we have set out three levels that link to the sessions we plan to run as part of the symposium. So think about your aims, your current level of experience and how much of a challenge you want during the event. Try to be realistic, as we aim to ensure that everyone finds the right activity, the right group and has the right experience at UKSGS '13.

Many paddlers may find themselves at or around the standard of ‘Level 2’ or BCU 4 Star. With this in mind, many sessions will be ‘Level 1-2’ and ‘Level 2-3’. This will allow you to choose coaching activities that will be either within your comfort zone or will stretch you somewhat. It’s your choice!

We will be asking participants to make session choices in advance and these will be advertised before we begin to take bookings from June 3rd onwards. There will be a little flexibility during the event to make changes and we will do our best to ensure that you get your first choices.

If you are not sure, get in touch - info.uksgs@gmail.com - and we will do our best to advise you. .

LEVEL 1                                                                                                                                                                        

If you are used to paddling as a member of a led group and/or have previously restricted your sea kayaking adventures to relatively calm conditions (BFT. force 2-3), consider yourself Level 1 (about BCU 3 Star personal skills). 

We will ensure that Level 1-2 sessions offer the right amount of challenge for your current experience.

LEVEL 2                                                                                                                                                                        

If you are an independent paddler in moderate conditions (BFT. force 4-5) with personal skills at or around BCU 4 Star, Level 2 sessions are aimed for you. You should be used to dealing with wind and waves as well as be able to self-rescue effectively. 

If you join a Level 1-2 session you can expect a more relaxed, comfortable experience; be prepared for rather more challenging conditions on Level 2-3 sessions.

LEVEL 3                                                                                                                                                                       

If you are used to paddling with independent groups in more challenging conditions (BFT force 5-6) and are confident in breaking waves, surf and stronger tidal streams, you’ll be looking for the more challenging sessions at the 7th UK Storm Gathering. These are suitable for paddlers working toward the 5 Star award, or those simply looking to enjoy the best conditions we can find each day. 

We aim to ensure that you get the right level of challenge, while placing the safety of the group first in our decision-making each day.

ALL LEVELS                                                                                                                                                                

These sessions can appeal to paddlers of all abilities and levels of experience. The aims are broad and inclusive and do not require specific sea conditions. 

Other sessions, such as ‘Forward Paddling Skills Clinic’ and ‘Open Crossings - Tactics & Techniques’ require a specific interest in these aspects.

Look out for our next announcement which will be the scheduled sessions and the corresponding ability levels required. 

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Announcement: 7th UK Storm Gathering Symposium

When is it? - This year's UK Storm Gathering will run from November 9 - 11 in Oban, Scotland.

What's it all about? - The idea is to bring together like minded people not quite ready to hang up their paddles for the winter and to network with others looking to take their sea kayaking to another level. There will be challenge, adventures and fun.

What's on offer? - The intention is to run a number of practical workshops and journeys covering the following themes – Safety, Skills and Seamanship. Each day will begin with the option of Yoga For Paddlers with Helen Wilson. Evening sessions will include social events with presentations from guest speakers. A number of retailers and manufacturers have been invited to allow for Q & A opportunities and demo boats.

Who is it for? - Attendance is open to anyone with intermediate sea kayaking skills or above looking for the next challenge. The ability to wrestle a walrus and eat seaguls is not necessary. Please contact the organising team - info.uksgs@gmail.com -  if you are in any questions, queries or concerns.

Where will it be? - The event will be held at Kilbowie Outdoor Centre which is situated on the edge of Oban and overlooks the Sound of Kerrera. Kilbowie will be offering three accommodation options - shared dorm, twin and single rooms. All come with dinner, breakfast and a packed lunch. Please contact the centre directly to book your bed nights.

How much will it be? - The cost of the event will be £150 for all three days or £120 for Saturday and Sunday only. We will be begin taking bookings from June 3, 2013.

What else is there? - BCU and specialist programmes will run in the week following the main event from November 12 through to November 17. You will have the chance to access various training and assessment courses as well as take private rolling classes or learn about Greenland Kayaking.

Who is organsing it? - Helen Wilson & Mark Tozer (Greenland or Bust) & Nick Cunliffe and Matt Giblin (Kayak Essentials).

If you have any question, queries or concerns please contact the UKSGS Team - info.uksgs@gmail.com

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Announcement: 7th UK Storm Gathering Symposium

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Announcement: 7th UK Storm Gathering Symposium

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