It’s a healthy way to live …
HM Naval Base Clyde recently showcased health, fitness and well-being when HMS Neptune’s Physical Training staff hosted the annual NAVYfit Festival.
The event was a huge success and featured dozens of information stalls, sport and activity taster sessions, fun competitions and loads of advice on hand from health and fitness experts.
Hundreds of military and civilian personnel visited the HMS Neptune Sportsdrome, all keen to find out a bit more about how they can improve their health and lead a more active lifestyle.
Leading Physical Trainer James Duffy, who organised the festival said: “The HMS Neptune Physical Training Staff have put a lot of time and effort into planning NAVYfit here at Clyde and it is great to see it all come together on the day. I would like to thank everyone who has come along to support the event, both those who are here to provide health and fitness advice and those who came along to learn more or try out a new activity. Hopefully they will leave with a little more knowledge, or a new pastime, which will lead to a healthier lifestyle.”
Among the participants in the main gym were Gavin Findlay and Mark Byles, both Base employees, who were attending the event for the first time to highlight the Arrochar Mountain Rescue Team (AMRT) and the service it provides. The AMRT is a volunteer organisation with around 30 volunteers, who are available at all times to provide search and rescue services at the request of Police Scotland.
Also new to NAVYfit at Clyde were exhibitors Tom Macdonald and Matthew Brenchley of Pre-Fitted, a company who provide a fitting service for skiing and snow board clothing and equipment. Royal Navy personnel will be measured up and kitted out by them before travelling to Tignes in France to compete in the Royal Navy Ski Championships which are scheduled to take place in January 2019.
Lewis Stewart of Inflatable Hire Scotland also attended the event and encouraged people to have a go at the Batak Challenge, which consist of a serious of randomly generated lights which you must hit when lit and is used to test reaction times, stamina levels and hand-eye co-ordination ability. For those wishing to try something new, there were Boxing taster sessions every half hour as well as Yoga and Pilates lessons throughout the day. Outside on the Astro turf you could also have a go at Clay Pigeon Shooting. There were representatives from various Royal Navy Sports Associations and clubs with lots of information on hand about sailing, fly fishing, sub aqua and much more, for anyone interested in taking up a new hobby.
Many Caring Organisations also attended including Helensburgh and Lomond Carers, who aim “to make a positive difference to the lives of unpaid carers.”
Christine MacTaggart, Outreach Carers Support Worker said: “We provide information, advice and support to unpaid carers in the Helensburgh and Lomond area, however we have extended that to include any Naval Base employees who are carers, regardless of where they live. We would like to invite anyone who finds themselves caring for a loved one to pop in to our Helensburgh office for a chat and find out more about what we can offer.”
The BBQ proved popular, with many of the stall holders and visitors to the event enjoying the healthy grilled chicken, wholemeal pittas and dry coleslaw which were on offer.
In addition to the stances, there were a couple of tournaments taking place on the day, with 43 Commando winning the NAVYfit 5-A-side competition and MCM Crew 1 the champions in the Northern Region Rugby 7’s event.
This is the third Northern Region NAVYfit Festival to be hosted at HMNB Clyde and the aim is to raise awareness of the Physical Development opportunities available to Royal Navy and civilian personnel on the Base and to encourage them to have a go at something new, which could improve fitness and lead to a healthier lifestyle.
Captions: Visitors to the NAVYfit Festival enjoy the healthy BBQ. 2. Pre-Fitted staff describe the services they can provide to Naval Base personnel. 3. LPT James Duffy takes on the Batak Challenge. 4.Providing instruction on the indoor climbing wall.