Canoeing, 'Cadet Paddle', Ossau valley, French Pyrenees., May 2011, ID 1104

HQ Cadet Centre for Adventurous Training

The Pyrenees offers a rich environment for a canoeing expedition. The combination of ancient culture and modern eco-tourism generates an intimate, laid back and genuine atmosphere that creates a quality of life that is difficult to match. The high mountain landscape bordering France and Spain, the effects of a diverse Mediterranean climate and broad spectrum of moderately graded Alpine white water rivers provide the mix of ingredients that blends perfectly for an experience of discovery and challenge. Everyone, depending on their skill, their mood and motivation will enjoy the paddling the rivers in the Pyrenees. The river water source depends on several factors, water releases from dams, rainfall and melting snow. The first factor can be controlled, sometimes to the detriment of the paddler if it is switched off; the other two factors are at the whims of nature. From the information we had received prior to our departure there had been a lack of water however they always say that the sun, or this case the rain, falls on the righteous and we had significant rain, in spectacular fashion, just when it was needed.

The expedition team comprised a total of twenty-six personnel, fourteen male and female Cadet Force Adult Volunteer (CFAV) instructors and five male and female Senior Cadets from a wide range of ACF, CCF and ATC detachments. The various courses on offer were delivered by seven highly experienced and qualified Leaders/Coaches.

The expedition was based in a picturesque campsite in Leruns at the head of the Ossau valley. It provided all the essential facilities on site plus access to nearby supermarkets and shops in the market town of Leruns.

The expedition programme was designed to provide the nineteen students with an introduction and develop their personal paddling and rescue skills on Alpine white water. In addition there was the opportunity to be trained and assessed for national British Canoe Union (BCU) qualifications. In total six candidates were awarded the BCU 3 Star Open Canoe, one candidate was awarded the 3 Star WW Kayak and three candidates completed the 4 Star WW Leader Training course.

Qualifications alone are not the sole measure of achievement. The swift water rescue training on day one was an eye opener for all the students who had never experienced the Alpine white water environment with wide, big volume rivers. The lesson of communication, teamwork, initiative and self reliance was certainly bought home to everyone on that day. The experience of stepping up to the challenging environment was also bought home on day two with a long day of paddling an 18km river full of big bouncy grade 2-3 rapids. The culmination of the collective four days of experience and skill development was very much in evidence on the final day as the instructors could see the huge improvement in the performance of all the students which was enormously rewarding. It left much to be talked about in the days to follow on the journey home.

Cadet Paddle 2011 was a hugely successful expedition with many lasting memories. We are indebted to the Ulysses Trust for their extremely generous financial support towards this expedition.

Thanks to

working in partnership with