I’ve just got back from running canoe sessions in Snowdonia for the the last two days. Students from University College Birmingham headed to North Wales for a few days as part of their Outdoor and Adventurous Activities unit, counting towards their BTEC in Sport / Sport and Exercise Science.

When I first arrived on Tuesday morning, the temperature was -6 degrees. The lake was frozen for two thirds of it’s surface, and I spent much of the morning trying to break a route through the ice into the water the other side. Thankfully, clear skies helped to melt most of the ice before the group arrived, and provided some incredible views looking towards Snowdon mountain in the process.

One of the main focuses for the students, was to look at both the safety and environmental issues associated with outdoor activities, which we discussed at some length before actually getting on the water. With the temperatures being so low, the sessions were tailored in such a way as to reduce the risks of anyone capsizing, which did restrict us slightly, but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, especially once they got the hang of how to control the canoe.