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Adrift on the Tweed

Some more staff development took place this past weekend with 2 days of canoe training. All participants are currently working towards their 3 star canoe award (SCA award). Included in the participants were staff from North Berwick and Preston Lodge High Schools.


 

 Preston Lodge (with support from the Outdoor Education Service) have an ongoing programme of paddlesport pool sessions and will soon be moving into doing some pupil training on Musselburgh Lagoons (a local sheltered water venue). All this will lead to their Duke of Edinburgh award expedition section being undertaken in either canoes or sea kayaks. A fantastic opportunity for all students.

North Berwick High – in conjunction with the Outdoor Education Service –  are currently developing a week long trip in which pupils are investigating the geology and land use of some remote areas of the North West Highlands by canoe, foot and bike. This fantastic educational excursion can only take place due to the hard work and dedication of school staff in working with the outdoor education service to develop their skills through acquisition of Mountain/Hill and Paddlesport coaching/leading awards.

A big thanks to all school staff who continue to put in a huge amount of hard work and determination to ensure that their pupils have access to tremendous energetic learning opportunities and a Curriculum for Excellence.

 

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Kayaking indoors

After the closure of Mercat Gait pool before Christmas for essential repairs and school closures due to the snow it was great to finally begin kayak pool sessions with Preston Lodge High.

The kayak pool sessions run from 1215 to 1315 every Friday. Preston Lodge staff that have recently achieved their BCU UKCC (British Canoe Union UK Coaching Certificate) Level 1 Coach Award are now delivering sessions under the guidance of OE staff in order to be able to deliver sessions on their own. Pupils that come along to the sessions can hopefully follow the excellent paddlepower scheme – providing progression and rewarding achievement.

The pool sessions will lead to pupils honing their skills for paddling expeditions in the summer term – both sea kayaking and canoe.

It has been great to have the continued support of the pool staff welcoming kayaks into the pool. Together we are investigating the possibility of permanent storage for some pool kayaks outside the pool. Perhaps we can then encourage the development of a Kayak/Canoe Club in the Prestonpans/Musselburgh area or development of school canoe polo teams.

We can now look forward to many fun Friday afternoons developing skills.