Steve, Author at Steve Banks Outdoors

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 Steve|December 22nd, 2022|Cave|Comments Off

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 Steve|December 12th, 2022|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Coastal Navigation Course in Cumbria

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 Steve|December 12th, 2022|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

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 Steve|December 6th, 2022|Cave|Comments Off

CIC Update day

Steve attended a Cave Instructor Certificate holder update day in the Dales last Friday organised and run by CIC trainer/assessor Chip Rafferty. All CICs have to update at least once every three years to ensure they are current in regards to best practice, equipment and many other issues which need to be kept up to date. Following a morning of presentations from the eight CICs in attendance, we spent the afternoon coaching advanced caving techniques on an indoor rig.

Of particular interest and importance were two equipment issues raised during some of the presentations:

The updated version of Petzl’s Superavanti caving harness has been found to have webbing which can come undone from the buckles on both the legs and body. It appears the webbing is slippery enough to be able to work its way back through the buckles relatively quickly. Petzl have been made aware of this by professional cavers and responded by saying that this issue does reduce after about 8 months use and it is up to users to monitor their equipment during use.
The second issue concerned the use of friction karabiners with the Petzl Stop. Petzl’s technical notice stipulates that the friction karabiner should be attached at the top of the karabiner connecting the Stop to the harness to prevent any load on the Stop from below forcing the head of the Stop into the friction karabiner. However, we were made aware of three known instances where this approach had caused the friction karabiner to suffer a broken gate. We discussed alternatives including using a friction karabiner small enough to prevent the Stop becoming jammed in it so as to permit its attachment to the main maillion instead of the Stop karabiner – the way we used to do it. An alternative is to use the Petzl Freino karabiner which has a friction spur built in, though not everyone found these comfortable to use.

This was an interesting and informative day which highlighted the benefits of keeping up to date with critical news and information. If you are unsure about any aspect of caving or caving equipment please feel free to contact Steve who will do his best to help: steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk and 07796 213817

By Steve|December 5th, 2022|Cave|Comments Off

Cave Leader training Yorkshire Dales

Steve ran a Cave Leader training course this week using venues around Ingleborough. In perfect conditions we were able to cover all the knowledge elements of the award outdoors in a highly practical manner. We also went through personal caving requirements, group leadership & management, appropriate ropework, navigation underground and suitable equipment for group and leader. It was an excellent two days thoroughly enjoyed by all.

If you are interested in developing your caving qualifications or just in having a go at caving Steve will be pleased to hear from you and happy to help. Get in touch at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk and on 07796 213817

By Steve|November 30th, 2022|Cave|Comments Off

Vertical Caving in the Yorkshire Dales

Steve has been out vertical caving in the Yorkshire Dales this week, supporting a friend who is accumulating experience towards the CIC award. We enjoyed a trip down Rowten Pot in Kingsdale. Steve followed this up a few days later with a solo trip down Cow Pot.

If you would like to try caving either horizontally or vertically whatever your standard and experience, Steve will be happy to help and guide you as necessary. There’s no need to go into tight spaces, to crawl or to get soaking wet. While such venues do exist we can all have a much more pleasant time in dry, spacious and non-threatening caves. Give Steve a call for a chat or drop him a line: 07796 213817 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

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

Sea Kayak Leader training, Cumbria

We ran a Sea Kayak Leader training course over two days in South Cumbria last week. With two clients along to take the training and two who were attending as a refresher before assessment, a positive and beneficial two days was had by all. To add to the experience available for the trainees to tap into, Steve also invited two qualified leaders along to provide their perspective.

If you are interested in developing your knowledge and understanding of operating more safely on the sea either with peers, friends or as the leader of a group, this course will provide all you need. Contact Steve for a chat and see the website for dates. 07796 213817 & steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|November 16th, 2022|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course, Cumbria

Steve ran a Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course last week for five sea paddlers keen to expand their knowledge and to improve their ability to plan safe trips on the sea. For the first time ever sea kayakers were outnumbered by paddleboarders. Steve has adjusted the course to better accommodate this new and rapidly growing activity. As the experience range of attendees is now significantly broader he’s made the course more practical and has moved some of the interesting, though not critical, theory to the Open Water Navigation course to make space for this. Everyone was pleased with the content and coverage. Steve will continue to refine the course to provide the best possible day for all concerned.

If you are paddling on the sea in any craft this course will make you aware of many critical issues you need to consider to help you make better decisions and to stay as safe as possible during your adventures. Steve advertises regular dates for the CN&TP course and also offers the Open Water Navigation course for those interested in more exciting environments and enhanced knowledge. He’s also happy to put on bespoke dates as required. If you’re interested in either event please check the website for dates or get in touch to discuss your needs: 07796 213817 & steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|November 16th, 2022|Sea Kayak, SUP|Comments Off

Cumbria Canoeing

The warm and wet conditions have made recent river conditions ideal for canoeing. Not wanting to miss the opportunity we had a trip on the River Greta towards Keswick. The Greta is a very pretty river with consistent white water all the way to Keswick, it is a more committing excursion in both canoe and kayak requiring a significant level of paddling skill to navigate solo. It is though, possible to take less experienced paddlers on a tandem canoe journey for at least part of the way down. This provides a exciting journey through the old deciduous woodland with the opportunity for friends or family to follow and see you by walking or cycling along the often adjacent cycle path.

If you would like to try canoeing, develop your canoeing skills or just to be guided down a stretch of beautiful water, give Steve a call and he’ll do his best to assist: 07796 213817 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|October 31st, 2022|Canoe|Comments Off

STEVE BANKS OUTDOORS

About Steve

Vertical Cave Leader assessment, Yorkshire Dales

Sea Kayak Leader training, Cumbria

Coastal Navigation Course in Cumbria

Vertical Cave Leader training Yorkshire Dales

CIC Update day

Cave Leader training Yorkshire Dales

Vertical Caving in the Yorkshire Dales

Sea Kayak Leader training, Cumbria

Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course, Cumbria

Cumbria Canoeing