Steve, Author at Steve Banks Outdoors

Sea Kayak Leader assessment Cumbria

Steve ran a British Canoeing Sea Kayak Leader assessment day in excellent conditions from Barrow in Furness yesterday. Warm and sunny sea and weather were spiced up with 2 knot currents on a spring tide, force 4 winds and significant sea conditions on the South end of Walney island. We were also entertained by the seals which came to investigate us, nudging our boats and surfing beside us.

If you need support with your Sea Kayak qualifications and training or would just like to try sea kayaking or develop your existing skills Steve will delighted to help. Just call on 07796 213817 or email steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|July 2nd, 2022|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Jurassic Fossil Hunt

Steve took a day off from running a sea kayak trip on the Dorset coast to go on a fossil hunting walk among the Jurassic rocks of this world heritage site. Starting at Lyme Regis we soon found ourselves with plenty to look at including giant ammonites, corals and crinoids. The Jurassic period lasted from approximately 200 to 145 million years ago and followed the mass extinction at the end of the Triassic period. The sedimentary rocks along England’s south coast have captured and fossilised the remains of the abundance of creatures as they fell to the sea bed and were covered in silt. The rock this later formed and which was raised by tectonic movement, has provided a palaeontologist’s delight charting the recovery of marine life following this 4th extinction event. This was most likely caused by an increase in atmospheric CO2 over an 18 million year period as a result of much increased volcanic activity; it contrasts markedly with the current, incredibly rapid rise in CO2 which is driving the present human-induced climate emergency and 6th mass extinction.

By Steve|June 29th, 2022|Environment, Keswick Guided Walks|Comments Off

Jurassic Sea Kayaking

Steve followed up an excellent week’s paddling in Jersey with a sea kayaking week on the Jurassic coast of Dorset. A World Heritage Site famed for its spectacular limestone & chalk cliffs and abundant marine fossils, this coastline promised to provide an exciting and interesting summer venue. We were not disappointed and enjoyed some great paddles including from Kimmeridge Bay to Chapman’s Pool, around Old Harry’s Rocks and westwards from Lulworth Cove taking in Durdle Door and the huge and dazzling white cliffs beyond. We also took a day to visit Lyme Regis and had a chance to go fossil hunting on the shore – we came across many surprisingly large specimens with ammonites well to the fore.

If you are keen to develop your sea kayaking knowledge and skills Steve will be pleased to help you. If you fancy coming along on a trip, next summer’s venue will be at the opposite end of the country in Shetland, though Steve may well put on an autumn trip too. Call on 07796 213817 or email at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|June 28th, 2022|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Jersey Sea Kayak trip

Steve has just run a week-long sea kayak trip to Jersey. This was quite a change from the trips to the West and North of Scotland he usually runs at this time of year. Everyone enjoyed the warm sunny weather and the almost Mediterranean feel to this most southerly part of the British Isles (it reached 32C on the final day!). Jersey is not, however, entirely benign, as it sits off the French coast and is subject to the powerful tidal flows which ebb and flow through the English Channel, meaning there are tide races and potentially challenging seas off every headland. Steve planned trips to take advantage of the flow and to avoid difficult conditions, though without removing the adventure from the days. Highlights included seeing sunfish off the Grève de Lecq coast; surfing in the Noirmont race; rounding Corbière in ‘interesting’ seas and the final evening BBQ.

If you are keen on extending your sea kayaking or enjoying a sea kayaking trip somewhere new, please check the Sea Kayak section on the website or get in touch with Steve, he’ll be delighted to hear from you and will do his best to help: 07796 213817 & steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|June 28th, 2022|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Cave Leader assessment, Scotland

Steve ran a BCA Cave Leader assessment in Assynt last weekend. Assynt has the most developed caving area in Scotland and provides some interesting and unusual caving compared to other parts of the UK. We visited several venues and the candidate was able to provide interesting and stimulating trips for all concerned.

If you’d like support with your caving qualifications or would just like to give caving a go, please get in touch and we’ll do our best to help: steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk & 07796 213817

By Steve|May 24th, 2022|Cave|Comments Off

Scottish Canoe trip

Steve ran his annual canoe trip in NW Scotland last week. Some mixed weather enabled us to use our full repertoire of canoeing skills on this multi-day, wild camping journey. We had several excellent canoe sailing elements, both solo and tandem paddling, poling and also some tracking up gentle, but shallow, rivers. The wildlife was excellent with regular sightings of black throated divers and golden eagles, though the highlight was when an osprey flew over the camp whilst circling and hunting for fish. All this whilst surrounded by stunning Torridonian mountains and not a person in sight anywhere – fabulous!

If you would like to try canoeing or develop your canoeing skills Steve will be pleased to assist. If you’re interested in a canoe trip home or abroad please call to chat to us as we have several exciting trips and can also provide bespoke ones to fit your needs: steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk & 07796 213817

By Steve|May 21st, 2022|Canoe|Comments Off

British Caving Association Cave Leader update workshop in Scotland

Steve ran a BCA update workshop in Scotland recently. Scotland is not somewhere which springs to mind when thinking about caving, but it does have some areas of Cambrian limestone which provide some small but interesting venues. Assynt has the most developed cave network in Scotland and it was here that Steve ran an update day for Vertical Cave Leaders. An excellent day was had in Rana Hole (Rana after rana temporaria, the common frog) covering, practising and updating all the elements of the award.

If you would like to try caving or develop your caving awards – or even join us on a spectacular caving trip abroad, please get in touch and we’ll do our best to help: 07796 213817 & steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|May 16th, 2022|Cave|Comments Off

Sea Leader assessment, Cumbria

Steve was out on the Cumbrian coast again yesterday in his National Trainer role for British Canoeing: aspirant trainer/assessors for British Canoeing’s various leadership awards have to follow a process to become qualified to run courses. Yesterday was an observation of a Sea Kayak Leader assessment and, in excellent conditions for the award, all went well.

If you’re interested in any British Canoeing qualifications, get in touch with Steve who runs personal performance and leadership courses at moderate and advanced level in sea kayak, canoe and white water kayak. 07796 213817 & steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|May 13th, 2022|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Lakeland Mountain days

Steve has been out in the mountains the past two weekends at opposite ends of the Lake District. He took a mother and her son, seeking a more adventurous walk, up Blencathra via Doddick Fell in thick mist with rapidly descending temperatures – we even had to break out the group shelter at lunchtime! His more recent walk was a family outing from Coniston to Goat Water, Dow Crag, Brim Fell and Coniston Old Man in much more temperate conditions. Two great days out. The image shows Coniston Old Man over Goat Water from Dow Crag.

If you’d like Steve’s support for your mountain adventures he’ll be very pleased to help. Get in touch on 07796 213817 or steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|May 10th, 2022|Keswick Guided Walks, Mountain|Comments Off

Barrow Sea Kayaking

Steve ran two days of sea kayak training for leaders from RAF Cadets. We had two varied days: firstly paddling at St Bees focusing on personal paddling and managing rocky shores and surf on beaches (we also had spectacular birdlife on the cliffs) and, on day two at Barrow, an emphasis on tidal and estuarine environments, planning, navigation, buoyage and leading. It was a very enjoyable and informative two days enjoyed by all involved.

If you’d like support to develop or practise your sea kayaking – or even just have a go for the first time, Steve will be very pleased to help you. Please call to discuss your needs on 07796 213817 or email steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|May 7th, 2022|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

STEVE BANKS OUTDOORS

About Steve

Sea Kayak Leader assessment Cumbria

Jurassic Fossil Hunt

Jurassic Sea Kayaking

Jersey Sea Kayak trip

Cave Leader assessment, Scotland

Scottish Canoe trip

British Caving Association Cave Leader update workshop in Scotland

Sea Leader assessment, Cumbria

Lakeland Mountain days

Barrow Sea Kayaking