Discover Sea Kayaking North Wales

The 2nd Discover course this year again saw five people out on the water, some with no previous experience and others having dabbled a couple of times before! Fine weather saw us on the west coast of Anglesey and Treadour bay, working on edging, effective forward paddling and a few risky balance games!

Lots of concentration and hard work, the previous day plus a super forecast paid off as the 2nd day we went to Puffin Island, to put previous days skills into a new context. Many other yachts and boats were present and a couple of other groups of paddlers, it was a busy place. The wind picked up just after 1300 and provided us with a f3/4 head wind as we paddled back along the South side of the island, which was a useful reminder of how dynamic this environment is. The day was finished off with some ferry glides and an intro to tidal paddling, 3 days in two! All in all a super weekend and well done to Esther, Julie, Clare, Lucy and Darren.

Bespoke 1:1 Private Sea Kayaking North wales

4 days private sea kayak coaching for Jim, who was working towards a significant challenge in 2011, the Yukon river decent. My overall aim was to increase his skills in more challenging conditions, work with rough water handling and self rescue! Holyhead Island and Rhoscolyn head on the 1st day with an intro to tidal flow. Bull bay to Point Lynas and on to Ynis Dulas for a break and then back. Working in stronger winds from F4/5 with a following and cross sea, as well as into wind. Day 3 was back to technique and saw us at Puffin Island working with the flow and gentle introduction to eddy turns and stern rudders. The final day was Penrhyn Mawr putting it all into practice plus, managing boat control, awareness of cause and effect and further opportunity for self rescue! Nice one Jim, a super few days and enjoy the photos.

Sea kayaking north wales with Coastal Spirit.

Four days sea kayaking along the Anglesey coast with 9 people from Switzerland, a super high pressure and Swiss chocolate, WOW!

Last year Beat, undertook his 4 star leader training with Olly Sanders and my self and expressed interested in bring a group out. 14 months later he was back with his wife Michaela and 7 others, plus some Swiss chocolate!

Puffin island provided a super introduction to tidal flow, which was new to a couple of them, and a stunning display from the seals. Day 2, was on the Cymyran Strait, 4 Mile Bridge to Rhoscolyn, with loads of wading sea birds, some super gentle eddies and a real Wow, as it flowed into the sea and the view of the Llyn Peninsular. Day 3 was Point Lynas to Ynis Dulas and then back so we could experience an introduction to a tide race.

This led us nicely into our final day and the Stacks. With wind against tide North Stack was a little lively, and as predicted the wind kindly dropped as we explored and paddled along the coast, landing at Abraham's bosom for some lunch and a gentle paddle around to Porth Dafarch. A super 4 days with great company and stunning weather.

Scotland Morar 2 Knoydart

On our 2nd week the weather was a little more settled, although Thursday, looked like it was going to be F5/6, so the decision was made to cover 25kms the day before. This meant that we reached the Knoydart peninsular and Inverie with The Old Forge Inn. The remotest pub in main land Britain, either a two day walk, boat ride, canoe or sea kayak as there is no road access. All produce is local and freshly caught and you must sample, no get a plate full of the langoustine, truly something special. Many seals were seen, various sea birds, otters and porpoise's during our journey.

Well done to Julie, Craig and Gary and thanks again to Sonja for another culinary delight. This time mussels in white wine and garlic, on our first camp, nice one.

Scotland & the East coast of Skye

Despite a low pressure and a number of fronts pushing through a successful week was achieved. With a number of seal, otter and various sea bird sightings. Only to be topped by a golden eagle, just 60 mts away circling overhead.

Rassay and its east coast was paddled along and a super water fall was found. A good walk across the island to the local hotel and a warm welcome, before a paddle around Scalpay. Well done to Doug and John and thanks for the super cakes. Plus thanks to Sonja for her sweat potato and nettle soup!

Sicily Sea Kayaking + BCU sea kayak courses

Sea kayaking in Sicily



Back in early April I had the experience of running a 3 star sea training and assessment, 4 star leader training and the Coastal navigation and tidal planning (CNTP) award. Busy and full days, but with super hospitality, excellent food and the the occasional beer or two!



All 5 were successful with achieving the 3 star sea award and I spent the last few days with Francessco and his family, on the South west corner of Sicily. A couple of more relaxed paddles before flying home, 11 hours before the first eruption of the Icelandic volcano!



Interested in exploring the area yourself? Then consider a sea kayak symposium this October in the Aeolian Islands, off the coast of Sicily.

Roger will be one of the guest coaches, follow this link for further information -

http://www.vulcanoasymposium.com/index_en.html