Author: Tariq Bitar

The Thrill Seeker’s Guide to Coasteering in Cornwall

by Tariq Bitar, posted in Activities

Introduction: The Ultimate Adventure Sport

Coasteering combines swimming, climbing, and cliff-jumping into one exhilarating activity, making it the ultimate adventure sport. Ideal for thrill-seekers, coasteering in Cornwall offers an exciting way to explore the rugged coastline and discover hidden coves and wildlife.

What is Coasteering?

Coasteering involves navigating the intertidal zone of a rocky coastline on foot or by swimming, without the aid of boats, surf boards, or other craft. This heart-pounding activity includes rock climbing, ocean swimming, and cliff diving — all under the guidance of expert instructors.

Getting Started: Choosing a Coasteering Company in Cornwall

Safety is paramount in coasteering, so it’s crucial to choose a reputable company. Look for providers who have qualified guides with knowledge of the local area and its tides. They should also supply you with all the necessary safety gear, including helmets, wetsuits, and buoyancy aids.

What to Expect During Your First Coasteering Adventure

Here’s what your first coasteering trip might look like:

  • Briefing: Understanding the basics of coasteering safety and communication.
  • Warming Up: Quick physical warm-up to prepare your body.
  • The Adventure Begins: You’ll traverse rocks, swim through pools, and when you’re comfortable, jump from cliffs into the crystal-clear waters below.

Benefits of Coasteering

Besides the obvious thrill and adrenaline rush, coasteering provides several benefits:

  • Physical Fitness: It’s a full-body workout that improves strength, endurance, and flexibility.
  • Mental Health: Like most outdoor activities, coasteering can reduce stress and increase serotonin levels, boosting overall mood.
  • Connection with Nature: Coasteering offers a unique way to connect with the natural world, encouraging environmental awareness and conservation.

Tips for a Great Coasteering Experience

  • Listen Carefully to Your Guide: Their expertise is invaluable for your safety and enjoyment.
  • Wear Appropriate Footwear: Sturdy, closed-toe shoes with good grip are essential.
  • Don’t Push Your Limits Too Far: While coasteering is about adventure, always communicate with your guide about your comfort and skill level.

Safety Considerations

Ensure you disclose any medical conditions to your guide and always follow their instructions closely. Coasteering can be a safe sport when conducted under the right guidance and conditions.

Conclusion: Ready for the Challenge?

Coasteering in Cornwall offers an unforgettable adventure that challenges your body and revitalizes your spirit. From the exhilarating rush of cliff jumping to the serene moments floating in sea pools, it promises diverse experiences wrapped into one. If you’re seeking a new kind of thrill this season, coasteering in Cornwall might just be the next big adventure you’re looking for.

Old Fashioned Typing Speed Training & Methods

by Tariq Bitar, posted in Online Courses, VLE Software

Just seeing this on-page image reminds me of some very early distance learning from many years ago.  It involved typewriting, not just typing a few letters here and there.  No, this was very serious stuff that helped the student to pick up fantastic speeds and accuracy over several weeks of tutoring via headphones from taped lessons, or even live broadcasts on a particular radio channel.   The drawback to the latter was the speed was set and you had no way of slowing the tutor down – if you missed a bit, you had to skip ahead to catch up on the lesson, with no form of catching up on the lost section.    At least with a tape recorded lesson, you could wind it back to the lost spots – I used to prefer this method, although it seemed very old and clunky compared to audio typing which became my absolute favourite of these dark arts!   Audio involved the supply of headphone attached to foot pedals.  These pedals were operated by taping buttons with one’s toes.  I believe left was ‘stop go back’ middle was ‘stop’ and right was go ahead and keep going until the end.  You could go back and listen as many times as you needed but this did defeat the object of learning to type as accuraely as physically possible.

 

Organising A Scheme to Make The Most Of All That Study Time

by Tariq Bitar, posted in Online Courses

Whatever our career choices in life, there is going to be a big period in which we need to buckle down and train for it.  No one can just walk into a high flying lawyer position without taking years at law school first.  The same for being a doctor – severn or eight years at medical school is the minimum now.  For every situation where study is needed, there are ways and means of ensuring all that effort is rewarded with best possible results.  Taking additional, top up online courses relative to your chosen subject is a first class way to enhance the existing learning scheme.  Taking time to work out a study programme you can continue at home – taking into account all the various work sreams and co-0rdinating efforts to ensure everything makes sense when it comes to those final exams or even the intermediary ones.  Taking stock of what is actually being asked of you is one of the hardest challenges for the older student who may have been out in the work place for years and not been in the habit of sitting in a learning environment.   Students leaving school will have had study periods drummed into them from very early on as this is how the british education system works.  It still needs organisation and dedication to put those exam results to good use.