Fitness training for the outdoors

Jersey Adventures are committed to the personal fitness and well being of its customers, and with qualified gym instructor qualifications aim to balance the normal training regime with skills development and achievement.
The winter training schedule with Jersey Adventures is held indoors at Langford Sports centre and combines fitness training across all constitutes including CV, kineasthetic awareness, and of course the three S's, strength, speed and stamina. Sessions start with core strengthening and flexibility exercises and can be followed by indoor climbing and trampolining, the latter for development of individuals wanting to increase their stunt capacity when coasteering.
The overall balance across fitness disciplines aids the total fitness ambition that so many of us desire and by using outdoor pursuits makes training less monotonous and very exciting.
For further information contact John Fox 07797727503 john@jerseyadventures.com or visit www.jerseyadventures.com

Responsibility of adventure providers

Without doubt adventure providers need to be responsible about the activities they deliver and even more so for the people in their charge. It is with this thought that I have concerns. Recently I have seen particular statements and advertising which shows total disregard for the environment, operating locations and customers through irresponsible behaviour. How can this be? Here in Jersey there is no legislation surrounding the setting up of businesses that deliver outdoor and adventurous activities, and even if there were, there is still nothing stopping an individual or partnership buying an outdoor pursuits company and continuing it's operations, even without the relevantly qualified staff. A good measurement to find out whether a company is responsible is to look at its operating procedures which should be displayed on their website, and the minimum requirement should be the quality badge "learning Outside the Classroom".
The question looms as to how an operator who has bought an adventure company can obtain the relevant insurance? it's a good question and one whereby one would assume that the insurers seek any changes in operating procedures, but unfortunately they don't, they just send renewal invitations.

I have reported this on several occasions to the local authorities where I have witnessed illegal activity by some providers, without action or investigation by those authorities such as the LEA and other government departments.
With this in mind it opens up opportunities for others to make false claims about their activity and operating procedures and allows for irresponsible delivery, marketing and risk taking. It is with regret that some people are in this business for the sole purpose of making money. A fellow businessman would say "Well why else would you be in business"? My answer would be that in this business, it also about protection of the environment and helping people to achieve their potential. Jersey Adventures puts this at the heart of it's teaching and is demonstrated in its many awards and recognition for responsible delivery of outdoor and adventurous pursuits. see  www.jerseyadventures.com

When you need to get away

As on may occasions when Jersey becomes tiresome I wander across the water to Brittany, where I can drive for an hour without having to stop at a traffic light or junction, or sit in a queue of traffic for an hour to cover a 5 mile journey. For those people wanting to get off the rock for a few days, and have a sense of adventure it is worth trying out the weekend escapes with Jersey Adventures. Staying in a 5 bed-roomed house at Port de Lyvet on the Rance, your guides will accompany you on a 5 level high ropes course, which on level 5 gives you views above the Forest canopy. A guided kayak tour along the Rance to the Historic City of Dinan, visits to local Dolmens, cycle tours and bush walks in woodlands which are still home to wild boar, adder snakes and otters. Nearby there is an opportunity to meat the native seal who resides in the estuary and is very sociable with humans. Further details are available from john@jerseyadventures.com or kazz@jerseyadventures.com

The Camino de Santiago Cycle Challenge

It never ceases to amaze me how the Bits haven't really cottoned to such an adventure! Whilst amazingly popular with Europeans, I have met more Americans than Brits on the Camino and equal numbers of Aussies and Kiwis.

 The Camino Frances starts in St Jean Pied du Port in the foothills of the Roncesvalles Pass and continues across several mountain ranges to Santiago, the apparent resting place of St James. The Camino is also known as the way of St James and Le Chemin de St Jacques. The walkers route can take up to six weeks and if you are prepared to put the pedal power in, can be completed in 6 to 7 days. The walkers route was recently completed by a group of Jersey Cyclists in 8 days and was described by one serious mountain biker as the best off roading he had ever done. The journey is more than just a route and given the right circumstances challenges even the more physical of Pilgrims. The whole being part of the Pilgrimage strips people of there normal routine and allows time for reflection, changes in beliefs and common concepts, and whether religious or not has a spiritual air that is amplified by the traditions of the route, traditions in which non-believers absorb themselves and partake.
Accommodation en route is varied from Pilgrim Hostels, Alberges, hotels, camp sites and monasteries. The Jersey cyclists stayed in all these types in order for the full experience, and were even blessed by Nuns in one Alberge. The scenery is stunning, the weather depends on which time of year but invariably is seasonal, and very hot in the summer when most Pilgrims journey.
Jersey Adventures will be leading this Charity Cycle Challenge again in April 2011 so if you are up for a challenge or would like to hear more about the journey email john@jerseyadventures.com

Jersey Safari

People often say where are the Zebras and big game in Jersey? Well, of course there aren't any big game cats and the closest we get is the captive breeding programme at Durrel. The word Safari literally means walk-about (often in a 4x4) and Jersey has an enormous amount of wildlife to examine with its unique location and geographical history. The Jersey Safari gives participants the opportunity to look at Jersey differently and takes in some history, marine wildlife and sea behaviour, back lane routes through the inner Jersey, off the beaten track nature walks, with some culture thrown in for good measure.
This tour can be conducted through Jersey Adventures and is suitable for passionate people who enjoy the natural world.www.jerseyadventures.com

Kayaking in Jersey Channel Islands

Jersey's massive tidal range is a good indication that these waters can be dangerous, especially when not respected. When kayaking here, it is worth hiring a guide who works the waters on a regular basis, just to save any embarrassing situations, or even worse!!! There are several outfits offering this service and it worth checking out there credentials before hiring them, however if you insist on taking yourself on an adventure paddle without the benefit of local knowledge, avoid leaving the sheltered bays. Further areas for consideration will be posted soon.

Adventure ten-a-fest

This years ten-a-fest programme kicked off yesterday with a crowd of happy abseilers at St Catherine's in Jersey, with kayaking and coasteering on the agenda today. We will be going to France on Monday to celebrate the successful season for some sport climbing, high ropes and kayaking. See www.jerseyadventures.com for details.

Rock Climbing in Jersey, Channel Islands

Experience some of the best climbing in Western Europe with Jersey Adventures, from easy to extreme the Jersey Adventures climbing instructors and guides are probably the best outside of the Jersey Climbing club and always willing to show climbers a good time.

Coasteering with the one and only John Fox

John Fox pioneered coasteering in Jersey and can provide the most exhilarating, yet educational adventure of a lifetime. Jersey Adventures were probably one of the first companies to commercialise this recreational activity in the UK. Whilst lesser leaders think that coasteering is a supervised tomb-stoning session, think again and experience advanced coasteering sessions with John from Jersey Adventures.

Bush-craft in the Channel Islands

Love bush craft? Then come and see one of the most talented bushmen around. Kazz Padidar of Jersey Adventures has the passion like no other for the outdoor environment and all that is in it. Course details are available from www.jerseyadventures.com

Jersey Adventure and Education

It gives me great pleasure to make my first of what I hope to be many posts on blogger. I aim to cover topical areas such as outdoor and adventurous activities, including abseiling, coasteering, kayak tours, rock climbing and expeditions. For an initial insight in to what we do please visit www.jerseyadventures.com or email john@jerseyadventures.com. John.