North Wales Sea Kayaking - Point Lynas

Looking for some rough water on Friday, the North east tip of Anglesey, with a N/NE swell and a 9.0 metre tide, Point Lynas was the venue. Some good prior tidal and venue planning from Di and some leadership from Helen, were key elements that the day was aimed at, with tidal paddling and manging rough water thrown in.

To add some more excitement to the day, I jumped out of my boat (on the back end of the race), so that Di and Helen could practise a deep water rescue. Demo's of self rescues, with an opportunity to try, before paddling back around into Porth Eilian, finished off another super day In North Wales.

Sea Kayaking North Wales - The Skerries

The Skerries lies some 3 k, off from Carmell Head and seeing that I hadn't been out there this year yet, It was my day off and all looked good for a super day. I left Church Bay, on the last two hours of the flood, explored the may caves on the way to Carmel head and then at Ynys y Fydlyn set out on a ferry glide

I was greeted on my arrival by thousands of Arctic Terns and a few Puffins. I landed by the old steps and had some lunch. One of the wardens came down and invited me up to see the birds, I must admit at the time I thought I was seeing them, that is until we walked around to the other side of the light house. Apparently there is around 3200 nesting pairs, with 3000 being Arctic and 200 being Common Terns.

The island never disappoints, and during a year I may be lucky to paddle out 4-5 times, June and July have to be the best, due to the Terns. By mid to late August the young are likely to have flown the nest and have started their long journey home.

I paddled to the North of the island, had a brief play and then started my journey back across. On arriving at Church Bay, I checked the time the Lobster Pot opened. With an hour to go I decided to have a lay down in the sun, and later enjoyed a bowl of Anglesey mussels, sea food paella, all washed down with a cool glass of white wine. After all it was my day off!

North Wales Sea Kayaking with HCC

Nine people from HCC, joined Barry and myself on a weekends sea kayaking, with a super sunny day at Rhoscolyn and a journey to Silver Bay. We made the most of the narrow channels as we moved in and out of the rocks along the coast, trying out various turning and maneuvering strokes. After lunch we paddle to the Cymrian Strait (channel between Anglesey and Holy Island) which was in good flow, and provided us with a useful opportunity to have a go at ferry gliding, before returning to our starting point.

Sundays weather was more of a mixed day, although cloudier, the wind was lighter with a shower or two which passed us by. North Coast Anglesey was our location (the photo is from the right hand side of Hells Mouth, looking East). Super day for various wild life, in particular a Peregrine Falcon, Kestrel, a Seal, Porpoises and diving terns. High water was perfect and allowed for some super moving in and out of the Rocky channels, and discovery of a narrow but deep cave, I hadn't been in before.

Back in Bull Bay a few balance games ... and then rescues were undertaken! followed by a demonstration from Barry of two self rescues. The day was finished off with a short paddle across the bay and a sighting of a Chough (type of small crow with a red bill and feet) displaying its mastery of flight. Another super weekend.

Sea Kayaking North Wales - 3 Star train/assessment

North coast of Anglesey, Bull Bay to Cemaes, with a top end F4 NE forecast. The strangest thing happened, as we paddled out from Bull Bay the wind died to F2, but the swell stayed with us and was solid sea state F3 and occasionally more. Some surfing and turning as we journeyed along the coast line. A rescue scenario was then set up in the middle of the bay and then lunch at the brick works.

Next we paddled into hells mouth, initially giving the headland a wide berth due to current and swell and a confused sea state and then worked towards a semi sheltered cove in the back left hand side of the bay (video above is Pat leaving that cove, with Ian bobbing out their!). Out and across to middle mouse in the last hour of the ebb, a porpoise passed us by, and then cutting back across, with a rescue and some towing on the way. Rolling, self rescues in the shelter of the first bay and then on to the main beach with some fine surfing to finish with. A super day in North Wales!

Sea Kayaking North Wales - Improve

Sea Kayaking on the North coast of Anglesey, having just paddled from Cemaes Bay, Middle Mouse and lunch at the brick works.

Five people on our Improve course, two new and three with previous experience, so the aim was an introduction to tidal paddling and in particular stern rudders.

As we moved along the coastline we moved in and out of the rocks using a mixture of turns from vertical to horizontal and then finished with a couple of balance games and self-rescues.

Saw my first North Wales puffin today, just to the East of Hells Mouth.

North Wales Sea Kayaking

Having both done a weekends Discover sea kayaking with Coastal Spirit before, the first day was spent going over and refreshing skills. This was in the Menai Straits and provided a useful introduction to tidal paddling and skills such as ferry gliding. Puffin Island was our aim for the 2nd day and with the previous days activity, this set us up well, plus a super forecast. The seals were more hesitant than usual, (one can be seen in the photo above, below the sea weed), but still to be so close, was great. Some Shag chicks were also seen and heard squawking for some dinner on the rock faces, as well as a couple of Eider ducks and chicks bobbing about, although no Puffins were seen, the cliffs were racked up with Razorbills, Guillemots, Kittiwakes, Shags, Cormorants, occasional Fulmars and various gulls.

Pembroke sea kayak festival

Four hours later and Olly Sanders and myself had arrived at Skomer Island on the Friday afternoon. We were both down for the Stackpole Sea Kayak Festival, which was running over the bank holiday weekend and with some further BCU course into the week. With 1 hour before slack water at Jack sound we decided for a paddle around the island, an island that never disappoints, with its carpets of Puffins and other sea birds. We finished with a gentle play in the beginning of the flood and drove on to St Govans Inn, for a pint and some food. A super start to the weekend.

The festival had around 80 people, with a great atmosphere, super food and for so many people well organised. I believe its a biannual event, for further details contact Nige on the Stackpole link above.