I don't know how many of you have been watching the Invictus games each evening, but one of the first guys to come to Heroes On the Water, Luke Sinnott, was undergoing rehab and the early sessions were his part of his therapy towards his recovery.
Well, he won silver in the 800m yesterday and got GOLD today in the 400m.
I took a new fellow out on Saturday, kev, from Lancashire. We had a few tentative takes but more importantly, he is buzzing and it has reinvigorated his life. He has very little money, so the sessions are going to be like a foreign holiday to him. Stress levels, reason for being and self esteem are all regained. To the point he wants to work towards becoming a qualified session leader. He is already a qualified kayak coach, from his army days. He had NEVER fished before though, so I spent an hour or so with him getting him going with the fundamentals of setting up a rod, tying knots (he tied his own, after I showed him - and he is away practising before next time!) Then I showed him how to cast...and he practised hard. By the afternoon he was landing lures close under the trees like an old stager.
You'll remember Andrew from his carp on a lure in October.
He has suffered a few setbacks since then, but was sp glad to come out. He also had a few tentative takes but they were only small jacks and few stuck. It didn't matter, he went away much revivied and ready to take on what the world is throwing at him. Progress is being made.
Neil Whitehead RE came along (in case you don't know, Neil is a fellow trustee working towards being able to lead sessions oop norf) and he looked after Andrew while I got Kev up to speed.
Thanks for all your hard work and support in all capacities. here are some positives you can take from your input. FEEL PROUD.
You will see some of the new guys and girl at the Plymouth competition, we look forward to seeing you there and I think a few of the previous groups are planning on making a team up too.
Once again, from us all at Heroes On the Water. THANK YOU. You are making a massive difference.
Well, he won silver in the 800m yesterday and got GOLD today in the 400m.
I took a new fellow out on Saturday, kev, from Lancashire. We had a few tentative takes but more importantly, he is buzzing and it has reinvigorated his life. He has very little money, so the sessions are going to be like a foreign holiday to him. Stress levels, reason for being and self esteem are all regained. To the point he wants to work towards becoming a qualified session leader. He is already a qualified kayak coach, from his army days. He had NEVER fished before though, so I spent an hour or so with him getting him going with the fundamentals of setting up a rod, tying knots (he tied his own, after I showed him - and he is away practising before next time!) Then I showed him how to cast...and he practised hard. By the afternoon he was landing lures close under the trees like an old stager.
You'll remember Andrew from his carp on a lure in October.
He has suffered a few setbacks since then, but was sp glad to come out. He also had a few tentative takes but they were only small jacks and few stuck. It didn't matter, he went away much revivied and ready to take on what the world is throwing at him. Progress is being made.
Neil Whitehead RE came along (in case you don't know, Neil is a fellow trustee working towards being able to lead sessions oop norf) and he looked after Andrew while I got Kev up to speed.
Thanks for all your hard work and support in all capacities. here are some positives you can take from your input. FEEL PROUD.
You will see some of the new guys and girl at the Plymouth competition, we look forward to seeing you there and I think a few of the previous groups are planning on making a team up too.
Once again, from us all at Heroes On the Water. THANK YOU. You are making a massive difference.