Blog – Page 7 – Steve Banks Outdoors

Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course

Steve ran a Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course for five sea kayakers wanting to increase their independence and safety and, for some of the group, to progress their Sea Kayak Leader awards. We covered weather and its interaction with the coast, with implications for sea kayakers; tides and tidal planning, buoyage and pilotage and then some practical planning exercises. An enjoyable and informative day was had by all.

If you would like to understand more above the marine environment so you can venture out on the sea in small craft more safely, then this is the course for you. It’s suitable for sea kayakers, sit on top paddlers and stand up paddleboarders who go out on the sea – we’ve even had wild swimmers on the course!

Steve runs this course regularly over the year and can also put on bespoke events. Check the web page for forthcoming dates or get in touch at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk and on 07796 213817.

By Steve|March 13th, 2023|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Skill Acquisition course

Steve ran his two day Skill Acquisition course this week and was able to bring the participants up to date on critical issues in learning as advised by the academic evidence.

It is, unfortunately, still the case that information provided on various coach and teacher education courses still lags significantly behind this evidence base; sometimes it is completely contradicted by the evidence. Steve works hard on his Skill Acquisition course to explain and demonstrate how an evidence based approach is more rewarding for both learners and those supporting them. It is appropriate for all teachers, coaches and learners from all backgrounds and disciplines.

If you’re interested to develop your knowledge so as to better enable your own learning, or to more effectively support the learning of others, this is the course for you. Get in touch with Steve if you’re interested on 07796 213817 or steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|March 3rd, 2023|Skill Acquisition|Comments Off

Level 2 (Vertical) Cave Leader training, Yorkshire Dales

Steve ran a further Vertical Cave Leader training course in the Dales with three competent candidates. We covered personal equipment and SRT, rigging for personal progression, rigging for group progression and the management of issues and incidents. An excellent two days was had by all.

If you are interested in furthering your personal caving or your caving qualifications Steve will be pleased to help you. He runs regular training courses for both Cave Leader and Vertical Leader. The next courses are the final week of March but it’s always possible to see the current dates by visiting the website.

Steve also provides caving training and guiding for people of all levels of experience, so if you fancy trying the dark side get in touch – no cold, wet, crawling in tight spaces needed!

Steve can be contacted on steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk and 07796 213817

By Steve|February 20th, 2023|Cave|Comments Off

Sea Kayak Leader assessment, North West England

Steve ran a Sea Kayak Leader assessment day on the Cumbrian coast for two candidates in cold and windy conditions. This was our third attempt to run the day as we had not had the required moderate water conditions on the earlier two days. The candidates dealt with these delays, kept themselves sharp and current and produced good performances – well done to both!

If you are interested in trying or improving your sea kayaking or in developing your sea kayaking qualifications, Steve will be pleased to support you. He runs personal coaching days at all levels, British Canoeing sea kayak qualifications and courses as well as sea kayaking trips – two weeks in Shetland this Summer!

Sea Kayak Leader assessments are run on demand and by arrangement at mutually convenient times for one or two candidates over a single day.

Steve can be contacted on 07796 213817 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|February 14th, 2023|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Vertical Cave Leader training, Yorkshire Dales

Steve ran a Vertical Cave Leader training course at the end of last week based in Helwith Bridge and in Bull Pot Kingsdale. We covered personal caving equipment, personal SRT, rigging for personal progression, rigging for group progression and the management of issues and incidents. We had an excellent two days.

If you’re interested in trying caving or developing for current caving either for personal benefit or to enhance your qualifications, Steve will be pleased to hear from you and happy to support you. Get in touch on 07796 213817 or steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

You can check the caving pages on Steve’s website for current and forthcoming dates for all courses and activities. The next dates for Vertical Cave Leader training are 16th-17th February 2023 and 30th-31st March 2023. The next Cave Leader training course is 27th-28th March 2023.

By Steve|February 14th, 2023|Cave|Comments Off

Skill Acquisition course

Steve is running his signature two day Skill Acquisition course on February 28th & March 1st. Skill Acquisition is Steve’s academic specialism and this course is suitable for anyone trying to develop their own skills or who is trying to assist others to develop theirs. It is an engaging classroom based course which will test and challenge current methods whilst providing an up to date academic evidence based approach to skill development and learning. Many methods currently used across all education settings are not based in evidence, in fact, the evidence can contradict current practice and beliefs. Steve’s course will seek to sort those approaches which are well supported by research from those which are based on intuition, culture, political ideology and historical practice. You’ll be able to participate fully throughout and invited to interrogate everything until you are satisfied you have the wheat separated from the educational chaff.

Have a look at Steve’s Skill Acquisition page and some of the feedback from participants and/or call for a chat to see if this course is for you: 07796 213817 & steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|January 30th, 2023|Skill Acquisition|Comments Off

Busy busy! Cave Leader training in the Yorkshire Dales

Steve was very busy last week running two back to back Cave Leader training courses in the Yorkshire Dales with five excellent candidates on each. We covered karst geography & geology, hydrology, access & conservation, relevant environmental issues, cave formation & formations, personal caving, appropriate equipment, group management and leadership (with a strong emphasis on making sure everyone has an enjoyable and positive experience), navigation underground and the Local Cave leader scheme and progressions. Steve covered all of this outdoors and in caves in a completely practical and hands on manner – a great time was had by all!

If you are interested in trying caving or developing your current level either for personal recreation or to gain professional leadership qualifications, Steve will be pleased to hear from you and happy to help: steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk and 07796 213817. He runs regular Cave Leader and Vertical Cave Leader courses – the next courses are Vertical Cave Leader courses on 9th-10th Feb and 16th-17th Feb 2023 in the Yorkshire Dales, though check the website for a full and current list of offerings.

By Steve|January 30th, 2023|Cave|Comments Off

Cumbria Sea Kayak Leader training courses

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 Steve|January 22nd, 2023|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

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 Steve|January 22nd, 2023|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

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 Steve|January 22nd, 2023|Cave|Comments Off