4 star sea leader training - North Wales

The 3rd of 4 private training days in relation to the 4 star sea leader training award. Today Sonja joined us to assist in rescues and various scenario's, plus provide another person for Craig to led through various sections. Rhoscolyn head provided enough variety and rough water, for another super day.

Sea kayaking North Wales - private day

Both Steve and Mike had been their at the early begins of Coastal Spirit, so its always great catch up with folks. Geraldine (Steve's partner) joined us last year and was back again and this time a few more of their friends (Mike, Natalie and Dave) joined in. This was their first time in a sea kayak. The weather was a little mixed, but the sun was out and the wind remained light.

We returned to Bull Bay and finished the day with a few liquid refreshments!

4 Star Sea Leader Training North Wales - Private

With calmer conditions than what we really needed, a journey to the stacks to find some rough water was the plan. North stack was on the last couple of hours of the ebb, so provided a gentle introduction to the day with eddy turns and working on accurate boat control with ferry glides. We pushed on to South stack (photo above) and with wind against tide appropriate rough water was found! Some surfing and practicing rolling and a paddle float self rescue in rough water, before finding a small bay for some lunch.

With a good hour into the flood Craig then led me back through South Stack, which was considerably rough for its first hour ... and back along to soldiers point.

north wales sea kayaking - discover

After a very wet first day, with strong winds and lots of technical skills practise on a local lake, Tuesdays forecast of light winds, sunshine and showers was welcomed. North coast Anglesey, with a journey to the disused brickwork's, moving in and out of the rocks on the way, putting the previous days skills into practice and seeing many different sea birds on the way, plus a few super close porpoise sittings. The day finished with some optional balance games and then a drive to a cafe for hot chocolates!

Swelly wave, chickens and rough water handling

Was out last Tuesday evening with Justine Curvengen & Barry Shaw for a surf and play on Swelly Wave. Super evening, although after a day on the water, I new about it next morning!

Above is Rosie one of our chickens (well Sonjas really), from South America, quite small and lays blue eggs, completely crazy and very broody at the moment. Great fun on a day off to watch them going about their business.

On the weekend I was contracted in to work for Plas Y Brenin, on a rough water handling course, following a phone call on Thursday afternoon, due to one of their coaches damaging his back. Super weekend with a paddle out around Point Lynas and over to Ynis Dulas and then back on the early ebb, for a ride through the race and self rescues and rolls in the bay. The following day was a journey down the Straits as it blowed F6, with occasional gusts at F7!

North Wales Sea Kayaking - 4 star sea leader training

Rough water handling at Harry Furlongs, above on the North Anglesey coast, with an open water journey out to a couple of the cardinal marks and then cutting back to West Mouse. We worked with ferry glides out into the flow, changing and holding position, a couple of eddy turns and then Craig led back to the main land to locate a cove, for lunch. Inside turns, and bow rudders along the shore line and positioning while leading others was considered. To wrap it up a surf in the above, a roll and a self rescue!

Paddling back into Cemlyn Bay, to the squawk of thousands of Arctic Terns, before thunder and very heavy rain, drowned it all out!

Sea Kayaking North Wales - Discover

Earlier this week saw Helen and Mike from Stroud, having ago with the best of the sunshine although a strong breeze was about on the 2nd day. We wish you every success in your new adventure.