Fog, flow and sunshine

Tom and Beatrice form Switzerland were back for a weeks bespoke sea kayaking, and this time with her nephew, Alain from Italy. I was aiming the course initially at introductory level as Alain had done very little before but did many other sports, such as snow boarding to a high level so i was hoping his balance and body awareness would transfer well.  The first part of the day was learning and refreshing core skills and as these were soon picked up, i moved into gentle flow.  I had chosen the Straits, so it allowed more opportunity to increase the level of difficulty, if all was going well.

Alain was picking up skills quickly so we moved into the area of the Swellies, on the last of the tide .... focussing on speed and angle, with eddy turns and ferry glides.  A great first day!

After such a successful first day and with a good forecast ... well light winds anyway, Puffin Island was our destination as the course now moved into sea kayaking intro-mediate .. Beatrice in her feathercraft, above.

Alain crossing the sound ...

A good welcome from one of the locals ...

Tom in his feathercraft and a snoozing seal ... it was another top day.

With the winds now drooping, sunshine forecast, day three was from Porth Dafach, to South Stack and back.  We went out on the last of the flood and work the area called the fort, which had some good swell and confused water.  Positive, active strokes and driving your kayak was the focus of the initial session ...  With 2 hours before slack water Pen rhyn mawr was still looking big, so we landed for a break and some lunch, to allow things to settle.

We did some exploring and close quartering ... and then with only 45 minutes to go before slack water, a run through the inner race ...

Alain was first through behind me and really pleased ... well done!

Then followed Beatrice and Tom ... we carried on in the flow, briefly looking back, leaving the tide race behind.

As we began to cross Abrahams Bosom, a bank of fog rolled in making conditions very atmospheric .... keep the wind on my cheek we carried on across the bay, briefly loosing sight of land and then paddling in close as we moved through various narrow and rocky channels ...

Day four saw us at Rhoscolyn (it was a nightmare to park up) and we worked on assisted rescues and recognising current and eddies ...

It was a super view ....

Super turn from Tom, with reasonable edge and improving body position/looking where he wants the boat to go ...

Day five saw us back at The Stacks and this time out past North Stack, to South Stack and back, for a mellow day, exploring the zawns, caves and gullies.  It was great to be able to allow them all to explore were they wanted to go and at their pace.

A short run through South stack race, had to be done and despite being at max (np) flow, due to light winds and little swell, speed was there but no rough water.  We remained on this flow and allowed it to transport us part way back and then paddled into parliament house cave for some lunch.

It had been a great week, lovely seeing all progress and super that the sunshine came out!

Roger

roger chandler
north wales sea kayaking
&
sea kayak courses

Dolphins and changeable weather

After a busy June and July it was time to take a few days off and enjoy something of the summer our selves, so Sonja and my self took our selves off to West Wales, and specifically Aberporth, Cardigan Bay.  April 2011, I had guided a group, sea kayaking along his coastline, for the first time and was stunned by the scenery, beaches, quaint villages and wild life, in particularly the dolphins.  I had driven the road many a time, often on the way too paddle in Pembroke, the Llynn or Anglesey.  

We had come prepared with mountain bikes, body boards and sea kayaks, to make the most of the changeable weather and decided to stay in a bunkhouse for the main part of our stay.  Sonja had stayed there earlier in the year when she was cycling the coastline of Wales, and had been impressed with high level of quality and welcome.  It also has a drying room, which we though was likely to be used ... and for those who want greater luxury they have two further cottages available for rent, details on the bunkhouse is here: http://www.piggerypoke.co.uk/

We decided on a paddle from Aberporth to towards Newquay and then back, about 18k and stopped off at Cwmtydu for a cream tea, 4k short ... well we were on holiday after all ;)

There was a good swell running with some wind against tide despite gentle flow and winds F3/4 ...

Approaching Ynys -Lochtyn which apparently is a good point to spot dolphins, while the headland can also form a small race ... but not today ...

When the sun was out, it was stunning ...

Too much swell and surf for an easy landing at Llangrannnog, which looked an attractive little village, we paddled on to the small and busy village of Trasaith.  As we had booked a table at the Ship Inn and we were running late, I left Sonja, and I was going to get the van (another 2k) load my kit and then drive to Trasaith for our meal ...

But i got distracted along the way, by at least one if not three Dolphins ... magic and I missed a number of great shots as I fumbled for my camera ... I wasn't expecting to see them so close to the shore ...

A couple of these ...

Back at the Ship Inn, we had their famed sea platter for two, which lived up to our hopes and expectations.  And whats more as we were looking out into the bay two dolphins joined the view, with glass of wine in hand, what a magic end to a super day and a beautiful place!

roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com

north wales sea kayaking
+
anglesey sea kayak courses

Moving up ... discover to Improve

Day 2 and with Tom, Jeremy and Bryony staying on for the 2nd day and picking up the strokes and skills really well the previous day it was time to move it all on.  Emphasis now was inside turns, moving into a low brace as well as keeping power on while edging into the turn.  The Meani Straits was working well with us being able to pass into the Swellies towards low water slack and then gain the first of the flood to return us to the start.  

We went over the skills in some calmer water

and then got into some gentle flow ... we took a break and had a chat about eddies and eddy streams

We paddled into a gentle breeze and then turned and allowed it to assist us back towards the Swellies and took another break

Tom working on speed and carrying this on, into the eddy without using a brace (gentle eddy line, despite fast flow).

All three did exceptionally well as there was a lot to process and more smiles appeared as it became evident how to use the edge of the kayak and commit to the lean.

www.coastalspirit.com
sea kayaking courses
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sea kayaking anglesey

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
+
sea kayaking north wales

Improve sea kayaking ... Intro-mediate

Our Improve sea kayaking course or what is also referred to as Intro-mediate sea kayaking, had two people returning, Cherry and Cath and then Claire, Jackie and Steve it was there first time with Coastal Spirit, although all had various levels of previous experience.  The aim of the course is to exposed people gently to the various conditions you would likely get on a paddle, such as wind swell and current and enable them to be better prepared and have strategies to work with.  I would also like to take this moment to thank, Di, Andy and Sonja for assisting and helping out at various points during the 4 days.  

Refreshing skills and putting these into context was the aim of the day, and responding to what I also found that could be useful, as we paddled on the Menai Straits, towards the Gazelle hotel.

Jackie making the most of the warmer weather ...

Cherry having ago a stern rudder, with some gentle flow and wind against current ...

Lunch time and soaking up the sunshine ....

Di and Cath above as we got the ebb tide back to our start point ...

Day 2 and Claire above as we now begin to use the strokes to assist movement in narrower channels and rocky gaps ... Trearddur bay to Rhoscolyn head and back.

Loving the colours ....

Cath showing great edging of the kayak and good torque on her spine, enabling her head to remain central ...

Cherry at the cave Rhoscolyn head

Steve, Cath, Sonja, Di, Jackie, Cherry and Claire (from left to right) in one of many gullies ...

Day 3 and the weather was looking magic as we paddled out from the top end of the Straits, on our way to Puffin Island.

Puffin island on the right ...

We arrived just after low water, so most were hauled up and basking in the sun and we kept our distance floating about.  Slowly they came out to check on us ... Claire above

I just love it ... and never tire

On the way back we were now into the 2nd hour of the flood and approx 3knots of current and was a useful reminder to all that the sea is a live and dynamic, never sleeping ... Cath above, keeping her paddle active and good posture

We finished off the day with some fun and balance, capsize, assisted rescues and self rescues

Our finally day and the other mid section of the Straits which would take us through the Swellies ...

Pulling in and taking a break, with some current visible on the top of the photo

It was a super week with lovely people, great progress and varied weather, but the sun did shine ....

roger

roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com

sea kayaking courses
+
north wales sea kayaking