Family Adventure Store Blog

Scott Finch is local Wild Water Racer that we have followed, supported and sponsered. He rescently spent sometime with us as apart of his work experience where he discovered the in’s and out’s of the job.

Scott lives a busy life traveling from place to place, competing all over Europe.

Here is his latest update:

” Hi everyone

I am writing to give you an update on how things are going at the moment. I have been around the country to several GB training camps and also had a Dart race last weekend that was good fun (I even tried c2 with a mate) I am off to France at the start of half term for a race on the River Scorff in Brittany it is the same race I did this time last year so I know the river what is an added bonus. There are 4 paddlers & Kevin going from Wiltshire Youth.
The Selection Races this year will be late June for the European Championships in Slovenia at the end of August. I am thinking it will be warmer than the Czech Republic last summer. ”

Well Done Scott! We will keep our fingers crossed

Over 100 cags in stock in a range of different sizes.

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http://www.familyadventurestore.co.uk

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Palm have released a their new range of gloves, mitts, specbands and footwear just to name a few.


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There has been a lot of discussion at F.A.S in recent months with a couple from a local canoe club (Devizes) and doubtless a far greater level of debate at home & after much soul searching Haydn and Caroline Waters have decided to take the plunge and embark on the mother of all canoe marathons the Devizes to Westminster. (6-9 April 2012).

Below is an outline of the race itself: 

We will be following their progress in the coming months as we feel their story typifies the kind of personal adventure that we both value & support.  One of the areas of debate was what craft they should use and after much research from both them and ourselves they decided upon a We-no-Nah Jenson. Part of the rationale for this choice was that they would be left after the DW with a very comfortable and usable open canoe for general recreational use rather than a pencil shaped speed machine which would not be suited to anything other trips on anything other than flat straight water.

They have not entered into this blindly as Haydon has previously been part of the support crew for a team participating in the same event so he has had a first hand view of whats involved which we feel makes them that little bit more prepared! 

They have just started to embark on several Night Paddles which comes with its own little set of challenges as you can imagine, last week they narrowly escaped following the couple in front of them straight into the brambles on the bank on a bend (ouch!)    

All that remains currently is to wish them on going success in the months ahead both training and in the race, we will of course keep you updated on their progress.

It may be getting dark and rainy outside, but here at FAS we’re positively buzzing! Not only are the rivers extra full at this time of year, the ski season is also upon us, meaning snow, travel and, (this is the best bit) brand new Dare 2b kit!

The team kitted out in Dare 2b last year, Valloire, France

They’re still making their classics, like the thermals that we lived in last winter, and the warmest ski gloves we’ve ever owned, but they’ve also got some new designs, guaranteed to keep you warm, comfortable, and looking good on the slopes! Their latest ranges provide breatheable, waterproof ski-wear for both adults and children, that can be worn on, and off, the mountain.

We will soon have almost the full range on our ebay shop, and, if you’re looking for a bargain but don’t want to compromise on quality, we’ve got a sale on our last years stock, so watch this space!

The All New Tetra 10

What Ocean kayak has to say…. “Sleek and sporty, the Tetra series is perfect for the small to medium build paddler. Compact and easy to manoeuvre the Tetras are equipped with the unique Comfort Hybrid seat back. Nimble and fun, perfect in a variety of water conditions.

The Tetra Series comes in 4 different sizes, the 10, 10 angler, 12 and 12 Angler. Perfectly designed and outfitted to offer you the best.   

Tetra 12 angler

Last weekend saw the Family Adventure Stores founders Terry & Jenny Sinclair enter the River Wye Adventure Triathlon style race along with long standing friend Andy (Frank) Wenham, the event consisted of a non stop programme which roughly went like this: warm up run- 2k, mountain bike- 23k, canoe- 10k, and run 10k, the team turned in a respectable 9th place which the 3 old timers were quite pleased with as this is only the second adventure triathlon they have done, said Terry the running sections were very hard with a massive ascent at the end. the canoe section from Biblins camp site to Monmouth  was great as we have paddled this section in the past so knew the most efficient route.  

Most of you will remember our ex-resident-adventurer, Dave Cornthwaite, who took over our ‘attic’ a couple of summers ago, when he was planning his kayak journey down the length of the Murray River. We still keep in contact with him, and he is currently half way(ish!) through one of his biggest challenges to date.

On the 20th of June, Dave started stand-up-paddleboarding the grueling  2400 mile length of North America’s most iconic river, the Mississippi. So far he’s reached the state of Illinois, and on the way has encountered some viscous mosquito’s,  a major heatwave and countless TV and Radio interviews, not to mention the Newspaper articles! Along the way he’s been holding talks at social clubs, town halls and education centers.

We think he’s a total legend because, as per usual, all of Dave’s adventures are to help good causes. This time, he’s raising money for two charities that are very close to his heart, The AV Foundation and CoppaFeel. To donate to either of these charities please go to Dave’s website.  Dave’s also doing his trip to raise awareness of the environmental problems faced by the Mississippi river.

To follow Dave on his journey please go to his site , where there is a nifty little map which you can track him on, details of coming talks, pictures, video’s and much more.

From time to time here at FAS we have an ‘Explorer in Residence’ lurking on our upper deck. First we had Dave Cornthwaite, the chappie who crossed Australia on a skateboard, and then we had Justin Miles who prefers colder climates for his exploits - much colder - like the Arctic and Antarctic.

As well as his cold weather trips Justin likes to do a little challenge every year for his chosen charity the Children’s Trust. Last year, whilst he was with us, he undertook a disasterous bike ride from London to Paris which you can read about here

This year he’s decided to kayak from the Bristol Channel to the English Channel right across the middle of England using canals and rivers.

It’s not the first time it’s been done, and knowing the way Justin paddles he certainly won’t be the fastest, but he is hoping to get lodas of people joining him either on the water or next to him on the footpaths.

The plan sounded brilliant, but we knew the phone call would come.

“Hey Jenny, it’s Justin. Have I ever told you how much I love you all and miss you terribly? No? Well, I meant to. Anyway, I’m doing this little thing and I was wondering - any chance of borrowing a boat for a few days?”

We did consider making him swim it, but seeing as he asked so nicely and because it’s for such a good cause we’re giong to loan him a boat to make the trip in.

You can find out more about the trip and how to get involved on Justins website at www.justforthechallenge.com

Since the last update the selection race has come & gone, after all the hard work & preparation for the races the selection process seemed to take for ever to give us the answers that we were waiting for. My second place overall was good enough to get on the team to represent GB at Wild Water Racing in the Junior World Championships.

The training focus changed back to the base level to prepare for the races in July. During this training I had 2 target events that I was preparing for 2 races in Scotland one on the Tay & one on the Awe, The Tay was a sprint & the Awe was a classic, I was second in the Sprint & first in the Classic then came the British Championships at Bala the 2 races had the results combined & I came 2nd overall Seniors & Juniors.

I am looking forward to the FAS open day & my 2 weeks work experience after.

Any Questions or Queries? Email us on sales@familyadventurestore.co.uk or Call the Team on 01225 768630