Phase 1 out of lockdown allows some personal paddling to take place. But have you thought about what you should take with you to help keep yourself safe? Have a read on to see what I’d recommend… (1) BUOYANCY AID For me this is the most important item to take with you, and you shouldn’t …
Well the last couple of days have not exactly been favourable in terms of the weather! I was out on the River Tay kayaking from there to Caputh over 2 days to gain my Multi-Day Touring Award. The first job for the trip was getting all my stuff into drybags and making sure it would …
The sun shone for us at Lochore last week, with a group of us out for the Adults’ Wednesday night session. We had a trip around the island and played a game too. The water was a balmy 17C and we also jumped off the pier for the first time this season (not compulsory!). This …
Deaf Awareness Week ran 6th -12th May 2019. It was an opportunity to raise awareness of hearing loss to the wider public. I already have my British Sign Language Level 1 qualification however I took this opportunity to attend a deaf-friendly aquatics workshop run by the National Deaf Children’s Society. During this workshop I learnt …
I am always looking to update my qualifications and I’m pleased to announce that I am now a qualified Paddlesport Leader through the new British Canoe Union qualifications pathway. This qualification allows me to lead multi-craft journeys. You can read about my other qualifications by clicking here. Please follow and like us:
Och Aye Canoe is now an approved activity provider for Fife schools. Today some pupils from Auchmuty High School in Glenrothes enjoyed sessions of kayaking and paddleboarding. The pupils did well, with 3 managing to stand up on the paddleboard without falling in! If you would like to organise a similar session with Och Aye …
Congratulations to Murray (aged 10) who became the first person to achieve the Paddle Start Award with Och Aye Canoe! He knew what equipment was needed for a safe trip out on the water and he was able to demonstrate basic paddling skills. We also talked about safety on the water, and we even managed …
The kayak is believed to have originated from Greenland where it was used by Eskimos. The Inuit Eskimo word was “qayaq” – spelt like kayak except q’s instead of k’s. Eskimos used kayaks to hunt and explore and carry their possessions. The word “kayak” came into European language in the 17th or 18th centuries, having …
A common question I hear is “what is the difference between kayaking and canoeing?” The simplest answer is that a canoe has a one-bladed paddle, whereas a kayak has a paddle with a blade at each end. Generally kayaks have closed cockpits, however Och Aye Canoe uses sit-on kayaks which are not. Canoes are generally …
We have been spoilt with such amazing weather over the Easter weekend, for me this has made for some great conditions to take people out kayaking. On Easter Monday we went sit-on-kayaking at Lochore and enjoyed trying a portable sail to help take us along in the wind. Please follow and like us:
