Coasteering September 2009

It all started with a Beach Lifeguard Qualification. I qualified as a pool lifeguard and wanted to do my beach. However, whilst doing the Three Peak Challenge, I hurt my knee. I was told to stay away from sport for a while, which also meant the pool.

With transport, hotel and time off work booked, I decided to head to Newquay any way.

I fancied a challenge, upon looking at the many activities Lusty Glaze has to offer, such as: Surfing; A zip wire; rock climbing; abseiling; coasteering, to name but a few. I choose Coasteering. I'd never been Coasteering before and was very excited!

I joined a group of guys on a stag do and Suzi, a member of the Lusty Glaze Team who was on her last day before heading off to Canada for the ski season.

So I'm there, just itching to get going and find out exactly what this coasteering thing is all about, when we're lead by the Beach Lifeguard Qualified Instructors to get kitted up. We received loads of safety gear, consisting of two wet suits to keep us warm, helmets and buoyancy aids followed by a safety brief. We had safety reminders throughout the day, as some of us, not I, honest, got a bit over excited!

The best bit for me was sitting in a Blow hole. I've never felt the awesome power of Mother Nature quiet like that before. The tide was flooding (coming in), water rising with every wave, the noise was phenomenal! I couldn't hear the Instructor or the screams of the guys as they hadn't wedged themselves into the cave properly and started to get swept away! (No-one got hurt).

I loved the experience of jumping off cliffs into the sea, sitting in a blow hole, allowing the waves to move me in and out of caves and feeling the fantastic power of Ocean. I was disappointed I didn't get to see some of the local wildlife, Seals, but being such a big group I guess they were a bit intimidated!

I can't wait to go back a try out some of the other activities I've my eye on some rock climbing and a massage!

For more information visit their website www.adventure-centre.org, give them a call 01637 872444 or e-mail info@adventure-centre.org

Thank you to all and see you soon!! Louise Towler