Pictured are members of TVCC undergoing a Canoe England 3 Star Sea Kayak training course at South Shields. The programme included four introductory sessions in which they were coached in basic sea handling skills, launching and landing through surf, dealing with rescues and emergencies and towing an exhausted paddler. They also received instruction in equipment for sea kayaking, basic coastal navigation, the emergency services, access and the environment, Hypothermia and first aid, planning a sea journey and much more. The group found the course challenging and coped very well with the different sea and weather conditions experienced during the four days training.