Paddling around Mallorca 2016

Back in 2007 when i attempted to paddle around Mallorca with good friend Pete Evans, we climbed a lot together, managing 2 weeks in the French alp's and even sailed across the English Channel but never done the sea kayaking thing together.  Well we had some mixed and mainly bad weather and we run out of time but we did manage to paddle the North coast.  Which is truly amazing!!

So when i was talking with Barry Shaw about my initial thoughts about a solo trip he was interested and suggested the Balearic's.  I didn't need much convincing and over the next week or so, as we created a plan.

It was over 1500m drive and two ferries (2 hours and then 8 or so).  We decided to go for Dover to Dunkirk and drive through France to  Spain and get the 2nd ferry from Barcelona to Alcudia on Mallorca as it was 100 euros cheaper.  We left at 0500 on the Saturday and arrived on the Monday morning at 0500, and looked for someway to park up and wait for the morning to begin!

Driving on down and some super cloud formations

Now with over 400 photos, yep ... its difficult to decide on those that paint our story.  So Ive done my best and hope you enjoy our adventure.  I'll try and keep the words to a minimum!!

We started on the SW side of the most Southerly point and this was our first lighthouse of many!!

Thankfully we explored and stopped at this small Cala, which made for a perfect
nights camp and with enough time to dry kit!

As we moved up the East coast (were going anti clockwise), we had some super assistance form the wind.

Honestly it is that kind of blue ...

This magic blow hole was so much fun ...

Day 2 had been a long day.  Not through choice, just that we couldn't find a wild enough camp.  
Time to be up early then!!

The variety and colour along the coast was fantastic

just had to be done!

having a floating break before crossing the bay of Alcudia

Whoop, whoop... Cap de Formentor, the most Northerly point

As the North coast unfolds, it was time to look for a camp!  

Do your stuff Mr Baz Dundee....

Cala Figuera and my trusted kit!

Next morning was chilly and atmospheric!!

Heading for Cala Sant Vincent for more water

Just leaving Cala Sant Vincent, in an increasing swell and wind ... we turned back, due to the next section of coastline was to be the most committing, with no landing until Sa Calobra, which even then we were unsure about.

The next day, rest and ready

The morning sun really brought the coast alive ...

We had a gentler increasing wind on our backs and smiled our way along the coastline ...

Entrance to Torrent de Pareis

Just trying to capture the height!!

The cost was that good  ;)

Getting a fly by with a large flock of Shearwater's -it was such a great sweep through  

One of many we passed along the way

Now on the SW side and on the way to the Bay of Palma!

We found it ... just a little to close to Magaluf!

Beautiful start to the next day, although 45 minutes into the crossing and the wind suddenly increased to Bf4 -5 the f5 gusting f6, offer and out of the bay!!  Thank fully 1 hour latter the aggressive front had passed  ...

We can get this at home ...

Final on the water lunch ...

Seven days in total which wasn't through choice.   It was difficult to find wild camp spots and we found out afterwards, you can get fined for wild camping!

We made the distance to be 280km although we tended to go from headland to headland and overall we were fairly lucky with being able to do that

Big thanks to Hilleberg  for the solo tent, Reed for the deck and cockpit cover and P&H Custom Sea kayaks for the demo Cetus mv - much appreciated Mathew  ;)  Further thanks to the support of  Mitchel Blades  for my paddle and Kokatat, for paddle wear.

And nice one Barry - thanks for the company  ;)

Roger

Having a good run along the coast in my Cetus ...

Claa Sant Vincent and a 4km loop before returning ...

Landing in Cala Sant Vincent

Current Courses and Exciting Opportunities for 2016

2015 was a busy year, right until the end and I thank you for that!  These last few weeks have been really useful and I have relished, doing those out standing jobs, like inputting on my new website, some study and generally catching up with my self.  Except my tax return/accounts which was really boring, but had to be done.  Its currently grey, windy and sleeting outside, so its easier to be sat in front of my PC!

2016 has started well and a number of courses are already full. The new calendar or find course by category, is up and running and dates are now up to August 2016.  The following currently have places on and are going ahead:

6-7th Feb - Intermediate: aimed at working on 3 star skills and has only 2 places left, at a cost of £160.

5th March - Open Water Navigation & Tidal Planning:  An element of the 5 star leader training, although this can be a stand alone theory course as well, providing a good understanding of coastal planning is already held. Cost £90

6-9th March - 5 star leader training:  Advanced leadership and performance training, with night navigation also included.  2 days is the minimum requirement - 4 allows more time to allow for different sea conditions and processing. 5 days incl OWNTP at £330, 4 days at £270, 3 days at £230 and just the training at £160.  Gain feedback and leave with a comprehensive action plan. 2 places are left.

16th March - Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning (CNTP): Theory day around understanding weather, tides, charts and planning coastal journeys.  Part of the 4 star leader training, although this day can also be attended if you have basic tidal planning understanding and you want to increase your understanding.  Cost £90.

17-18th March - 4 Star Leader training:  Leadership and performance training in Moderate conditions.  3 days with the CNTP above is £230, just the training is £160. Gain feedback and leave with a comprehensive action plan.  3 places are left.

2/3rd April - IntroMediate:  Only 4 places on this course which gentle brings a paddler into contact with flow, wind, swell and small surf - Now only 2 places left.  Cost £160.

Two further courses I will highlight here are the Pembroke Sea kayaking, which follows the Stackpole sea kayak festival which I'm working on and 'Coaching the Mind', sports psychology course.

23-25th May - Pembroke sea kayaking:  This 2 or 3 day course is for InterMediate paddlers as a minimum and aims to paddle some to Pembroke's classic islands and locations.   It follows the stackpole sea kayak festival, so hopefully within the 5 days we will get a mix of sea conditions, weather, wildlife and with Puffins galore!!.  This is separate from the Stockpile festival so go direct to them to book on the weekend.  With me, its £230 for 3 days or £160 for 2 days and only 4 places are left.

16-17th July - Coaching the Mind:  This is the 2nd course we have run and it was a great success, in 2015.  This year we are adding a one day option, by attending only the theory course.  Or as before with the 2nd day on the water sea kayaking and putting mental skills training into action.  

The first day is theory behind sports psychology, in brief and is a mix of PowerPoint, active work shops and discussion.  This means its open to any one who is interested in improving their own performance and coaching style.  So if you rock climb, white water paddle, stand up paddle board or mountain bike, then come along.

The 2nd day is putting mental skills training into a sea kayaking environment, to enable your confidence to be able to grow and use the techniques, with on the water support.  Because of this minimum ability is InterMediate and the working ratio is 2:8 - two coaches to 8 individuals or one to four.

One day costs £90 and two days is £180.  On both days Lee Pooley, one of British Canoings national trainers and Roger Chandler owner of Coastal Spirit.

Only 8 places on the 2 day option, and 6 are currently available.  A further 4 places are available on the first day. 

With all of the above either email info@coastalspirit.com or message me on FB, for further information.  Check out my website for other course and if you want something unique and individualised, then consider Bespoke sea kayaking.  In the week, set at your pace and designed for you.

I hope a course above inspires you and I look forward to working with you on the water soon.

Roger

www.coastalspirit.com

Sweden - the next 4 days Coaching

On my day off we headed into Stockholm for a wander, coffee and lunch and ABBA the Museum!!  It was a different sort of day from my norm, but enjoyable.  And what an attractive city Stockholm is!

Clean and dried kit, and another sunshine start ... perfect!  This next team was made up of, Matts, Adendesh, Johanna, Anna, Ovee and Ann - plus Clara and Hawken.  I had paddled with Johanna the previous year and met Ann, may be 4/5 years ago.  It was good catch up with both of them.  

The focus of the next four days was similar, with a greater leadership and incident management focus.

Over above had made his own Greenland paddle as well as his own wooden sea kayak.  And if thats not impressive enough he had also paddled the entire Swedish coastline, with both items.  A journey of over 2000km.  A great achievement ...

It was now becoming very clear to me the Swedish, know how to life outdoors.  Lunch was always a hot meal and evenings were nice and extended.  It also explained why they tended to paddle bigger kayaks!!

We managed over all to escape the main rain and winds which pushed through on a couple of the nights.  So the days were largely dry.

On the last day after 3 previous days of Coaching, discussion and exploring of techniques.  The group was merged into two main teams and the decision was for a leader to be set various incident management tasks, by the group.  The leader was unaware of the various tasks, so as to provide an element of surprise and pressure.  The leader then rotated so all had an opportunity.

It had been another super four days, with great people.  Thanks once again for your welcome and a BIG thanks to Clara and Hawken for organising the courses and looking after me so well.

Roger

www.coastalspirit.com