I spent the week kayaking with a Civilian instructor who was very knowledgeable and helped me gain a foundation course.
I also attended two multi-activity days, where you could choose what you did that day. I chose hill walking to build up my experience and log more hill days, which is an important step towards becoming a qualified Mountain Leader in the future.
On the final day, we had a culture day, where we could experience something nearby. I went to the Dachau concentration camp, which made me feel deeply reflective and humbled.
Standing where so much suffering took place was a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion, resilience, and never forgetting the past.
I learnt several skills, including how to paddle, steer the kayak correctly and perform safety drills. These included safety techniques like rescue drills (self-rescue and buddy-rescue), understanding water currents, and gauging conditions before heading out. Editor – OCdt Everitt CUOTC
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Working as part of a team has been at the heart of this course. Whether we were paddling in formation or coordinating rescues, we had to rely on one another. I’ve also had opportunities to take on leadership roles, guiding others and making decisions under pressure. This is something that’s strengthened my confidence and judgment.
This wasn’t just physically demanding, it was mentally challenging too. There were moments where I was cold, tired, and completely outside my comfort zone. But I pushed through, and in doing so, I learned a lot about my own resilience and ability to stay focused in tough situations. I learnt that morale is one of the most important things you need when things become challenging.
Adventure Training is about far more than just outdoor activities. It’s designed to build qualities that are essential in the Army: resilience, leadership, teamwork, and adaptability.
AT has allowed me to see places and experience things I never would have. I have spent time with new people that are now friends for life. I feel very lucky to be in this position and will continue to take full advantage of the AT trips that are offered at my unit. OCdt Kennedy SUOTC
“I really appreciated the opportunity to grow through success and setbacks in a supportive and challenging environment. Earning both military and civilian qualifications has empowered me to pursue advanced canoeing with confidence and opened new exciting opportunities.” OCdt Lally OUOTC
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Week 1 of Ex Bavarian Hasta I spent 5 days kayaking with a local instructor. We started off in the most beautiful lake learning the basics of manoeuvring the kayak and how to safely navigate capsizing. We eventually moved onto the river, which had more technical white water parts, which were definitely more challenging than the lake due to the current. For the two multi-activity days I went hill walking and climbing. While hiking we learnt about navigation without technology, and how to deal with different terrains.
We were taken indoors due to the rain, but we still had an amazing time getting to do high wires and bouldering. On the final day, I visited the Dachau concentration camp, which I found to be very moving and informative. After a long week of being blessed with the most scenic views and wonderful hospitality, we felt it was important to appreciate the important history Germany has.
I learned new adventurous training skills and a new appreciation for my limits. I’ve learnt that if I’m brave and push myself that I can achieve so much more than I thought I could. I’ve also learnt the importance of making new friends, as throwing myself into it and speaking to everyone I possibly could turned out to be one of the best decisions, as I made some incredibly solid friendships.
AT brings cadets and staff closer, as it gives everyone a new opportunity to socialise. While keeping the military standards, it provides a new environment to learn in, and allows us to learn new skills which we may have never had the opportunity to try before. OCdt Holder – SUOTC
Week 2 of Ex Bavarian began with officer cadets entering individual activity days, whereby they received briefs on new adventure training activities, different from the foundation courses they completed. This allowed officer cadets to learn new skills and pique interest in new adventure training activities such as climbing, mountain biking, klettersteig, summer mountaineering, canoeing and kayaking. Also, allowed new connections to be made as groups were changed around. This exercise has brought together all UOTCs, bridging the gap between individual units and the UOTC main, new friendships being formed that were unlikely to be made prior. The officer cadets had the opportunity of two different individual activity days.
The second week also included the opportunity to explore Bavaria and the surrounding areas’ culture. Some groups had a go at the toboggan and local aqua park, others explored local towns and museums, others explored natural scenery with swims in the lakes, and some even made the trek to Munich to see the sights. Perfect way to round up an incredible two weeks in Bavaria! OCdt Lowerson Clarke – EMUOTC
During the infamous Ulysses Trust Pirate Capture the Flag in Bavaria, Capt Paul “Towny” Townsend and his group found themselves holding the prize—if only for a moment.
Victory was within reach. But in a spectacular twist of maritime misadventure, the Ulysses Trust flag was somehow sunk—not captured. Gently consigned to the bottom of a Bavarian lake, never to be seen again.
Whether it slipped, sank, or was sacrificed in a bold but deeply flawed tactical decision, no one’s quite sure. What’s certain is that Towny’s team left their mark, just not where anyone can retrieve it.
THANK YOU
University Officer Training Corps
