For the past few months, Greenland or Bust and Kayak Essentials have been putting together the 7th UK Storm Gathering. This open water symposium began in 2006 on the island of Mull in Scotland. Since then it has rotated locations, and this year it returns to Scotland, taking place in Oban from November 9 to 11. BCU Week follows it from November 12 to 17.

This year’s coaching team includes Tony Hammock, Carol Lange, Ken Lacey, Jonny Eldridge, Chris Lockyer, Steve Mills, Jim Wilson, Richard Cree, Jim Krawiecki, Nick Cunliffe, Matt Giblin, Mark and me.

Class offerings include Fun – Balance – Games and Rolling, Boat Care and Repair, Navigation, Effective Stroke Work, Leadership for BCU 3 – 4 Star Paddlers, Sea Kayak Journeys, Intermediate Moving Water Skills, Leadership for BCU 4 – 5 Star Paddlers, Fundamental Seamanship, Rough Water Boat Handling, Efficient Forward Paddling, Greenland Techniques and Traditions, Introduction to Moving Water, Incident Management, Moderate Water Boat Handling, Intermediate Tide Race Skills, Open Crossings – Tools and Tactics. Classes are listed by level, so as you can see, there’s something for everyone. If none of this sounds appealing, the Oban Distillery is just down the road…

The BCU week lineup includes a 3 Star Sea Assessment, a 4 Star Sea Training, a 4 Star Sea Assessment, a 5 Star Sea Training, a 5 Star Sea Assessment, BCU Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning, BCU Open Water Navigation and Tidal Planning and a Qajaq Immersion Day.

The base for the event is the Kilbowie Outdoor Centre, which has everything that a symposium could ask for, AND it’s right on the water!

We hope that you’ll consider joining us for this fun event in Scotland. For more information or to register, visit www.ukstormgathering.com.