Introduction to Canoeing & Bushcraft

Course Description

On this course, based in the beautiful Dumfries and Galloway area of southern Scotland, we will guide you through canoe and bushcraft skills that will enable you to have a better understanding of using the canoe as a journeying tool to remote locations and create a wild camp sympathetic to the environment.

Our location, whilst wild, is quickly accessible and offers a wide range of possibilities. For those with an eye for wild life we have regularly seen Red Kites, Ospreys, Buzzards, native Red and Roe Deer & sign of Otters. At night we have heard the screech of Barn Owls and the Tawny Owl ‘Twit Twoo’.

This course is run jointly by Dan @ DCOutdoors and RedOakBushcrafts.

Subjects Covered:

Day One:

• Meeting: we will meet at the put in and give an overview of the canoes, paddles and safety considerations, packing* for on the water before getting on to the water and guiding you through basic tandem paddling skills to ensure you are comfortable and can control the craft before we head off.

• Paddling: once loaded we will head off down an easy wide river before entering the loch. As our horizon widens we will discuss how we can read the terrain to aid choose of camp locations.

• Camp: at our first nights camp we will will get all hands on setting up the group shelter with sufficient time for you to setup your chosen sleep system, tarp & hammock* or tent* are ideal. We will guide you through creating a campfire for cooking dinner, storage of kit and creating a toilet area all with due regard for Leave No Trace principles (we want to leave our camp location as we find it or in a better condition). Even washing up has a system to follow to ensure we reduce our impact on the land we use. While in camp we will look at gathering and processing an appropriate amount of fuel for the fire using folding saws and axes as appropriate to the size of fuel. We will also gather materials to take to camp two to utilise for skills workshops such as friction fire lighting.

• Dinner: all hands make light work when it comes to dinners preparation of a good hearty and filling meal.

• Relax: a relaxing evening around the campfire before bedding down.

Day Two:

• Striking camp: we will set off to our second nights camp via a couple islands again working on tandem paddling skills. Making camp early to allow time for setting up the group shelter, campfire area, toileting and personal camp areas will allow for plenty of time during the afternoon to concentrate on a range of skills. Our two camp areas are totally different types of woodland which allow you to understand more about the range of trees and resources available to us as we journey through the landscape.

• Skills: with two instructors on the course we can split to work on a wide range of skills. Dan will take solo canoe skills session and we will look at a range of bushcraft skills which can include basic fire lighting to friction fire lighting, safe knife techniques, natural cordage, identifying plants, trees and tracks or sign of any wildlife.

• Dinner: again will be all hands on to fill the stomachs after a busy day.

Day Three:

• Time: to consolidate the skills you want to work on, either on land or water. We will have plenty of time to work on individual skills, may be set you a challenge with the skills you have learnt before we head back to civilisation.

Additional Skills:

• Wind: should conditions allow we will also look at improvised rafting and rigging of a makeshift sail to aid expedition travel and save all important energy.

Notes: A comprehensive kit list will be provided prior to the course. Items marked with an Asterix * above mean we have a selection of equipment that can be rented for the course at a low cost so you don’t need to go out and buy loads of new kit. A list will be provided prior to the course plus we try to hold a couple of on-line meetings to discuss the course, concerns and any kit requirements to try and ensure you are as prepared and comfortable as possible before the course.

Additional Notes: We will aim to be in the Dumfries and Galloway area, however weather conditions may dictate that we have to move the location. Also with the extremes of weather we have started to experience we may find that open fires may not be possible.

Suitable for:

This course is aimed at adults and accompanied mid / late teens.