The forecasts this week have been for fairly windy conditions, so I haven’t been booking in much work. Local lads, Luke and Innis, need to learn a few more skills in their boats so that they’re safe when they head out on the water. Doesn’t matter if they get blown around a lot.

The plan was to get wet, learning what to do to get a boat empty, upright and back in it when away from the bank. The argument as to who would wear the dry suit and who would get the wetsuit didn’t last as long as I thought it might! Not that I cared, I wasn’t letting them near my shiny dry suit.

After a bit of splashing about on Loch Maree, getting in and out of the boats a fair bit we headed down the river Ewe. Luke helped us practice our rescue technique a few times on the way, thank Luke! (Sadly no picture of that.)

My vehicle was off the road for a few day, so to make a change from cycling everywhere I thought I’d paddle to work at the pool.

It wasn’t a bad paddle, quite pleasant really, that is until I rounded the corner at An Sagart. The wind was blowing directly against me and progress was slow. I’d initially planned to paddle to all the way to Poolewe hall, but with the wind against me and time ticking away I hopped out as soon as I could.

It then didn’t take long to throw the boat on it’s trolley and jog along the road with it to the pool, just in time for work. Luckily I had a lift sorted to take me home. I didn’t fancy paddling home at dusk with the joint warrior mine sweepers prowling the area.

Last winter I talked to the class about running a paddling business, they where all keen to come out for a paddle to see what I do first hand – and have some fun! We had originally penciled it in for the previous Wednesday, the typical March weather made us change our plans. Today was a glorious blue sky stunning day, the sort of day I wish I could have for every session.

We headed out in the canoes to start with, Jake and Neil teamed up in one boat and Chris and Mrs Johnston where in the other. Both boats paddled well, getting used to the boats very quickly and improving their strokes nicely. I’m not sure which team scored most points in the piranha game, even I got hit in the head by one sneaky piranha.

Jane and Neil managed to capsize whilst both reaching for the same piranha – clever lads…! They both surfaced with smiles on their faces and where keen to jump back in the boat and get back to it. We then tried out a few balancing tasks, culminating in Neil and Chris leaning backwards from the centre of the boat so that they could dip their hair in the water.

After a quick hot drink we headed out in the little kayaks to see how everyone did by themselves. It wasn’t long before we where back to playing Loch Tollaidh piranhas. Again I have no idea who scored the most points, but then that’s not really the idea of the game – it’s to throw sodden sponge balls at other folks heads! Neil found himself swimming again – somebody had to! It was then time to see how everyone’s balance was. Not bad it turns out, everyone managed all the tasks without falling in – boring!

It was a good session with everyone paddling well and enjoying the great conditions. I don’t think any of them minded staying at ‘school’ late today. I don’t remember school being like this when I was young!

Gairloch was a bit damp today, but it didn’t keep their spirits down. I seem to remember last year’s weather being far better when we canoed from Poolewe. The plan was to get them all wet anyway – so it didn’t matter!

We set off to see what canoeing skills we could remember, I think some people’s memories where better than others. It wasn’t long before everyone was paddling well and had at think of more ways to get them all wet and have them capsize.

This morning I met the Register family in Poolewe. David, Emma and Joanne came out in the boats with me but we couldn’t persuade Kate to join us. We started in the canoes and got to grips with what the paddles can do, afterwards we moved onto kayaks and found out what it was like paddling solo with no one else to help (or blame!) when things don’t go right.

We finished the session with a few rafted skills, basically me trying to get Emma and Joanne to fall in!

Another kayaking session from Gairloch, this time for the Triffitt family. Jonathan, Joanne, William and Molly where all keen to get out on the water, so we headed off into the harbour to see how the boats paddle. After getting the hang of the things we played some games – those piranhas came out to play again – and paddled around in search of seals.

This morning the Goodin family – Hazel, Wayne, Séanus, Aoife, Tearghes and Sadhbh –  joined me down at Tollie Bay on Loch Maree. We decided have a split session, half in canoes and half in kayaks.

We jumped in the canoes first and had a good paddle around, getting used to working in teams. After hot chocolate and biscuits we headed out in the kayaks. I tried to get everyone soaked by playing some rafted games!

Today Paul, Jacob and Nick joined me for a morning kayaking from Poolewe. We where lucky enough to see a good number of seals on the rocks and in the water.

David and Trisha where keen to get out on the water and practice some self rescue skills for when they are out paddling. We went through ways to get a capsized paddler back into their boat with the assistance of another boat and ways of helping yourself when faced with no help.

Friends Mathew, Cassandra, Erin and Ellie met me in Badachro for a paddle. Whilst the weather wasn’t the best we still made the most of it and enjoyed seeing lots of seals in the bay.

Ian, Allison and William where staying in Poolewe again, William was keen to get out kayaking. We headed out into the bay and practised some skills, looked for wildlife, played some games and had plenty of fun.

A busy day at Tollie Bay, today the Barraclough family and their American friends, the Bradshaw’s, came for a paddle.

It was a good session with lots of fun and games, young Willa did especially well – being the smallest and only 8.

Another session in Poolewe, this time with the Watts. Martin, Katie, Louise and Fred where keen to get out in the kayaks. We set off  to improve our skills and hopefully see some wildlife.

We where lucky enough to see seals in the bay, and  even a quick glimpse of an otter. Not forgetting some special Loch Ewe Piranhas!

All was going well, but I got the impression that the others ‘helped’ Fred into the water when playing some rafted games.