4 star leader sea development course

The aim of this course was to offer support and opportunities to assist individuals in working towards addressing their action plans following their 4 star leader training courses.  There was only 4 places, and the course was full.  The first day was personal skills and what ever supported their action plans and with light winds forecast the Stacks was our destination.  So after some tidal planning we drove across the island to Porth Dafarch, with the aim of catching the last of the flood at Penryhn Mawr and then on to Parliament House cave, before returning on the ebb, making it a 20k day.

I some time feel this element is often missed out, which is clearly stated on the 4 star leader assessment syllabus  - "capable of paddling 15 to 20 miles" which equates to 30 to 40 kilometres and at the end of the day is as a leader one of our main and essential skills ...effective forward paddling.  If you need to stick a towline on someone you still need to be able to keep a reasonable pace, while guiding the group. 

All were pleased with our location for the day, and it was magic out there, with a good spring tide, arrival at the end of the flood still provided some useful initial conditions.

Andy above crossing the flood ...

We paddled up through Annie's arch (the narrow channel between South stack and Holy Island) and use eddy streams to get to parliament house cave, paddling into the occasional zawn (Steve in the foreground above), exploring as we went .... after some lunch and meeting both Nick Cunliffe and Barry Shaw and their teams, we headed up towards North Stack race, now in the 4th hour of the ebb.

I set various short tasks in the flow ... Gary above and then moved on to rescues and options we had ...

Andy on the right making contact with Gary ....

Tavi having towed Steve out of the main flow,  set up a ladder rescue (Steve self rescues and climbs up his back deck), which she found easy to manage.

We then got the great conveyor belt of time to push us back to South Stack.  We turned into the current above the race, which was well formed and had a couple of surfs before natural capsizes,  which provided real opportunities for rescue.

The following day was F5-7 SW so we headed for the Straits and Y Felinheli to use the flood and then the ebb to return to our start, allowing a lot of variety of conditions.  Today I also had Nick Cunliffe joining me who was going to work with two of the group in the morning,  on what each person wanted, while I had the other two, working on leading Zoe, Tracy and Simon.  We would then swap in the afternoon.

Zoe heading out with Y Felinheli in the back ground ...

From left to right, Simon, Tracy Steve and Zoe.  We had some super conditions which provide great training and useful opportunities for reflection, while we sipped a drink on the lawn opposite the Garddffon inn.  Another great end to a weekend.

Roger
roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com
sea kayaking course
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north wales sea kayaking

Surf babes .. moving out into the rougher stuff

Following a few days back in May this year,  and while working with Tracy, Zoe and Julie it soon became clear that some dedicated work on surfing a sea kayak was needed.  A date was found when the four of us could come together and consider what elements each person felt they needed.  I began the day over a coffee, looking at some video clips and photos of successful runs and not so ... highlighting what was work or not and allowing time for each one of them to consider what was likely to happen next!

With a gentle wind forecast of F2/3, and only 0.7 of metre surf predicted, I wasn't so hopeful ... on arrival on the west coast, there was just a ripple ...ever wondered why when you want conditions there not always there and when you don't they are!!

So we headed for Point lynas, to work the tide race, which was due to begin ebbing.  Zoe above, checking on position.

Zoe out in it ...

We also did a couple of runs down and through the main race, which was fairly lively further down and more confused ....

We headed off up the race, to paddle into the next bay for some well earn t lunch and then the rain came.  It was fairly heavy and unexpected ... well not forecast any way!

Another run though the race with Tracy leading ...

And Julie above leading in with a big grin ...

It was a super day with great company and lovely to see them all upping their game. We headed back to the small bay, changed and then enjoyed Tracy's home made elderflower champagne, which she had brought along as it was her birthday.  It tasted great as we reflected back on the day.

Roger
roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com

sea kayak north wales
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north wales sea kayaking

5 star leader training sea - becoming a provider

It was the first 5 star leader training course that i had observed and assisted on in North Wales, as I work towards becoming a trainer and assessor of this highly respected internationally recognised advanced award.  Nick Cunliffe of www.kayakessentials.co.uk was running the course and we certainly had conditions.  the first day was classroom based and was the theory of complex tidal planning and open water crossings.  The 2nd day was out at North Stack, wind F3-5 and a good swell running

With lots of low laying mist and fog, further adding to the challenge and atmosphere ...

there was a lot of nav work during the day ....

and a night navigation and due to strengthening winds Holyhead harbour was used.

We had lots of this and more sunshine on the 3rd day, were South Stack was used ...

With some exciting rock hoping ...

And a lot of rescues and problem solving over the day.  Big thanks to Nick, for the opportunity. I need now to write my notes up and look forward to another course in the near future.

Roger
roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com

sea kayak courses
anglesey, north wales sea kayaking

weekend of contrasts

Gorgeous sunshine and blue skies, but cool temperatures then baking hot .... im having a nightmare on what to ware, top much or too little ...  sadly Craig and Keith were unable to join us but Douglas, Elaine and last minute Zoe were on for some rough water sea kayaking. 

After some discussion and planning Rhoscolyn was our destination .... and so was the rest of the world, as we just managed to get a parking place.  Some out and lapping up the sunshine and on our way to the Beacon (Elaine above)




Douglas and Zoe

We did a few runs down wind with some gentle wind against tide, Douglas above enjoying one of our new sea kayaks ...

Elaine, above passing the Beacon at Rhoscolyn.

One of my favourite sea caves, which was a little lively and im sure ... there was a dragon in  their!!

We then worked our way back up against the tide and paddled the inner channel working in two small groups, Zoe above and her signature hat enjoying some swell action!

Elaine working with it all  ... on our way back to wrap up the day.

Sunday - with various elements of W Puffin Island was our aim, and a first for Douglas

Its one of my top locations with so much happening in a short space of time and top wild life.  12 or so puffins and a couple of black guillemot 's caught our attention

It was so good, once at the sound we went round again ....

We headed back across the sound, with Zoe leading at the max o a neap flow, with some wind against tide.   Had lunch and then back out into he sound were both Zoe and Douglas pulled off a good smooth roll each, nice one.  We then headed back to our start point, into wind providing some good resistant training.  A super weekend both on the water and off!

roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com

sea kayak north wales
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north wales sea kayaking courses  

A grey day on the out side ....

what a super day despite the weather it was great to see and hear what Elaine had been up to and what a truly inspirational woman who makes the most of her time ... Elaine was back up for a private bespoke 1:2:1 day before the weekends sea kayaking course.

After a coffee and some tidal planning and refection on recent paddles, we set off for Newbrough beach, mainly as elaine wanted to work on forward paddling (theres good open sections of water) and understand better edge/lean and whats best (?) in different conditions ... and if we saw birds seals etc along the way, well they would be a bonus!

Well an egret, many oyster catchers, razor bill, 40 or so manx shearwaters, a couple of gannets  and two seals added more to the day ... but don't forget the Coughs!

Despite the drizzle, the day was atmospheric and we made the most of conditions. Notable was the low brace action in swell, that Elaine really grasped.

roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com

north wales sea kayaking
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sea kayak courses anglesey

Getting the window .... paddling the English Channel

Crossing the English Channel by sea kayak, was to be the beginning of Alice, Erin and Marks three month paddle to reach Finland.  A challenge that stands alone as it is and is sort after by swimmers, SUP, rowers, kite surfers and basically any craft, these days!  Being the busiest shipping lane in the world makes the paddle more complicated and hence expensive, as a safety boat is required.

Up at 0630, breakfast, last sort of kit and then 2 hour drive to Dungeness.  Forecast was looking great after our 3 days wait. Erin, Alice and Mark had used their time well, in checking kit and pre boat pack, padding out sea kayaks, additional specfic food and essential haircuts (except 4 Erin).  Big thanks to Alice's parents, for looking after us and feeding us so well ...

Erin in the van on the way, studying the map ...left of her head!!

It was an interesting landscape, with poppies and loads of these tall blue flowers and grasses, mixed in with pebbles and wooded shacks and houses ...

and electric pylons, nuclear power station, a disused lighthouse  .... and packed Ikea bags ...

and a new light house (apparently built because the other was obstructed by the power station). This board walk was great and eased the 40 minute carry, of kit and kayaks to the sea.

 Yep, and then the mist rolled in and the fog horn blew ...eh, we hadn't booked this!!

Kayaks loaded in good time (left at 1100) and off we slowly went, as the mist began to rise and we looked out for the safety boat ... Alice above

Mark calling up Will on the safety boat to check their progress ....

The first of 7 during the day .... and to be honest, their seemed to be far more while we were packing.  Must be the 0830/0900 rush hour thing!

This is what we booked, an oily swell .... although Alice who had been setting the pace and course to paddle (so looking down at the compass) was now feeling sea sick :(

Into the 5th hour and after both Erin and Mark had done a couple of sessions on point, Alice was sick and probably for the best ... they were all tired but had been well prepared for the sun, mmmm I wish I had!!

It was also about this time when the main 7 mt ribs engine cut out ... thankfully Will had a 2nd smaller boat, so he could set up a tow ...more later ....

The last 40 minutes or so and the current had turned against us, producing some rougher water and meaning all had to be on their mark, to ferry glide into the bay.  We were soon through and as Id left my passport behind, I said my goodbyes in the shallows.

Mark, Erin and Alice ... it says something of Alice's determination and working through being sea sick. I never been sea sick but have had a number of clients who have been and ive had to tow them and find  land.  Being towed or the safety boat was an option, but one Alice wouldn't consider  ... fair play to her.  They paddled into the beach, just south of Cap Griz Nez, after 6 hours and 40 minutes and a distance of 25nm, about 50k!

I paddled back out of the shallows towards the safety boat and balanced, actually wobbled my self into the speed boat, grabbed some food and water and snuggled into the bucket seat!

The current now was flowing strongly against us and we were only pulling 4knots, with the broken boat under tow as we headed towards Calais.  Plan was to leave the broken boat so we could whizz back to the UK, happy days ... but, the marina has a tidal sill, that meant we couldn't get in until 1230/0100 ... 2nd problem was that they didn't have enough fuel in the working boat (due to towing).

Well the guys explored a number of options, while I sipped a celebratory beer (thanks Will) and they decided to syphon the petrol out of the broken boat, into a canister and transfer into our working boat and then continue to tow back across the Channel, to leave the broken boat in the marina at Dover ....

Photo above is 1 hour into the crossing, looking towards England, with a ferry on the right and what looked like Manhattan travelling along (the upright columns to the left are are a huge tanker) ... 3.5 hours latter, cold and damp, yep it rained ... we reached Dover ...

With some creative packing my kayak sone fitted well into the boat ...15 minutes latter ...wow, that was quick .... I was back at the start, it was 0100, and another 20 minutes saw all of my kit in the van, kayak on the roof and me curled up in a sleeping bag on the back seats, tired but content!

roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com

expedition support and sea kayak training
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sea kayak courses north wales

Crossing the English Channel ... hopefully on Thursday!!

First of all BIG thanks to Barry Shaw and Phil Clegg for working for me on Sunday, as earlier in the week Monday looked possible to cross to France, but our unsettled British weather changed that ... but the additional time has been useful in completing those never ending small tasks ...


Today we drove to Rye Harbour on the South coast and spoke with Will, the safety boat driver (a legal requirement with it being the busiest shipping lane in the world, so it makes very good sense!) We discussed thoughts and plans ... he suggested Dungness as it keeps us away from the ferry's and allows us to use some of the 3 knot Spring tide.  So Thursday looking good with on the water for 1030.  Means up at 0600 to get to Dungeness (not the most idyllic of settings, with a nuclear power station which we will see behind us for the fist 4 hours!!!).  Swell will have dropped to a more workable 0.6 and improved from a 5 second frequency to  a 9 second. The distance is about 25 nm and we aim to make the most of slack water and the following 6 hours of tide, with a short 5 minute break on the hour.  To further assist with morale, Erin, Alice and Mark will take it turns to set the pace, so each will have an hour up front. (this way no one is at the back for the whole journey) GPS will be used to assist us in maintaining a consistent speed.

United Kingdom - Dungeness  (wave: NWW3 2.7. 2012 06 UTC) [Options]

Forecast      2D  Map   Webcams   Wind reports   Accommodation   Schools/Rentals   Shops   Other...

GFS 02.07.2012 06 UTC Mo 02. Mo 02. Mo 02. Mo 02. Mo 02. Mo 02. Tu 03. Tu 03. Tu 03. Tu 03. Tu 03. Tu 03. Tu 03. We 04. We 04. We 04. We 04. We 04. We 04. We 04. Th 05. Th 05. Th 05. Th 05. Th 05. Th 05. Th 05. 07h 10h 13h 16h 19h 22h 04h 07h 10h 13h 16h 19h 22h 04h 07h 10h 13h 16h 19h 22h 04h 07h 10h 13h 16h 19h 22h Wind speed (Bft) 4 4 4 4 3 3 4 4 4 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 2 2 3 2 3 3 3 3 2 3 Wind gusts (Bft) 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 3 4 4 4 4 3 2 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 4

Once across, the English Channel the three of them will continue up the coast towards Calais, and have the next three months to get to Helsinki.  While I get on the safety boat and get whisked back to our start.  

A few moments ago, working through maps, transferring chart info, updating their blog.  From left to right Alice, Erin and Mark .  You can see their route, make a donation on their charities page and follow them on www.paddlingchallenge.co.uk 

roger chandler

www.coastalspirit.com

expedition surport

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sea kayak north wales courses