Tuesday 27 May 2014

IntroMediate Sea Kayaking Course - Anglesey, North Wales

IntroMediate sea kayaking is about moving on those skills into a more dynamic environment.  Whether that's swell, current, surf or wind and some times all of the above!!  The emphasis is based on a gentle approach and introduction.  

Glynis was in preparation for a longer  sea kayaking holiday in Scotland with another company, so was keen to continue with be effective and efficient and Guy was keen to really get a feel for what sea kayaking was about and what the island holds. 


Working on outside edge turns and being efficient and then as we had the chance .. some reversing into a long narrow gully


And one of my favourite caves on the island due to the atmosphere (there's always some swell rumbling into the cave) and the dragon was quite subdued today!!


Then after lunch we worked our way back on inside turns and through the rock gardens ...




Sunday and a more settled forecast, we headed out to Puffin Island hoping for some seal action .. and more flow ...


Puffin Island is what looks like the headland on the end.


We pulled in to a bay before the main headland as guy was trying a different sea kayak and worked on eddy turns, using inside turn/low brace and carved turns - by using good edge and lean, while keeping the power on to achieve the turn.



The seals were out but a little shy and quickly disappeared ...


Well I got a cave, a gully and a light house on camera and both experienced some rougher water water and made some good turns and progressed well.  The sun came out and all in all it was a good weekend!

The next IntroMediate sea kayaking course is:  9-11th June and the 2/3rd August.  Both courses are going ahead and currently have places on.  Email me on info@coastalspirit.com for more information or to book your place ...

Thanks,  Roger

www.coastalspirit.com
Level 5 Coach Sea

north wales sea kayaking courses
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Sea kayaking Anglesey

Monday 26 May 2014

Sea Kayaking Holiday - Isle of Skye

This years Costal Spirit sea kayaking holiday was to the Isle of Skye, with quality self catering accommodation as our base.  Hot showers, comfy beds and good food ...  Andy and Tracy, Douglas, Ann, Rob and Marion (from Ireland), with Sonja in support made up the team.  

Five days sea kayaking with a day off to use as you wished and the week's weather forecast was looking fairly good.  The first day we set of for Macleod's Maidens, on the West coast and although in the distance we spotted two eagles (later i was informed that two sea eagles were nesting in the area).  There was a good ground swell running, so despite light winds we couldn't get in close ... but the light was fantastic ...




The following day was set for Loch Currisk and Soay island if the winds behaved!!  Looking into the Cullin's



We found a magic little beach and after some lunch walked over to the Loch ...



That evening we were treated to a super sunset from the window of our accommodation .. ;)


Day 3 and the Northerly headland of Rubha Hunish was the plan.  Conditions were magic, with the Outer Hebrides, seen clearly in the distance.  The sea had that oily calm and visibility under the surface, was stunning.  It was a magic paddle and we managed to get in close early on and explore some caves and channels.  The rock structure was super ...






While we came round to the East coast a gentle swell was picking up and this reef provide a few exciting runs ...




The weather was now on the turn, but hey three magic days on Skye, had already been had.  Kyle Atkin towards Plockton and back and a few down wind circuits working on stern rudders ... and more use of body to direction ...  and our best two otter sighting, which must have been a good 10-15 minutes ...





Day off and I fancied a surf or to see if there was any ... Tracy and Marion were keen to join me and we had a few gentle runs ... I paddled the P&H Hammer which I really enjoyed.  Its very deep so its very different from what I've paddled before, in relation to a sea kayak.  More time needed in some bigger conditions ...


One of the four self catered team meals ... and fantastic it was ...


Friday our last day, saw a solid F6/7 descending on us.  We headed across to Dunvagen and  it soon became clear we were not going to leave the bay today.  Down wind circuits using trim to assist with turning into and away from the wind and some super surfing action from all ...



The following morning we said our good byes and Sonja and myself headed off to find alternative accommodation.  The next few days had more wind and rain so we managed to get a small self catering cottage and I got a paddle in round the Point of Sleat and we got a paddle in together round Neist point and back.  It was topped by sighting a BIG 3.5 mt bottle nosed dolphin, mellowly feeding as we watched on ... a top finish to an amazing week ..


Details on the above sea kayaking holiday can be found here and keep your eyes open for next years Isle of Skye and our Connemara sea kayaking holiday.

Roger

Roger Chandler
www.coastalspirit.com
Level 5 coach sea

Anglesey sea kayaking courses
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North Wales specialist sea kayaking



Wednesday 7 May 2014

Intro Sea Kayaking Courses - North Wales Anglesey

 Why would you want to start sea kayaking?  ... The following few photos, provide an insight into the breath and depth of this amazing activity, sport or way of life.

It may be to explore further afield, to remote regions and far off places.  Lofoten below, above the Arctic circle, Norway ... truly stunning



To live life simply from your kayak for a night, weekend, week or more ...


Closer to home and in Scotland, looking into The Cullins and on the Isle of Skye ...


To discover new places and find out whats around the corner and just pause ...




For a fun time away, a distraction, a surprise and just something different ...


For the thrills, rush and satisfaction of controlling your kayak through rough water and surf ...


Or the peace and tranquility of the moment ...


The hope and wish to interact with wild life and the unexpected ...


For silky, blue sky days and travelling along the shoreline ...


Interested, to try something different and begin and amazing journey?  Coastal Spirit's next Intro Sea Kayaking course's are on the following dates:

25/26th June - mid week two day sea kayaking course at £130
12/13th July - weekend sea kayaking course at £130
21-24th July - mid week 4 day sea kayaking course at £290
2/3rd Aug    - weekend sea kayaking course at £130
18-21st Aug - mid week sea kayaking course at £290

For more information have a look at my website here on Intro Sea Kayaking courses or email me at info@coastalspirit.com

I look forward to paddling with you and assisting you on your journey.

Roger

North Wales sea kayaking
+
sea kayaking Anglesey

Tuesday 6 May 2014

Bespoke sea kayaking course's

Its been a busy week of Bespoke sea kayaking course's for individuals and a group of eight.  Last week saw me out with Julian and with a light wind forecast and some rough water  wanted we set off for The Skerrie's, an island of the NW of Anglesey.  A couple of puffins were spotted, but no terns on the island as yet  ... and loads of grey seals basking in the sunshine.  




It was really good to see the time that Julian had put into getting out was paying off, as he managed a couple of ferry glides and turns in the rough water ...  focus was on dropping down the gears to increase speed and acceleration ...


Glynis has booked on a Scottish sea kayaking holiday, with another company and was keen to put some mileage down, in preparation and we looked at being efficient and effective with forward paddling, edged turns and stern rudders.  Emphasis was on BODY, Boat and blade ...



We finished of the day on the Straits, with a couple of down wind circuits, working back up into wind, trimming body forward to weight the bow and anchor it.   Plus a smooth and quick application of the stern rudder, so as to correct and maintain forward speed.  15k latter and a refection over a hot chocolate, Glynis was certainly in a good place ...



Colin had been the organiser of this group of eight, all from the same village. Each year the group chose a challenge to complete.  This year it was a walk up Snowdon, a 40k bike ride and sea kayaking on the Menai Straits.  After a couple of hours skills training (and a dip!) .... we set off just after slack water so we had gentle flow behind us, through 'The Swellies' ...






The guys looked fairly happy so we pulled out of the main flow and then started back up, attempting to surf the sea kayaks in the waves ... lots of whoops and smiles ... and only one swim!



Bespoke is private to you, as an individual wanting to fast track and gain more from my focused attention and feedback or a couple or group wanting something specific.  Its your day or weekend, set at your pace and addresses your wants and needs ...

More details can be found here

Roger
www.coastalspirit.com

bespoke sea kayaking north wales
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sea kayaking courses north wales