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2 star Course Exeter

Last week saw a great of days of 2 star kayak and canoe training , been a while and I loved the two days with the guys . a small video of the final days grand event !!
cheers everyone for a great course

Select w1 paddles

For the past few years I have been using the w1's from Select a french made kayak paddle . Fire it up have supported me with paddles and here are my thoughts on the paddles. http://www.fire-it-up.co.uk/

The blade shape allows for fast directional changes on easy to hard water , a very sensitive blade feedback area transfers feel to the fantastic shape of the shaft grip, this locks the paddle in your hand when pulling on the blade. great for most make moves. I also have the 3 way splits that i use when guiding with clients, there are so popular that i have to stop the clients forgetting there paddle on purpose.there is a slight flex in the shaft and this allows any shock to be taken out before it transmits to your shoulders. they come in small ,medium and large blade shapes so far i have tested the small and medium blades and looking forward to playing with the large blades, straight and neutral bent shafts also available. A good paddle for anyone that wants quality with price to match.

TEVA

This winter Teva will be supporting Darren Joy from fluidskills we are looking forward to using such a great brand and loving the new styles of shoes.

Watch this space for pictures and reviews

Summer paddling and sunshine 2011

We the summer closes with a Great trip to Austria for our grade 3+ course , below are lots of pictures but more can be found on the gallery page here - Gallery

If you would like more information on the French Alp ,Pyrenees or Austria please get in touch today for 2012 trips

Information about Alpine courses

Information about Alpine courses

For your time with us we supply the following equipment:
Pyranha Burns
Kayak paddles
PFD
Helmet
Dry tops
Spray decks
Throw lines

We do not supply the following:
Foot wear
Thermals
Sleeping bag for accommodation
Food
Transport to France
Personal health insurance

Climate
The summer temperatures can go to over 40°c in the day but we are at around 1000m so occasionally the weather can turn
a little cool. The early mornings in particular in late May early June can be a little fresh. Summer heat can bring on quite
violent thunderstorms. Bearing this in mind it may be prudent to bring more than shorts, tee shirt and sandals – ideally
long lightweight trousers, a couple of fleeces and a waterproof top and trainers. 4
a good quality 3- season sleeping bag will make your sleep more enjoyable. There are plenty of supermarkets, restaurants, bars and
garages. If you do forget a couple of items its no big deal. There is also a pharmacist, clinic and hospital close by.

List of useful things to bring
• Keep your valuables with you at all times, or lock them away securely.
• Don’t forget your E111 also take out travel and accident insurance.
• A small first aid kit is use full as well as any special medicine for yourself or your family.
• Insect repellent and after bite - the area where we are located is not troubled by summer midges; however on
warm summer evenings we do some times get a couple of mosquitoes. If you cover up a little and use a little spray there is no problem.

• A good head torch for night reading
• Mobile phone service is excellent.
• We also have a wireless connection.
• We are at high altitude so there is a high percentage of UV and the sun is very intense. Your UK skin could be
quite sensitive so use good sun protection.
• Because it can be very warm it is very important to drink plenty of water.
• Again because of the sun and altitude very good quality sunnies are recommended.
• Good book, ipod, cameras etc

St-Pierre-de-Boeuf May 17th 2011 Kayak training

Today was spent at St-Pierre-de-boeuf , this is a man made site using the River Rhone. Great for every level of kayaking.Today was a confidence building day and skills.
warm water and sun all day made for a great 6 hours of boating
for weekend trips full board cont me today! this is a great venue for any budding Kayaker to learn the Strokes and enjoy the sunshine.the cost of 6 Euros per person and everything from a grade 3 site you would want. Great day with great people. Thanks all.

Staff training with Adventure Ardeche

May has had myself in the Ardeche for a week with the training and Technical Advice with Adventure Ardeche, lots of open canoe and kayak skills training and descents of the full 37 km of gorge, A great place for schools groups to experience paddle sports in a safe and warm environment.For details of Adventure Ardeche and the trips that they run contact them for more.

Uk Progressive Kayak Course

In February I had the pleasure of 4 great guys on the upper Dart for two days of coaching on advanced white water , we looked at lines and skill based movement with some great results.
Using the Tactical side of paddling The clients left with more structure and confidence. We Also run these in the French Alps which is far warmer!

Thanks to Dave ,Dan,Dan and Joe for the two days of fun

AWWSR Course Winter 2011

Braving the Cold Tom Parker and Myself Ran a Advanced white water and safety course on the River Dart and River Erme.the 4 Clients that we had had a great time playing with ropes and up to date rescue techniques.Lots of swimming and advanced rescue situations. For more AWWSR courses look here and also at the 5 star package courses we offer - http://www.fluidskills.com/dates.html for the very best in training and coaching get in touch today. here are photos form the last course.

Level 1 coach Course Poole Dorset

In February, I ran a level 1 UKCC course for Harbor Challenge outdoor center, as the weather turn against us on Brown sea island where the scout movement started. we relocated to Poole park for sunshine and swans for the rest of the week of the course. with Tom Parker and Matt Blue the course was always going to be fun and the students got so much from the 5 days.
here are some photos of the course, more photos on the album section of the website here - http://gallery.me.com/fluidskills#gallery

Open Canoe White water awards

The new 3 star and 4/5 star white water leadership Open canoe awards.

3 star open canoe is a prerequisite for the new Level 2 UKCC coach assessment and we offer this course using the River Dart and other South west rivers. we supply the open canoes and equipment required for the award. it is a Fun weekend of flat water stroke work and open water techniques and a white water day of grade 2 white water. with extras of tradition skills like poling and lining and tracking. here are some pictures of clients of 3 and 4 star courses that we have run.

for dates of courses - http://www.fluidskills.com/dates.html

we also run training for centers and clubs - contact me today - www.fluidskills.com

UKCC Coaching Courses

Darren joy at Fluidskills is proud to be offering the new BCU coaching awards as well as the old favorites. The world of paddle sports is changing how coaching qualifications work and Fluidskills are now offering the new level one coach,level 2 Coach training and assessment awards. The new awards are both kayak and canoe to allow cross-transferable skills of coaching at the right levels. We have Dates here for courses that you may need -http://www.fluidskills.com/dates.html

We have now run over 100 of these courses all over the UK and Europe for Clubs and outdoor centers for the staff training. Contact me today to get a quote for your school or college course or your own group.We also run courses that you can book onto as an individual.
We have all the equipment of the open canoes and kayaks as well as the safety equipment that you will need to be on or have a course run at your location.
For more about our courses that we can run look here for more - http://www.fluidskills.com/courses.html

Darren Joy joins Team Pyranha

Darren Joy now is supported by Pyranha kayaks and Fluidskills has a range of team boats for clients to use. more here http://www.pyranha.com/team_coaches.php?paddler=Darren%20Joy

New for 2011 Austria Classics

After so many years of great trips to the French Alps we are now offering a new 8 day adventure package to explore the classics of Austria and Switzerland on the following date 5th -12th August 2011 - For more and booking - http://www.fluidskills.com/austria.html

We offer Airport and train station shuttles From Innsbruck. The classic course is a great chance to develop your river running on some of the best Alpine white water in Europe. Accommodation will be bed and breakfast at Area 47 an amazing place for any outdoor person ,with two nights camping in Switzerland

You can bring your kayak with you or use one of our Pyranha kayaks. We can also supply all of the safety clothing that you will require with your time with us but also we are happy for you to bring your own.You will need to supply your own thermals,footwear and sleeping bag.

Advised Travel Routes:

1. Ryanair flight from London Stanstead to Salzburg. Train from Salzburg to Landeck. Hotel shuttle from Landeck and Slatzburgh.

2. Flight from UK to Innsbruck. Hotel shuttle from Innsbruck.

3. 12 hrs Drive after a Dover – Calais Ferry.

French Alps Accommodation 2011

The courses we run in the French Alps have great accommodation.

We are situated in the Haute-Alpes (05), close to the Durance Valley between Briançon and Embrun. Guillestre is a small but vibrant mountain village with all the necessary cafes, restaurants and commerce within walking distance of the chalet. The village sits between the 4000m Massif Des Ecrins, and the mountainous Ubaye and Queyras regions that form the border between France and Italy. The surrounding areas offer a wealth of opportunities to meet everyones´ needs; from those who seek excitement and adventure, to those who just want to relax and enjoy the ambiance.
With mountains, rivers and lakes; historic places and towns all easily accessible from Guilleste. It is the year round holiday destination for everyone.

We have a new apartment just one minute walk down the road from our chalet. It's on the ground floor and can sleep up to eight people.
There are three bedrooms, each with two single beds. These beds can be moved together to make double bed's; and there's a double sofa bed in the living area.
The kitchen is equipped with a four burner hob, full sized oven, fridge and dishwasher; with a washing machine in the bathroom.

The bathroom has a shower and toilet; and there's a separate toilet as well.
for more information - http://www.alpineaccomodation.com

Whats new for 2011

Hi All well its been a great few years and we have added so many new courses to the site I thought it was time to tell you what has happened on some of the courses as well as post pictures up of those attending them

new for this summer we have put a Austria Trip in August with Darren Joy and Matt Blue hosting the trip, we already have 5 booked to come and still have some places for the 8 days of adventure in Austria and Swiz Alps for ore details visit - http://www.fluidskills.com/austria.html

the French Alps courses are filling quickly and more can be found here -http://www.fluidskills.com/Alpsclassics.html

More soon
Cheers
Darren