Sandy Johnston Coaching
Coaching, training and leadership on mountain, loch, river and sea.
Contact SandyOpportunities for adventure - What do you want to do?
SUP - Stand-up Paddleboard
A new and developing sport that provides an excellent work-out as you stand up on the board and propel yourself forwards by paddle with benefits for your core, legs and back. Skimming across the water watching the bottom drop away underneath gives a different viewpoint from other paddlesports craft due to your height above the water.
Sandy is a British Canoeing Open Water SUP Coach and is also a provider for SUP safety courses such as SUP Safer, Paddlesport Safety and Rescue, Inland Open Water Safety and Rescue and, White Water Safety and Rescue. (All of these can be completed by paddleboarders). Sandy can also provide the SUP Shltered Water Award and the SUP Inland Open Water Leader Award.
Canoeing
Canoes provide a great way of travelling on water whether paddling, poling or sailing. Canoes can be paddled solo or as a tandem pair and they have a great load carrying capacity which makes them ideal for multi-day expeditions such as the descent to Perth from Rannoch Moor, or the Spey descent from Aviemore to Spey Bay.
Canoes feature in the Introduction to Paddling course as well as canoe specific courses that will support you to develop as a canoeist.
Sandy holds the British Canoeing Canoe Coach qualification and the British Canoeing Advanced Canoe Leader qualifications for white water and open water.
Hillwalking and Navigation Courses
Hill skills allow you to look after yourself when you are out in wild country. Spectacular scenery and supportive training and guiding combine for enjoyable days out improving your experience and ability on the hill.
Navigation is a big part of being able to look after yourself in the mountains and Sandy can provide navigation courses either as a half or full-day depending on your requirements.
Sandy holds both the Summer and Winter Mountain Leader qualifications. He is also an experienced Duke of Edinburgh Award Expedition Supervisor and a Duke of Edinburgh Award Accredited Expedition Assessor. He can provide navigation and skills courses for both summer and winter hillwalking.
Kayaking
Kayaks can be used on lochs and canals as well as on white water rivers. They range from sit-on-tops and general purpose kayaks to specialist designs such as creek boats, slalom kayaks, playboats and surf kayaks.
We will be using either sit-on-tops or general purpose boats to work on the basic skills nesessary to control these craft. Games, trips, races and of course some coaching on paddling will all be included.
Sandy holds the British Canoeing White Water Kayak Performance Coach qualification and is also a White Water Kayak Leader. He can provide the White Water and Progressive White Water awards for Kayak.
Sea Kayaking Courses
Kayaking on the sea is not just about being able to manoeuvre a sea kayak (although there is a set of skills required for this). It is also about anticipating the effects of tides, wind and weather and providing safe experiences to allow you to develop as a sea kayaker.
You will learn how to handle these craft in a safe and enjoyable manner with coaching underpinned by expert guidance and knowledge of our local waters.
Sandy is an experienced sea paddler and holds the British Canoeing Sea Kayak Coach and Sea Kayak Leader qualifications. He is a provider of sea kayaking training and can assess the British Canoeing Sea Kayak Award.
Local mountain bike guiding and skills courses.
Local mountain bike trails allow for the acquisition of skills and for improvements in fitness and technique. The Kilpatricks, Mugdock and Loch Lomondside are all within easy reach of Dumbarton and all have mountain bike trails if you know where to look for them.
Sandy holds the British Cycling Level 2 Mountain Bike Leader qualification.
Sandy can provide the following British Canoe Safety Courses
Paddlesport Safety and Rescue Course,
SUP Safer
Paddle Safer
Inland Open Water Safety and Rescue
Introduction to White Water Safety
White Water Safety and Rescue Training
Sea Kayak Safety and Rescue
Sandy can provide the following British Canoeing qualifications,
Paddlesport Instructor
Paddlesport Leader
Paddlesport Touring Leader
Standup Paddleboard Inland Open Water Leader
Paddle Start
Paddle Discover
Paddle Explore
Touring Award
Open Water Touring Award
Multi-day Touring Award
White Water Kayak Award
Progressive White Water Kayak Award
Canoe Award
Sea Kayak Award
Sheltered Water Paddleboard Award
A bit about Sandy
Sandy is an experienced Paddlesports Coach, mountain biker and Mountain Leader. His coaching philosophy is to run trips, courses and events for individuals, family groups or other small groups. These provide the opportunity for skills to be developed and experience gained in an environment that is safe and fun but also provides challenge and adventure.
Based in Dumbarton, Scotland, Sandy make use of the Clyde Estuary and the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. These are both close by, however he is quite happy to venture further afield to use other venues and to arrange other adventures.
Sandy holds the following National Governing Body qualifications for the activities that he provides and he is fully insured.
Summer Mountain Leader
Winter Mountain Leader
Climbing Wall Instructor
White Water Kayak Performance Coach
Advanced Canoe Leader and Canoe Coach
Sea Kayak Leader and Sea Kayak Coach
Stand Up Paddleboard Open Water Coach
Level 2 Mountain Bike Leadership Award
Duke of Edinburgh Award Expedition Supervisor
Duke of Edinburgh Award Expedition Assessor
Archery GB Instructor
RYA Powerboat Level 2
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