Two groups of Year 11 Cambridge National in Sport Studies pupils attended a Kayaking instruction and skills session at Tees Barrage International White Water Centre on Wednesday 20th and Thursday 21st September. The activity mornings were planned to support the pupils with their coursework module on ‘Increasing Awareness of Outdoor and Adventurous Activities’ and received funding from Inspiring Choices www.inspiring-choices.co.uk.
Risedale staff and pupils would like to extend a huge thank you to instructors Kyle, Sam and Tom from Tees Barrage for two fantastic sessions on the water.
Instructors Sam and Tom said,
“The Risedale School pupils have been the most well-behaved and enthusiastic group we have worked with all year. We are particularly impressed with their motivation, growing confidence, resilience and teamwork. Great work Risedale!”
Teacher of PE, Mr Pugh, said,
“As part of the Cambridge National qualification, our pupils had to plan for and be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills during an outdoor adventurous activity. There were numerous suggested activities in which the pupils could take part in such as camping, orienteering and trail cycling, however, myself and Mr Lawson both wanted to give pupils a new exciting experience and decided to make it one to remember… and it certainly was that’’.
“It was brilliant to see all the pupils coming together as a group and having a really fantastic time, working together as a team, supporting each other and having a really good laugh with one another in the meantime.”
Mr Pugh continued by picking out a few memorable moments of the day...
“During a team activity, 5 pupils attempted to balance on a double kayak while Ruby shouted instructions on which side to paddle. Archie won the ‘splashing task’ by successfully soaking everyone, including the teacher who fell out of their kayak and Reece did eventually manage to maintain his balance on the kayak for more than 5 minutes.”
Risedale Careers Leader, Mrs Porritt, commented, “It was a real pleasure to accompany our pupils on their adventure to the Tees Barrage. Once they had conquered the first challenge of getting into the wetsuits, putting on their buoyancy aids and helmets and overcoming their nerves about getting into the water they all had a great day. I was so proud that they all gave it a go and tried something out of their comfort zones.”
Kayaking at the Tees Barrage
Tees Barrage International White Water Centre
Inspiring Choices
Inspiring Choices is part of the Uni Connect programme funded by the Office for Students to provide impartial careers information, advice, and guidance about further and higher education to young people across York and North Yorkshire.