Water Sports

The Galloway Sailing Centre on Loch Ken, Dumfries & Galloway, often plays host to the injured service personnel who come on holiday with SWS RnR. All kinds of water sports from sailing to kayaking are on offer but there are also lots of land-based adventure activities available.

Owner of the centre, Richard Herman took over from his father11 years ago after 20 years in the army, so he is pretty clued up about the kind of activities the lads will enjoy. “I ran adventure training courses when I was in the army,” Richard explained. “I became involved with SWS RnR when Jennefer Tobin approached me through Admiral Paddy O’ Riordan, who sends his grandchild to the Sailing Centre. We had a long chat about what we could offer.”

As well as sailing, canoeing, windsurfing and other water sports the lads can try activities on high ropes, including the ‘leap of faith’, Jacob’s Ladder, beer crate climbing, wall climbing and abseiling. There is also outdoor laser quest and mountain biking.

Another very popular water-based activity is river swimming or coastteering, provided by sled dog champion Graeme Scott of Active Summits which specialises in tailor-made adventures. For the SWS RnR participants, Graeme takes the group on an adventurous outing in which, having donned the appropriate wet suits and buoancy aids, they jump into rushing rivers from increasingly higher points. Graeme, who is an ex-serviceman, said: "I've been involved with SWS RnR since it began and regularly take groups of lads for a day of river swimming. We usually have a barbecue in the evening and they enjoy the chance to meet my sled dogs."