LT PAUL Bastiaens contends with the raging waters of the Breitach in the Alps at the ‘business end’ of the RN Kayaking Association’s Exercise Bavarian Splash.

Eight members of the RNKA took advantage of the excellent facilities and experienced staff at the Naval Outdoor Centre, Germany (NOCG – known as Bavarian Surprise until revamped, rebranded and reopened in April 2009 by then Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Sir Alan Massey).

Lt Bastiaens organised the training session with the aim of giving developing paddlers a chance to really push themselves on challenging high-volume rivers which don’t exist in the United Kingdom.

Assisted by the centre’s senior instructors and river leaders Sgt Maj Paul Farr and Mark Waugh, the team managed to bag five different rivers in five days, carrying out white-water safety and rescue training.

Unfortunately the weather was unusually wet for the Alps at this time of year, which meant that some of the glacial-fed rivers were low due to lack of sun.
Fortunately, the rain-fed rivers were extremely high.

Taking part in such a trip in the past used to involve lots of organising as an official exped with approved instructors, funding, transport, accommodation and all the necessary paper work had to be sorted out well in advance.

At NOCG everything is already in place, with the added advantage of local knowledge.

The association, known more for its commitment to competitive canoeing, is seeking to branch out into the development of canoe sport as a whole within the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.

The association recognises the importance of developing the paddler as a whole rather than just focusing on the competitive element of the sport and the fact that enjoyment of the sport should always be the priority.

Thanks to the success of the exercise kayakers hope to make this an annual training and development event.

For more information about the association and all forms of canoe sport in the RN, visit www.RNKA.co.uk.

Picture: PO(ACMN) Andrew Davies