Congratulations to our hardy team of 12 trainees who took to the Lake District in July and completed their assessed expedition in the Eskdale Valley.
All twelve Bronze and Silver trainees passed their expedition, battling through rain and muddy bridleways to arrive at Wasdale Head to finish. The trainees all undertook walks in rainy weather, through bogs of mud to make it to the end over the three-day expedition.
For the Bronze group, the walk proved to challenge their skills in advanced terrain. The Silver Group put their experience to the test as they walked along the Walna Scar Road and around Wasdale Head, the base camp for Sca Fell. Both groups focused their project on outdoor activities in the Lake District and visited the Outward Bound centre to conduct some research and be inspired by the adventures undertaken from there.
Sore feet aside, all trainees were felt accomplished by the end, to have undergone such a physical and emotional challenge and succeeded.
There’s not long yet until our Duke of Edinburgh Bronze and Silver candidates descend upon the Lake District!
On Sunday, the two groups took to Epping Forest to practise their navigation skills and freshen up their micro-navigation in preparation for their assessed expedition, which will take place in Eskdale near Scafell Pike (England’s highest peak). Both groups spent their day in the forest pacing, taking compass bearings to walk on, finding stream junctions, ponds and old forts and developing their map memory. Both groups did very well to find all the features they were asked to and finding their way back whenever they did get lost.
All that’s left is for both groups to finalise their route cards, plan their menus and buy their food and they will be expedition-ready. They will take lessons learned about food, kit and navigation to find their way round the Eskdale Valley in just two weeks’ time.
If you are or will be in Year 9 or above (aged 14+) and are interested in joining our next cohort for Duke of Edinburgh Award, please contact Will for information about enrolling in September.
It’s not long now until our Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh trainees attempt their assessed expeditions in the Lake District!
Back in April, the Bronze and Silver groups embarked on their practice expeditions in the Edale Valley, Peak District and put their navigation skills to the test.
The whole group set out with four members of staff a couple of days before their expedition for an intensive two days of route planning, navigation training, shopping and equipment sessions before taking their first independent steps as a group, with just their map and route cards to guide them.
On Day One of their practice expedition, the Silver group struggled through the weather to climb Lose Hill and then walk down to Hollins Cross and Mam Tor. Bags were heavy and feet were weary, yet the group persevered to make it to their campsite at Upper Booth. Meanwhile, the Bronze group walked their way around the bottom of Mam Tor to meet the Silver group at Upper Booth for their next day’s adventure up Jacob’s Ladder to Kinderscout.
The second day saw both groups try to take on Kinderscout despite the rainy weather and persistent wind. Despite the groups’ admirable effort and them all making it up Jacob’s Ladder, the decision was made to descend because of the adverse weather and use the experience as yet another lesson of the importance of good kit and group equipment, especially group shelters.
The group finished their expedition with relieved smiles on all their faces. Over the course of the five days, the group learned a lot of skills in a practical way; they learned as they walked, which proved very successful. The group now take the lessons learned from the Peaks to take on the Lakes this July, hoping for better weather and more waterproof clothing (just in case!).
Over the half-term, eight young people and two staff went away paddling at Matlock (Peak District) on the River Derwent for two days. This was the young people’s first taste of white water and an opportunity for them to put the skills from their training sessions on the Basin and on the Thames to the test. The river was running pretty low, but this didn’t stop the paddlers from having a good time. They got to try out ferry gliding, breaking in and out, some stern dips and even a few Eskimo rolls. They enjoyed running the sections of rapids forwards and backwards. Aside from kayaking, the young people also got to try out a bit of swimming down the river and a couple of rope swings found along the way.
The two slalom trainees for the Youth Games found the opportunity to train on the slalom course at Matlock invaluable, and no doubt this contributed to their impressive achievements of individual silver and bronze medals in their categories.
The trip was a great success and all young people had a fantastic time; even the forgotten tent poles and pegs weren’t enough to dampen their spirits. They also had a good time bonding with the peacocks who live on-site at the Barn Farm campsite as well as the resident herd of cows.
Congratulations to our slalom and sprint teams for their efforts in the London Youth Games kayaking events!
Congratulations to Joe, Ellie, Louis, George, Jake, Alexandra, Ashley and Sophie!
Congratulations to Connor, Julia, Alexander and Simone!
Cirrus Senior Male: Ashley – 8th
Cirrus Senior Female: Sophie – 10th
Cirrus Junior Male: Jake – Gold
Cirrus Junior Female: Alexandra – 7th
Lightning Junior Male: Joe – 5th
Lightning Junior Female: Ellie – 4th
Junior (male): Connor – Silver
Junior (female): Julia – Bronze
Senior (male): Sasha – 5th
Senior (female): Simone – 9th
We are looking to appoint a person who will be responsible for coordinating the Inclusion Project at the Centre by developing this successful project further. This post is as a 1 year contract.
The post will be based on a 35 hour week but will involve flexible working, including some evenings and weekends.
Due to the nature of the work the post will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Salary NJC SCP 19-21 £22,218 – £23,610 (inc Location Allowance) depending on qualifications and experience.
Closing date Friday 24 March 2017. Interviews will be held in the last week of March 2017.
If you are interested in applying for the post please contact us for an application form on
info@shadwell-basin.org.uk
The Centre is seeking to appoint a co-ordinator to be responsible for maintenance of the buildings, craft and ancillary equipment and to coach in the activities programme. We are looking for an enthusiastic, hard working and experienced instructor with a range of NGB qualifications in sailing, canoeing and rowing who will play an active role coaching sessions and fulfil the responsibilities of RYA Principal.
Full job Description PDF.
The post will be based on a 35 hour week but will involve flexible working, including some evenings and weekends.
Due to the nature of the work the post will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Salary NJC SCP 22-24 £24,135 – £25,437 (inc Location Allowance) depending on qualifications and experience.
Closing date Monday 6 March 2017
Interviews will be held on Wednesday 8 or Thursday 9 March 2017.
For application information contact:
Centre Co-ordinator, 3-4 Shadwell Pierhead, Glamis Road, London E1W 3TD. Or email: information@shadwell-basin.org.uk
Shadwell is a multi-activity Centre located on the banks of the Thames in East London that provides outdoor activities for the whole community.
Shadwell Basin is committed to equality of opportunity – Registered Charity No.293475
The Royal Yachting Association has featured Shadwell Basin’s ‘Adventure for all’ programme in it’s Spring news.
They chatted with Inclusion Coordinator: Rob Edwards, looking at the successes of the programme and how we are promoting a sense of independence and achievement in East London’s disabled young people.
If you want to take advantage of Adventure for All, Contact Rob at rob.edwards@shadwell-basin.org.uk
In April, Shadwell played host to the 2016 London Kayakathon. We had over 100 kayakers as guests, all paddling 26 miles on the Thames on the weekend of the London Marathon.
Here’s a video of the day from the bank, that’s been shared on YouTube
30 Magistrates from London have broken records for Shadwell Basin by putting three crews of ten rowers into the Great River Race on September 12th 2015.
Between them they have raised almost £12,000 for the centre. This is an amazing achievement and the centre would like to say a big thank you to all those involved.
If you want to donate still then there is time by following the link.