Christmas Climbing

Today the climbing club visited the Marjons climbing wall.  Even though only three students came along they had a great time putting the skills they have learnt at school into practice.

White Water Paddling - The Loop

Today the Ad Bac students were out on The Loop section of the River Dart with Mr Agnew. This is another Grade 2(3) river like the Walkham on Tuesday but is more often paddled as it is better known. Sean, Will and Alex all did well negotiing rapids such as Lovers Leap, The Washing Machine, Triple Drop and The Spin Dryer.

White Water Paddling - River Walkham

Today the Adventure Bac students completed their third white water kayaking trip, the route took them down the Rivers Walkham and Tavy, both grade 2/3 rivers. All of the students managed to develop their paddling skills in an environment that was challenging and sometimes uncomfortable. With a number of rapids to run, flat sections to paddle and various obstacles to get around the team had an experience to remember.

River Dart Paddling Day 2

The Adventure Bac students headed back out to the River Dart for a second day of Whitewater paddling.  Today they started at Holme Bridge and paddled down to Buckfastleigh.  This section of the river is slightly more technical than Tuesdays, with slightly larger rapids and a few drops.  Their paddling skills  and confidence in a kayak have improved greatly over the last two sessions.

River Dart Paddling

The Adventure Bac students headed out onto the River Dart today with Mr Agnew for their first day of Whitewater Kayaking. The section from Buckfastleigh to Staverton contains a few rapids which are ideal for learning on. Although some of the students had a number of swims, they all had a good day and showed improvement.

Mr G Starks.

Mountain Biking

Today we took some students up to Haldon Forest for Mountain biking.  We started on the family trail to get ourselves warmed up, before testing our skills on the larger of the two skill circuits, then finally heading out on to the blue trail.  The trails where extremely wet and muddy due to the recent rain fall, everyone got completly soaked and very muddy but enjoyed it.

Ten Tors Training 2

Out on Daretmoor again with 3 teams training for the Ten Tors event. The weather was great today but there was plenty of mud underfoot.. About 20km covered today and a number of Tors were walked over in the process.

Climbing at Sheeps Tor

For sixth form climbing we decided to make use of the sunny weather and head to sheeps tor for the afternoon.  Some of the group top roped and bouldered whilst others developed their leading skills.

National Pool Lifeguard Qualification

This week the Sport and Adventure students have been undertaking a RLSS National Pool Lifeguard Course.

Well done to Alex, Ana and Will who are now fully qualified Lifeguards

Ten Tors Training 1

Out onto Dartmoor this morning with the year 9 and 10 students who wish to take part in the Ten Tors event. We had a misty start but it cleared up during the day leaving us a warm afternoon. Although only a short 16km walk, it gave them a taste of what is to come.

Mr G. Starks

Paddlesport 2 Star

Well done to Alex, Anastasia and Will; who have passed all the skills for their BCU 2 star.  They now only need to complete their assessed journey to finish the award.

Bonehill Rocks

As it was the first dry day in weeks we decided to make the most of it and head outside to Bone Hill rocks for an afternoon of bouldering.  Despite it being quite windy everyone got stuck in exploring the routes that Bone Hill had to offer. 

BCU 2 Star Training Day 2

Today the Sport and Adventure students headed to the Exeter Canal to continue developing their paddling skills.   Concentrating on open canoeing, the whole group journeyed up the canal mastering a variety of skills. By the end of the day everyone was solo paddling their own canoe.

BCU 2 Star Training

The guys took their first strokes towards their BCU 2 star award today and are already showing great skills and potential.  Will and Alex put their marathon kayak racing experience to good use, while Sean and Ana made a great start on basic posture and boat control.  Over the next couple of weeks they will learn to become really competent flat water paddlers, capable of  undertaking their own day trips and journeys on sheltered water.

Gavin Kelly

PADI Open Water Final Dives

Today the Sport and Adventure students were out for their final dives and although it was a beautiful day the wind and waves forced us into New England Quarry. This gave us good visibility and still conditions for all the remaining skills to be covered.

With 2 Open Water Certificates and 2 Scuba Diver Certificates gained, it has been a success all round. Well done to you all.

G. Starks (Head of Outdoor Education)

"Diving was fun and exciting but I found it challenging and a bit scary" Ana

"It was fun to try something new using the compassess and seeing the underwater heli" Will

It was a very chilly experience but once I was swimming I was fine and it was cool seeing a helicopter underwater" Sean

Today 5 students, Mr Starks and Miss Lindsey headed out for some Sea Kayaking. It was meant to be a friendly first trip as although all students had paddled before it has been on rivers. The wind was picking up as we headed out along The Hoe, accross to Jennycliff Bay and beat us back just before we reached Fort Bovisand. We then had great fun rock hopping along the coast back to The Hoe and eventually back to out start point  by Mayflower Marina

Year 7 Final Dartmoor Trip

The 3rd and final Year 7 Whiteworks Trip went well with 17 students having a great time with a short walk, teambuilding games, nightline and campfire.