Xplore - Intermediate sea kayaking

Day 1 Intermediate sea kayaking - Having paddled with Steve in 2012, it was good to see him again.  Over a coffee we talked through what he wanted to achieve.  Overall it was gaining more control and independence.  Looking at the forecast and talking through options Steve then created a plan for Puffin Island.  An area that would provide some current, offshore wind, various sea states and lots of wild life.

A few of the local inhabitants below ... 

Steve keeping a good eye on the map ... before a paddle into wind ...

Day 2 - Bull Bay.

This was Chris first day out and with the winds the North Coast was chosen.  This would provide some current, swell and rock hoping. Steve had completed a tidal plan and we used the tide to travel along the coast to begin with, and did a few turns, with emphasis on body and then into stern rudders.

After lunch we paddled out to Middle Mouse close to slack water and then headed back.  the island was teaming with birds and we kept our distance. A great day for wild life as we saw a few porpoises, peregrine falcon and many other sea birds

Day 3 - With a forecast in the morning of F5-6, a couple of options existed and a rough water day at Trearddur Bay, provided more options.  This was from working in wind and swell, using body and considering various turns, down wind running and surfing. As well as appropriate shelter!

Steve setting him self up for a good few runs and working on a high stern rudder and active looking ...

Steve on the left and Chris on the right.  Chris had never surfed a sea kayak before, or a river kayak but has paddled a fair amount of white water and managed to transfer these skills effectively into a sound performance ... both had some good waves. 

By the afternoon the wind was very light, so we paddled out of the bay and the guys had a navigation task to locate a small cove.  The swell provided great conditions, which were quite atmospheric ...

Chris setting up his paddle float, for a well balanced self rescue  ... which had been one of his goals.

Day 4 - The Stacks.  With a super sunny light wind forecast, a paddle round to South Stack looked promising.  Steve had done the tidal planning and had never paddled in this area.  We would avoid the ebb tide, and do as much rock hoping as the swell would allow.

It was also Paul's first day of the course, due to his car breaking down in the week, so I was mindful of this.  The area provided a blend of conditions, so both could push them selves or take time out.

One of the stunning areas of rock folds and formations, below.

South Stack light house, a first for them both ...

And now time to play in the race and the last of the ebb ... It was great seeing Steve looking comfortable and confident, despite taking a few knocks ..

After working on eddy turns, carrying speed with edge into a turn and ferry glides, we jumped on the ebb to take us partly back to the start ...

As we paddled back a shape in the water caught my eye, a fin ... there was may be 5 or more Risso  Dolphins (very sharp and upright dorsal fin and white marks on a steep forehead) just South of the bay of Abraham's Bosom, slowly swimming and I guess feeding against the first of the flood tide ... wow, a super finish to a great 4 days!!

Roger

roger chandler

www.coastalspirit.com

Around Ireland ... photos and thanks

My kit is washed and dried and almost packed away ... and I think Im up to date with bookings!  

Here are some of my favourite photos from my paddle around Ireland.

The first few are taken on my Canon SLR camera.  

Day 4- We had just paddled round Carnsore Point, just beyond Rosslare.  It was a short day, but a peaceful camp, in amongst these giants.  

Day 15 - Great Blasket Island was a magic place.  This was the following morning after a F6/7, from the S/SW (beach faces N) and 300-400 seals enjoying the sunshine ...

One of the bee hive huts on Great Blasket Island ... I could have stayed longer 

 Day 22 - A sea stack at the Cliffs of Moher on the West coast.

Day 27 - A pod of 30-40 common dolphins, while crossing Killala Bay, SW of Donegal Bay.  We were with them for 10-15 minutes and it looked like they were feeding.

The following were taken on my small Pentax waterproof camera 

Day 2 Wicklow .. hail and it stung!!

Day 3 and the Raven Point Wexford.  A super sand bank area with loads of terns and sea birds, plus our first big pod and heard of seals. 

Looking out from my Bivi, towards the Fastnet lighthouse and the blur of the lighthouse caught by my camera.  The end of the South coast and moving North.

Day 15 and approaching Little Skellig. From a distance i could imagine it was Manhattan!!  If you wondered what the white was, the answer is to do with 30'000 nesting pairs of gannets ...  This was my top day, as we left Deenish island in the mist and on a bearing to the Skelligs, 30'000 was amazing soaring above our heads.  Justine landed for 30/40 mins and the tourist boats gave us a storm warning, so we headed off to the Blasket islands, where a pod of dolphins swam through us on our way. 

Day 16 and rounding Sybil Head. This was my most gripping day with 3-4 mt swell, reflected waves, curling tops and BIG clapotis.  The conditions slowly increased and we really experienced the Atlantic swell in action!!

Day19 - a couple of days after the storm and this section was pretty messy and confused.  Justine above  getting close to Brandon Point.

Day 21 and section of the coast after Loop head.  Again lots of confused water, with swell going one way, reflected waves the other.  It was sustained paddling.  After 4 hours and 14 nm I was happy to land and stay on Mutton Island, after all it was my birthday!

We had lots of this and more than expected ...

Day 26 - and even more of this ... truly stunning.  Along from Benwee Head ...

 

Day 31 -  despite the wind and rain this was another section of stunning coastline, North from Glencolumbkille.  A section called the 'enchanted rocks' provided a clue!!
  

This one above was amazing ... one tunnel led out and a waterfall greeted us and another tunnel carried on ... 

Day 33 and Ballymagaraghy. We meet soooooo many super and lovely people, thanks to you all.  This guy had just got in from work.  We were looking in a small village for some wear to eat, Jane (centre) knocked on a door to ask. The fella driving answered (sorry Ive forgot your name) and he said the nearest place to eat was 7 miles away.  We thanked him and started walking away, his wife ran after us and said they could give us a lift into town .... its when I happy to be the tallest in the group!!

Thanks to Sonja Ewen for taking the photo.

If you have never paddled along the coast of Ireland i would highly recommend it.  Its so peaceful, you have big areas to your self.  It has a far more remote feeling and a truly stunning and beautiful coastline.  

I would like to thanks P+H for the Cetus HV, which still looks pretty good and comfortably carried all my food and kit.  To Kokatat for all of my paddle wear, which in the hail, wind and rain kept me dry and warm.  To Mitchell Blades for the paddles which helped me crank out the miles and to Axel for the Axel Pack map case, which impressively kept all my charts and maps dry.  To Stena Line for there support both to and from Ireland.  It really was a smooth and efficient process.  To Sonja, for managing mission control, with updating the Blog, bookings and day to day admin with Coastal Spirit. 

As some of you may know I was also raising money for Cancer Research UK and a BIG thanks to so many of you who donated.  I raised over £1200 ... :)

Justines Blog and recap of our journey with some super photos can be seen here

Will i be back? I really hope so.  Was the Guinness good? Oh yes!!

Ireland Circumnavigation Complete!!

After a good nights sleep, early to bed and refueled, 5am felt OK. Our camp had been well sheltered. We were prompt at  packing and clearing up. The first part of our journey was S with a cross/tail wind. When we could see the Sound between Howth and Ireland's Eye (small island) we turned for a downwind run. 

It was F5 gusting up to F7, so it was a sporting ride. I was keen to make the most of it and at the same time not over do it as I would need plenty of energy!

The back of the headland was well protected and birds drifted about in rafts. We snacked and I for one didn't want to think about the next headland. Rounding it would put us into a headwind!  Heading west from Drumleck was physicall the toughest part of the whole trip for me. No shelter and the full force of a hungry wind. We landed briefly in a spit of land to snack. We had seen a couple of ferries leave, and I kept a good eye on both directions as I crossed Dublin bay. 

One last run kind of downwind and we were back at the start, 6 hours from waking. Dez and Sonja from deep blue sea kayaking, we're waiting on the harbour wall, flashing their headlights and honking their horn. 

Coffee and a Whiskey welcome, then back to their house for a fry up and showers. Our ferry  back to North Wales leaves on Monday, so a couple of pints of the dark stuff tonight ...

It's been a magic journey, which could be called the hospitality tour of Ireland. I'm sure I will be back ...

Sonja
www.coastalspirit.com

Day 42 Ireland Circumnavigation Sat 22nd June

Due to the previous days forecast of S F4 gusting F6 (making a headwind) we thought the day would be a rest day. I was the last one up at sometime after 8am and Justine was making a brew.

We chatted and decided to have breakfast first and then go and look at the conditions. We had a top breakfast and lovely homemade bread. And I indulged myself with 2 mugs of coffee!

It must have been 10 o clock when the three of us wandered down and as we walked across the dunes, we were surprised to see a flatter sea. There was more West in the wind and it all looked workable. We hurried back, and mentioned our change of plan. Bill used his car for 2 boats and Barry & Justine used a trolley  to transport the other. We paddled away just after 12.

We were keen to reduce the distance for Sunday, as 40 mph were forecast. We covered 18nm and were off the water at 1720. The first part of the paddle was a crosswind and as we paddled towards the skerries we had a super tailwind. From the other side it was a headwind!

The last two hours of the  day I found hard. I just couldn't get the right gear. Each time the boat came splashing down I lost speed and I worked hard to claw this back again. 

We regrouped, chatted over options and decided as we paddled into the next bay that if it was hard going we would look for the first camp. It was and we did!! Now just South of Portrane.

In bed just before 9, with a 5am up, to hopefully complete the loop. Forecast is W and then NW but gusting up to 40mph, so we will just have to see. We will at least have the whole day to work on the remaining 14nm.

 Saturday morning

Just 13nm to go to complete the loop


Sonja
www.coastalspirit.com

Day 41 Ireland Circumnavigation 21st June 2013

Susana and Willy fed us very well, right up to the point of leaving, a big thanks. We paddled away at 7.30 on a calm sea. 
By midday a slight breeze had picked up, but nothing significant. By the 2nd crossing it had swung round into our faces, although still light. We pulled into Cloggerhead Harbour and Justine checked her phone, as we due to meet up with Sue for showers and food. Sue had attended a sea kayaking course I had run back in March.  

Bettystown was our destination and pick up. We were now into a F4 headwind, with no shelter. It was creating a small mushy chop, along the long sand beach. 

A car drove down the beach, it was Sue. Pointing out where to go and greeting us. A friend of hers, Billy also turned up with his car to transport the kayaks. The plan was to transport the kayaks to Bill and his wife's house, 5 minutes away and we could put our tents up. Sue would then take us to her and her husbands house for showers and food. 
We had a super meal and it was great to catch up. Rob was also there who had attended a course over a year ago and it was good to see him. Eilean who had paddled around Ireland solo previously, also joined the meal. 

Rob kindly drove us back to Bettystown, where Bill and his wife greeted us and insisted we sleep inside! We went inside to a roaring fire and a glass of wine.

    Our new camp tonight, thanks Bill for the pitch and to Sue for sorting.

    At Clogherhead harbour working out arrangements for tonight 

     Rest before our last crossing 

Sonja
www.coastalspirit.com

Day 40 Circumnavigation of Ireland

It took just over 3 hours to cross the bay, on a silky sea, with no wind. Shearwaters were out in big numbers, zooming about and rafted in big groups bobbing about. We could even see the Isle of Man this morning. 

We pulled up on to the beach and Justine called Susanna on her mobile. Her and Willy were on the way.

They both had sorted out a place for us to leave our sea kayaks, on the harbour front. And then we whisked off too their house for welcome showers and coffee. Currently sat in a sunny lounge, enjoying a rest. Mmmmmm, lunch is on the way...

Crossing to Annalong with the Morne Mountains in the background



Sonja
www.coastalspirit.com

Day 39 Ireland Circumnavigation

The Ards pinisular has been attractive. Low lying, but with many bays and attractive looking villages. This morning was also our 2nd otter sighting, just 100 mt from sea front houses. He lay on his back basking in the morning sunshine. 

We meet Will, a local paddler who was out to join us for the day. And he stayed with us until Kearney. We pretty much kept to the coast all day mainly due to the tide being against us and by the afternoon, we had a gentle headwind. Saw lots of Shelducks and Eiderducks with young. We struck lucky at St Johns Point, when Barry spotted a wall, close to the lighthouse + a natural slipway. Easy access to land and good camping space. We even met the lighthouse keeper who had been here for 33 years and he shared some of the history. 

We passed the most Easterly point today, Burr Point.

Tomorrow we cross Dundrum Bay to Annalong, where we meet Suzanna, a friend of Justine & Barry's, who we plan to stay with.

Sonja

www.coastalspirit.com