Surf & Tide-race Course

This is the type of course that comes up on the various sea kayak festivals and for the last year Coastal Spirit has been offering two focused days paddling in the Surf and Tide-races of Anglesey, North Wales.  This is through open courses, ass advertised below and  weekends also for clubs were this has been a specific focus.

Experience the thrill of catching a wave, developing greater control and stretch your comfort zone, with support and guidance - good 3* skills as a minimum and the ability to roll at the Intermediate level. If windy we go beach surfing or a down wind run on the classic Menai Straits or if calm surf one or more of Anglesey's classic tide-race's.  Learn how best to use your body, gain an insight into Performance Psychology, hear the rush of the waves and feel the salt on your face.

With a maximum of four paddlers you get more from this exciting opportunity and can really develop.

To enlarge the photo click on one of them.

This could be you, just imagine that!  

If your fit, keen, motivated to learn and want a focused time in the waves and surf of Anglesey, this course is for you.  How does it work?  Who ever first books on begins to influence the weekend.  For example, If an Intermediate (3*) paddler books on then the course will be Intermediate to Intermediate Plus (4* trained).  While if on another weekend an Advanced (5* trained) paddler books on then its Intermediate Plus to Advanced.  

Due to small personal group size, individual needs are more easily managed, so you get more from the weekend.  Keep in mind, due to only 4 places available, course's book up fast.  Cost £160 for the 2 days and current availability is as follows:

10/11th June: Intermediate to Intermediate Plus, with 2 places left.

8/9th July: Intermediate Plus (could go either way) 3 places left.

23/24th September: Intermediate Plus to Advanced, 1 place left.

If one of these dates works for you and you want to move this forward then either email me or follow this link to complete an online booking form 

More dates may be added, so keep an eye on my website or contact me if you have a specific date in mind - roger@coastalspirit.com

Thanks Roger

North & South Stack plus two sessions on Swelly wave!

With two days to do some admin and take time off , I was keen to make the most of my time and be efficient. Timing also coincided well as Olly was free for the Stacks and Barry & Justine were about for the eve, fantastic a plan!

I now have a P&H Delphin in the fleet, and having spent little time in the boat, this was a good opportunity to make the most of it. A leisurely start, assisted with a bacon roll and a cappuccino, soon saw us on the water at North Stack. The winds had been NW and although now light, the race was a little messy and confused. The Delphin felt really solid, and having played around with the fittings more comfortable than last time.

Thanks Olly for the photo, at North Stack ...

We then pushed on to South Stack, which at the time wasn't running, although in theory it should have been (bigger tides, more water?!?) except for a strong back eddy, so we paddled back in and did some rock hoping. A short break at parliament house cave and some of Sonjas super lemon drizzle cake and then we were back at North stack to work our way back up.

The one thing that is noticeable about the Delphin is its lack of forward speed, when attempting to paddle up against flow...! tired but satisfied, a hot chocolate soon toped the day. A brief call into summit to sea, Angleseys new shop, for Olly to drop some videos off and a welcomed cup of tea, thanks Pete, before returning to Menai Bridge.

1.5 hours later I was back out on the water, texting Barry that id meet them on the water, this time on the Straits, for the Swelly wave and what a super evening. It was quite amazing seeing the difference at low water and I made my way up to the Island, crossing the gentle flow watching the sea gulls hunting for crabs or star fish. The wave was busy, with around 8-10 people, despite this it was a good evening and I had enough runs, with a couple that I was really pleased with. I finished off the day with some fish & chips and was home for 2100!

By 0700 the next morning I was back on the water and the wave was beginning to work, quite different from the previous evening and there was just the two of us ... the Delphin felt good and solid again, certainly slower acceleration in positioning the boat, but very nimble once on the wave.

Back at Menai Bridge, changed and dry, it was now time for breakfast and a short walk to the local cafe, before further admin!

sea kayaking courses.

sea kayak Anglesey - North Wales.

www.coastalspirit.com