Easters, bespoke sea kayaking

Wednesday - to Good Friday I was working with Sue, Niamh (sounds like Neeve), Paul and Rob, all from Ireland.  Rob had been on a course last September and he had organised a few days Bespoke sea kayaking with some of his friends, pre Easter.  The weather was improving, from the earlier part of the week but it was still cold.

We had  met for a coffee and a chat so i could understand what they each wanted and then a decision about the paddling venue.  I was keen, and so was they to avoid the f4/5 easterly wind so we went to the west coast and Porth Dafach, to paddle to South Stack area, as the tide was on the ebb, we could sneak up into the bay and explore the various caves, gullies and rocky channels...  

Working with some gentle tidal flow ...

Rob above taking some shelter from the snow, despite stunning sunshine ...

The light was great ...

And the rock formations, I guess are a Geologists dream ... from left to right.  Paul, Rob, Niamh and Sue.

Looking across at South Stack and enjoying a top buffet below ...

Day two and a journey on the Straits, from Gallows Point to Moel-y-don.  We had some initial wind assisting us as the tide began to build and soon were at the Swellies.  I set the boys who had more tidal flow experience, a couple of different eddies to collect while I worked with the  girls.

The girls in the eddy and keen to know whats next ...  we crossed back to Anglesey and the girls took a break while I set the guys a few tasks.  We then headed off again with the boys having to make decisions on collecting 4 eddies before the final bridge.  The flow was fast and confused in places and all did extremely well.  I'm sure lunch must have felt even better afterwards ....

The girls after the Swellies, working on a ferry glide ...


Day three was now pulling together the previous two days and Rhoscolyn was our destination.  The beacon can be seen in the background.

The sun came out and brought a smile to all of our faces ,,,

We found 1/2ft surf at Rhosneigr and I set the boys on a couple of tasks and worked with the girls in the shallows.  Low brace recovery and then set them to work covering and working with each other.  It was a super end to the three days, with something for every one.

Roger

roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com

bespoke sea kayaking
&
sea kayak course north wales   

Surf's Up ...

With a forecast of 4-5ft surf, a 15 sec interval between waves, a light off shore wind and sunshine.  It just had to be done and Broad Beach, Rhosneigr, Anglesey was the destination.  It it been about 5 weeks since our last magic day out sea kayak surfing and I was keen to work some moves and explore others.  It had just had 4 super clients over from Dublin for the last 3 days, so this weather window was perfect for my play time.  Whats more both Justine and Barry where on for a surf.  

Justine headed off with her surf kayak to look for steeper waves, where most of the other short and long board suffers, SUP boards, surf ski and surf kayaker's were.  I was pleased that I could avoid all of that and for a good hour Barry and myself had open water.

The morning was spectacular, with warm sunshine (while paddling and active), stunning views and quality waves.

This is Barry below aiming for the 'green room' and these are the photos which follow the original facebook shot ... I'll let the photos tell the tale ...

I had decided to leave the 'green room' for another day ...and maybe another life!  It was the third day that I was back paddling the Tiderace Xtra and I was keen to refresh my skills.  I like to think about what i want to achieve, from a personal session.  Today I was working with changing direction while on the run, through using inside edge, high angle stern rudder and looking where I wanted to go (with my shoulders) ...

After a super 2/3 hours sea kayak surfing, all that was needed now was a big mug of hot chocolate ... perfect!

Roger

roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com

Thanks to Barry for the photos of me.

Sunshine and moody skies

It was great to see Rich, Douglas, Tracy and Andy again on the last of the Winter Sea Kayaking Programme's - Intermediate Plus.  This is our 4th level course for those who hold the BCU 3 star award and are paddling independently.  

We had a mix of sunshine and hail over the weekend and some super varied conditions, which kept every one busy.

The Stacks was looking good for Sat and a journey from Porth Dafach, to Gogarth Bay and back fitted well with the tides.  

 Time for some exploring, close quartering and rocky landings ...

Then on towards Pen Rhyn Mawr, which was 20 mins before slack water and still fairly chunky ..

Then some more rock hopping ...

Before heading out wide and paddling towards South Stack race.  It was the first time for some, and as the race is much further out than most it can be quite intimidating.  Tracy led the way and we kept wide as there was a group surfing the race to the left ....

You can still just see Tracy and Douglas now about to take some air ...

Andy and South Stack lighthouse ....


The following day was due to windier F3/4 westerly so we headed over to Rhoscolyn with the thought of some surf ...

Paddling through the main channel with the last of the flood, so some wind across tide ...

Each beach i now land at I've committed to collect at least 3 pieces of plastic.  Everyone else joined in and we had at least another 4 piles similar to the above.  What else do you do with the bow and stern hatch of a sea kayak, when empty!!

We then turned after lunch and took a down wind and hail run towards Silver Bay ...

Silver Bay was not very clean, but it gave us all something to work with and each had a few good rides in and a spectacular 360 side surf body slam!

We headed back to our start, packed and drove to the White Eagle for drinks and a reflection over a compact and busy weekend.

What came out of the weekend is a new course called Xplore Plus.  This is for those who hold the 3* sea award, are independent paddlers and want to develop some of the 4 and 5 star skills, increasing their tool kit while paddling in rougher conditions.  Two courses will run over the summer and either 4 or 5 over the Winter.

A super weekend with a great result and smiling faces.

roger

roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com

rough water paddling
+
sea kayak anglesey

Big Boat for Big Dreams ...

A week or so ago I contacted Liz at P+H Sea Kayaks.  I was enquiring about a Cetus HV and whether they had any in stock.  They had two and one had a carbon/ kevlar hull .. I didn't ask further, but noticed it also had a compass fitted, which was one less job for me to do!

On some paper work I noticed the word rudder, and was intrigued.  Well its a big boat, I thought so may be this makes sense.  I picked it up on Tuesday along with a couple of boats for James and drove straight to Menai Bridge, to un-fail her.   Not necessarily my first choice in colour but it all seemed to work ok.

Time for some personal paddling.  Wednesday Barry was about and on for a paddle to so we had a lose plan to meet at 900 and go from there. 

At Trearddur Bay, with a plan to paddle to South Stack and back.   It was much colder here than at Meani Bridge and squally fronts of hail pushed through.  But I wanted to get out in the wind and rough water ...

Having only paddled double sea kayak with a rudder before, it was an interesting experience.  We moved close into the rocky channels and I found inside turns were much easier.  This was because I could straighten my lower leg, hence pushing the top of the foot peg, while drawing my top knee.  This achieved a tight turn.  Out side edged turn need more practice as my top leg is now pushing the foot peg and going straight, so its much harder to maintain the edge.

We headed on to South Stack, feeling more of the wind ...

Annie's arch was exciting, with current against us, swell and reflected waves ...

Gogarth Bay was a mess and North Stack looked massive.  We headed out into the ebb tide at South Stack, turned and took a down wind run ...soaking up the welcomed sunshine and the view.

I had enjoyed my first journey out in the Cetus HV.  It had felt solid and stable, plus the kayak was controllable with or without the rudder. I was also happy focusing on the camera and taking photos, which is a good test for me.  Next i want to paddle the Cetus in some surf and see how the rudder fairs there ...

We headed back to Menai Bridge and on arrival it was clear that it had been sunny all day ... time for hot choc's!

Roger

www.coastalspirit.com

sea kayak course's