Those looking for a challenge this year should look no further than Flat Holm Island. Throughout the coming months a number of castaway survival courses will take place.
The course will be run by Nick Gough, a bushcraft and survival expert, who back in July 2009 spent a week on the island battling the elements living off rabbits, fish and edible plants.
The 48-year-old is a former paratrooper who’s previously lived for 10 days in the Mojave Desert and spent time in the jungles of Borneo and Cambodia.
After completing the week on Flat Holm, it was Nick’s goal to return to the island to share his survival skills with others. Nick Explains “I had an amazing time on the Flat Holm, and felt that it would be a brilliant place to pass on my skills to others, I am delighted that the Flat Holm team have enabled me to run my survival courses from the island.”
During the weekend long course, castaways will learn the four key skills of survival, which are Fire, Shelter, Food and Water, using only natural resources that can be found on the island.
Participants will be shown how to make their own shelter, (sleeping in these shelters is optional, tents and tepees are available) create fire using prehistoric techniques using friction bow and flint and steel and will be taught how to make cordage, fishing hooks and traps. Plus In addition, Nick will show castaways how to catch mammals, identify and collect edible plants and shell fish
Nick adds: “The aim of the course is to teach you every thing you would need to know to able to sustain yourself as a castaway in this beautiful remote location.”
Executive Member for Sport, Culture and Leisure, Cllr Nigel Howells, said: “Flat Holm Island really is a jewel in the crown of Cardiff, which constantly offers unique opportunities for people to enjoy. The castaway courses are yet another example of how the island can be used to educate and entertain. Its also fantastic to hear that Nick Gough is returning to Flat Holm to pass on all his wonderful skills that he learnt on the island back in the summer of 2009.”
The Castaway courses will take place on the following dates:
- 16 – 18th April
- 14th-16th May
- 9th- 11th July
- 27th-29th August
- 10 – 12th – September
- 8th-10th October
The cost for a weekend trip, including course fees and island/boat costs are –
- £200 per adult
- Under 16’s £125 minimum age 14 unless accompanied by parent/adult
- A Family Group of 4 (Must include 1 adult) £500
- 15% Discount for group bookings of more than 6 people on course fees only
- Tented accommodation, is available plus cooking equipment, meals and bush-craft tools
For further information visit www.flatholmisland.com or to book call 02920 877912.
