InterMediate Sea Kayaking Anglesey, North Wales

It was a weekend of two seasons with Saturday feeling, grey damp and colder.  While Sunday was bright, with blue skies, sunny and hot!

Mandy, Glynis and Steve were on an InterMediate sea kayaking weekend and after coffee, looking at forecast and discussing what individuals wanted to focus on, we headed across the island to Porth Dafarch.  The intention was to paddle towards an ebbing South Stack, rock hoping as we went and with a f3/4 N/NE the corner of Abra hams Bosom would be the deciding factor whether to push on or stay put ...

We stayed in the area of Penrhyn Mawr as the sea provided what we needed, with a few good rocky channels, working on low braced leaned turns and moving through swell ... Lunch and then into the first hour of the flood, with wind across time we started to get some good conditions ....

I set Mandy and Steve a circuit in the main race, of moving up through the current, which provided a gentle following sea state - something they both had asked to work on (while working in buddies) ... Glynis and my self worked in the inner channel which was more protected.

Sunny Sunday ... and after meeting and comparing both Mandy and Steve's tidal planning, we set off to Soldiers Point to paddle The Stacks on an ebbing tide.    We were just off a neap tide, but due to the previous days N/NE winds North Stack race was a little confused, but all managed very well.  We were soon into the big cliffs, caves and arches ...

The Stacks had been what anyone would have wanted. Steve had rock climbed a number of routes here in the past, so it was well up on his paddling list and with Glynis having been initially inspired to go sea kayaking, after looking down from the cafe area, at South Stack and seeing paddlers below and deciding she wanted some of that.   It was great to see the progressions and the smiling faces of all ...

Roger
roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com

rough water handling anglesey
+
intermediate sea kayaking wales

InterMediate Sea Kayaking Course, UK, North Wales, Anglesey.

An InterMediate sea kayaking course is for those who are confident in the water, have a good level of fitness, sea kayaked on moving water before, have some experience of tidal planning, plus paddling in Beaufort force 3 (13mph) winds as a minimum - ideal for those working towards the 3 star sea award or those who just want to be a better and more competent  sea kayaker.  

I tend to run the 3 star assessment as an on going training and assessment, with just a few more tasks to consider and action on the 2nd day.  At the end of the first day there is time to review and ensure the client is aware of where they are presently, as on some occasions its better to use the 2nd day as training. Chris however, was up for the BCU 3 star assessment and it was good to see he was looking smooth and well prepared, with good edged and leaned turns.  Mark, Carl, Jon and Stephen, joined in with the support of Douglas.

Due to a super sunny and calm forecast we went to North stack at the back of the ebb, and found some suitable flow and went through assisted and self rescues.  Then some contact tows and rock hoping in Gogarth Bay.

The second day we needed some swell, wind and waves and the forecast was now F3/4 ish NW and the North coast looked promising.  We paddled up to the most Northerly point and worked in the more confused water.  looking at trim, particularly when coming into wind.  As the ebbing current picked up we moved out into the swell and waves and caught a few surfing moments.  A couple of the group were new to paddling in these type of conditions, were amazed at how the wind when apposed to the current, created a very different and exciting sea!
 

A couple of rescues were set up for Chris (thanks Craig), before we headed back into the calm of the bay. Congratulations to Chris on passing the BCU 3 star performance award.

The next InterMediate sea kayaking course is during the August holidays and currently has a few places available.  The course is the  25-29th August and 2 or more days can be chosen.  Otherwise its the weekend of the 6/7th September.  

Unsure if your paddling at the level to access an InterMediate course, then consider booking a Bespoke day in September during the week and receive some clear direction at the same time.  Plus a summer saving of £20 when quoting CS 8/2014 - discount only available up until 1800 on Friday 1st August 14.

Thanks Roger

Sea kayaking courses

+

north wales sea kayaking

  

5 Star Leader Training - South Devon

A couple of months back, I had an invite to provide and work with Lee Pooley, providing a 5 star leader training and open water navigation and tidal planning course.  This was down in South Devon and the Salcombe area.  Its an area I know fairly well and have paddled a lot, but never worked in - I was looking forward to it.  We just needed the right conditions...

The first day was out to Start Point a race that flows at about 4knots.  It was a calm wind forecast and to be honest, it was ideal for the group to get a feel for conditions and learning new skills.

It was a beautiful location, with a beach close by and some super rock hoping, which provided great leadership sections.

Some fun and balance below and eddying into the flow .... before a self rescue ..
 

The second day was out form South Sands, with a good F4/5 wind.  Focus was on longer leadership sections, scenarios and putting into place, previous learnt skills.  A lot of time was also spent on incident management and gully/rock rescues and rocky landings ... Derrick below being a super active swimmer ...

We chose a super sheltered beach to cook up our food, had a snooze ... ;) ... in preparation for the night navigation ...

All in all it was a super course, with up for it students, some super sunshine, appropriate conditions and in a new location for me.

Im running two further 5 star leader training courses later in the year - Anglesey based and currently places are available.  Email me for further information at info@coastalspirit.com

Roger

5 star leader training
+
sea kayaking courses uk

Bespoke sea kayaking courses - North Wales, Anglesey

Its been a busy few weeks with Bespoke sea kayaking course's.  Bespoke sea kayaking is specific to you, set and your pace, addressing your wants and based on your needs.  It can be for an individual, friends, group or club working on specific skills or just a private journey ..

Keith was wanting to focus on leadership, decision making, incident management and rescues - so that when he next goes out with his partner Debbie, he feels better prepared ... we had mixed weather but had a great journey on the North coast, with a good few sightings of porpoises ... all the best for your next paddle with Deb's ...

Many has paddled on and off for the last few years and recently bought a sea kayak and was keen to develop confidence, understanding and skills.  Mandy did a couple of great tidal plans, a key skills in sea kayaking and we had a super trip again on the North coast taking in the island of Middle Mouse ... and then due to the winds and a needs to work on tidal flow, we went into the Menai Straits and finished with a couple of balance exercises ... all the very best with the Great Orme's paddle this weekend .. ;)

Kevin and father wanted a days paddle at Moelfre, on the east coast, so he bought a sea kayaking birthday gift voucher and joined his dad.  They used to holiday as children here and we had a cracking forecast and a gentle sea ... and even got Ynis Moelfre (the small island of the headland) in .. with some gentle tidal flow ...

Brun from Tasmania originally contacted me, as her friend Jo was up.  And Floss you lives on the island and works with her parents at Anglesey Outdoors - which has a super bunkhouse with a camp site  ... also joined us for the day ... the photos tell the story ...

Its been a great variety of private and specific sea kayaking days ... for more information, have a look at this link.

Thanks, Roger

roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com

north wales sea kayaking course's
+
bespoke sea kayaking course's anglesey

Course update for 2014 and those once in a while courses ...

Looking towards to 2014 I currently have places available on a few different courses, that run once or twice a year ...

March 29-31st -  4 star leader training sea and Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning (CNTP) @ £230 or £350 for the 5 day option 29th March - 2nd April. Four places currently available.

5 Star leader training, night navigation practical and open water nav, theory. 15-17th March @ £250 or 5 day option 15 - 19th March @ £380.  Three places currently available.

Skye self catering 5 star accommodation sea kayaking holiday, for Intermediate to Advanced paddlers.  10- 17th May 2014 - £700 and only 3 places left, more details can be found here

Isle of Mull sea kayaking holiday from 5 star self catering accommodation, only 6 places available for IntroMediate to Intermediate paddlers and from 6-13th September 2014.  More details about this super experience can be found here.

Keeping you active over the Winter, so you start the summer in good form and shape, ready for your own paddling adventures ...  Three levels are available, with a few places are left on the following Winter sea kayaking courses:

Advanced - 18/19th January - 2 places
Advanced - 25/26th Jan - 1 place.
InterMediate - 1/2nd Feb - 3 places
Intermediate Plus - 8/9th Feb - 3 places
Advanced - 15/16th Feb - 4 places
InterMediate - 1/2nd March - 5 places
InterMediate Plus - 8/9th March - 3 places
Advanced - 22/23rd March - 1 place left

Details of each course can be found here

Interested or do you have further questions? Just email me and ....  give your self a focus for 2014 ....

Roger
www.coastalspirit.com
info@coastalspirit.com

north wales sea kayaking
&
Sea kayaking anglesey