Steve, Author at Steve Banks Outdoors

About Steve

Steve has a background in recreational and competitive outdoor activities, combined with 30+ years of academic and professional training. This positions him uniquely within the ranks of UK outdoor activity providers. His extensive practical experience in all the major outdoor activities is underpinned by a specialist understanding of the theory behind the practice – it’s a rare combination. This guarantees an expert and personalised approach as well as a commitment to supporting everyone to realise their adventure sports ambitions.

Sea Kayak trip to Skye

Many thanks to everyone who came on the sea kayak trip to the Isle of Skye last week; we had a fantastic week in a wide range of environments and locations: Macleod’s Maidens, Loch Coruisk and the huge cliffs of Dunvegan Head were all highlights. The wildlife also obliged and we had many sightings of sea eagles (flying, perching and feeding), peregrines, shoals of fish, lots of jelly fish species (lions mane jelly in photo) and amazing bioluminescent creatures – which I initially thought to be lightbulb sea squirts but now think may be comb jellies. Thanks are due also to Syrus and Matt at Kinloch campsite in Dunvegan for looking after us so well and for coping with our last minute rearrangements and requests to ensure everything operated within the updated Covid-19 rules. Next up we have Advanced Sea Leader courses on Seil and Sea Leader training and assessment in Cumbria. Next year’s sea kayak trips are set to include a two week trip to Shetland (in June most likely), along with some other weeks away in amazing places. Keep an eye on the sea kayak trip page for updates or get in touch for a chat about these fantastic adventures.

By Steve|September 20th, 2020|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Sea Kayak trip to Arran

Trips and courses have now tentatively resumed with a really successful sea kayak week on Arran. Despite everything from horizontal rain storms to hot sunshine we had great days out paddling from Lamlash, Whitefarland, Lochranza and Sannox – thanks to everyone who came on the trip. We were well looked after by Elaine at Middleton’s campsite in Lamlash and it was good to catch up with Ian and David from Arran Outdoors while we were there – the adjacent photo is by David Lydon who spotted us paddling by Marvin Elliott’s seal in Corrie. The old Clyde paddle steamship Waverley came past us into Lamlash Bay which was a great sight though, unfortunately, it later ran into the pier in Brodick denting the bow and causing quite a commotion. The next adventure is a sea kayak trip to Skye starting on the 14th September followed by Advanced Sea Kayak Leader training and assessment courses on Seil at the end of the month, so we’re hoping for fabulous weather and no midges – we can dream!

By Steve|September 6th, 2020|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Keswick Guided Walks

We have set up Keswick Guided Walks as a new website to specifically cater for anyone interested in personalised guided walking and scrambling, summer and winter. We’re also offering natural history and environmental walks to draw on Steve’s expertise in these areas. Navigation training and practice, campcraft, equipment and all other mountain skills are available. Whilst the activities are centred on Keswick, Steve is more than happy to consider specific requests for support further afield. He also offers via ferrata trips in the Italian Dolomites.

If you would like our support and guidance for your mountain adventures please contact Steve at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk or call 07796 213817. He’ll be pleased to hear from you and will do his best to help.

By Steve|August 22nd, 2020|Keswick Guided Walks, Mountain|Comments Off

Website feedback

Many thanks indeed to everyone who has written in with comments and suggestions on the new website – we received over 50 responses! We are very pleased that the vast majority of comments were so positive: the main themes being clarity of site, ease of navigation and good to look at with lots of attractive images. Thank you also for the thoughtful suggestions we received: we considered all of them carefully and have acted on those we feel have an impact on website interest and usability for our key customer groups. Please do let us know if you have further thoughts and ideas to help us make the site better.

By Steve|June 27th, 2020|Website|Comments Off

Welcome to my new website

With the advent of Covid 19 everything has been put on hold. We have cancelled or postponed all our provision until such time as the health situation is clearer. Currently, the first scheduled activity will be a sea kayak trip to Scotland commencing on August 31st for five days. We should be able to run this whilst maintaining appropriate physical distancing to minimise any risks.

We may consider certain types of coaching, training and guiding depending on the circumstances before then, so please do get in touch if there’s anything you have in mind.

Whilst no practical delivery is happening we are not sitting idly: as well as doing plenty of cycling to keep fit, we have invested time in updating the old website. It’s not finalised yet but please have a look around and let us know what you think at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|May 26th, 2020|Website|Comments Off