S2Si Kayak Expedition Training on the Thames!

In preparation for the 2009 expedition season, S2Si’s Dave Hills sea kayaks the River Thames.  Dave is well know in ‘our ranks’ for his rigid expedition training regimes – we hope he is ready for the season ahead.

In a fleet of 20 kayaks including his father Steve, Dave paddled the 80 km round trip from Putney Bridge to Greenwich and back. The team passed all of the major landmarks such as Westminster and played in the waves below the bridges.

Sea kayaking is one of many adventurous activities that S2Si offers on its expeditions and what a better way to combine city and expedition life than a mini-expedition through London!

Even for very experienced staff expedition traing is vital.  It keeps the body in peak physical condition, allowing the leader to be one step ahead of his group.  Also, the mind is prepared as well, as Dave was kayaking he was constantly thinking of the ‘expedition what-ifs’.  These are scenarios where you have to imagine the worst has happened, at the worst possible time and in the worst possible place – then make plans as to what you would do.

The kayak is an excellent means of expedition transport.

• It is 100% environmentally friendly with absolutley no emissions (apart from heavy breathing!).
• There is enough room onboard to be self sufficient for a short period of time.
• You can access areas unreachable by normal boats due to the depth of the water.
• When the expedition has finished your body will be in better physical condition.
• Due to the ‘green’ factor of the kayak you are more likely to be granted access to sensitive areas like national parks.
• Expedition training can be done in any body of water.

The only bad side to a kayak expedition is the fact you will have so much fun that you will want to come back for more and this could be an issue with your employer!

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