Everything Awesome

Although the title does preclude a gender, i hope the message doesnt. The message being, go prepared. So many problems, just wont become a problem, if you are prepared for them.

The classic “gentleman’s pat-down.” Whether you’re checking your pockets before leaving the house or making sure you haven’t lost your soul (or your keys) at a funeral, this mnemonic has a surprisingly long history.

While most people use it as a quick checklist to ensure they have their essentials, its roots are a bit more “holy.”

The Meaning Behind the Phrase

The phrase is a mnemonic for the Sign of the Cross (the ritual gesture made by Christians, primarily Catholics). The movement of the hand corresponds to the items mentioned:

• Spectacles: Touching the forehead.
• Testicles: Touching the lower abdomen/waist.
• Wallet: Touching the left shoulder (where a man historically kept his wallet in an inside jacket pocket).
• Watch: Touching the right shoulder (referring to a pocket watch kept in the waistcoat).

Historical Context

• The “Pocket” Logic: The order reflects a time when men’s fashion was more formal. Most men were right-handed, so they kept their wallet in the left breast pocket (easy to reach with the right hand) and their pocket watch in the right waistcoat pocket.
• Pop Culture: You might recognize this from movies like Nuns on the Run (1990) or Austin Powers, where it’s used as a joke to help someone “fake” being religious. It also famously appeared in Clint Eastwood’s Gran Torino.
• The “Pocket Pat”: Today, it’s mostly used by people who aren’t necessarily religious but want a rhythmic way to ensure they haven’t forgotten their gear.

For me, as an outdoor professional, this tends to mean, phone, keys, penknife and specs. (plus first aid kit as a default)

When working, this could include, compass, or bike pocket multi tool,

Of course, in 2026, the modern version is probably more like: “Phone, Keys, Wallet, Vape”—though that doesn’t quite have the same theological ring to it.

How to Tell the Weather from Clouds

High-Level Clouds (Above 20,000 ft)

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• Cirrus: Thin, wispy “mare’s tails.” Fair now, but rain likely in 24–48 hours.

• Cirrocumulus: “Mackerel scales.” Change in weather coming.

• Cirrostratus: Thin veil, creates a halo around sun/moon. Rain/snow in 12–24 hours.

Mid Level Clouds (6,500 – 20,000 ft)

• Altostratus: Gray sheet. Steady rain/snow arriving in a few hours.

• Altocumulus: Fluffy balls. On warm mornings, signals afternoon thunderstorms.

Low-Level Clouds (Below 6,500 ft)

• Cumulus: “Cotton balls.” Small means fair; vertical growth means storms.

• Stratus: Flat gray blanket. Gloomy with drizzle or mist.

• Stratocumulus: Lumpy and dark. Storm brewing or front passing.

Dan’ger Clouds

• Nimbostratus: Dark and thick. Steady, prolonged rain.

• Cumulonimbus: Towering with anvil top. Heavy rain, lightning, and thunder.

• Wall/Shelf Clouds: Wedge-shaped. Severe winds and potential tornadoes.

Quick Tips

• Vertical Growth: Atmosphere is unstable; expect a storm.

• Dark Color: Cloud is heavy with water; rain is imminent.

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The Values Behind the Investment

Our most valuable asset is not our house, not our car and not any of our possessions.
Its ourselves. The best investment a person can make is in themselves.

At its core, self investment is rooted in a specific set of values that transform it from an act of vanity into an act of stewardship.

1. Self Efficacy and Agency

To invest in yourself, you must first believe that change is possible. This is the value of agency. It is the rejection of the “victim” mindset, choosing instead to believe that through effort and learning, you can alter your trajectory.

2. Long-Term Thinking (Delayed Gratification)

Society often rewards the “now.” Self investment requires patience. It is the understanding that reading a difficult book today might not pay off for a year, but the cumulative knowledge will eventually create a “compound interest” effect.

3. Humility

To invest in your growth, you must admit where you are lacking. This requires humility, the willingness to be a “beginner” again.

The Pillars of Self-Investment

• Intellectual Capital: Staying curious and learning how to learn.

• Physical and Mental Health: Investing in sleep, nutrition, and resilience.

• Social Capital: Building integrity and a network.

The Ultimate Return on Investment (ROI)

The true ROI of self-investment is freedom. The more skilled and resilient you become, the more options you have.

We here at Everything Awesome run some fantastic courses, you can learn new skills, make new friends, and invest!

A question i see asked

Why would anyone pay for guided outdoor activities?

Hiring a professional guide for an outdoor activity—whether it’s mountain biking through rugged terrain, rock climbing a granite face, or navigating a complex backcountry trail—is often viewed by beginners as a luxury. However, the value of a guide extends far beyond simply showing the way. It is an investment in safety, skill acquisition, and the overall quality of the experience.

1. Safety and Risk Management
The most critical value a guide provides is risk mitigation. The outdoors are inherently unpredictable; weather can shift in minutes, trails can be washed out, and equipment can fail. A certified guide is trained to read these variables and make informed decisions that keep participants out of harm’s way.

Beyond environmental awareness, guides are typically trained in First Aid, Typically Advanced Outdoor First Aid. Should an accident occur, having a professional who can stabilize an injury and coordinate an evacuation is the difference between a minor setback and a life-threatening crisis. They carry the heavy first-aid kits, emergency communication devices, and repair tools that the average hobbyist might overlook.

2. Accelerated Learning and Technical Mastery
When you pay for a guide, you are paying for a “fast track” to competence. Trial and error is a slow and sometimes painful way to learn an outdoor sport. A guide provides real-time coaching, correcting your form on a mountain bike or teaching you the most efficient way to plant your trekking poles.

This professional instruction prevents the development of “bad habits” that are difficult to break later. For complex sports like rock climbing or downhill mountain biking, a few hours with a guide can equate to months of self-taught practice. You aren’t just paying for the day; you are paying for a foundation of skills that you will carry into every future adventure.

3. Local Knowledge and Hidden Gems
In the age of digital maps and trail apps, it is easy to think you know a landscape. However, digital data lacks nuance. A guide knows which trails get too muddy after a rain, which viewpoints are best for sunrise, and where the local wildlife is most likely to be spotted without being disturbed.

They provide a layer of interpretive education, sharing stories about the local geology, flora, and history. This transforms a physical workout into a deep, meaningful connection with the environment. You aren’t just passing through the woods; you are understanding the ecosystem you are standing in.

4. Logistics and Peace of Mind
Outdoor adventures require a mountain of logistics: gear rentals, permits, transportation, and meal planning. A guided service often handles these “invisible” tasks. This allows the participant to remain in a state of flow, focusing entirely on the activity rather than worrying about whether they packed enough water or if they are parked in a legal zone.

Conclusion
Ultimately, paying for a guide is about maximizing the “return on adventure.” By offloading the stress of navigation and safety to a professional, you free your mind to fully engage with the beauty of the natural world. Whether you are a novice looking for a safe introduction or an intermediate athlete looking to level up, a guide provides the expertise that turns a good day outside into an unforgettable one.

It’s easy for sports coaches to forget the “beginner’s struggle.” Once you’ve mastered a discipline, your movements become economical and refined; you’ve trimmed away the excess until the difficult looks effortless. To an outsider, an expert barely looks like they’re trying. But for a novice, every fundamental is a conscious battle, and every motion is inefficiently large.

To reconnect with this reality, I’ve decided to become a beginner again.

Despite being a competent Stand Up Paddleboarder (SUP), I am qualified as an instructor, leader, and sheltered water coach. I have stepped into the world of white water SUP. The experience has been transformative. I am loving the “fun of doing,” but I’m finding even more value in the “fun of failing.” Making mistakes and navigating the steep learning curve of a new environment has been incredibly grounding.

This experience has reinforced a vital lesson: Empathy is a coaching superpower. When we remain comfortable in our expertise, we lose touch with the cognitive load and physical frustration our students face. We forget what it feels like to have “clumsy” muscles or a brain overwhelmed by basic cues. By placing myself back at the starting line, I am reminded of how a beginner actually processes information and how vital patience is to the learning cycle.

I would advise any coach, regardless of their accolades or qualifications, to pick up a sport they have never tried. Immerse yourself in the awkwardness of a new skill. Understanding the emotional and physical hurdles of a novice firsthand is the single most effective way to refine your communication and become a more impactful, empathetic educator.

Being an expert is great, but being a beginner is where the real growth, for both you and your future students, truly happens.

To become a qualified paddlesport coach, the primary route is through the British Canoeing (Paddle UK) pathway. This qualification allows you to coach specific disciplines (like Sea Kayak, White Water, or SUP) and environments.

The route is split into three main phases: Training, Consolidation, and Assessment.

1. Prerequisites (The Essentials)

Before you can formally begin the assessment phase, you must meet these foundational requirements:

• National Association Membership: You must be a full member of Paddle UK (or Paddle Scotland, Paddle Wales, or Paddle Northern Ireland).
• Safeguarding Training: An in-date (within 3 years) recognized safeguarding certificate.
• First Aid Award: Usually a 1-day (8-hour) or 2-day (16-hour) certificate, depending on the environment you plan to coach in.
• Personal Skills: While not always a formal prerequisite for training, you should be at a Paddle Explore Award level (or equivalent) to ensure you are comfortable on the water.

2. The Training Phase

The coaching qualification is “modular,” meaning you can take these two courses in any order, though most people start with Core.

Core Coach Training (2 Days)

This is a discipline-neutral course that focuses on the “How” and “Who” of coaching.

• Content: Learning theory, different coaching styles, and how to structure a session to meet a learner’s needs.
• Format: Can be taken as a 2-day practical course or an online modular version.

Discipline Specific Training (2 Days)

This focuses on the “What” and “Where.” You choose one of 20+ pathways (e.g., Sheltered Water Coach, White Water Kayak Coach, or SUP Open Water Coach).

• Content: Technical and tactical skills specific to your chosen craft and environment.
• Prerequisite: You should have the personal paddling skills and, for some moderate/advanced environments, the relevant Leadership Award.

3. Consolidation & Registration

Once training is complete, you enter a “development phase” to practice your skills.

• Coaching Log: You are encouraged to log your coaching hours and reflective practice.
• Registration: You must formally register for the Coach Award with your National Association (fee applies) to access the Coach Award eLearning.
• Check-In: At least 2 weeks before your assessment, you must “Check-In” online to verify that all your prerequisites (First Aid, Safeguarding, Training, and eLearning) are on your record.

4. The Assessment (1 Day)

The final step is a practical assessment where an assessor observes you working with real students.

• Assessment Task: You will likely be asked to plan and deliver a progressive coaching session.
• Technical Check: You must demonstrate that your own personal paddling and rescue skills are at the required standard for that environment.

Summary Table: The Pathway at a Glance

Sheffield is surprisingly well-served for paddleboarding (SUP), offering a mix of grit-stone urban canals, managed country parks, and scenic Peak District reservoirs.

However, a crucial rule applies here: most reservoirs in the Peak District strictly prohibit swimming and paddleboarding due to cold water shock and hidden machinery. You should stick to approved locations but many local groups take precautions, and use these reservoirs despite the warnings.

Here are the best 5 legal and safe spots to paddleboard in and around Sheffield.

1. Sheffield & Tinsley Canal (Victoria Quays)

Best For: Urban exploring and an easy, sheltered paddle. The historic Victoria Quays basin in the city centre is the perfect launch point for a unique urban ride.

• The Vibe: Industrial heritage meets street art. You paddle past old warehouses and under bridges, eventually reaching the spot made famous by The Full Monty.
• Logistics: You need a Paddle UK (formerly British Canoeing) license to paddle on the canal. Launching is usually easiest from the Quays.
• Note: This is an “out and back” route. The water is calm, making it great for beginners, though you should be mindful of barges and debris in the water.

2. Ladybower Reservoir

Best For: Iconic Peak District scenery and big water feels. Historically off-limits, Ladybower now allows paddleboarding, but strict rules apply to protect the water and users.

• The Vibe: High-moorland views and pine forests. It is one of the most scenic places to paddle in the UK.
• Access Rules: You cannot just turn up and launch. You must book a slot through Ladybower Paddlesports, launch only from their designated pontoon, and wear a mandatory buoyancy aid.
• Cost: There is a launch fee (approx. £10–£15), and sessions are often limited to weekends or specific times.

3. Rother Valley Country Park

Best For: Beginners, families, and equipment hire. Located just southeast of the city, this is a dedicated watersports centre with a large, clean lake.

• The Vibe: Safe, supervised, and social. It’s a great place to learn the basics without worrying about river currents or canal boat traffic.
• Logistics: You can launch your own board for a fee (check their “launch and recover” prices) or hire equipment directly from the centre.
• Bonus: There is a cafe right on the water’s edge for a post-paddle coffee.

4. Manvers Lake (Wath-upon-Dearne)

Best For: A community club atmosphere and clean water. A reclaimed industrial site turned into a beautiful lake, home to a very active boat club.

• The Vibe: Sporty and friendly. It is popular for triathlon training and open-water swimming, so the water quality is generally excellent.
• Access: It is run as a club (Manvers Waterfront Boat Club). You typically need to join as a member or book a specific session/course. It is less of a “turn up and dip” spot and more of a community hub.

5. River Don (Kelham Island Loop)

Best For: Experienced paddlers seeking a challenge. The River Don runs through the heart of industrial Sheffield.

• The Vibe: Gritty and adventurous. Paddling through Kelham Island offers a view of the city’s breweries and museums from the waterline.
• Warning: Rivers are dynamic environments with weirs and currents. This is not for total beginners.
• Access: The most popular launch is near Ball Street Bridge (Kelham Island). Ensure you check water levels—too high is dangerous, too low is a scrape.

⚠️ Where NOT to Paddle

Avoid Rivelin Valley and Damflask Reservoir (unless you are part of the specific sailing/rowing club there).

For more details

We have had the above logo for a long time, and felt due for any update, this is the version i am leaning towards.

Another “thing” i can offer.