Day 20 Ireland

After a super evening and night cap with Harold, Betty was up cooking us an Irish breakfast to set us up for the day. Big thanks for looking after us so well. We were on the water after 9am and started our first crossing to Kerry Head. We had a F4 against us and an ebbing tide.........oh hum.......! Sometimes that's just how it is. We took a longer break at the headland before crossing the Snannon. There was a good swell running as we crossed and much steeper waves as we got closer to Loop Head. The cliffs, rock formations and birds were stunning. At 4pm we came across a potential landing and camp but we now had tide with us! We paddled on..................It wasn't until after 7pm that we found another suitable site! 3.5 hours of paddling in reflected waves and clapotis today. Very tiring and the longest Ive paddled in before. Wind is supossed to be going west tomorrow so this could help us up to the cliffs of Moher.

Leaving our hosts Harold and Betty Whelan at Fahamore













Sonja
www.coastalspirit.com

Ireland and Day 14!

Later on Friday night (yesterday) another paddler arrived! His name was James and he had 6 weeks off to paddle and explore Ireland. Today we were up at 05.30, it was calm and clear. Paddling past Mizen Head with the Fastnet lighthouse to the left we crossed to Dursey Island and had lunch. We decided on an Island camp tonight on Deenish Island. 32 nautical miles and a happier Barry! Hoorah! Its a good grassy camp...

Sonja
www.coastalspirit.com

Coastal Spirit Rapid Development Sea Kayaking Skye April 19th 2013

Surfing at Glen Brittle the previous day..

The following day at Elgol..what a contrast! 
Up at 6, packed and away by 7am, leaving the comforts and the warmth of the hostel. It took over an hour to get to Elgol and we were soon on the water. It was lovely to see clear skies and silky seas. First goal was Camasunary bothy, set in a lovely bay, then on to Loch Coruisk and to the island of Soay. We saw the most seals we had seen at any one time, and we were careful not to spook them. It was interesting to see how relaxed they were with the tour power boats but twitchy with us. 

The winds were due to pick up to F4/5 by 2pm so we kept things moving. Soay was the original home of Gavin Maxwel, the shark hunter turned conservationist. The sun was lovely and warm, and it would have been easy to snooze ... We walked across the island and met a woman and her dog. She had lived on the island for 23 years and at the early stages 17 people lived on the island, now there was only 3!
Sensing a feeling of sadness, we all wondered what it would be like on an island full time throughout the whole year!

We headed back with the wind now freshening to F4 although on our bow and we enjoyed the ride! Back at the start and keen for a brew, we loaded and headed to the local cafe for cheese scones, tea and to chat about our next plan and to find a spot with shelter for the tents and us from the F5/6 due to arrive imminently......!

Sonja
www.coastalspirit.com

Just for you - Bespoke sea kayaking

Al and Briggett were over for a few days from Switzerland and the main focus was working with Briggett and developing her forward paddling, to be more effective.

We began with an hour in the cafe, discussing over a coffee, the best venue and clarifying what they both wanted.  Then looking at a video clip on effective forward paddling, to break down the elements, before we got on the water.

The Straits were perfect, some wind, some flow and and good tide to take us through into the Swellies and then the flood tide to bring us back. 

Moving into the main channel and flow, with a small amount f wind against tide ...

Making the most of one of the sheltered areas ...

Under Menai Bridge and working with eddy turns ...

Briggett generating good forward power ....

And really beginning to commit to a lean

Al exploring and enjoying the gentle flow ....

We paddled on down to Plas Newedd, National Trust property and then turned and worked the gentle wind, and the last of the ebb against us, with outside edged turns and forward sweeps and stern rudders, to control the kayaks.  As we headed back to the start, we reflected on the day and the good results.

roger chandler

www.coastalspirit.com

sea kayaking courses

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sea kayak north wales

Just as you like it ...bespoke sea kayaking

It was great to see Tracy and Andy again and following a coffee and some planning, working in wind and some surf would hit the mark.  Tracy was also had a Tiderace sea kayak on demo so was keen to take it through its paces. 

With a F4-6 and gusting F7 latter Treaddour Bay made so much sense!! 

It was s super day, working the surf and getting clean landings, choose which way and controlling the kayak to go that way through body positioning and wait transfer.

We did a few runs across the bay and worked with increasing cadence, with a shorter stroke, skeg and keeping head up and vision wide.  We finished off with a couple of runs from the swell being forced through a narrow channel .... Andy above, getting a feel for his new Tiderace!!

We wrapped up the day with me loading a load of photos on to my lap top, and looking back through the day.  Highlighting areas to improve and what was going well, so as to continue ...

Roger

roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com

Bespoke sea kayaking
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North wales sea kayak