Advanced Winter Sea Kayaking

Last weekend the winds settled down and the sun came out, just enough and as I had a Bespoke days sea kayaking and a weekends advanced course, all was looking good.

Friday I worked with Zoe out form Trearddur Bay in a chunky swell, but a light bf 4.  Manoeuvring and some work in the surf.  The Bay has changed in the storms, with the last 10 meters, or so of the beach being much steeper now.  This means either side of high water, about an hour, the surf is much bigger. By the time we came back the surf had settled down and allowed some work on leaving a wave, to be practised.  Great day out.

On Saturday Jon, Tracy and Andy were up for pushing there skills and Gethin was along to observe me coaching.  Plan was an A-B trip for Moelfre on the East, to Ynis Dulas and then round Point Lynas and making the most of a forecasted SE wind ....

We did a run through the race at Point Lynas, and Jon took a good hit and shook it off casually ...

 

And as the winds picked up we worked more out of the race, attempting to catch the fast swells that pushed through ...  Andy and Tracy below.

Sunday saw a beautiful blue sky and we decided after coffees, to go for the Stacks, form Soldiers Point.

North Stack was playful, although at times a little messy.  Parliament House cave had to much swell, crashing down on the rocks to make an easy landing, so we paddle on round to the bay of Abrahams Bosom, to find a more sheltered bay to land and have some lunch in.

The sun was beautiful and just lighted up the rock face ....  It was a great weekend with each person working hard.

Monday was one of those rare days, that I love during the Winter.  Light winds, sunshine and 2ft swell.  Time to find a buddy to paddle with and get out to play! Steve was up for getting out and Penrhyn Mawr, was active, despite being an hour to slack water. We both kept away from the front wave which would rear up a steep 2 mts or so and was pretty explosive.  The boys at 22 squadron RAF where also out ..

We headed on to Parliament House cave and had some lunch in the sun and then on to North stack race ...

As we left the light was fantastic and the troughs and wave faces, surprisingly deep and steep.  South Stack light house can be seen in the distance and as we approach South Stack race we played briefly, before turning and getting back on the conveyor belt to catch out ride back to Porth Dafach.  Thanks Steve, you were good company and it was a top day and I haven't told Barry about the start!!

Happy days!!

Roger
www.coastalspirit.com

north wales sea kayaking
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advanced sea kayaking

Ireland Circumnavigation Complete!!

After a good nights sleep, early to bed and refueled, 5am felt OK. Our camp had been well sheltered. We were prompt at  packing and clearing up. The first part of our journey was S with a cross/tail wind. When we could see the Sound between Howth and Ireland's Eye (small island) we turned for a downwind run. 

It was F5 gusting up to F7, so it was a sporting ride. I was keen to make the most of it and at the same time not over do it as I would need plenty of energy!

The back of the headland was well protected and birds drifted about in rafts. We snacked and I for one didn't want to think about the next headland. Rounding it would put us into a headwind!  Heading west from Drumleck was physicall the toughest part of the whole trip for me. No shelter and the full force of a hungry wind. We landed briefly in a spit of land to snack. We had seen a couple of ferries leave, and I kept a good eye on both directions as I crossed Dublin bay. 

One last run kind of downwind and we were back at the start, 6 hours from waking. Dez and Sonja from deep blue sea kayaking, we're waiting on the harbour wall, flashing their headlights and honking their horn. 

Coffee and a Whiskey welcome, then back to their house for a fry up and showers. Our ferry  back to North Wales leaves on Monday, so a couple of pints of the dark stuff tonight ...

It's been a magic journey, which could be called the hospitality tour of Ireland. I'm sure I will be back ...

Sonja
www.coastalspirit.com

Day 23 Ireland (3rd June)

Jane and Andy had to go back to tumble dry clothes so we went our separate ways and discussed the possibility of catching up later. Connemara is beautiful, small white sand islands set in an Emerald sea. Two pods of Dolphins topped the day. 30nm and camped on Turbot Island . First real day where from 11am we could paddle in short sleeves. Camp had enough air to keep the midges at bay which had discovered us!! May enter another county tomorrow, but now we are north of Dublin!!

Lunch spot on Mason Island




Sonja
www.coastalspirit.com

A Magic Winters day Sea Kayaking

I met Kelly and Craig at Trearddur Bay hotel for a coffee and chat about their days Bespoke sea kayaking.  Forecast was F4/5 N, but all was much lighter, it was bright and a great calm sea state.  Rhoscolyn facing South offered protection and so was to be our location.  A journey was the aim, so after  some brief work on inside/out side turns, it was putting these into context moving in and out of the rocky channels.  

This was the first time for Kelly in a sea kayak and on the sea, and she did super, right throughout the day. A big well done ...

The weather threaten at times to follow the forecast, but thankfully never really arrived ...

And we were treated to super winter light and some amazing reflection ...

Briefly met one of the locals ...a grey seal at the Beacon, snoozing and making the most of the Winter sunshine.

and at times some amazing and stunning colours ...

One of my favourite caves, with a gentle rolling swell creating super conditions and disturbing the beast which lied within ... round Rhoscolyn head and on to a small cove for our 2nd break of the day.

With the tide now just into the ebb, we had enough time to paddle round to the White Arch, before jumping back on the tide, to assist us back to our starting point.

Craig up front looking on towards the Lleyn Peninsula after a top winters day sea kayaking and one I'm sure they will both remember ... and what a start for Kelly ....

roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com

winter sea kayaking
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bespoke opportunities