After a great season I am starting to plan the winter adventure...So far I've got Snowboarding with the team in Austria just after New Year and then off to Kerala in India for a month of Mountain Biking and general mayhem. Lot's of Powerboat and a few Kayak expeditions in Feb/March and then a bit of everything from April onwards.

Spent the afternoon yesterday cascading...yep I reckon that's the word down the slopes around the site of the proposed Olympic Mountain Bike course at Hadleigh. After 5 days of rain it was pretty good, but damned slippery. Going sideways through thorny bushes was the highlight alongside some good air time at the top of the course. Only the ocassional splat...arrived home to be told that I can't come in the house..imagine the naked, mud covered nutter at the back door complete with naughty schoolboy look trying to hose himself and the bike down. Thank god for tolerant neighbours.

The knees are a bit knackered as I'm training for the annual mud and obstacle race in the new year. We run it on a local 4x4 track however the deep ruts completely fill with icy water to chest height which makes for unbeleivable fun. Last year we had about 20 of the crew join us but this year it's looking like 50 or 60. I think I might end up doing stretcher detail. It's always a challenge to decide on 'boots' or cross country trainers. Starting last year at the back of the carnage I almost had a heart attack laughing at the huge spouts of water shooting up into the air from a competitors wellington boots as he ran, the water being above the top of the boots somewhat slowed him down. Trust me you had to be there...

My better half has just got back from Argentina taking part in Total Wipe Out. She was really doing well and then made a major tactical error on dizzy dummies... still Gill had a brilliant time and we look forward to the new year so we can watch the fun at our'wipe out party'. Aptly named. The kids are all brilliant and looking forward to Chrimbo...I'm off to the North Pole with the youngest in December to see Father Christmas, I'm not sure who is most excited.

Oh Happy Days,
Mike

Leigh on Sea Sailing Club Fun Day

On Wed 12th August we ran our first Sailing Fun Day with Leigh on Sea Sailing Club.

Everybody was competing for cups and medals in the following categories;

Best Capsize

Maddest Dance

Best Song Delivered

Overall Crazy Sailor

Despite very average weather...the usual really for this summer, everyone had a brilliant time. Special thanks to Harry, George, Izzy, Ben, Gracie, Lizzie, Michael, Chris and Steve. Plus big thanks to the parents who helped drag boats about. If you want to join the fun our next dates are Tuesday and Wednesday 25/26th August 1500 hrs - 1900 hrs. We have up to 10 Club boats that can be reserved at a cost of £10 per day. Just email me on perfectdaywatersports@gmail.com if you are coming or want to reserve a boat.

Leigh on Sea Sailing, Kayak, Powerboat, JetSki, Windsurfing a go go...

In no particular order. Gillian with our strawberry, Leigh after a 10 mile paddle, Harry driving the 'bad boy' and sea kayaking in Skye.

Great weather, plenty of sun and everyone wants to get on the water...hyper busy and having a great time with the clients. We have teamed up with Leigh on Sea Sailing Club offering free development sessions for members. Our first couple of evenings have been a great success. Plenty more booked for the summer.

The new 130 hp rib has seen plenty of action and certainly blows those cobwebs away. Many thanks to Dave, Claire, Rob and Harry for their great work with the clients.

Keeping up with the phone calls has been our major challenge. If you are reading this and fancy enjoying a perfect day on the water, best to email perfectdaywatersports@gmail.com

See you on the water....

Mike

Sailing at Leigh on Sea Sailing Club

It's all been a bit mad recently, so I apologise for lack of updates. RYA inspections, sea kayaking in force 8 winds on the Isle of Wight and general chaos has kept me on the go...We have just teamed up with Leigh on Sea sailing club to offer free training for members and in return we have moved the core operation into the clubhouse on the beach in Leigh. This gives our sailing clients a great opportunity to join a popular local club and gain the benefit of free development sessions. We also offer a 20% reduction on RYA sailing courses for members and a small range of club boats are available during our sessions to borrow. It's a friendly club with excellent facilities and membership is very reasonable. If you need more information just email me on perfectdaywatersports@gmail.com

Seals and a Harbour Porpoise in Leigh on Sea

Very busy with clients running Powerboat and Kayak Days. Weather has been very up and down including Sleet, Sunshine and Rain all in one day. The great news is that I counted 12 seals looking healthy and happy sunbathing on the Ray Bank when I was out in the Sea Kayak yesterday. Even better we made friends with a harbour porpoise hunting just off Old Leigh on Saturday. We spent 5 minutes with him repeatedly coming up to say hello to our boat. Absolutely beautiful and a rare treat for everybody on board. We all ended up with a big smile on our faces that helped us forget the cold.

The great 'Mud Run' February 2009

A few of my fellow instructors got together for the winter Mud Run at Stubbers Adventure Centre 4x4 track. You don't have to be mad but it helps... Pretty warm at 9 degrees but the water traps a tad chilly. I spent the first 5 minutes laughing madly as I followed Andy through the first part of the course. His wellies collected the mud nicely and every step saw a gush of water and mud shoot up his body from inside his boots.

The ladies started first and we soon caught them up however Ben took a full body splat at the first major pool. Just staying on our feet was a challenge. The field soon spread out with me sitting in the last third gradually pulling my way up the ranks. Absolutely brilliant fun followed by a dip in Coys Lake. Martin was the victor closely followed by Bob however everyone finished with only a few minor injuries. Thanks to everyone who took part and especially to Bob who organised the event. If you ever wondered what outdoor instructors do for fun and to keep fit this will give you a rough idea.

Powerboating and Kayaking over the next few days. Let's hope for continuing good weather.

Kayak and Canoe Fun in February

Well done Chris, Emily, Ken, Daryl and Jon on getting their 1 & 2 Star awards. It was a little nippy and eveyone really enjoyed the swim at the end of the session. Highpoints; Jons novelty hat, huge flocks of waders in flight moving as one, Daryls low brace a.k.a caress the water stylie, Emily swimming in and forgetting to remember the kayak and last but not least Kens zig zag technique.... Everyone was brilliant and a big thankyou for your company.