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.
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Cumbria Sea Kayak Leader training courses

CumbriaSea Kayak Leader Training

Steve has his next two Sea Kayak Leader training courses coming up on March 7th – 8th and March 22nd – 23rd in Cumbria.  We have excellent venues for this course in Cumbria with everything from 100m high vertical cliff coastline, surf beaches and strong currents to huge tidal ranges and miles of drying sand requiring careful planning and consideration.  If you are keen to develop your knowledge and understanding to make your sea kayak trips safer, then this is the course for you.  This is also the training course for anyone wishing to proceed to the Sea Kayak Leader award, though many people do the training purely for their personal benefit.

If you’d like to join a course or wish to know more about it please contact Steve on 07796 213817 or steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

All current course dates are on the website here

By |January 22nd, 2023|Sea Kayak|Comments Off on Cumbria Sea Kayak Leader training courses
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Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course, Cumbria

Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning Course Cumbria

We have our next British Canoeing Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning courses coming up on March 6th and March 21st in Cumbria.  This is a single day indoor course which is ideal for anyone going out on the sea in sea kayaks, sit on tops and SUPs as it will cover all the critical information you need to be aware of in order to safely plan your trips and to make the best possible decisions.  The CN&TP course is a prerequisite for anyone wishing to undertake the Sea Kayak Leader award.  Steve has that two day course on in the two days subsequent to the CN&TP courses.

Steve has been running this course for twenty years and has regular events throughout the year.  If you are interested in taking this course or would like to know more about it please get in touch on 07796 213817 or steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

Please check the webpage for the most up to date course dates.

By |January 22nd, 2023|Sea Kayak|Comments Off on Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course, Cumbria
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Vertical Cave Leader training, Yorkshire Dales

Vertical Cave Leader training, Yorkshire Dales

Steve has  Vertical Cave Leader training courses coming up on February 9th & 10th and 16th & 17th based in the Settle and Ingleton area.  Day one will be based indoors covering all the technical elements of the award in a manner which permits maximum active practice time for everyone.  Day two will be in a suitable cave putting it all into practice in a real environment.

If you are seeking to develop, practise or improve your caving or work towards this BCA Vertical Leader award Steve will be pleased to hear from you and happy to help.  Get in touch on 07796 213817 or steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk.

Current course dates are listed on the caving pages on the website.

By |January 22nd, 2023|Cave|Comments Off on Vertical Cave Leader training, Yorkshire Dales
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Lake District Winter Walks

Lake District Winter Mountain guiding

We awoke to blue sky and snow on the hills – ideal conditions for a quick sortie up Blencathra!  Halls Fell ridge provided an interesting ascent as the snow had hidden much of the underlying rock, meaning stiff soled winter boots were very handy indeed.  Once on the summit, we were exposed to the NW wind which provided a temperature with windchill of -14C.  Quickly wrapping up in duvets and thicker gloves we enjoyed lunch with a spectacular view before descending via Doddick Fell back to base.

Snow clad mountains and bright blue skies are alluring to many of us, though do require additional skills and knowledge to tackle safely.  Having some winter equipment is very different from being able to use it safely – for example, we regularly see people out in winter with too-long axes strapped on the back of sacks with spikes pointing into the faces of anyone behind them; or wearing crampons when they are more likely to cause a fall rather than prevent one.  Axes should generally be carried spike down and adze forwards on the side of sacks, whilst crampons are rarely needed for walking on the thin, soft and temporary snow we receive in the Lakes.

If you’re keen on venturing into Britain’s winter hills, getting some professional guidance on how to do it safely may actually save you money, as well as from calamity.  Steve has run winter mountaineering courses and skill days for many years and will be very happy to support your snowy adventures.  Get in touch for a chat about your needs: steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk and 07796 213817

By |January 16th, 2023|Keswick Guided Walks, Mountain, Winter Mountain Walking|Comments Off on Lake District Winter Walks
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Cave Leader training courses, Yorkshire Dales

Cave Leader training course

Steve has two Cave Leader training courses coming up at the end of January with one place still available on each event.  Both courses are based near Ingleton in the Western Yorkshire Dales and will be run outdoors in a practical manner throughout.  If you are looking to develop your caving qualifications this course is the normal starting point and Steve will be pleased to support you.  Get in touch if you’re keen on either of these events or if you need any later dates: steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk & 07796 213817.

January 2023 dates: 23rd & 24th; 25th & 26th

Current dates are on the website here

By |January 11th, 2023|Cave|Comments Off on Cave Leader training courses, Yorkshire Dales
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A New Year’s walk

Bleaberry Fell

Apparently endless wet, cold and windy weather over the holiday period was finally broken for a single day on January 2nd.  We grabbed the opportunity to get out and enjoyed the crisp, sunny conditions with a walk over Walla Crag and onto Bleaberry Fell and were rewarded with excellent panoramic views all round.  A great day out!

If you’d like support for any of your mountain adventures Steve will be pleased to help.  Call 07796 213817 or email on steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By |January 3rd, 2023|Environment, Keswick Guided Walks, Mountain, Winter Mountain Walking|Comments Off on A New Year’s walk
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Vertical Cave Leader assessment, Yorkshire Dales

Vertical Cave Leader assessment, Yorkshire Dales

Steve has been out running a Vertical Cave Leader Core Skills assessment this week in the Yorkshire Dales.  Candidates for this award have to complete a two day training course and gather appropriate logged experience before presenting for two separate assessment days.  The first, Core Skills, examines personal skills, equipment use, rigging for and management of group progression and dealing with any issues that arise.  The second day is an observation of the aspirant VCL leading a group in a vertical cave.  On this occasion the candidate was well prepared and did a good job of demonstrating appropriate Core Skills – well done to them!

If you are interested in furthering your Cave Leader qualifications Steve runs regular courses at both levels and will be pleased to support your progress.  He is renowned for his supportive, client centred approach and for the thorough feedback he provides.  Check the website for upcoming dates or call for a discussion and/or bespoke dates.  All assessments are on demand – call to arrange a mutually convenient date: 07796 213817 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By |December 22nd, 2022|Cave|Comments Off on Vertical Cave Leader assessment, Yorkshire Dales
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Sea Kayak Leader training, Cumbria

Sea Kayak Leader training: Cumbria

Foreboding skies and sub zero temperatures greeted us at Roa Island on Saturday for the first day of a Sea Kayak Leader training course.  Well wrapped up we headed out into the 2 knot current to practice group management and navigation in the December chill.  Steve supported the candidates to explore a range of appropriate approaches over the day with plenty of Sea Leader level challenge provided by the conditions.  Day 2 saw us at St. Bees after an overnight temperature of -8!  Fortunately, the sun shone and it crept above freezing to allow us an excellent day along this spectacular cliff coastline.  We covered appropriate equipment and boat set up, leading and managing clients on rocky shores, dealing with distant surf breaks and dumping surf, personal paddling as well as a range of incident and rescue situations.  Another fulsome day!

If you are interested in improving your sea kayaking or in working towards sea kayak qualifications, whatever your standard, Steve will be pleased to hear from you and happy to help.  Get in touch on 07796 213817 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By |December 12th, 2022|Sea Kayak|Comments Off on Sea Kayak Leader training, Cumbria
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Coastal Navigation Course in Cumbria

Coastal Navigation course

Steve ran a Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course for four aspirant Sea Kayak Leaders.  We covered appropriate weather and associated conditions in a variety of environments; tide and the gathering of tidal information to enable safe and effective planning and trips; practical trip planning and navigation methods; pilotage; buoyage and more besides.  It was a full, interesting and beneficial day for all concerned.

With the regular stream of media stories concerning people paddling on the sea having problems with conditions they weren’t aware of or expecting, this course is ideal for novice and competent paddlers alike, whatever their craft, to raise awareness and to assist with good decision making.

Steve runs the Coastal Navigation course regularly over the year and will be happy to support paddlers from all disciplines who wish to learn more so they can stay safe on the sea. The next dates are 6th March 2023 and 21st March 2023.  If you’d like to know more or book on please get in touch on 07796 213817 or steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By |December 12th, 2022|Sea Kayak|Comments Off on Coastal Navigation Course in Cumbria
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Vertical Cave Leader training Yorkshire Dales

Vertical Cave Leader training Yorkshire Dales

To complete his week-long caving bonanza Steve ran a Vertical Cave Leader training course for four cavers seeking to advance their qualifications.  Using an indoor SRT rig on day 1 to maximise the amount of activity and practice time, we covered equipment, personal SRT, rigging for personal progression, rigging for group progression and the management of any issues and incidents which may occur.  On Day 2 we went out to Bull Pot in Kingsdale where we put everything we’d covered indoors into practice in a cave environment.  An excellent and very enjoyable two days were had by all.

If you are interested in progressing your qualifications or in trying or developing your caving Steve will be happy to help.  Get in touch at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk and 07796 213817.

By |December 6th, 2022|Cave|Comments Off on Vertical Cave Leader training Yorkshire Dales
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