Our Improve sea kayaking course or what is also referred to as Intro-mediate sea kayaking, had two people returning, Cherry and Cath and then Claire, Jackie and Steve it was there first time with Coastal Spirit, although all had various levels of previous experience. The aim of the course is to exposed people gently to the various conditions you would likely get on a paddle, such as wind swell and current and enable them to be better prepared and have strategies to work with. I would also like to take this moment to thank, Di, Andy and Sonja for assisting and helping out at various points during the 4 days.
Refreshing skills and putting these into context was the aim of the day, and responding to what I also found that could be useful, as we paddled on the Menai Straits, towards the Gazelle hotel.
Jackie making the most of the warmer weather ...
Cherry having ago a stern rudder, with some gentle flow and wind against current ...
Lunch time and soaking up the sunshine ....
Di and Cath above as we got the ebb tide back to our start point ...
Day 2 and Claire above as we now begin to use the strokes to assist movement in narrower channels and rocky gaps ... Trearddur bay to Rhoscolyn head and back.
Loving the colours ....
Cath showing great edging of the kayak and good torque on her spine, enabling her head to remain central ...
Cherry at the cave Rhoscolyn head
Steve, Cath, Sonja, Di, Jackie, Cherry and Claire (from left to right) in one of many gullies ...
Day 3 and the weather was looking magic as we paddled out from the top end of the Straits, on our way to Puffin Island.
Puffin island on the right ...
We arrived just after low water, so most were hauled up and basking in the sun and we kept our distance floating about. Slowly they came out to check on us ... Claire above
I just love it ... and never tire
On the way back we were now into the 2nd hour of the flood and approx 3knots of current and was a useful reminder to all that the sea is a live and dynamic, never sleeping ... Cath above, keeping her paddle active and good posture
We finished off the day with some fun and balance, capsize, assisted rescues and self rescues
Our finally day and the other mid section of the Straits which would take us through the Swellies ...
Pulling in and taking a break, with some current visible on the top of the photo
It was a super week with lovely people, great progress and varied weather, but the sun did shine ....
roger
roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com
sea kayaking courses
+
north wales sea kayaking
This was my second course with Coastal Spirit and yet again exceeded my expectations. Each day we were introduced to new skills and encouraged to practice them with Roger, Di, Sonja or Andy always on hand to provide helpful tips and advice. I learnt so much in those four days.
ReplyDeleteThe scenery around the Anglesey coast is stunning. Each day we went to a different area. For me the highlights were paddling through the narrow inlets and into small caves between Trearddur Bay and Rhoscolyn Head, and also the day that we paddled out to Puffin island. The seals were so inquisitive and swam right up to us. Loads of sea birds too.
At the end of the course we all sat in the pub and looked at the wonderful photos that Roger had taken of us over the last few days. It is great to have them as a reminder of a really enjoyable few days.