Royal Navy Personnel Enjoy Bavarian Ski Surge

Fourty-eight Royal Navy personnel enjoyed a challenging and educational trip to the picturesque Bavarian Alps in Southern Germany between 12th and 24th March for Exercise Ski Surge.

Fourty-eight Royal Navy personnel enjoyed a challenging and educational trip to the picturesque Bavarian Alps in Southern Germany between 12th and 24th March for Exercise Ski Surge.

The training, organised and delivered by the Royal Navy Adventurous Training Team (RNATT) provided personnel the opportunity to improve their alpine skiing while aiming towards gaining their skiing qualification.

The training provided by RNATT is part of the Adventurous Training offer that the Royal Navy provides for its personnel with the aim of improving personal development, team cohesion and individual resilience. Adventurous Training in the Royal Navy comes at minimal or quite often nil cost to those attending.

One of the participants, CPO ‘Spike’ Hughes, praised the virtues of Adventurous Training, saying; “After twenty-six years in the Royal Navy, I have finally taken part in my first full week of Adventurous Training, in beautiful Bavaria. I started the week as a complete novice but was given positive support and expert guidance from my instructor who encouraged me to challenge my perceived fears.”

Spike took part in Exercise Ski Surge alongside his team and also reaped the positive rewards the training had on improving morale while simultaneously increasing operational capability.

He said, “This week has been a fantastic bonding experience for myself and my team, and we are so much stronger for it.”

All those that took part achieved the first rung on the Joint Service Adventurous Training (JSAT) skiing qualification scheme and will now look to further their experience through the JSAT scheme, Royal Navy Ski Championships and other RNATT organised Alpine Skiing packages.