InterMediate Sea Kayaking - Anglesey, North Wales

Our InterMediate sea kayaking course aims to move you towards solid 3 star performance skills, in wind, swell, surf and current.  And as you can see form the forecast below, it was going to be an exciting weekend of interesting weather.  Lets be honest, though.  What an amazing Autumn we've had!

Simon, Mandy and Douglas were up for the weekend and at least we had a gentle start to the day.  Trearddur bay on the West coast of Holyhead Island, Anglesey, would allow us to go into wind and then get blown back, when we decided to leave.

We started with number of circuits, working on down and upwind turns left and right.  Then running down wind, with emphasis on the use of body, along side a stern rudder to assist the turn and trying to keep momentum.  Mandy below enjoying the conditions ...

Simon below, with a low angled stern rudder ...

Douglas below ... as we headed into one of the sheltered bays and then re tracing our paddle strokes back into the bay as the wind began to arrive ...

The sea now go a little more confused, with reflected waves and now a Beaufort F4 wind was blowing ...

Time for some surfing ....  Mandy below on her way back out ....

Sunday and with the aim of working those down wind skills a journey from Moel Y Don to Menai Bridge, with the last 3 hours of the ebb, would create wind against tide conditions.   the main channel was over 1mt and surfing white tops ...  We were on a smaller tide, which was helpful and kept to the Anglesey side.  There was a couple of surging 1mt swells but over all it was more 0.5 mt as we eddy hoped our way along.

Just below the Britannia Bridge, was a super playful area which was more sheltered, and great for eddy turns and a couple of surfs.

After lunch we headed on through the Swellies which were now flowing with us and a couple of rolls later, for Douglas and then a self rescue finished the day.  Reflections and hot drinks in Dylan's wrapped up the day and the weekend.

The next Winter InterMediate weekend is the 6/7th February (1 place left), March is already full and then its the 9/10th April  (5 places currently left).  Calendar for the rest of the year will be out in the next month.

Interested?  Then email me at info@coastalspirit.com

Thanks,
Roger

www.coastalspirit.com


Below is a refection from Douglas Barrie on his Bespoke day and the weekend Intermediate course -

Theory Into Practice: The Endless Trials and Tribulations of an Intermediate Paddler

A personnel day with Roger provided the opportunity to road test whether my attendance at a “Coaching the Mind” weekend during the summer had managed to permeate my rather thick skull. Never a quick learner I am now at the age where practice begets more practice, and perhaps in the fullness of time, and then a bit, some improvement.

With following seas a particular Bogey-Mermaid of my own, the forecast conditions for the day were well suited to provide an examination of whether I would be able to grasp some of the tools offered by the two-day course on “mind control”. I’m not particularly bothered being munched by a wave when beach surfing, within the reasonable parameters of no broken bones or permanent scarring, but put the same wave in a following sea environment, and it’s that three-cracker dry mouth.

Irrespective of my personal prognosis, I’d recommend heartily the course: first of all it’s a good laugh, well delivered, and provides a balanced mix of the theory and practical.

Out at the neck of Trearddur Bay with a force 3-4 breeze and a good meter swell (Roger’s measure, not mine, my following sea swell ratings have been based traditionally more around pallid knuckles and facial blood drainage) I was bobbing around in a way that previously has tempted the flight response in my neo-cortex.

Was I happy as a sand boy – not quite- but with a bit of visualisation and self-talk (the latter unprintable, but for those with the misfortune to have made my acquaintance you might imagine it was at the fruity end of my already green-grocer rich vocabulary,) I felt I could manage what was going on around me. As the day progressed, and under the invaluable tutelage and re-assuring presence of Roger, I settled more into the bouncy water and even began to suspect that within reason I actually might begin to enjoy the surfing opportunities of a following sea – I just visualise the golden sands of a hazard-free beach about 30 meters in front of every wave.

Anglesey sea kayaking - 3 star training and assessment weekend

The InterMediate sea kayaking course is aim at developing 3 star performance skills and from time to time, I blend a 3 star training and if candidates have suitable experience, an assessment as well.  Steve, Mandy and Simon were on the weekend for further experience and Ian and Elinor, were on for training and assessment.  While Tavi was on the weekend to observe and assisted (yes, that largely means being rescued) as part of my support towards a leader's progress and development. 

Well for August it felt more like late October!  After coffee, briefings and tidal planning we headed off for Rhoscolyn.  The tide was on the flood and with light winds but a reasonable swell, we were likely to get conditions, we needed for the course.  Elinor and Steve below ...

Steve and Ian ...

Elinor ...

We worked on eddy turns, ferry glides and putting this into surfing  .... assisted and self rescues, in the calm of the big eddy and if individuals wanted, to have ago in the flow as well.

Simon below ...

Many really getting to grips with it and feel comfortable ...

Ian above and Tavi below with Simon on the Sunday at hells Mouth on the North coast of Anglesey.

Sunday was an A-B trip form Cemais Bay to Bull Bay, and out to Middle Mouse and even more rain today!!  Rocky rescues, anchor tows, rafted tows and contact tows and then more rock hoping and close quartering.  At the Brick works for lunch there must have been 20+ other paddlers, who had also decided, that the North coast with the current weather forecast was the best location ...

Trecastle Inn at Bull Bay for hot drinks and the Chief brought out two big plates of left over roasted potatoes .. a result and just what we all needed.  A review of the weekend, with congratulations to both Elinor and Ian for passing the award and action plans, wrapped up another purposeful and enjoyable weekend, despite the weather ...

The next InterMediate sea kayaking course is:  14-17th September (mid week) and has 3 places left; 19/20th September (3 star train/assessment) and has 3 places left and then the 3/4th October - 5 places left.

The Winter sea kayaking programme then kicks in with 3 further dates to keep you active and focused over the colder months.  When the Spring arrives, skills are strong and confidence is higher.  Dates are:  7/8th Nov; 6/7th Feb and 12/13th March 2016.  remember that the more course dates you book, the cheaper you get a course!

For more information, on a Winter weekend have a look at my website here or email me at roger @coastalspirit.com

Enjoy it out there,
Roger

Bespoke sea kayaking - North Wales, Anglesey

Keith and John were back for another year and a few days Bespoke sea kayaking.  Normally late September/October was there time, but with the last couple of years wind and rain dominated.  July they hoped would provide sunshine and blue skies ....  Well Monday didn't and I had no camera!! so we spent the day in The Menai Straits going through low braced turns and stern rudders - inside and out side edge.  This was going to set us up for the next couple of days ...  

My photos have come out a little jumbled, but as you will see we got that sunny blue sky days  ... ;)

Last day at Rhoscolyn and looking down towards the Lleyn above, and some rock hoping, putting our turns into practise, below.

2nd day was the 10k one way paddle of the Stacks - we went against the Ebb, so only had South Stack to work with, which we went through at slackish water.  saying that the guys worked really well with a couple of active back eddies, flowing against a N f2/3 wind, gave a 1ft of swell and confused water ...

Looking back at South Stack light house above and some super rock scenery, around Elyn's tower.  the birds to were loving the sunny day ...

Landing for lunch below at Silver Bay on the 3rd and last day ...

It had been lovely that the sun had come out, and that the wind had allowed both Keith and John to paddle the Stacks.  A classic, stunning and committing trip.  One I'm sure will be remembered for a few years yet!!

Hi Roger

Just to say big thanks for your efforts with John and I. 

Superb time — tired today!

Very much appreciated.

Keith

Happy days  ....  Bespoke days are set at your pace, address your specific wants and needs, allowing you to achieve more and accelerate your learning.  August is now full for Bespoke days and September is begging to fill up.  Contact me now if you want more information or would like to arrange an informal chat.  Thanks, Roger.

info@coastalspirit.com

Pantomime Paddling and a Problem With Wind

(One in an infinite series on the trials, tribulations and considerable joys of an InterMediate paddler).

Photo from earlier this year at Trearddur Bay Anglesey

Put a one-to-two metre wave in front of me and I'm a happy bunny, well relatively. Put a one-metre plus wave behind me in a following sea and it's more of a rabbit in the headlights.

I'm one of the participants in a coaching the mind course that Roger has organised in July. As a starter for ten I didn't really have to give a great deal of thought to one of the areas I want to work on. It's that "It's behind you"  moment when the stern of the boat begins to lift at the base of a wave, the bow dips, and my inner chimp is out of the box and bouncing all over my spray-deck.

Point me at the beach in moderate surf and I'll hammer in a couple of inelegant but punchy strokes and if I luck-out on the timing enjoy the ride toward the shore. Set up the same scenario in open water or on a race and the confidence drains away faster than the Menai Straits.

I suspect there are a number of things going on I need to recognise and work on. I am, I think, quite strongly visually cued. If I see an interesting - sizeable - wave coming toward me then I can prepare mentally and get set up physically.  Beach surf also offers the comfort of a nearby shore.

The same routine doesn't work as well in the following sea where the boat-body feel is of greater importance. Staying relaxed and mobile becomes a loosing arm wrestle with the chimp. I also need to continue to work on rolling in this environment. A good solid roll strikes me as a fine antidote to dobbing in.

Photo from earlier this year, at Trearddour Bay, Anglesey

I'm also an experiential learner: that is until it happens to me I might be able to verbalise the theory, but not really get it. Roger has on a number of occasions when I've been in a group he's coaching pointed out how quickly things can happen in wind - most notably getting separated from the boat.

I recently took the opportunity of a weekend in Suffolk to go for a gentle solo paddle between Walberswick and Dunwich. It's a shallow bay with a mainly pebble and stone beach, with a tendency for the waves to dump. The sea state was slight with a south easterly wind force 4 gusting up to 5-6: the result was wind-driven very short period chop of two- three feet in the bay.

After pottering around for 90 minutes I thought I ought to practise my reasonably reliable (in benign conditions) one-sided roll. Being on my own I'd made sure I wasn't far from the beach and that the wind and swell would just dump me on the pebbles. Needless to say the first one failed (chop and wind make it much more interesting), and having bailed decided I'd re-enter and roll. In setting up I managed to let the boat go for what seemed an instant, the wind caught it and I was suddenly looking at a swim to shore. Fortunately a couple of sharp paddle strokes and a lull in the wind got me back within reach. A quick re-entry and roll and I was back the right way up and then it was time to pump out a boat full of the North Sea in chop-and a brisk breeze. As a balance exercise, and for entertainment for anyone on the beach, I'd highly recommend it.

Having bailed on the first, three successful rolls followed as I continue to try to embed the whole process as muscle memory. I also now understand just what Roger means by just how quickly the wind can intervene...

By Douglas Barrie

InterMediate Sea Kayaking Anglesey, North Wales

It was a weekend of two seasons with Saturday feeling, grey damp and colder.  While Sunday was bright, with blue skies, sunny and hot!

Mandy, Glynis and Steve were on an InterMediate sea kayaking weekend and after coffee, looking at forecast and discussing what individuals wanted to focus on, we headed across the island to Porth Dafarch.  The intention was to paddle towards an ebbing South Stack, rock hoping as we went and with a f3/4 N/NE the corner of Abra hams Bosom would be the deciding factor whether to push on or stay put ...

We stayed in the area of Penrhyn Mawr as the sea provided what we needed, with a few good rocky channels, working on low braced leaned turns and moving through swell ... Lunch and then into the first hour of the flood, with wind across time we started to get some good conditions ....

I set Mandy and Steve a circuit in the main race, of moving up through the current, which provided a gentle following sea state - something they both had asked to work on (while working in buddies) ... Glynis and my self worked in the inner channel which was more protected.

Sunny Sunday ... and after meeting and comparing both Mandy and Steve's tidal planning, we set off to Soldiers Point to paddle The Stacks on an ebbing tide.    We were just off a neap tide, but due to the previous days N/NE winds North Stack race was a little confused, but all managed very well.  We were soon into the big cliffs, caves and arches ...

The Stacks had been what anyone would have wanted. Steve had rock climbed a number of routes here in the past, so it was well up on his paddling list and with Glynis having been initially inspired to go sea kayaking, after looking down from the cafe area, at South Stack and seeing paddlers below and deciding she wanted some of that.   It was great to see the progressions and the smiling faces of all ...

Roger
roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com

rough water handling anglesey
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intermediate sea kayaking wales

InterMediate Sea Kayaking Course, UK, North Wales, Anglesey.

An InterMediate sea kayaking course is for those who are confident in the water, have a good level of fitness, sea kayaked on moving water before, have some experience of tidal planning, plus paddling in Beaufort force 3 (13mph) winds as a minimum - ideal for those working towards the 3 star sea award or those who just want to be a better and more competent  sea kayaker.  

I tend to run the 3 star assessment as an on going training and assessment, with just a few more tasks to consider and action on the 2nd day.  At the end of the first day there is time to review and ensure the client is aware of where they are presently, as on some occasions its better to use the 2nd day as training. Chris however, was up for the BCU 3 star assessment and it was good to see he was looking smooth and well prepared, with good edged and leaned turns.  Mark, Carl, Jon and Stephen, joined in with the support of Douglas.

Due to a super sunny and calm forecast we went to North stack at the back of the ebb, and found some suitable flow and went through assisted and self rescues.  Then some contact tows and rock hoping in Gogarth Bay.

The second day we needed some swell, wind and waves and the forecast was now F3/4 ish NW and the North coast looked promising.  We paddled up to the most Northerly point and worked in the more confused water.  looking at trim, particularly when coming into wind.  As the ebbing current picked up we moved out into the swell and waves and caught a few surfing moments.  A couple of the group were new to paddling in these type of conditions, were amazed at how the wind when apposed to the current, created a very different and exciting sea!
 

A couple of rescues were set up for Chris (thanks Craig), before we headed back into the calm of the bay. Congratulations to Chris on passing the BCU 3 star performance award.

The next InterMediate sea kayaking course is during the August holidays and currently has a few places available.  The course is the  25-29th August and 2 or more days can be chosen.  Otherwise its the weekend of the 6/7th September.  

Unsure if your paddling at the level to access an InterMediate course, then consider booking a Bespoke day in September during the week and receive some clear direction at the same time.  Plus a summer saving of £20 when quoting CS 8/2014 - discount only available up until 1800 on Friday 1st August 14.

Thanks Roger

Sea kayaking courses

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north wales sea kayaking