End of year paddle - penrhyn mawr

Original plan was to get into the hills and find a route, but with all the snow striped, a temperature of 8c and very light winds, a paddle seemed like a good idea. Penrhyn Mawr (a tide race of Holy island, Anglesey) was ideal, playful and gentle with some small swell coming in against the current, which gave some steper waves. Had a go in Ollys, Cetus mv (above) for the first time and my 2nd time in the Delphin. All in all a super day out and a great conclusion, to a top paddling year. I'm excited now about the next 12 months!!

Facebook, Twitter, Chickens and snowww!

Just joined up to Facebook and Twitter, so hopefully in the new year will have some form of presence on the web site, once I've spoken with Brad.

It took them a short while to come out of their coup this morning and then they were really unsure and as soon as one could get on a branch, which had no snow on she seamed mildly happy. 10 minutes latter and they were back in their run!

Had a round 6 inches of snow fall over night, its still snowing and looking like it will follow the forecast!

Well accounts are next ... might as well make the most of the fact, im snowed in, cause i can go and play next week!

north wales sea kayaking - winter serries skills

The 3rd of the Winter series dates and the last one for this year, saw Ruth, Keith, Douglas, Simon, Jonathan and Pat venture out and a journey from Rhoscolyn - St Cwfans church and then back around the headland to Cable Bay. We began with a shake down as some people were in different sea kayaks and then we soon moved out of the bay, in and out of the rocks.

A short break and then some open paddling to the first rocky skerry and then on to the headland before the church and some choppier water. We were greeted by a bull seal before landing on the beach. Although overall it was a grey weather kind of day, winds were very light, we had a super view of the Llyn, with some rays of sun light braking through and again it was fairly mild. Based upon the time of the year, it was great to have been out on the sea with six people, rather than wandering around the shops!

north wales sea kayaking - bespoke

Friday saw me out with Douglas with a bespoke 1:1 day, following a coffee and some tidal planning Rhoscolyn on Anglesey, was our chosen destination to locate some wind, swell and gentle current. After working on edging and in particular side ways movement and low braces in the bay we used a small island on the edge of the bay, and its various narrows to work on turns and draws into a context.

Below is Douglas heading out into the last of the flood and some wind against tide, F3 gusting F4, using the top of the swell to turn and transfer of pressure to further assist.

After a couple of goes Douglas was looking fairly settled, so we then paddled out to the beacon and went through the concept of using the gears ... paddling faster to get out of a snarly section and then slowing it down again. Looking far enough ahead, to help to anticipate what to expect and a gentle changing of angle, to assist with nailing our intended destination which was the central channel, guarded by confused water, due to clapotis (reflected wave chain)

We took some shelter in the middle channel and then headed out through a different channel and back across the sound to a new beach and a welcomed lunch break! Some further rock gardening and then back to our start. A great day out, nice one Douglas plus an amazing 7c!

Greenland skills with Cheri & Turner - May 2011

Sonja & my self met both Cheri and Turner at the Aeolian Islands symposium, Sicily back in September. Great people, hugely talented, enthusiastic and your'e sure to learn and develop.

For details about this unique opportunity and/or to book a place contact Cheri and Turner at info@kayakways.net

To enlarge the flyer above click on it, and if you want it even bigger, click on it again.

Mountains and snow!

After meeting Olly Sanders at 0600 and then a drive towards Dolgethlau, temperature ranged from 1c at home to -7co in the valleys. Arriving at our destination following a coffee or two latter, 3 vehicles were already parked in a lay by. Not good ... when contemplating an ice fall (being showered by ice I would rather not!), so we drove back towards Cadair Idris.

The carpark was frozen so initially all looked good. 45 minutes into the walk and the snow was soft ... well to keep it short, it was fairly mild and no real ice. We then headed up the back of the combe, towards the coll (Olly near the top) and decended to the left, down the ridge and back to the van.

Great day out, right amount of kit and super to stretch the legs and lungs. Heres hoping the forecast is right and we have a cold Christmas!