Sea Kayaking Courses North Wales - IntroMediate + Bespoke

The last few weeks have been pretty busy and I'm just about up to date with admin and Blog.  Glynis was up for a Bespoke 1 to 1 day and with a windy forecast we set out from Moel y don, on the Menai Straits after coffees and a chat.  It was straight into a head wind, the bonus was it would help us back.  It had the feeling of winter as the day was bitter, but the light was great.  Just before slack water we paddled up into the Swellies, and worked on eddy turns.  Efficiency was the aim of the day, and we set off reducing the amount of reverse strokes to correct the kayak.  Hot chocolates to finish over a reflection on the day and looking back at the video clips ...   Great progress

The weekend saw John, Keith and Jeremy on the IntroMediate sea kayaking course and again it was windy, but we found appropriate conditions on the Straits, and we spent the day refreshing skills, with the main focus on managing a following sea, through the use of forward power, stern rudder, sweep strokes and edging (skeg was introduced right at the end)  Sunday was from Trearddur Bay to Rhoscolyn and back and we made the most of the rocky channels and gullies, working hard with various turns.  These turns we then moved into the flow and made our way out to the Beacon and its small islands, soon discovering a seal or two.

Paul had A Bespoke sea kayaking day and put a lot of preparation in prior to the day.  Considering he has just been paddling for a year Paul has progressed very well.  He wanted a challenge and with us being on a Spring tide and The Swellies so close to us, we were soon paddling our way to Menai Bridge, after a warm up.  Throughout the day Paul hit the turns well, maintaining a good constant lean. As the current slowed we gently made our way back up the eddies, to Menai Bridge.  Paul clearly chuffed by his achievements, and rightly so.

Tavi was up for a Bespoke sea kayaking day and it was a mixture of some rough water handling and trying new kit.  A ferry glide out to Harry Furlongs buoy, using transits and then back into the race.  A couple of points to locate on her new map and then back up to the race for a roll.  Great day and super to see Tavi's progress.

Roger

roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com
info@coastalspirit.com

North Wales Sea Kayaking

Introduction to Sea Kayaking - a Bank Holiday weekend ...

This weekends Introduction to sea kayaking saw Paola and Peter independently booking on the two days, with Glynis who has  paddled before joining us for the Sunday.

I was keen to begin with a calm surface so the West side of the Menai Straits was perfect, no wind blown swell, although boat traffic was busy and swell from them!  And below were going through a dry land assisted rescue.

Work on turns and forward paddling was the focus, and putting into a short journey ...

Day 2 and sunshine ... it was a F3 northerly wind with a bit of East in it so Cable Bay, was chosen again to reduce the swell and the main effect of the wind ... plus  access which was likly to be better and less Jet Ski's!!

We did some good down wind circuits using the stern rudder and in preparation for our return journey. Plus blending strokes from - forward power, sweep stoke to stern rudder and then back to power ...

The 2nd beach we landed at had a gentle swell pushing in which was perfect for us to use  ....with the aim of controlling a successful landing.  It was great to feel the sun but that Northerly breeze was cool!

We had our 2nd break and then we were back on a paddling round a headland to Cable Bay, where we had begun.  Certainly a mixture of conditions, ever changing, beautiful colours and one of the reasons I love sea kayaking ...

Roger

intro sea kayaking
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sea kayak north wales

Day 22 Ireland

We set off with Jane and Andy who we met yesterday towards the cliffs of Moher. Winds were light and we made good time. The cliffs were stunning and sea birds were everywhere. Now to cross the south channel to the Arran Islands. It started to drizzle, the wind picked up and the cloud got lower. We landed on the first of the islands with a super sandy beach and it was clear the place was busy! However all came good when we found a chip shop and I had sausage and chips and two mugs of tea!
We then crossed the channel in fog and on a bearing. It was cold, the coldest Ive been. We heard the throb of an engine and we saw a fishing trailer making its way out of the gloom. Then another....four boats in total. We crossed in good time and found a small inlet with a reasonable grassy area to camp on. That is when Jane found that her front kayak hatch was full of water! It had seeped into all of her dry bags, bedding and her clothes were wringing wet! In search of a solution they then both walked to the road, found a house, asked if they could use the washing machine and asked if they had a duvet! They did and whilst they were waiting also had showers and a can of Guinness!!!


Sonja
www.coastalspirit.com

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   

Blue Sky Surfing ....

I had received a text on Sunday night, from Barry Shaw who said he'd been in contact with Phil Clegg and surf was looking good for the following morning, was i interested ....!!

I do love my job, lets face it ... even at this time of the year there's magic days out on the sea.  I do love getting out my self and playing, experimenting and keeping my skills and ability sharp.  Some shuffling round with boats and a short surf board for Phil, coffee and off to Rhosneigr, and Broad Beach.

As we drove across I was beginning to feel the excitement and anticipation.  The Wind Guru website said 1.7 mt, 14 sec swell interval and with a gentle offshore breeze, the forecast was looking perfect!

Barry taking a few waves in the Gemini SP and Phil, just making sure he's not the target ...!!

Phil above and Barry running hard and fast ...

Barry popping his head out the other side ... and below Me in the Tiderace Xtra HV, considering going right .... and committing...

It was a super Spring blue sky day, with great clean surf, friends, fun and hot chocolates to finish with.  Lets see what we can do next week!!

Roger

sea kayak surfing
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sea kayak course's

Discover Autumn sunshine - sea kayaking course

With four people continuing on with the 2nd day and a further calm and even better blue sky promised, Treaddour Bay was our destination, with the plan of paddling to Rhoscolyn head and exploring arches, gullies and caves, using outside/inside turns and draw strokes  as we made our way along the coast.

At the white arch their was a fair swell, with an occasional big set, which bounced off the back wall, so only the arch way was used and provided a good introduction to the rise and fall of the sea ...

I looked at the black arch and a couple of other gullies but it was more like playing Russian roulette, with timing so we paddled on and round Rhoscolyn Head.

The cave was great and with enough swell to make it exciting, but not to much to make it risky ...

Sadly at one of the small beaches a Guilimot had come to a horrid end, with a 4 beer can  plastic holder stuck round what was left of its neck ... another good reason to ensure these rings are cut when thrown away and odd bits of fishing line and plastic are picked up as we come across them.  This has also been the push I need as over the winter I will be writing an environmental policy for Coastal Spirit.

As we paddled back round enjoying the swell, we saw this fella, on a giant hamster wheel, with a safety boat near by on his way to Ireland.  He was unfortunate and his wheel sunk at 0300 in the morning but he was ok and picked up by his safety boat.

We finished the day with some fun and balance, and general messing about in boats ...Mark above working with doing a 360 on his kayak!!

Super weekend made by the people and the lovely sunny and calm weather ... Discover and Introductory sea kayaking courses will begin again towards the end of April 2013.

Happy paddling ...

roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com
discover sea kayaking
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sea kayak courses