Rock River Coaching

14/09/2026

14/09/2026

After 59 callouts in August, the busiest month in our history, we think it is time for a serious conversation about what is happening in our mountains.

Our volunteers carried out prolonged rescues in darkness and poor weather, dealt with serious injuries, heat-related issues, assisted people stuck in serious terrain and, sadly, attended incidents where people and animals lost their lives.

What concerns us most is the increasing number of people taking on difficult terrain while completely unprepared for what they are facing.

The mountains have not suddenly become more dangerous. More people are visiting them, and the way routes are discovered and accessed has changed.

Routes once mainly attempted by experienced hillwalkers and mountaineers are increasingly attracting people with little or no experience.

A photograph or video of Crib Goch can make an exposed Grade 1 scramble look like just another route to the summit. What it doesn’t show is how intimidating that ridge can be in cloud, rain or strong winds or how quickly a manageable situation can become a serious emergency.

We want people to enjoy Eryri. We understand the physical and mental health benefits of spending time in the mountains but accidents happen, even to experienced, well-prepared people. That is why we volunteer.

But enjoying the mountains also comes with personal responsibility. Too often, people simply don’t know that a route may require specific skills, equipment, fitness, experience and judgement and how quickly conditions can change.

Our callout numbers tell the story:

147 in 2020
237 in 2021
233 in 2022
308 in 2023
327 in 2024
359 in 2025
Around 440 projected in 2026.

This trend is not sustainable.

The answer cannot simply be more Mountain Rescue. There has to be greater focus on prevention and personal responsibility.

We will always respond when someone genuinely needs our help. The bigger question now is: how do we stop so many people from needing help in the first place?

Enjoy the mountains but please try to understand the environment you are entering and if the terrain or conditions don’t feel right, turn around.

07/09/2026

This weekend we were running a Paddlesport Safety and Rescue for some of the youth paddlers at Paxmead Riverside Base

We have an open PSRC Saturday 3rd October at Shepperton, Surrey. £100 per person.
Booking via at www.Rockrivercoaching.uk
Over 18s only.

15/08/2026

We had a great afternoon out with some friends kids being the cool "uncle and auntie" taking the opportunity to refresh some game and activities ahead of updating our SUP games cards.
Young"Eggs" getting well into the game of "Rockets".

15/08/2026

It has been a warm and busy week. With Paddle Uk Paddlesport instructor courses with participants from Black Water Valley Canoe Club, Paxmead River Base and Shepperton Sharks.
Followed by a Paddlesport Leader Training course on Littleton Sailing Lake and the Thames.

We aim to support the development of instructors and coaches within clubs and organisations in the Surrey and Hampshire area. If you are looking for paddlesport traing for your team please get in touch.

Paxmead Riverside Base Blackwater Canoe Polo Edge Progressive Paddling Littleton Sailing Club Paddle UK

07/08/2026

Paddlesport Leader Training 13th and 14th August Shepperton, Surrey.
£220

The Paddlesport Leader award is aimed at people wanting to lead trips and journeys on sheltered water rivers and small lakes.

It is a multicraft award, allowing you to lead canoes, kayaks and SUPs.

The award is ideal for outdoor education professionals, club paddlers and people looking to start their own paddle sport companies.

Contact us at [email protected] for more details.

24/07/2026

Coming back from a week of DofE Gold work, I took a slight detour today via Hou Canoes and Silverbirch Canoes to pick up our new Hou Chieftain 17' canoe.

We've got this as a dedicated tandem boat for adults and as a triple for those pesky DofE groups with an odd number of participants.

Also, so we can do some proper multi-day tandem paddling trips ourselves.

We'll be trying some different ideas on the outfitting to give us some extra versatility.

It was also great to catch up with the guys and get a tour of the factory.

20/07/2026

We still have spaces available on our
Paddle UK Stand Up Paddleboard Instructor Award.
29th and 30th July 2026, £200
Aldershot, Hampshire
The SUP Instructor qualification is designed for instructors running Paddleboard taster/starter sessions within the safety management systems of clubs, centres or other organisations in Very Sheltered Water environments: i.e. canals, small lakes.
It is a 2 day combined training and assessment.
The only prerequisites for the course are to be a competent Flat water Paddleboarder and be a member of Paddle UK.

Booking is via our website

The Stand Up Paddleboard Instructor qualification is designed for instructors running SUP taster/starter sessions for clubs, centres or other organisations in Very Sheltered Water environments: i.e. canals, small lakes, swimming pools. Using Paddleboards suitable for a first-time experience.

07/07/2026

Paddle UK Stand Up Paddleboard Instructor Award.
29th and 30th July 2026, £200
Aldershot, Hampshire

We have spaces left on our up coming SUP Instructor course, this qualification is designed for instructors running Paddleboard taster/starter sessions within the safety management systems of clubs, centres or other organisations in Very Sheltered Water environments: i.e. canals, small lakes.
It is a 2 day combined training and assessment.

The only prerequisites for the course are to be a compitent Flat water Paddleboarder and be a member of Paddle UK.

The Stand Up Paddleboard Instructor qualification is designed for instructors running SUP taster/starter sessions for clubs, centres or other organisations in Very Sheltered Water environments: i.e. canals, small lakes, swimming pools. Using Paddleboards suitable for a first-time experience.

22/06/2026

Paddle UK Stand Up Paddleboard Instructor Award 29-30th July 2026
£200 Aldershot, Hampshire.

The Stand Up Paddleboard Instructor qualification is designed for instructors running Paddleboard taster/starter sessions within the safety management systems of clubs, centres or other organisations in Very Sheltered Water environments: i.e. canals, small lakes.
The 2-day QCF Level 1 qualification aims to help prepare candidates for their first paddleboard instructing role; ‘primed and ready’.

Booking is now open on our website.
Pre Requisites: Paddle UK Membership, competent paddleboarder and aged 14+

https://www.rockrivercoaching.uk/bookcourses/p/supi-award-535r2