Day 29 Ireland 9th June 2013

Arrived at Glencolumbkille in the county of Donegal. A new county and 24nm. No wind until the last hour and yep it was a headwind! Super little grassy camp above a small sandy bay. Loads of Storm Petrels as we crossed the bay to Caraghan Head. Stunning cliffs greeted us and a small beach for lunch. A swim was in order, the second of our trip! Its also the third day where Ive worn just a thermal top, shorts and Crocs. Last forecast we got showed that the next couple of days are due to get windy, with the wind on our backs!

Enjoying a meal cooked by someone else...!


Sonja
www.coastalspirit.com

Discover Autumn sunshine - sea kayaking course

With four people continuing on with the 2nd day and a further calm and even better blue sky promised, Treaddour Bay was our destination, with the plan of paddling to Rhoscolyn head and exploring arches, gullies and caves, using outside/inside turns and draw strokes  as we made our way along the coast.

At the white arch their was a fair swell, with an occasional big set, which bounced off the back wall, so only the arch way was used and provided a good introduction to the rise and fall of the sea ...

I looked at the black arch and a couple of other gullies but it was more like playing Russian roulette, with timing so we paddled on and round Rhoscolyn Head.

The cave was great and with enough swell to make it exciting, but not to much to make it risky ...

Sadly at one of the small beaches a Guilimot had come to a horrid end, with a 4 beer can  plastic holder stuck round what was left of its neck ... another good reason to ensure these rings are cut when thrown away and odd bits of fishing line and plastic are picked up as we come across them.  This has also been the push I need as over the winter I will be writing an environmental policy for Coastal Spirit.

As we paddled back round enjoying the swell, we saw this fella, on a giant hamster wheel, with a safety boat near by on his way to Ireland.  He was unfortunate and his wheel sunk at 0300 in the morning but he was ok and picked up by his safety boat.

We finished the day with some fun and balance, and general messing about in boats ...Mark above working with doing a 360 on his kayak!!

Super weekend made by the people and the lovely sunny and calm weather ... Discover and Introductory sea kayaking courses will begin again towards the end of April 2013.

Happy paddling ...

roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com
discover sea kayaking
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sea kayak courses

A taste of the sea ... Discover sea kayaking

With winds coming from the West we drove to the East coast and Moelfre, following coffees and bacon rolls, for some at the cafe as we discussed a plan for the day and what people wanted from their time on the water.

The day had an Autumn feel to it and soon we could have easily been in October ....

The rain really came down, hoods were welcomed on the paddle jackets .... as a squally shower pushed through and we made the most of some work in the wind and controlling a sea kayak and then as soon as it came it disappeared ...

We paddled on to towards Traeth Bychan, for a short break and then on towards Benllech, into a gentle breeze.  Deciding to keep away from the crowds we turned and did some down wind work using edge and skegs (retractable fin at the rear of the sea kayak), as we looked for a low rocky area covered in sea weed to land on. Jeremy and Colin above, now enjoying the sunshine.

John coming in for a break ...

Tom above taking in the experience ...

On arrival back at the beach there was an option to work with some fun + balance, a super way to get to know your kayak and often removing concerns as people surprise them selves with what they can do

Colin and Jeremy above ...

Bryony pushing it out ...

And then achieving a self rescue ...

Father and daughter working it out together ....

It was great that the sunshine came out, which even allowed for ice creams, as we reflected back on a super days paddling.

roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com

discover sea kayaking
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sea kayaking north wales