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Have you tried Stand Up Paddleboarding yet?!

Have you tried Stand Up Paddleboarding yet?!

Have you tried a Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP)? The Fastest growing Watersport in the world!

If you pop down to the local beach or waterpark you will see more and more people on Stand Up Paddleboards or SUPs.  It’s an activity where people stand on a floating board and paddle themselves through the water. In fact, supping is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world! During the COVID-19 pandemic, the sport got another huge boost in popularity. People started looking into activities that involved social distancing and with only having the capacity for one person per board Stand up paddling turns out to be an ideal activity for this!

People describe stand up paddling as a great work out for your body and mind. During stand up paddling, you use almost every single muscle in your body, which makes it one of the most healthy sports in the world whilst you enjoy the water and the view at the same time!

Here at Peak, we can get you out on a SUP at Astbury Watersports Centre in Cheshire and Trafford Watersports Centre in Greater Manchester.

Mike Gibbons is one of our SUP instructors at Astbury, near Congleton, Cheshire.  Here are his top tips for starting out on a SUP.

  • Getting on the board – start by kneeling in the middle of your paddleboard, legs shoulder-width apart and get a feel for the balance point.
  • Paddle out into deeper water whilst you are on your knees before you try to stand up
  • Try standing up and pop your feet where your knees were, feet towards the nose of the SUP
  • Don’t hold the paddle like a brush, have both hands on the shaft. Paddle with your core and back muscles, not just your arms. Start paddling as soon as you can to help with your stability.
  • Look ahead. Not at your feet and keep an eye out for other boats.
  • Enjoy it, have fun. Don’t be afraid to fall in.  Practice makes perfect!

For more information and to book a SUP adventure at Astbury or Trafford, head to our Let’s Go Paddle page!

 

Peak Run & Ride – Peak’s first step into the world of retail!

Peak Run & Ride – Peak’s first step into the world of retail!

New Trentham shop for Running, Cycling and Outdoor Adventure aims to help get the community active.

Peak Run and Ride, Staffordshire’s newest running and cycling shop will officially open on Saturday 19th September. With its aim to help build a community of runners and cyclist to help get the people of Staffordshire and Cheshire active!

The Trentham Shopping Village based shop, will be selling everything from bikes and running apparel to clothing and accessories.  Whether you are a lifelong runner or new cyclist, we accommodate all ages, abilities, and interests.  We’ll also be helping to get riders sitting comfortably on their new bikes with a Bike Fit service, and runners running more efficiently with a Gait Analysis service.

Sitting under the existing Peak brand established by Audley-based Managing Director Paul Ball, Peak: Run & Ride is set to dovetail perfectly with Peak, which is currently operating in ten different locations in the UK – including the southern entrance of The Trentham Estate with Trentham Treetop Adventures.

Peak currently operates in three sectors: outdoor adventures; education at four independent, Ofsted-registered schools where the emphasis is on an ‘adventurous’ curriculum; and as the largest provider of the Expeditions section of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.

For a company which employs more than 230 full-time staff nationwide, the new shop at Trentham is an exciting opportunity.

Paul continues: “Retail is a great opportunity for Peak. Trentham feels like the perfect fit for us now with 3.5 million visitors a year and will work very well with all other aspects of our existing business, while also focusing on all things to do with cycling and running. Anyone stepping inside can expect to find the highest quality of product for sale here, topped-off with excellent service and advice. We’ll also be selling vouchers for Peak’s huge variety of activities across our outdoor centres”.

My business is all about building a community. We want to help existing runners and cyclists, but also help people run and ride with local cycling or running clubs through our local club finder.”

Store Manager Andy Gray said “We have worked really hard to handpick some great brands for our customers including bikes from Corratec, Focus, Forme, cycle clothing from Endura and LeCol, Kask helmets.  Running shoes from Asics, Sacony, Odlo and Miles Better clothing, along with nutrition products and more”

He continued “We’ll also be stocking a range of great mountain and eBikes that are becoming increasing popular.  My team will be able help customers get set up on the bike with a new Bike Fit service that’s free if you buy a bike from us.  What’s more we’ll give customers the opportunity to test ride our bikes near the shop. We’ll offer a running Gait Analysis service to help find the right running shoes for you so you can improve your fitness and run times.

Expert Store Mechanic Jacob Nicholls said “The shop will be offering bike servicing and repair packages to help you get back on the road if your bikes need some attention.  Along with the government Cycle to Work scheme that helps you make savings on new bikes and accessories as an employee benefit.  This is great as the scheme aims to cut congestion on the roads, improve the health of the nation and have a positive impact on the environment.”

To find out more, visit the Peak Run and Ride shop at the Trentham Shopping Village, visit the website at ridersandstriders.com or follow us on Facebook @peakrunandride

New Year Activities – Land Based Winter Fun!

New Year Activities – Land Based Winter Fun!

Get out of the classroom into the great outdoors!

Even though we may be into the depths of winter, here at Peak we still have many different options for you to get out of the classroom and into the great outdoors!

We have 3 activity centres offering land based activities over the winter months which are Trafford Watersports Centre, Astbury Watersports Centre and Underbank Activity Centre.

Our land-based activities include archery, shelter-building, orienteering, team building games and bush craft which will especially keep you warm once you get a fire going and make a hot chocolate!

How to Book:
Please give our friendly Sales team a call on 01782 722 226. Hope to see you soon!

Fun Christmas Events for the Family at Peak Pursuits!

Fun Christmas Events for the Family at Peak Pursuits!

Holidays are coming! Get your kids in the festive spirit by bringing them to our Christmas events to meet Santa! Plus, if your kids are on Santa’s good list, they will also get a present from Santa!

Don’t worry, your children won’t need to travel to the North Pole to meet Santa, but they will need to climb as Santa has got his sleigh off the ground!

Audley Climbing Centre:

On Saturday 21st December 2019, Santa is throwing a party at Audley Climbing Centre, just north of Stoke on Trent. There will be plenty of elves there to organise bombastic party games to help kids climb up to Santa.

Santa and his little helpers will also treat your children to a delicious buffet to feast on. Every child will receive a present from Santa but the child in the best fancy dress will win a special prize!

The party runs from 2pm-4pm and is for children aged 4-14. This Christmas climbing session is suitable for newbies and experienced climbers. This fantastic experience of festive fun and games is only £10 per child.

Our Christmas Party at Audley is hugely popular so please book in advance by calling our Sales team on 01782 722 226 to ensure your kids don’t miss out.

Trafford Treetop Adventures:

The Christmas season is an excellent time to visit Trafford Treetop Adventures!

From now until February Half Term (Saturday 8th February 2020), adults and children can do our tremendous treetop course for just £10 each. Simply visit the centre during our opening times and purchase a session to get this offer or call 01782 722 226 to book.

The Coca Cola Christmas Truck is visiting on Friday 6th and Saturday 7th December outside the Intu Trafford Centre. To celebrate, we are extending our opening times on these days from 10am-4pm.

Plus, Santa is coming to Trafford Treetops on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd December. If you can keep Santa’s hat on your head whilst making your way through our treetop challenge, Santa will give you a present!

You can book onto our hourly slots for these days from 10am-2pm. Full prices apply (£28 for adults and £24 for children under 16). You can call us on 01782 722 226 to book or book online to receive 10% discount.

Enjoy our Winter Warmer Activities!

Enjoy our Winter Warmer Activities!

The clocks have gone back, the nights are drawing in and it’s getting colder. But our doors are still open for plenty of fun and adventurous activity!

Audley Climbing Centre:

Audley Climbing Centre offers a fantastic opportunity to enjoy exercise through the winter. It’s indoors and there’s plenty of challenging walls to climb for people aged 4+.

Whether you are brand new to climbing or a rock star, we have routes graded to different skill levels and change them regularly to give everyone an enjoyable climbing experience every time.

If you are keen to improve yours or someone else’s climbing skills, then sign up to our 6 week climbing courses starting from Monday 4th November 2019 or develop your climbing skills towards achieving a NICAS Award!

Don’t miss out on our hugely popular Christmas party at Audley Climbing Centre on Saturday 21st December 2019. Children will be treated to party games, lots of food and a chance to meet Santa!

For more information on Audley Climbing Centre, click here to see our prices and click here to see our opening times. Our climbing centre is also perfect for children’s birthday parties!

Astbury and Trafford Water Sports Centres and Underbank Activity Centre:

Although, it’s getting colder for water sports, our centres are still open for pre-bookings such as birthday parties, school trips, stag & hen parties, corporate bookings and other events.

Not only do we provide excellent water sports activities at these centres, we also do fun land-based activities! Our land-based activities include archery, shelter-building, orienteering, team building games and bushcraft which will especially keep you warm once you get a fire going and make a hot chocolate!

Trentham and Trafford Treetop Adventures:

You can also do team building games and bushcraft in addition to a high ropes course at our Treetop Centres for group bookings.

Trentham Treetop Adventures will be closed for walk-ins from Monday 4th November 2019 until February 2020. However, the centre is open for group bookings and birthday parties made in advance!

Trafford Treetop Adventures is now closed for walk-ins from Monday – Friday but open on Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-2pm. Group bookings and birthday parties are welcome in advance on any day.

You can also book on for the last weekend before Christmas at Trafford Treetops. Do you have what it takes to impress Santa and his little helpers? If you complete the challenging course whilst wearing one of Santa’s hats, Father Christmas will give you a present!

How to Book:

Please give our friendly Sales team a call on 01782 722 226. Hope to see you soon!

3 Outdoor Pursuits In Cheshire To Enjoy

3 Outdoor Pursuits In Cheshire To Enjoy

Even though it’s a bit chilly right now (and likely to get chillier as winter progresses), that doesn’t mean you can’t get out and about, finding all sorts of fun outdoor pursuits in Cheshire and beyond to take part in.

But where to begin? If you’re not sure where to start your search for outdoor activities in the north-west of the UK, have a quick read of our handy little guide right here… we’ve counted down some of the very best Cheshire-based pursuits just for you. Never say we don’t give you anything!

 

The Lymm Dam Heritage Trail

Whether you’re on your own or with the family, the walk around Lymm Dam and a potter around the quaint little village will always be a fun day out. There’s the upper dam, nestled in the heart of the countryside, and a lower dam that you can find in the village itself. The walks are accessible and the majority of the paths disabled-friendly, so everyone can enjoy this wonderful part of the Cheshire countryside.

 

Burton Mere Wetlands

Make your way to the Wetlands at this time of year and you’ll likely see all sorts of migrant birds, including wood sandpipers, little stints and more, and little egret numbers peak this season as well so it’s the perfect place for birdwatchers. Keep an eye out for hen harriers and pink-footed geese to really round the day off to perfection.

Winter is a great time of year to head off to the wetlands as well, so perhaps put a date in the diary for a few weeks’ time too. You can see thrushes and starlings, as well as Bewick’s and Whooper swans. If you want to see shy water rail, then head out on freezing cold day, as they’ll be breaking their cover to look for food.

 

Tatton Park

This is one of the most complete historic estates in the UK and well worth a visit if you haven’t been before, no matter what time of year it is. There are 50 acres of gardens to explore and they’re a near-complete picture of how they would have looked during Edwardian times. There’s also a maze and an arboretum with nearly 900 interesting and varied plants to discover.

There’s also a 40-acre working farm in Tatton Dale with plenty to see, including an 18th century mill, the chance to meet farm workers from the past and the present, and the opportunity to learn about how slaughter was carried out with a visit to the original slaughterhouse.

It’s also possible to become one of the volunteers, with a variety of roles around the farm up for grabs. You could take on a living history role, for example, or work alongside the shire horses as a teamsman.