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Brown Trouser Break

For more information email fran@activitywales.com

Are you an adrenalin junky? Do you need an excuse for a weekend away with mates?

Yes, then take a Brown Trouser Break – an opportunity to mix-n-match a bunch of good quality activities with a weekend of adventure in the great outdoors.

Leaving behind appointment diaries, telephone, fax and the suits, friends Steve Rogers 31, Managing Director of a Construction Company, Paul Fletcher 34, Tourism and Leisure Director, David Powell 24, Medical Representative and Matthew Evans aged 30, Chief Executive of Activity Wales came together to test the waters.

Friday, rendezvous Black Mountain Activities, Brecon, first challenge caving.

The southern part of the Brecon Beacons National Park is riddled with caves, caverns and passages; the most popular cave used is Porth Yr Ogof – which boasts the biggest cave entrance in South Wales. Richard Slater, the cave leader, equipped the guys with helmet, headlamp and protective over suit.

They were now ready to explore the beauty of the subterranean world that was formed over three hundred million years ago - crawling, shuffling and squeezing through extensive underground passages with great names like The Worm Hole, Death Ledge, Lemon Squeeze, Letter Box and Washing Machine.

Lamps turned on, daylight shut out; the enormous cave mouth beckoned them into the unknown. Water flowed through the cave floor, in several areas you could stand upright, for the most part you are bent over, some spaces are so shallow you have to shuffle along on your stomach.

The Letter Box is only the width of a helmet, turned on its side it looks impossible to manoeuvre, David went first. The light from his lamp shone through to the other side, “I’ve made it”, he said. “When I saw the opening I thought there was no way I was going to fit, I just began shuffling and kicking my legs, hands gripping wherever they could. It is an unexpected pleasure, the sense of achievement as you push yourself on.”

Matthew’s head emerged from another hole, the Lemon Squeeze, “I thought I was going to get stuck, I’m last through and there’s no one here to push me.” So you take a deep breath and look for the opening and pop you come loose!

And lastly the Washing Machine – a water chute where you get tossed about, disorientated, then spat out the other side back into daylight.

Paul said, “When your eyes adjust to the dimness there is plenty to see, different rock formations and colours as you slide across rocks worn smooth by the hundreds of cavers who pass this way.”

Steve said, “I kept trying to find dry hand holds to keep my fingers warm, this mountain water is cold. I tried to follow Matthew, as I knew if he could get through then I would have no problem. It was a brilliant experience.”

Outcome - an adrenalin rush, first hole was the worst and caving gives you a full body workout.

After roughing it a hot shower and pampering were in order along with an overnight stay at Morgans Hotel in Swansea. Ideally located for an evening’s entertainment in Wind Street, though the boys needed to keep a clear head as Saturday morning’s challenge was the “Muddiest Assault Course” in the world.

Clyne Farm overlooks the fishing village of Mumbles and the sweep of Swansea Bay. Old farm buildings have been restored providing accommodation and facilities for a variety of activities including Challenge Valley – an obstacle course in the mud.

It was a bright sunny morning, more than could be said for our volunteers; maybe a mud bath would prove the ideal hangover cure.

Instructor Rob Lowe took the group to the first hurdle, a 6-foot wall where all scrambled over successfully and cleanly with only muddy boots to spoil the image. Now a balancing act on the wobbly Burma Bridge – an elevated suspension bridge. As the wooden slats move to and fro the challenge is touch toes, stand on one leg and turn around and inevitably fall into the muddy water below. Steve, Paul then David fell in, not a pretty sight, and Matthew looked as if he had stepped out of a washing powder advertisement with his spotless white t-shirt. Teamwork failed miserably on the mini Postman’s Walk which involved balancing on a wire across a gully.

Next the Monkey bars and they continued to ape around on the rope swing across a grimy deep pool – guess who made a big splash? Matthew, wet at last. Things were not going to improve as they all descended into the swamp, waters so brown you just do not want to imagine what lies beneath. A lone trainer here or there makes you wonder did their owners ever surface?

Over cargo nets, through tyres, down a commando pole and the final challenge aptly named the Pig Pen, where you had to crawl through a tunnel and submerge to exit the muddy pool. The looks on their faces spoke volumes. Steve summed it up, “The water tastes as bad as it smells.”

Covered from head to toe in the same shade of mud and smelling awful the only thing keeping the group’s spirits up was the thought of a nice warm shower, unfortunately someone forgot to turn on the boiler. If the assault course didn’t cure their hangovers then the cold shower did. Paul said, “It was nice getting wet and muddy, just like being a kid and playing in the woods, only then we did not have to wash our clothes”. Soggy trainers and shorts went into black bags to take home and Matthew’s once white t-shirt got binned.

For the next activity, in the afternoon they visited Pembrokeshire – a top surfing location. Clean water and Atlantic swells roll across pristine beaches in Britain’s only coastal National Park. The area offers a full range of surf breaks from slow moving waves on sand covered beaches to Hawaiian-style tubes on gnarly outer reefs.

Dean and Emma-Mary Gough own Outer Reef Surf School and combined they have 20 years experience of coaching water sports. The location was Manorbier, where the guys changed into Billabong wet suits and met Dean on the beach. Dean said, “The conditions are ideal for beginners as there is a small ground swell with the waves between 1 and a half to 2 feet high.

We always start with a briefing on beach safety, equipment and conservation. Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures. In a half day session we teach the ABC of how to surf, we spend half an hour in the water, come out and go over the next stage, putting all the elements together. Usually we get novices to stand up within a day.”

Boards under arms, movements memorized, the white rolling surf beckoned. Dean coached the boys how to catch the waves and get onto the board. As the afternoon progressed all improved and David did stand up.

Dean said, “The boys have all done really well they are tired, but still smiling.”

Matthew said, “Two and a half hours in the water, but I am not cold. We even put the boards on the beach and went body surfing which was a good laugh. I am hooked. I will be buying a van next to fit in my board – I will be buying on Monday.” Paul was also addicted, “I cannot believe I have never tried surfing before and I live near the coast. Just being out on the water and trying to surf was so exhilarating, though strenuous. Dean was a great teacher he gave clear, simple instructions and was so patient. An experience which will always stay with you, I shall be behind Matthew in the surf shop come Monday.”

Sunday morning and still in Pembrokeshire. The guys are now at Lydstep Head for coasteering. This sport forces you to battle against the elements as you scramble, jump and swim your way around the coastline. Alas the ordeal has taken two casualties, Dave medically discharged (dodgy tummy) and Steve discharged by his Missus (fearing for his safety).

Gambo is one of the hands on Directors and instructor from a company called Fresh Adventure, based at Freshwater East. He said, “Our philosophy is one based on development through adventure. We take groups of up to six people and everyone will get something different from the session depending on their ability.”

Paul and Matthew attired in wet suits, a life jacket and helmet followed Gambo down to the vertical rock face of Lydstep Head. Their introduction to coasteering began with a scramble down the rocks to find a vantage point to jump into the sea. The cloud-laden sky mirrored the dark grey depths of the sea below, the surface broken with spumes of white water crashing against the cliffs.

Three coloured helmets came bobbing around the headland, flaying arms attached and swimming against the current, their goal to secure purchase on the rocky outcrop. One by one with the aid of each other they stood on a ledge, just time enough to gather their breath before an enormous wave swept them back into the sea. With great effort they swam closer to shore into a sheltered bay where conditions were not so fierce, enabling them to leave the water and scale the rocks - hence exploring the coastline.

Paul said, “That was exhilarating, not a venture for the faint hearted. Today’s conditions were difficult, it was exciting, but terrifying as well. And I am cold and wet for the third day running. It has been a terrific weekend; I had never been caving before and probably never would unless it was put together in a package.”

Matthew said, “We have left coasteering as the last activity as it does take a lot out of you, battling against the water and trying to reach the rocks. For a while I just sat in the water bobbing about to get my energy back. Paul and I are aching, but we feel great. Surfing was the highlight of my weekend, the buzz when I caught the first wave! The weekend has been a great success, a snippet of different sports that gives you a taster should you want to take a course further. A chance for friends to get together and there’s plenty to talk about with the days’ fears and experiences to share.”

Essentials:
Plenty of clothes
At least two pairs of trainers
Black bags for wet gear
Chocolate
Aspirins

ALSO IN THE PROGRAMME ARE:-
Vertigo
Thrill seekers can test their nerves on Vertigo, a 50m high sky coaster (about fourteen storeys), combining a bungeestyle jump with a giant swing effect. Riders reach speeds of 110kph and 2.5 to 3 Gforce in just 1.5 seconds. The steady increase and decrease in G-force means that no body trauma is experienced. To fly Vertigo, passengers don a snug-fitting safety flying-suit and harness and are attached to twin fly-wires hanging from a horseshoe arch. A tow-line winches passengers to the top of the Take Off Tower and a rip-cord is pulled to start the flight.

Hot Dogging
Hot dogs are self-bailing micro rafts that carry up to three people, sitting you lower to the water. Paddling these inflatable rafts is fun and exciting as you follow your river guide through Wales’ most demanding grade 2 to 4 white water including the infamous “Hell Hole”. It is a full day activity over a 15-mile course, which begins at Builth Wells and ends at Glasbury. Hot Dogging is dependant on water levels and when the water levels are low participants are offered an alternative activity.

Quad Biking
Experience the thrilling challenges of negotiating a 200cc or 90cc Honda all terrain vehicle around a cross country quad biking trail, whilst enjoying some spectacular views across the Welsh Valleys.

For our selection of exciting holidays and breaks that include these activities call 01437 766888