Windy winter surfing

Another chance to get out for some personal paddling and following a storm with winds up to F10, the 6-9ft surf forecast, created a mix of feelings ranging from apprehension to excitement!

Due to our keen early start we were at Trearddur by 9am, so drove on to Porth Dafach, which some times defines the swell and surf better ... mmmmmmm, not today!

The problem we soon discovered back at Trearddur Bay was the limited amount of beach, about 4 metre square, a confused and reflected sea, due to surf bouncing back from the break water.  We got on and paddled further out in the swell, attempting to catch some of the swell and for me lower my arousal level!! 

It was a 9 metre tide and i guess due to the storm and the low pressure the bay was bank full and after a close run with a break water, we both landed and went for a brew.  Jim had arrived and it was good to see him, so we snacked and chatted, while wishing the sea to move back!

By 1200 (?) there was enough space and we ventured back out, with Barry and myself taking turns with the camera.  This allowed me to get my breath back.  Ive aimed to keep text between photos short, so you can enjoy the shots.  The next few are of Barry and are on the same wave ...

Three surfers joined us a rare occurrence in the bay ... Jim below in the Delphin 

 Barry about to take a plunge ...

I was paddling the Tiderace Xtra and felt overall confident in the kayak and it certainly made me want to do more and experiment with body, pressure transfer, lean and blade ... and with only one back surf (unintentional!!) and a roll I was very pleased with how the day turned out.

It was a cool blustery day, but I have to say I had two reed hats on - the skull cap and a balaclava and I was fairly toasty.  Mulled wine at lunch I'm also sure helped, nice one Baz ...  It was a great end of year paddle, really pushing those skills, both physical and mental and I'm looking forward to being back out their again sooooooon ...

Have a super and healthy New Year  ....

Roger

roger chandler

www.coastalspirit.com

Boxing day and some wind against tide!

When Barry Shaw suggested a paddle on Boxing day I jumped at it, despite a forecast of grey, rain latter and  increasing winds!  F5/6 increasing to F7 SW latter .. and as i hadn't paddled much for my self the North coast made sense were we would get conditions and some shelter as well.

We decide to go from Porth Eilian, to Cemais bay and then back and had a look at Point Lynas but there was very little going on ...

The light was great to begin with and then it slowly clouded over ... winds were more F3/4

Middle mouse and the main channel had occasional pulsing big waves, so it was difficult to judge and they were running a different angles ...

A few had explosive tops and both of us took some dumping head shots!!

The outer race was more defined with the front wave being fairly steep ...

I decided to take more shots!  ....  we then headed on towards Cemais Bay, with winds increasing, for nut roast and a mulled wine lunch break .... fantastic.

We crept back along the coast line, having a strong head wind hit us as we paddled into Hells Mouth and the rain arrived.  I was fairly relieved that the winds then dropped off and settled at F4.  We saw a couple of porpoises and a peregrine, as we paddled back and soon reached our start point and the shelter of the bay.  We were soon off and on our way back to Menai Bridge to find some hot chocolates.

Great day out and as i prepare to put down some mileage in preparation for the Skye expedition, I look forward to more of these, thanks Barry.

roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com

Comprehensive Greenland rolling and more, with Cheri and Turner

Cheri and Turner are sole partners in Kayak Ways LLC, a venture based

on the notion that the traditional kayaking skills of the Inuit seal

catchers offer valuable lessons for the modern day recreational kayaker.

For the last seven years we have been going far and wide teaching

these uniquely consistent and practical kayaking skills.  Explore the elegance and ease of Greenland strokes: canted, sliding, vertical, bow & stern sweeps, Bow & stern rudders, sculling draws.  Learn the Balance Brace, sculling Brace, and chest scull, as well as low, high, and deep Pry brace recoveries. 

Engage the Extensive Greenland rolling repetoire: layback, forward, and sculling rolls with the paddle, norsaq, Hand, and more!  Cheri and Turner have mentored skinny stick skills all over the world.  Cheri competed in the Greenland National Kayaking Championships in both 2004 & 2005. She is widely regarded as one of the best Greenlandstyle kayak rollers in the world. Turner is one of those rare paddlers outside of Greenland who began paddling with a traditional blade.  He competed in the 2005 Greenland National Kayaking Championships in Paamiut.

Cheri & Turner will be giving all Day Group sessions on May 4^th & 5^th. Maximum number of students is 8   Llyn Padarn or other local water.

In 2012 both days sold out quickly, so for more information and to book your place, contact: cheri@kayakways.net

Cold fronts and blue sky sea kayaking ...

What a start to a winters weekend sea kayaking.  After planing and coffees, a gentle option was discussed and with the winds picking up latter, from the NW the East coast was chosen and out of Moelfre.

We crossed to Ynis Dulas and got the benefit of low water and had a good beach to have a short break on.  The seals were further to the right and higher up, so we kept out of there way. Andy, Keith, Tracy, Ann and Richard made up the team ... from left to right.

A few seals came across and were curious ...

And as we paddled away 5/6 seals followed, popping up between us, laying on their backs, swimming under the boats and looking like they were enjoying our company, like we theirs ...

The sky had been clouding over as we paddled up towards Point Lynas, and stopped for a longer break, in a sheltered cove ...

When we got back on showers and cooler temperatures descended upon us ..... as we headed back across the bay ... the blue sky morning seemed far away

Sunday morning and a forecast of f5/6 W/NW and a down wind run in the Straits was the plan ... well the winds never really arrived, f3 at best but it was a pleasant paddle ...

Once in the Swellies we did eddy turns, ferry glides and then a couple of different tasks in pairs, were angles were chosen, changed as approaching eddy lines and collecting a tow while in flow ...  and a good sheltered lunch spot.

Then really without us noticing this blue sky appeared again, amazing as we work a smaller channel, with faster eddy turns, trusting the body to respond, before heading to Menai Bridge.

Richard and Tracy paddling into blue skies ... and Ann below

Well the weather was certainly varied, surprising and stunning at times ...

Roger

roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com

north wales sea kayaking
+
sea kayaking anglesey

More South Stack Magic ...

With the winds dropping off to F2 and from various westerly direction The Stacks was the plan.  From Porth Dafarch to North Stack and back was about 20k, and with the hop of catching South Stack race just right ...

ladder assisted rescues, can work really well in rough water, although it does mean the swimmer needs to know what their doing and not much good if an anchored tow is needed.  But great to have another style of rescue ...  Zoe and Gary above

Tavi on the last of the flood form Pen Rhyn Mawr ...

Gary and some working in the rocky channels ...

Andy and just before Lighthouse Arete and South Stack lighthouse ....

Gary making the most from his hood  ... after some lunch and then on to North Stack.

Zoe showing super fine balance at North Stack, with a few steep and confused waves

Leaving North Stack and looking back ...

Approaching South Stack ... with a F2/3 southerly breeze and some wind against tide ...

Zoe getting power, speed and timing spot on ... with South Stack lighthouse in the background

Tavi descending a wave with Parliament House cave and North stack in view ...

With the wind now blowing more F3 and due to increase it made sense to paddle on towards our start point, another porpoise popped up and we were soon back at the beach having used the ebbing conveyor belt, to assist us.

A super weekends paddling ...

Roger

roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com

north wales sea kayaking
+
advanced sea kayaking

Sporty and Frisky - Puffin Sound

The Perform winter skills is my advanced sea kayaking course which aims to support paddlers working towards 4 star leader sea, through addressing their personal action plans and placing them in progressively more challenging situations.  Hence group size is only four people.

After coffee and working in pairs the groups discussed the various options for the day.  With the winds F5/6 NW and a gentle start was put forward, beginning on the top end of the Straits, dropping through Puffin Sound and working the swell and current, with the option of a paddle round the island and back to the shelter of the Straits, fitted the bill.

From left to right ... Zoe, Tavi and Andy .. We approached the sound and did a run through towards the light house and then worked our way back, focusing on stern rudders, posture and generating speed ...

In the sound and Andy getting focused ...

Tavi on the way back up ...

Zoe setting up form a run back ...

Andy on the left and Gary up front ... working as buddies and this run involved doing a 360 degree turn and then continuing the run ...

The next four shots were taken one after the other and help to give perspective and the size of the swell which was 2-2.5 metres and very broad ...

 Yep and Barry Shaw said ..."I'm sure they spilt their g&t's" in that lot ...

Zoe and Penmon Point lighthouse ... As the day was now nearing its end, a couple of rolls and rescues in the gentler rough water, were done and some tandem rafted towing and then we headed back to our start point ...

Roger

roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com

rough water handling
+
sea kayak surfing