The Ed

Feed from The Ed

Broxbourne Olympic Whitewater Course

Headed down for a meeting with the guys at Lee Valley Park for a visit to the Broxbourne Olympic Whitewater Course on Monday. Interesting meeting and although we were unable to get up close to the course it was running and the early signs look good, fantastic looking building too. We'll keep you posted.

Posted by Jason Smith

21 Again!

It was my birthday on Sunday, not going to say how old I am (hurts to say it) but let's just say I'm old enough to know better but too young to slow down ; ) Anyway I got to spend my day on the sea off Anglesey and when we stopped for a lunch break at a lovely little beach I hopped out clambered up on the rocks with the rest of the group and started to unpack the butties. But my lovely wife Faye on the other hand had other ideas and before I knew it she produced a lump of flapjack with a burning candle in it, which I had to blow out while everyone sang me 'Happy Birthday'. It was a lovely moment and they didn't even use the 'Monkey' version or anything! Sitting on the rocks in the blazing sunshine with a great bunch of people, looking out towards the distant Lleyn Peninsula listening to the songs of the sea birds and the choughs on the cliffs. Now that's what I call a special day.
Big Thanks to Faye, Dave, Andy, Nicky, Josie, Gen and Sue, it was a pleasure to paddle with you

Posted by Jason Smith

Sea Kayaking at Plas y Brenin

Headed off to the PyB, The National Mountain Centre, last Friday with Faye to take part in a Discover Sea Kayaking Course for a forthcoming feature. It was also the weekend of my birthday, so I was looking forward to a few cheeky pints of PyB Bootliquor Ale too. The course was fantastic and Faye learned loads and increased her confidence on the sea no end. I've done a fair amount of sea paddling but I also learned a lot thanks to the excellent coaching of course director Dave Torrington and assistant Coach Andy. The weather was very kind to us and we spent to brilliant days exploring the east and west coasts of Anglesey. It's been a long while since I was on any coaching course and it was a real eye opener to actually be a student again. We always advise readers to get some professional coaching, but after spending a weekend with Dave at Plas y Brenin I can't endorse that enough. I'll pop a few images of our PyB adventure in the gallery as soon as I get a mo' and you can catch the full feature in issue 116 of Canoe & Kayak UK.
For more info on PyB's range of courses head to www.pyb.co.uk

Posted by Jason Smith

Racked, Cracked... Time to unpack!

Disaster has struck this morning. While putting on the last strap on the last boat before heading off to Wales the roof-rack on the CKUK wagon has finally given up the ghost. One of the timber extensions has snapped and the front passenger side foot has pulled off the roof. It's had a tough time recently with some pretty hefty sea kayak loads. It can be fixed but it's put the mockers on our boat test shoot for today. As luck would have it, it happened just in time for me to catch Ross before he set off. We've rescheduled for next week now, so it's time to unload everything that I loaded up first thing and then a trip to the hardware shop and Halfords is in order. Ah well! On the upside we do have something very exciting and exclusive out on test at the moment. Can't say anymore than that at the mo' but keep an eye on the news over the next couple of weeks.

Posted by Jason Smith

Locked & Loaded - River Boat Test here we come

Early 5am start today to load the car ready to head off to North Wales for our BIG River Running/ River Play Kayak test. Boats are nearly on, six so far, just one more to go on (taking a quick coffee/blog break). The car is stuffed with whitewater paddles and dry suits. Gear is packed, cameras stowed, batteries charged. Rossco is loaded too ready for an 9am meet in Llangollen. Is you see us on the M6 or A5 this morning give us a wave.

Posted by Jason Smith