Page 26 - RADC 2017

Wessex Region Adventure Training Week
LCpl Smith RADC
All adventurous training, whatever the type, must follow certain basic guidelines to be successful. There must be imagination, enthusiasm, good planning, quality equipment, fitness, endurance, and the acceptance that there may be
a healthy dose of fear as well. And one large, undiluted shot of adrenaline! Our Adventure Training week at Castlemartin ATC tackled mountain biking, kayaking, hiking and rock climbing. It was certainly a week to remember for a long time.
It was my first time attending adventure training, so I was very enthusiastic to be given the opportunity to challenge myself both mentally and physically.
Indoor Rock Climbing
On the first day I participated in indoor rock climbing. I had never done indoor rock climbing before so I was a bit anxious at first, however as the day went by I started to gain in confidence and character and felt I learnt new things about myself as a person.
marshmallows to make a nutritious lunch of toasted marshmallows!’’ LCpl Sydney Lewis
Biking in Brechfa Forest
The Derwen Trail was a really challenging but rewarding ride. It was a fantastic introduction to mountain biking and we all really enjoyed it. It was a huge adrenaline rush leaving us with tender bums at the end!
“One of my biggest fears is cycling but
on AT I pulled myself together, got on a bike and had a go, because that’s what it’s all about - trying new things and having a go
at something out of your comfort zone. Half the time I pushed the bike uphill but I loved the downhill where I flew down like there was no tomorrow”. Cpl Kobson
Mountain Biking in Pantmaenog Forest
Following the day spent on the Derwen Trail, we then went mountain biking in Pantmaenog Forest up to Foel Eryr Peak
at 468m. This involved 16.5km of cycling across flint trails and bogs, averaging 12km/ hr (when not pulling bikes and people out of
Trekking in Pembroke
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path twists and turns its way along some of the most breath- taking coastline in Britain. We covered 10km of spectacular views and covered almost every kind of maritime landscape from rugged cliff tops and sheltered coves to wide-open beaches and winding estuaries.
Abseiling
On Day four we went abseiling in Penallie.
I enjoyed every minute of this activity. The best part was looking at the scenery of the Welsh coastline once over the edge. It was like nothing I had ever experienced before.
Canoeing
“Canoeing was really fun and full of surprising games. I was the first
to capsize, possibly
for being a bit over- competitive but the instructor was always there to advise and help when needed. A great part of the day was when the instructor made a fire and pulled out two bags of
It was a fantastic introduction to
mountain biking and we all really enjoyed it.
the bogs), clocking 58km/hr max speed and using up 750Kcal. With over 400m of ascent and descent, this was a remarkable day of adventure cycling.
24 RADC BULLETIN 2017
ADVENTURE TRAINING