Description
Fun and adventure are the motivating forces which drive me and I set up "Art of Adventure" to share that with others.
Whether kayaking down a rapid on a torrent of white water, descending from a mountain summit in a white-out or listening to the owls from a woodland camp, our awareness is brought back to the present moment which brings a great sense of peace.
Based in Devon, with activites throughout the United Kingdom and Europe, I passionately strive to create high quality bespoke, magical experiences to excite your imagination while increasing your fitness and improving your health.
Your safety is my number one priority while at the same time empowering you to expand your horizons.
Originally from an arts background I have over fifteen years of professional experience in worldwide adventure and exploration and hold national governing body qualifications in canoeing and mountaineering as well as a Diploma in Sports Psychology.
My colleagues who work with me are also all highly experienced and motivated people who love to share with others their passion for fun and adventure.
It would give us great pleasure to create a magical adventure for you.
Activities
Hill Walking
Let me or one of my team take you on a guided walk through stunning Dartmoor scenery.
With it's panoramic vistas and secluded wooded valleys holding tumbling rivers, there's somewhere to go no matter the weather.
We have an intimate knowledge of Dartmoor and would love to show you the hidden stone circles and ancient cists to be found amongst the heather, entertain you with a twilight walk to see the bats and explore bronze age settlements.
We also know which pubs have the best food and can help advise on accommodation.
Sea Kayaking
Sea kayaking is one of this countries fastest growing sports and was brought to us from the hunters of Alaska and Greenland by early pioneers such as Gino Watkins.
The word kayak meaning 'hunter's boat' in Eskimo or Inuit.
South Devon has some of the finest unspoilt coastline to be found anywhere in the world and offers great opportunities for exploration and wild camping, while Wales and Scotland offer yet more areas for sea kayak expeditions.
Art of Adventure can provide all you need to enjoy sea kayaking, from coaching and guiding to sea kayak safety and rescue courses.
Canadian Open Canoe Guiding and Coaching
Introduction to Open Canoeing and Private coaching and guiding
Climbing
Nothing focuses the mind better than climbing a rock face and the rewards from the mental and physical challenge are immense.
Whether you've never climbed before or are looking to improve on the skills you already have we can help you to realise your dreams.
From half day introductions to week long climbing expeditions; private individual coaching to large groups, there's something for everyone.
We work on a coach to client ratio of 1:4 for beginners on single pitch routes and 1:2 for improvers and multi pitch to maximise learning, enjoyment and safety.
All specialist safety equipment is provided.
Abseiling
Abseiling, also known as Rappelling, is the process of descending on a fixed rope. Due mainly to the advent of charity abseils abseiling has grown in public awareness and popularity becoming a recreational sport in it's own right.
Abseiling is great fun and most people find it an exhilarating challenge, however as mountaineers we are acutely aware of just how serious abseiling really is.
For this reason we teach abseiling as an important skill to be learnt properly for use in climbing and mountaineering situations.
You will be guided gradually through the techniques, progressing from gentle slopes to steeper more exciting cliffs resulting in you becoming a proficient and confident abseiler.
Mountaineering
Ever dreamt of spending time deep in the heart of the mountains, camping on rocky crags where only eagles normally stand?
Carrying all the supplies we need in our rucksacks gives us the freedom to stay far away from the noise of modern life and truly experience the majesty of the peaks that surround us.
For the fit and adventurous a two week trip to the remote and beautiful region of Knoydart in Scotland is one of my favourite expeditions.
Other mountain expedition locations include the English Lake District, Wales and Norway.
All expeditions are tailored to meet your individual needs.
Hill walking
Let me or one of my team take you on a guided walk through stunning Dartmoor scenery.
With it's panoramic vistas and secluded wooded valleys holding tumbling rivers, there's somewhere to go no matter the weather.
We have an intimate knowledge of Dartmoor and would love to show you the hidden stone circles and ancient cists to be found amongst the heather, entertain you with a twilight walk to see the bats and explore bronze age settlements.
We also know which pubs have the best food and can help advise on accommodation.
Wilderness Camps
Many of the outdoor pursuits adventure activities I run involve wild camping, be it bivvying in the mountains while on a climbing course or by the sea during a sea kayak expedition.
These Wilderness Camps however allow us to focus more specifically on the art of campcraft, bushcraft and nature observation.
They are also an excellent way to relax from the stresses and strains of modern living and will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
As with the other courses, whether you have no previous experience or wish to improve on the skills
you already have we aim to make it a fun and enjoyable adventure for you.
Bushcraft
The Bushcraft adventure camps I run are inspired by famous outdoorsmen like Tom Brown Jr. and Ray Mears.
They are similar in theme to the Wilderness Camps but instead of bivvying under a basher you'll be sleeping under what you construct from the environment you find around you.
Subjects covered include equipment, water, fire, shelter, cordage and living from the land.
More importantly the Bushcraft Camps will help you to learn more about yourself and rekindle your relationship with Mother Earth.
The two day Bushcraft Camps usually run from 1000 hours on day one to 1700 hours on day two. The price includes food and specialist equipment.
Navigation
Being able to navigate through various wilderness terrain is a great skill to have and gives you the confidence to expand your horizons.
With Art of Adventure you can follow the National Navigation Award Scheme with it's Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards, or simply have some instruction to brush up on your skills before a trip you may be planning.
We can also show you how to use the natural environment around you like the stars and wind to navigate by.
People were using these methods long before navigation tools were invented and they are very useful skills to know.
The art of navigation is an easy and enjoyable skill to learn and Art of Adventure would love to show you the way.
Art Workshops
The Art Workshops I run are designed to get you outdoors into the wilds to experience nature first hand.
Touch it, feel it, smell it, create with it and stimulate your senses by immersing yourself in the vastness of it.
Inspiration for the Art Workshops comes from sources such as environmental artist Andy Goldsworthy, sand artists Paul Hoggard and Remy Geerts and Devon artist Cea Blythe who paints using local earth pigments.
The main focus of the Art Workshops is to encourage the process of creation while reducing the importance of the finished piece. The emphasis being on loosening up and letting go to really allow the creative juices to flow.
Photography Workshops
The art of good photography lies in developing patience and observation; taking time to see the beauty in nature around us; being able to find the unusual which can so easily be overlooked.
My personal Inspiration comes from photographers like Heather Angel and Art Wolfe.
I can show you how to get the most out of your camera in the great outdoors, from what equipment to carry to how to use it in tough environments.
Above all, as with my other Art Workshops, I would like to help you to let go of the ego based, outcome driven result and take pleasure in the process, allowing you to free up your creativity.
Video Workshops
The art of good video, like photography, lies in developing patience and observation; taking time to see the beauty in nature around us; being able to find the unusual which can so easily be overlooked.
My personal Inspiration comes from wildlife film makers like Stephen King and Johnny Kingdom.
I can show you how to get the most out of your camera in the great outdoors, from what equipment to carry to how to use it in tough environments as well as more technical advice on composition and filming to make editing easier.
Above all, as with my other Art Workshops, I would like to help you to let go of the ego based, outcome driven result and take pleasure in the process, allowing you to free up your creativity.
|