InterMediate - 3 star sea kayaking course

Keith and Simon,were on the gaining more experience element of the course while Jon, and Lief were on the 3 star training and assessment part of the weekend, and with Pat in support.

The north coast looked like it would provide some gentle swell and suitable conditions while also shelter us form some of the wind.  

Middle Mouse and Keith making his way up in the eddy stream ...

Pre lunch and I'm working with Leif and Jon on a couple of rescues and contact tows, while Keith and Simon, land with Pat.  There was some super light, with changing colours ...

Pat working with Simon ...

Some wind against the eddy steam produced a good sea state for the 3 star ... while we returned to Cemais Bay

With various assisted rescues, some incident management, and personal paddling worked through, rolling and self rescues, in Trearddur Bay was the start on Sunday.  With a beginning of  fun and balance.

And then skills in channels and close quartering ...

There was a fair swell running, although this had since settled at the beach, the occasional low reef created an exciting wave or two ....

We had and found the conditions we needed over the weekend.  With both Leif and Jon doing very well and passing the 3 star performance award.  It had also been a super sunny Sunday and so warm out of the wind.  Ice creams it was to be ... back at Menai Bridge, we reflected back over the weekend and action plans were worked through, before saying our good byes!

Roger
www.coastalspirit.com

sea kayaking courses
+ north wales sea kayaking

Mull sea kayaking course and holiday - days 3-5

The roads on Mull, take time and travelling from the North to the South and in particularly to Carsaig Bay, took a solid 2 hours ... :(

We were greeted by a sea eagle, in the distance and looking along this coast brought back a mix of memories, mainly good!  Its a stunning coastline and an eagles dream ...

The plan was to have a shorter day out to Carsaig Arch, about 15k total and work as one group, with a there and back route.  The winds were F4/5 NW so we were hoping for some shelter from the cliffs but also expecting some down draughts.

The Carsaig Arch 2nd photo above from the sea and a lunch spot on the rocks before returning with a good wind on our backs and a Golden eagle sighting high up, soaring off the cliffs ..

And a super 3 course meal served up from Sedge, front left and Kath on the right.

Wednesday saw us out of Tobermory in two small teams, with a shorter route and a longer route on to the north coast.  Again we saw a close sea eagle and otter magnet Jon had a close encounter only a metre or so away ...

Thursday was our rest day and a few took boats down on to the beach as the wind blew in and surfed while other walked, drank coffee, read books and used the saunas that each house had.  We had also booked in at Am Birlinn and they offered a mini bus shuttle.  Happy days for one and all.  Great service and top food.

Friday in two small groups saw a shorter journey from Dervaig and back and a longer one form Calgary to Dervaig.  The first part of the journey had 2 -3ft swell left over from the previous day and with low lying reefs it provided some excitement.  Otters were seen at Dervaig and a sea eagle at the west side at the entrance of the Loch.

 

On the return back to our accommodation, showers, packing and the stages of preparing a joint buffet finish went into action and what a top meal it was.

Its been our first quality accommodation sea kayaking holiday and what feels like a great start. So thanks for your initial feedback.  Watch out for a repeat of Mull 2014 as well as the new additions of Sicily the full package and Skye 2014.

Roger

Mull sea kayaking holiday

+

IntroMediate to Intermediate sea kayaking courses

Celebrations and Frosty mornings, Cafes and Future plans

The morning after!

Calargary wild campsite was A super find, with toilet, fire pits, flat grass and a stunning beach. The evenings celebrations and reflections on our time in Scotland, passed as the owls began to hoot and the thought of our warm sleeping bags beckoned.


It was a cold night with heavy frost, but the sun was close behind, followed by mugs of tea. Tents down, we drove slowly away, stopping at each cafe and gallery as we saw them.


Back in Tobermory, we looked for a fish resturant and found the super "Fish Cafe" ... Yum best food in a long while and highly recommended!

Team feasting - The Best meal!

20 minute drive to Craignure and soon we were all on the CalMac ferry to Oban. Planning to camp somewhere suitable before Callender.

Ferry to Oban

What are our future plans? September 2013 will see a new Scottish sea kayak programme, delivered on Mull and with high quality accommodation, catered and open to partners.

Now with two highly successful Rapid Development Xpeditions (RDX) to his credit, Roger has been considering our next RDX. He has decided this will be in April 2014 and will be a bi annual event, which will allow him to pursue personal paddling aspirations and ensure he remains enthusiastic and passionate to share his knowledge and skills.

He plans now to rest once home, catch up on Coastal Spirit admin and prepare for next weekends full course.

Diane Lee

http://www.coastalspirit.com/

Rapid Development Programmes

Sea Kayaking Courses and Expeditions