Now the spring is finally here, the Walking Festival season is well and truly under way – if you love being outdoors and on foot, you will love the walks, festivities and fun on offer – Many also offer Nordic Walking tasters and guided nordic walks as well as music, local food and cultural events so why not plan a day or some of Britains finest countryside? Here are a few of our favourites ………….

Peak District walking festival 26th April – 12th May – for more info view here

Have a blast and enjoy England’s Great Outdoors at more than 100 events and walks on a wide range of themes during the Peak District Walking & Outdoor Festival, from April 26 to May 12.

Showcasing the very best of the Peak District – with the UK’s first National Park at its core – the Festival highlights the area’s wealth of wonderful landscapes, from rare moorland habitats and scenic limestone dales to attractive towns and pretty villages.

Bishops castle walking festival 11th – 13 th June – for more info view here

Set in stunning shropshire countryside this festival is a legend. This year they have a few new concepts, a geocaching lesson followed by a  geocaching walk, and by popular request, a dedicated wildflower walk .There is a wide variety of walks on offer, from 15 miles to one and a half. A wild swim is also possible. Very few of the walks will be repeated, so book early to avoid disappointment !

Jersey Spring walking week – 11th – 13th May – for more info view here

Experience a feast of food and culture as you see, smell and savour Island life. Stroll along the seaside, through woodland, country lanes and cliff top paths, all in the company of the Island’s most respected and experienced walking guides, and all free of charge. Walkers can experience a different side to the island on foot, following cliff paths and woodland trails and on some routes private access has been granted offering spectacular vistas that you wouldn’t ordinarily see in a vehicle.

Isle of Man walking Festival – 12th – 18th May – for more info view here

Situated in the Gulf Stream the Isle of Man enjoys a mild climate with stunning seasonal scenery the perfect destination for all. There are many detailed walks for all abilities from gentle glens to the challenge of the 95 mile Coastal walk.

All walks are led by experienced leaders. They are there to ensure that the correct routes are followed as well as providing interesting information on the beautiful scenic landscape, marine life (Basking Sharks and Seals) and Celtic and Viking Heritage.

The festival includes a selection of excellent evening social events for all to enjoy, with strictly Manx dancing, the Shenanigans banned, traditional folk songs with a twist, and much more, finishing the week with a farewell Blister party and a presentation to the participants of the coastal path challenge.

Lincolnshire wolds walking festival – 18th May – 2nd June – for more info view here

The Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival offers a diverse range of walks across 16 days, ranging from all-day events requiring a packed lunch to evening ambles ending at the pub! To identify which walks will suit you best, use our Walk Finder to narrow down your selection. (Walk Finder coming soon).

For most walks you can just turn up on the day (in good time!) but some walks require booking beforehand. Please contact the walk leader on the number provided as soon as you can as places are often limited. They can also provide advice about any query you may have about your selected walk.

Swanage and Purbecks walking festival 21st – 27th September – for more info view here

The beautiful Isle of Purbeck is a walker’s paradise. From coast to country, the variety is unsurpassed.

The coastal walking is spectacular. From a stroll along the beach in beautiful Victorian Swanage to a serious hike along the South West Coast Path, the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the coast is truly special. But the hinterland is extraordinary too – wonderful heathland, walking through designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Sites of Special Scientific Interest, with the added attraction of sea glimpses wherever you turn.

This tranquil area of Dorset is home to many rare species of birds, wildflowers, butterflies and reptiles. Walks take in the wildlife paradise of Durlston Country Park, heathland at Studland, limestone cliffs along the coast and the RSPB reserve at Arne.

Hay on Wye walking festival – 10th – 14th October – for more info view here

The 3rd Hay Walking Festival will take place from Thursday 10th – Monday 14th October 2013. There will be a comprehensive programme with a mix of short and long walks each day, plus more family friendly walks, and more themed walks – foraging, geology, archaeology, local history. This stunning town is also designated as a ‘Walkers are welcome’ town

Suffolk may not be particularly hilly but this Easterly county boosts stunning countryside and coastal walks. Here, two local NWUK Instructors share their favourite routes with you:-

Rosie Marler is based near the coast and her Nordic Walking group is even called Promenade! She and her hardy regulars are making it their business to explore as much of the coastline from Pakefield to Southwold as possible. They meet at the Ferini gallery in Pakefield every Thursday afternoon, where they sometimes even have guest speakers, and nordic walk in surrounding areas throughout the week. Click here for more info about Pakefield.

Rosie says ” Promenade East Coast Nordic Walking has grown in numbers despite the most appalling spring, certainly, that I can remember. We have been hit by the elements including, coastal erosion, mist, snow and the most dreadful biting Easterly winds.We walk from 3 East coast venues, including picturesque Pakefield and Kessingland with thier stunning beaches and a mile or two further along, Benacre. We have witnessed the sea creeping ever further forward; the costal path is being lost to the sea and cliff debris is laying on the sands. Finally we walk in Southwold with its beach and expansive common that leads down to Walberwick; all are idyllic places for Nordic Walking particularly in fair weather”

Here are just two of our favourite routes:-

Pakefield to Kessingland circular – 3.5 miles  – for more info click here

Southwold to Walberswick 5- 6 miles. We avoid the marshes and stick to the track as it is impassable at the moment.  – for more info click here 

“On Wednesday 3^rd April we took a big Adventure Walk from Pakefield to Southwold. We covered 13 miles in total. It was a real adventure as we experienced very cold conditions and we had to take lots of detours due to recent erosion, high tides and wind. Because of the difficult conditions we took 4.5 hours in total to make it to Tilly’s Tearooms in Southwold where we all sat down to a well earned lunch!”

Kevin Marshall is based more inland near Bury St Edmunds and his group particularly enjoy the Forests and stunning National Trust properties the County has on offer.

Kevin says ” Our tuesday group tend to stick to the country paths varying locations each week and on Saturdays we explore the Forests. On Thursday evenings we adore our walks at Ickworth House which has a range of walks, the longest being about 7 miles.There are walks waymarked with coloured posts  and theyare constantly changing with the seasons so there is always something different to look at.

“One of our favourite Thursday evening walks is the walk down the main drive to the entrance, from the car park to the main gates is nearly half a mile away! From the main entrance we head off into the woods, which have been here for many years, an engraved stone just off the footpath celebrates the planting of the woodland between 1811 and 1812! Emerging from the woods we come to Fairy Lake, last spring we watched a pair of swans build a nest, incubate their eggs and care for their young here. From the lake we head back through a smaller woodland and then grassy track with great views of the majestic rotunda which is the central feature of the house. On our way back we pass another lake, with the large walled garden on the other side and pass Ickworth church currently being renovated, before heading back up to the car park. A total distance of about 5 miles.  A fuller description of the walk can be found by clicking here

A much shorter walk but none the less a walk that offers much by way of variety goes from the very heart of Bury St Edmunds, before heading out into meadow land and returning via a riverside walk with farm land on the other side, the walk finishes in Abbey gardens with the remains of the Abbey, this walk is about 2 miles but a great lunch time or evening stroll. A fuller description can be found here

To celebrate all that Suffolk has to offer, Kevin is organising a ‘doable’ Nordic Walking Charity Challenge event in aid of East Anglia Air Ambulance from Bury St Edmunds to Clare on Sunday 19th May.  The distance is 18 miles, everyone walks at their own pace and the goal is to complete the challenge in 8 hours. There will be check points along the way offering refreshments (and transport to the finish if you decide you have had enough(!), a detailed route description will be provided so no one gets lost and a specially commissioned certificate will be awarded to everyone who takes part. Why not join them, see for yourself how great Suffolk really is, raise money for a great cause and set yourself a challenge too! Further details and entry form can be found here

For Rosie’s website  click here

For Kevin’s website click here

Following the article in the last issue about what our Tutors wear on their feet we were surprised at how many of them don’t opt for waterproof shoes but choose Sealskinz waterproof socks instead!

At HQ we love waterproof shoes and live in our X socks but we thought we would give the Sealsinz socks a go and see if we could be converted too!

Sealskinz are 100% waterproof and yet breathable so our initial concerns that they would be clingy, sweaty or rubbery were completely unfounded. In fact they are soft, feel like ordinary socks and have a lovely warm merino wool lining. As X socks fans, we are always aware of comfort, style, fit and durability and our initial views were that the Sealskinz don’t cut it on the style stakes but do actually fit the foot surprisingly well.

The padding is not as extensive or specifically designed for Nordic Walking like the X socks but they do grip the foot well which is a plus for blister sufferers and they did not cause any lumps or bumps in our shoes or gather at the toes.

Now for the wear test! Typically, after a year of rain and floods, the day we went for our test walk it was totally dry and freezing cold so we had to resort to actually standing in a stream to fully test the socks. Here’s the verdict!

We Nordic Walked 6 miles in the socks and no blisters were reported – the socks felt nice and warm and fitted really well. Despite no wet grass etc and frozen puddles our feet were completely dry in non waterproof shoes. To fully test the waterproofing we stood at the edge of the stream and saw the water engulf our shoes and although we could feel the chill of the water……. our feet remained absolutely dry.

We were really impressed and can imagine how nice it will be be to avoid water squishing through lighter shoes in the summer, every time you walk through wet grass!

In all we were favourably impressed and would definately recommend investing in the Sealskinz and here’s our rating:-

• Comfort factor 9/10
• Warmth factor 9/10
• Waterpoof 10/10
• Sweatometer 9/10
• Style 5/10

Obviously our Tutors spend up to 8 hours a day in their shoes and they tend to go through a lot of pairs a year, so it makes sense to choose cheaper shoes and waterproof the feet. We would never not recommend fully waterproof shoes, if you can afford them, but these socks are a great solution for those who love their current shoes but don’t love having wet, cold feet!

To buy Sealsinz socks click here

How They Work

SealSkinz exceptional technology uses a unique seamless three layer construction – an outer, a waterproof, highly breathable membrane and an inner lining

Norwegian holiday specialists Holiday Norway have just introduced Nordic Walking breaks to their fantastic range of Activity holidays which take in the best the stunning country has to offer.

They have partnered with Nordic Walking UK to offer a range of holidays that will be aimed at both keen nordic walkers and beginners. With direct flights from London City airport you could be Nordic Walking through Forests and around the stunning Southern Norway coastline within hours of leaving home!

The trip includes taking an old wooden ferry across a Fjord, Island hopping in a 100 year old sailing boat and exploring forests and pretty old towns. Food includes a traditional Norwegian long board packed with seafood and wild meats and accomodation is in a stylish boutique Hotel.

Holiday Norway are also offering a generous 20% discount to FREEDOM card holders for all of their Norwegian holidays which include, Golf, Fishing and other fantastic outdoor activities.

For more information about the holidays click here

We are delighted to see that our Instructor training is gaining popularity worldwide with people coming from Dubai, Greece, Spain, France and Norway to our courses in the last two months alone!

Because our qualification sits on the UK qualification credit framework (QCF – see OFQUAL website ) and is vocational, it’s easy to map to those of other Nations too. In fact it is simple to map to many European qualifications see EURPOEAN CREDIT FRAMEWORK  .

CYQ, our awarding body is recognised in many countries across the world as the leading provider of fitness instructor training and our course is the first full fitness instructor qualification to include Nordic and Fitness walking. This enables those who train with us to go on and gain their DIPLOMA IN EXERCISE REFERRAL which means they can deliver wellbeing sessions for those with medical conditions.

The Nordic Walking UK FREEDOM card

These standards and the fact that we support our Instructors with initiatives like the FREEDOM card and other innovative programmes means that the NWUK approach to Nordic Walking is attracting those from afar! It’s also great for UK based Instructors thinking of working abroad in the future - it’s easy to be fooled by claims of International recognition by Nordic Walking ‘bodies’…. but we recommend that it’s wise to check that skills are actually recognised by the actual Education establishment of any country you may wish to work in.

We now have Instructors working all over the world and are delighted to also have INSTRUCTOR TRAINING  acadamies in other countries too. We are currently looking for International representatives to set up training schools and our bespoke programmes around the world. Using our proven model and standards, they will be able to replicate what we do in the UK  – call us or e mail gill@nordicwalking.co.uk

We also link up with other professional nordic walking organisations in order to share best practice, work together and spread the word about this amazing activity!

We are delighted to be at the forefront of an International standard of both the training and delivery of Nordic Walking and we aim to keep growing and improving!

Many PTs tell us they don’t want to teach full Nordic Walking technique but would like to use poles with their clients…now they can!

Our NEW concept uses the amazing EXERSTRIDER poles which provide MAXIMUM results with a FAST LEARNING CURVE. No need to teach technique as the poles naturally lead the participant into a whole body workout which can be incorporated into H.I.I.T (High Intensity Interval Training) in the great outdoors.

This is not NORDIC WALKING and neither is it for those looking for a gentle workout! Packed with leaps, plyo lunges, bunny hops and resistance work (via bands and partners) – This is for the fitter individual who wants a fun, workout that gets results.

Come and see our demo at the REPS conference in May – and be the first to offer this amazing concept  which is low cost, effective and can be delivered pretty much anywhere.

We challenge you to complete the Tabata session and then take part in our resistance band 20 second additional load and balance drills.

Learn new skills and NEVER think of pole walking as only for those who want a gentle whole body workout again!

These pictures show our team perfecting the training module which will be a one day cpd session – delivered right across the UK

We have carefully selected portable, affordable equipment and all the drills can be used on a one to one basis or as a small group. They can be incoprated into an EXERSTRIDER walk or run or perfomed in one location.

This flexible outdoor workout is fresh and an ideal way to capture those clients who find running a bore but want to be outside when the summer finally arrives!!

We look forward to turning you into pole addicts!

Pre requisite – level 3 Personal Trainer.

For more information call Kaye on 0845 260 9339.

NOTE:- Current NWUK Instructors may prefer trek fit which uses strapped poles.

Nordic walkers across the Uk have been tasking themselves to photograph their local landmark statues to make them appear like Nordic walkers. The aim is to raise awareness of this growing activity and to encourage others to take part.

“Nordic Walking turns every walk into a workout” says Gill Stewart of Nordic walking UK ” Who better than our National heros to help us get the nation active?” she adds. Clearly Eric Morecombe. Admiral Lord Nelson and the Gormley figures all agree!

So, if you notice Winston Churchill or other National figures sporting a pair of Nordic walking poles  today (Monday April 1st 2013) take a minute or two to find out why this activity is sweeping the nation by visiting www.nordicwalking.co.uk

And if you fancy adding a pair of poles to a stony figure near you in support of this cause, feel free to add the picture to our facebook page nordicwalkinguk !

Northamptonshire sport (known as N sport) started their Nordic Walking programme in the Summer of 2011 with the initial focus being on ensuring that key staff and keen volunteers were adequately qualified to deliver a programme which would have a lasting impact on participation levels across the County.

As well as the full CYQ Instructor training, N Sport chose the NWUK Community package which provides additional training on how to deliver a programme that incorporates promotion and retention strategies from the outset. They worked with Nordic Walking UK to offer 3 days of bespoke training to the team, who were from a range of backgrounds. Those without current fitness industry qualifications did the on line ‘CYQ Exercise & Fitness knowledge module on line as well as the practical learning in order to gain their level 2 fitness instruction certificates.

Initially 7 Instructors were trained to be deployed in a variety of programmes across Northants and to enhance existing Nordic Walking programmes in South Northants and Daventry DC where a staff member was trained to support an independant NWUK Instructor who had already been successfully delivering Nordic Walking.

The in house Instructor training course included an additional day where whole the team were trained to deliver the bespoke NWUK ‘Learn to Nordic Walk’ course which is a 4 session programme that includes simple behaviour change principles and empowers participants to understand the right intensity of training and technique required to achieve their goals.

The Nordic Walking UK FREEDOM card

Participants are then issued with FREEDOM cards which enable them to join walks with participating groups across the UK and access other benefits see here

The FREEDOM card system enables participants to be led by trained nordic walk leaders who can be comfortable in the knowledge that those they lead have been taught correctly and fully assessed by competent Instructors. In short, no card no walk – especially now the card includes the Safety 24 scheme which means there is no need to ensure each leader has access to personal information such as medical history & next kin for those joining them on every walk!

Keen to ensure the sustainability of the programme Jackie Browne (Physical Activity Manager) from N Sport wanted to also make sure they could train their own nordic walk leaders and one of the benefits of the community package is that Cascade leader training is provided as well as further training on how to establish regular sessions for all levels including specific Wellbeing, Weight loss and Workplace solutions.

A further benefit of the package is that N sport were also able to make use of an on line Marketing too kit packed with materials that could be edited to include their own images and logo plus a full editable page on the NWUK website where they could promote their sessions.

As the project started to grow, N sport trained 11 volunteer walk leaders and have another 8 just about to start their training in time for more expansion this spring. This currently enables them to deliver in excess of 11 nordic walks a week to a range of markets, from seniors to workplace health, across the County.

In one area alone (Central Northants) 92 participants completed the LTNW programme in the first year with another 17 completing it since january this year. South Northants have issued 115 NWUK cards and now have three community groups who meet regularly to walk with Volunteer leaders. Daventry have seen similar uptake and all three areas are set to expand their schedule due to the popularity and affordability of nordic walking.

” Over 80% of our walkers are 50 plus” say Jackie “One of our instructors works for AgeUK so we get a lot of referrals from them on to our courses and we also have a Leader who is heavily involved in the Northants 50 plus network so we get a lot of participants through them too. However, We are running a ‘Learn to Nordic walk course’ in April at the County Council with the view of setting up a regular walk after work & have offerred tasters for other companies too”

Hers are a few of the testimonials collected by the team at N sport who hope to keep growing the programme and tailor sessions for all age groups in the future.

“ Following the initial AgeUK Get Set Go programme in Bozeat I continued with the exercise & keep fit weekly sessions with Jason who introduced Nordic Walking opportunities. I now do both. This has improved my stamina and strengthened both legs and arms. This distance I can now walk has improved considerably as my ‘normal’ walking friends will testify. I have also met lots of new people and enjoy socialising with them also.

Discovering new walks in different villages has all added to the enjoyment and when able to look forward to joining up with other Nordic Walk leaders covering other areas further afield. I think it is a great programme and I am sure new walkers will agree”  Angela D’Arcy

I took it up on the recommendation of friends. I wanted to meet new people, being new to the area. This is great and really energises me. I am now planning weight loss and other ways of getting fit. Furthermore it provides the full body work out which supplements my weekly yoga class. Anna Kingsmill-Vellacott.

“This was a progression from the AgeUK keep fit classes – which I enjoy and it has helped me to undertake a regular ‘keep fit’ activity each week”.  GE Sharratt