Descriptions of the Activities
Whilst the emphasis is on FUN, safety is of paramount importance and the group is always fully supervised. Below is a list of some of our activities and a brief description.
CANOEING: a large open-cockpit canoe paddled solo or with two or three
other paddlers. We usually go for a trip up or downstream if we are at
Harlow and practice skills at ESSA.
KAYAKING: a closed-cockpit boat paddled solo. A spray deck can be worn and skills are encouraged. Members can also take part in kayak sessions at other venues and winter pool sessions to improve skills.
CLIMBING: wearing a safety harness and helmet climb the 4-sided outdoor climbing wall or the fantastic new indoor climbing wall and then have a go at belaying for a friend. Trips are occasionally organised to Harrison's Rock in Kent.
ABSEILING: once you've climbed the wall abseil off the top! Great fun!
Occasionally we abseil of the nearby road bridge during a Problem
Solving session.
MOUNTAIN BIKING: grab a bike, helmet and a lurid day-glo top and then we're off up and down hill getting muddy in local area or countryside. Hardly ever get lost now.
PROBLEM SOLVING: anything could happen on this session! Usually working as part of a team or sometimes individually to work out puzzles and challenges. Usually a dry activity but definitely wet in the summer!
ORIENTEERING: grab a map and walkie-talkie and as part of a team follow directions from Base Camp to solve the clues and be the first team back.
ARCHERY: addictive - your skills (usually) keep improving during this session (plus an opportunity to have a natter).
BUMBLE: picture a ramble along the river bank and then you're encouraged to jump in! Wearing a wetsuit and helmet this session offers a variety of challenges and is VERY wet and mucky.
DRAGON BOATS: working as a team with everyone paddling (and 1 person to bang the drum) this is a very pleasant way to spend a Wednesday morning.
HIGH ROPES: The course is a variety of climbing and balancing challenges
all very high up. Safety harnesses and helmets are worn and you can
belay for a friend under supervision. Popular elements are the zip wire,
para-descender, Jacob's ladder, trapeze, balancing beams and milk crate
challenge.
LOW ROPES: teamwork skills and balancing challenges all very low down! A popular event and a great laugh too!
RAMBLES: in local countryside in Essex or Herts.
DINGHY SAILING: at ESSA in Nazeing have a go at sailing Toppers, Lazers or something bigger. Full instruction and safety boat on duty. Wet suits provided and helmets if required.
WINDSURFING: again at Nazeing learn the techniques under instruction on the simulator and then you're off. Safety boat on duty. Wet suits provided.
ROWING: single-handled boat rowed on the River Stort from Harlow
Outdoors.
OFF-ROAD BOARDING: looks like a skate-board with wheels. Wearing protective garments roll down (and fall down) hills and slopes in local area.
ANNUAL TRIP: once a year the group organises a 3-day, action packed adventure trip.
MISCELLANEOUS: ice-skating trips, gliding, and family sea side trips during holidays.