Bespoke sea kayaking courses - North Wales, Anglesey

Its been a busy few weeks with Bespoke sea kayaking course's.  Bespoke sea kayaking is specific to you, set and your pace, addressing your wants and based on your needs.  It can be for an individual, friends, group or club working on specific skills or just a private journey ..

Keith was wanting to focus on leadership, decision making, incident management and rescues - so that when he next goes out with his partner Debbie, he feels better prepared ... we had mixed weather but had a great journey on the North coast, with a good few sightings of porpoises ... all the best for your next paddle with Deb's ...

Many has paddled on and off for the last few years and recently bought a sea kayak and was keen to develop confidence, understanding and skills.  Mandy did a couple of great tidal plans, a key skills in sea kayaking and we had a super trip again on the North coast taking in the island of Middle Mouse ... and then due to the winds and a needs to work on tidal flow, we went into the Menai Straits and finished with a couple of balance exercises ... all the very best with the Great Orme's paddle this weekend .. ;)

Kevin and father wanted a days paddle at Moelfre, on the east coast, so he bought a sea kayaking birthday gift voucher and joined his dad.  They used to holiday as children here and we had a cracking forecast and a gentle sea ... and even got Ynis Moelfre (the small island of the headland) in .. with some gentle tidal flow ...

Brun from Tasmania originally contacted me, as her friend Jo was up.  And Floss you lives on the island and works with her parents at Anglesey Outdoors - which has a super bunkhouse with a camp site  ... also joined us for the day ... the photos tell the story ...

Its been a great variety of private and specific sea kayaking days ... for more information, have a look at this link.

Thanks, Roger

roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com

north wales sea kayaking course's
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bespoke sea kayaking course's anglesey

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
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sea kayaking Anglesey

Summer sea kayaking ...

These last few weeks have just been beautiful for sea kayaking. How good is the UK when we have settled weather?  Anglesey and the North Wales coastline is perfect for sea kayaking and can provide such a broad range from sheltered gentle paddles as an introduction to sea kayaking.  Through to the rougher water and offshore islands, for the advanced sea kayaker. With a fantastic progression for those at the Intromediate to Intermediate level.

Here's a few photos from just the last few days, bespoke coaching .... enjoy ...

Pat and Bardsey island down on the Lleyn

North Stack tide race, the Irish ferry arriving and Pat enjoying the flow...

South Stack lighthouse ...

Simon and the SW corner of Anglesey.  Quite coves, with just the chatter of sea birds ...

Sandra below trying out a couple of different kayaks ...

One of the local inhabitants blending well into the rocks (centre of photo - grey seal).

I still have some places on courses over the summer, interested?

Xplore - Intermediate sea kayaking Anglesey (with 3 star sea training) - 10/11th August - £140
Improve - Intromediate sea kayaking course - 20-22nd Aug - £230
Discover - Introduction to sea kayaking 24/25th Aug - £140
Discover sea kayaking - Intro 27-29th Aug - £230
Improve to Xplore sea kayaking - Intro -Intermediate bridging the gap 2-5th September - £290
3 star sea kayak assessment on 5th September - £80

Phone me at 07873 132999 or email me at info@coastalspirit.com for more details or to reserve a place.

Roger

North Wales sea kayaking
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sea kayaking anglesey

Day 36 Ireland Circumnavigation Sunday 16th June 2013

A bacon butty is a good way to start my day and John had a pot of coffee going..happy days!
It is nice to slow down, the first time since my allergic reaction earlier in the week. I still woke at 6am but snoozed until 8am!
John kindly dropped us into town to shop while Andy started on a major repair to the Aleut. John took our food back in his car and some lunch for Andy.
A good lunch of fish and chips, and ice cream and a walk to look for a pub. A Guinness later we walked back to Johns, it felt good to stretch my legs.  A group prepared Shepherds Pie is for dinner before an early night for me.
John having been a postman has offered to go in early to collect my tent pole. This will be a great help as we can then make the most of the day. At the moment the plan is to out to Rathlin Island and ideally go around the outside on our way to Fairhead and our paddle South.

Sonja

www.coastalspirit.com

Day 35 Ireland Sat 15th June

It was a wet and cold start, one that I felt was the coldest so far. We covered 8nm to Ballycastle where John known as the Rathlin postman met us at the Quay and very kindly shuttled us back to his house. After hot showers and lunch we all felt so much better. Clothes are now being washed and we have a Chicken casserole for dinner, then shopping and an 8 day food re-stock.

Squalls chased us for the two hour paddle, with good caves, arches and waterfalls appearing. At Carrick-A-Rede we went under the rope bridge with some exciting and spicy waves pushing through.

I need a replacement tent pole (mine snapped earlier on but Ive done a temporary repair job on it but am concerned it won't last the journey) which Sonja has sent out which should arrive by 1pm on Monday, so weather dependent we will push on then. We have approximately 160nm to complete the loop.

Sonja
www.coastalspirit.com

Day 27 Ireland 7th June 2013

A farmer cam down early evening to warn us about the cows and showed us a smaller area but workable, to the East side of the beach.
After a relaxed start I was blown away by the beauty of the coastline. Huge cliffs, arches and rock structures and the sun shining on the rock really made it stand out. The wind picked up at Downpatrick Head. Camped at Lackan Bay in the dunes, and our first surf landing. 24nm completed. Hope that the surf has settled down by the morning.

Boats on the beach at Lackan Bay

Sonja

www.coastalspirit.com

Day 25 Ireland Circumnavigation 5th June

A few ablutions this morning with me washing my shorts and socks  as we waited for the tide before we broke camp. Jane and Andy of K2GB ended up stopping at Inishturk and Mary Jo saw them. They ended up camping in her garden, what a super lady! Our tide begins at about 11am so fried eggs for breakfast!!

We had a relaxed paddle to Achill with the tide and only had to get out once to look for the deeper channel. The flood tide flows into the Sound from both directions and just south of the bridge dries out. We managed to paddle up against the flow under the bridge and found a slipway. Into the supermarket over the road for a restock, rubbish binned, phones charged at the hotel and the a super Alice's burger with chips and salad when Andy and Jane arrived to join us for food.
We then paddled off together with the ebb helping us along to a rocky landing but a super grassy camp.

Sonja
www.coastalspirit.com

Day 18 Ireland Wednesday 29th May 2013

Today we were up and out checking out the conditions with Noels van and based on what we saw decided we would have a rest day! The swell is due to drop by one metre, it will be another day after a big Spring tide and with hopefully lighter winds!

So were being tourists and going to cook a roast chicken dinner!

Dingle is a super town! A couple of great galleries with brilliant art and the people are lovely too. Weve had top fish and chips (first time Ive ever had battered Monkfish!), and Sea salt and brown bread ice cream!! Were having a good day!!!

Sonja
www.coastalspirit.com

Day 7-9 Circumnavigation Around Ireland

Sightings of whales moving slowly along the coast.....a day of paddling mainly from point to point with some super cave and arch paddling....an amazing tunnel 100 meters long and 3 meters wide.....Seven Heads and Durnworth Bay......

On Monday following a super double fried egg wrap, thanks to Barry (!) we were on the water at 08.00 and started with a 5nm crossing to Dunowen Head and we FELT the offshore wind!! From there we paddled into the next bay working hard as the wind increased. The plan was to head for Castletown End 19nm away from our previous camp and to meet up with Jim of Atlantic Sea Kayaking. He had a luvly 5* spa hotel booked for us!!! Yeha!! When Justine had spoken with Jim the night before we were speechless, that is except Barry who thought it was a windup!!!

So here we are at the   http://www.inchydoneyisland.com/  Hotel and Spa
NOW with 2 double rooms, fantastic sea views, super helpful staff...theyve even taken my smelly washing! time for a salt water pool swim, food, a point of the dark stuff and see what surprises Tuesday brings!!! Thank you so much!

Sonja
www.coastalspirit.com

2nd day of paddling around Ireland

We passed into the county of Wexford today with some hard earned miles. 16 nautical miles and our slowest speed ever at 1.7k as we clawed our way around a headland with flow! We managed to find a sheltered lunch spot and even had a snooze! We were tempted to stay but following our siesta we now had current assisting us so would'nt be a good move! Good camp spot for the night and who knows maybe a new county tomorrow!!!

Sonja
www.coastalspirit.com

A taste of Autumn sunshine

With the last sea kayaking Taster day and Discover sea kayaking weekend of the year, it was so great to have a magic forecast of light winds and sunshine.  After meeting the six people, having a coffee and a chat, we headed off to Moelfre on the East coast of Anglesey.

Paul on the left, and then Sarah and Jess going through a dry land assisted rescue.

The light was great and the surface super. We focused on the key skills of turning and controlling the kayak using outside edge. We explored the use of BODY, with posture change, pressure, squeezing and tension, considering how this in turn effects the Boat and the use of the paddle.  The emphasis needs to begin with the BODY, Boat and then the blade.

We then started to put these skills into a journey and paddled off down the coast, for a new venue -Daniel  above.

At our 2nd break and soaking up the sunshine, before our return paddle were I covered effective forward paddling, emphasising rotating round your spine, while keeping your paddle forward and out front.

roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com

sea kayak taster
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north wales sea kayaking