Rock climbing, sea kayaking and survival skills

A calm and sunny day at Ardmore

We woke this morning for the usual run and swim. The swimming team has whittled down to a hardcore squad of Zak, Paddy, Cameron and Ruby who saw blue skies from bedroom windows and were then caught by a short shower whilst getting changed on the bridge. Once the wetsuits adjust to the water temperature, the morning swim is great. The perfect preparation for the day to come. The other members of the team went running out along the vehicle track with Katie to get the blood flowing and the sleep out of their eyes.

After breakfast the Blues went sea kayaking with Matt and Mark, exploring the coves and bays of Loch A Chadh-Fi and paddling across to the mussel farm that sits beneath the wood at Ardmore. With a lowish tide the team were able to collect some winkles and limpets that we had not been able to look at during survival skills on Sunday, and cook them up on the shore.

Meanwhile the Reds were rock climbing and abseiling on the crags high above the Adventure School. With four climbs and an abseil set up and with three instructors with the team of nine pupils, there was a lot of climbing to get done.

After picnicking out on the hills the Reds walked down to the remote Ardbeg Bay to look at the fire and food elements of the survival skills needed. Fire lighting with striking flints, foraging for winkles and limpets, and cooking a basic bread dough on sticks that we call ‘damper’. The team also combed the rocky beach for marine plastic to take back to the Adventure School, and collect some driftwood which looks like it will adorn Mr Barrable’s classroom next week! 

The Blues rock climbed and abseiled in the afternoon, with both teams returning to the Adventure School just in time for a 6pm supper.

Survival island pre-briefings and a raft build this evening. We’ll race the rafts on the sea loch tomorrow morning before breakfast!

Everyone is well and spirits are high with ‘search to survive’ (our wilderness orienteering course), lobster creeling and a boat trip to the crofts at Ardmore to see the Atlantic rowing boat tomorrow. The teams head straight onto the island from Ardmore tomorrow, the culmination of everything they have done here so far!