Spey Descent
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Spirit of the Spey
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Profile of Dave Craig
by Peter Higgins PhD, Professor of Outdoor & Environmental Education,
Edinburgh University.
Before I say anything about Dave Craig and ‘speydescent.com’ I
should ‘come clean’ and explain that I have
known Dave as a colleague and friend for over 20 years.
We have taught and led groups together and shared journeys
as friends during this period. In recent years he has
worked with my colleagues and I on annual descents of
the River Spey with our postgraduate Outdoor Education
students and also provided their First Aid courses. I
also share Dave’s passion for the Highlands in
general and in particular the Cairngorms National Park
and the River Spey. So, whilst this ‘profile’ is
intended to be objective, it is also a passionate account
of Dave’s skills and significant contribution to
the enjoyment and learning of those who have spent time
with him in the outdoors.
Rather than comment in general terms I believe I can
give a better insight through one particular activity,
a canoe journey on the River Spey. I must have paddled
part or all of this river with Dave on a dozen occasions
now, and since it has become an annual event for our
postgraduate students, I always look forward to it keenly.
Each new intake of students though has no idea what to
expect when we make the journey north to Strathspey!
A multi-day journey of this type offers many opportunities
to get to know people and at the end of it the students
have invariably developed great admiration, affection
and respect for Dave. As a ‘teacher of teachers
and outdoor instructors’ I have often pondered
on the reasons for this and I have concluded that Dave
embodies the key elements of a highly skilled professional
educator and guide. First and foremost he has a love
of 'people and the outdoors, and his passion for bringing
the two together is plain for all to see. From the moment
he meets a group he is respectful, friendly, reassuring
and witty, immediately putting any who are anxious at
their ease. On the river he is an impressive ‘presence’;
a very strong paddler, consummately professional, always
in the right place to guide and instruct, reassuringly
and unobtrusively dealing with safety issues. But that
is not the limit of his skills. He is keenly interested
and deeply knowledgeable about the landscape he works
in. So for example a journey on the Spey becomes an education
into the history, culture and folklore of the area, all
delivered with the skills of the story-teller.
Dave has been the BCU/SCA River Advisor for the Spey
for as long as I can remember, and as such he has taken
his responsibilities seriously, endeavouring to work
with all the recreational and other local interests.
He has been instrumental in crafting the best relationship
between paddlers and fishermen of any river I know in
the UK, and this is no small achievement in light of
the significance of the river to both communities. This
is of particular interest to me as I spent a good number
of years as a freshwater and fisheries biologist specialising
in Atlantic salmon, and so have an understanding of the
interests of the fishermen and their guides (ghillies)
on the river. In my view Dave has developed this respectful
relationship by making a point of understanding the views
of all parties and working with them in the best interests
of the river. As a result of this effort and through
making probably more journeys down the river than anyone
alive, I can confidently say that he knows the whole
river as well as anyone.
For me a journey on the Spey is a always a real treat,
but with Dave it becomes a privilege, revealing new insights
into the history and culture of the area and providing
me with a reminder of the teaching and guiding skills
I need to maintain my own high professional standards.
For the beginner or the highly skilled, a course with
Dave on land or water promises an enjoyable, stimulating
and complete experience which is rare even amongst the
world-class standards set by the outdoor profession in
Scotland.
Pete Higgins
Professor of Outdoor and Environmental Education
BCU Level 5 Coach, Mountain Instructor Certificate, etc.
University of Edinburgh
Scotland
www.education.ed.ac.uk/outdoored
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Introductory/Improver Open Canoe
Day
open PDF info
Venue ~ River Spey (Most likely
Kincraig to Aviemore)
For ~ Anyone interested
in learning more about handling these versatile craft ~ maybe
even confirm your thoughts about completing a full Spey Descent!
Provided ~ all required
canoe equipment (canoes, paddles, buoyancy aids, etc.),
Bring ~ clothes you don't
mind getting wet ~ layers ~ fleece items, etc., lightweight
waterproof shell, old trainers or similar, Packed lunch.
Accommodation ~ available
at The
Beeches , Newtonmore.
(B&B £30/DB&B £46/Packed lunch FOC if staying at The
Beeches)
speydescent.com gift vouchers available
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David
Craig is an authority on and has great passion for the River
Spey, with 44 years experience of paddling on and caring
for this wonderful river. In 2000 formed speydescent.com
~ facilitating magical open-canoe journeys on the Spey. Scottish
Canoe Association ~ River Spey Adviser since 1981.
Click Here for Dave Craig profile
by Professor Peter Higgins of Edinburgh University
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What You Will Learn
Innate
within and forming a large part of my Spey Descents is the shared
enjoyment and satisfaction of journeying confidently on this majestic
river. To be able to fully appreciate this experience it is important
that clients gain an understanding of open canoe techniques ~ especially
competence and an efficiency in paddle strokes and self-rescue
techniques. Strokes taught include ~ forward and reverse paddling,
J-Stroke, draws, pries, hanging draws, sweep-strokes, on-side and
off-side bow-cuts. Where possible, also included are poling and
~ if on flat sections we have a following wind ~ some sailing,
with boats rafted up and using a small spinnaker.
The Spey is an ideal river, especially on a 5 day Journey to
learn, practice and hone paddling skills. Normally we start in
the flat
waters downstream of Loch Insh close to Kincraig, where basic
strokes are introduced and can be thoroughly practiced before
putting them
to the test on the entertaining 7 mile section en route to Aviemore.
Day 2 allows for 'stroke consolidation' on the fairly flat, wide
section of the river towards Gratown-on-Spey before, on day 3,
4 & 5 tackling the slightly larger, more technical but fun(!)
Grade II rapids in the middle and lower sections of the river.
Apart from its unique feature of being the only major Scottish
river to confluence with the sea at a very picturesque, rural
location, the Spey remains a 'lively river', providing interest
for the paddler
right to the end, where hopefully (sea conditions allowing) one
can 'play' in the waves of the Moray Firth. DC/2009.
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Trips can be organised for groups by contacting
Dave Craig, but if you dont have a group don't despair. There will
be "Open" descents running regularly throughout the season.
For more information contact
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