An expensive day

Saturday 17th July 2010

A short boat!

For most of this year, Connor (my 5 yr son) has been asking when I'm going to take him Kayaking?
Its been niggling at me for the last 3 months or so now about which way would be the best option in the long term.
I've thought: sit on top, inflatble canoe, and open touring canoe. All three of these mean that all the family can enjoy the water, but all of them have drawbacks, some of them quite major drawbacks.
Anyway, 2 weeks ago in Sheffield there was an annual show, 'Cliffhanger' where all sorts of adventure sports companies, clubs and general folk hang out for a couple of days.
I knew there would be some kayaking on the boating lake in the park. What I didn't realise was how much Connor really did want to  have a go.

He tried out Pyranha's new kids boat, the 'rebal'. I was surprised to see that it didn't dwarf him. This set a whole new chain of thought into my head regarding getting him on the water!

So, after having a chat with the guys running the try-it sessions on the boating lake, I managed to get a trial in the boat.

Connor struggled with a heavy 90 deg feather paddle, and as he'd not paddle anything for nearly a year, I didn't think he did too bad.

So, after many miles of driving around the Northwest area of England, he has his boat!

Not a Pyranha! It Daggers new Axiom 6.9. The out fitting and adjustment in it are just phenominal, he has a 45 deg lightweight paddle, a deck and a BA.

I had to have a new gadget as well, but this time it was more for safety purposes, a new short river tow-line, I figured my long sea tow would mean I would be a long way from him if I was towing and he needed assistance. This one also has the ability to hold my throw line.

I know now, that our time down in Pembrokeshire this year will be a busy one for me! A balance of sea trips and some sheltered water coaching with Connor - Happy days, can't wait now!

Still windy

Sunday 11th July 2010

Just a play in the bay

So after sleeping well, and rising late, we had someone go to check conditions at Porth Dafarch for launching. Apparrently it was still surfing through the mouth of the bay.
We decided to try Borthwen, and see if we could paddle out of there and then just see what unfolded.

Borthwen is a cracking place to start a trip from, the road down is a nightmare. Its narrow with 90 deg bends every 100m or so and no passing places.

When we arrived I noticed the disused Lifeboat house (now a private house) had a boat on the slip. What a perfect place!

Warren paddled ourt of the bay straight into the wind. With my arm still feeling a bit dicey, I decided not to try and prove anything to anyone today.

Warren & neil paddled around Ynys Traws, the little Island in the mouth of the bay.

It was 'very lumpy' around that side apparrently.

We all decided to ventrue out for a look around, with the idea being floated of going around Rhoscolyn Beacon, I decided to go and have a look.

Myself and Phill held back, and stayed in an eddy landward of the Beacon.

Just look at the jagged skyline of the Lleyn Peninsula in the distance.

After a while of sitting here the tide had dropped enough to make the waves break over the rocks beneath, and gave us the signal to leave.

We paddled back in, and managed to ride some smallish surf through the bay mouth.

Waiting in the shelter of the bay, I could see the others getting a rough ride back in.

Glad to be on the water, but happy to have had a rest, I decided to try a roll and maybe do a couple of self recues.

The roll was spot-on, and after surfacing, everyone made the decision to have a bite to eat back on the beach and then maybe paddle again in the afternoon.

This rather large Bull seal looked a bit disapointed with us invading his area, but just seemed to be sunbathing actually. He was there all through lunch.

Some of the others were meeting Nigel Dennis late in the afternoon over at his shop http://www.seakayakinguk.com/

I decided to head off home, so packed evrything away and left for the 3.5 hr journey.

I came away with a bit of back ache, and then made it worse by digging and mixing concrete all day Monday. Hope it does set me back for the trip down South-West at the end of the month.

Bull bay to Cemlyn Bay

Saturday 10th July 2010

A tiring slog in the wind

With the decision made to paddle on the North of Angelsey today to try and avoid the wind (a South Westerly) we ferried a car to the the get out at Cemlyn Bay, and went over to Bull Bay.

A very convienient place to park. The carry was short, the water was flat calm, a little drizzle, but looking up, the sky looked like it might be brightening up.

How decieving!

Looking back at the launch slip, these houses were very nice, bet they're not cheap!

Whoever built this house had read his bible, he was a very wise man! (Matthew 7:24-27)

Out on the water the conditions were reasonable, we knew we would get the wind along the journey somewhere. Here it was gentle on us.

Porth Wen brick works with three Beehive Kilns, no longer in use!

A lovely natural arch, connected at the top with the tiniest of faces of rock. How long will it stand??

Neil passes through whilst Phill looks on.

Leaving Porth Wen, this shoot under the cliff had what felt like the begginings of some tidal flow passing through, it had started to ebb now, and should be helping us to proceed along our route.

Middle mouse island in the distance, its 3/4 of a mile out from the cliffs and right in the tidal flow.

We had lunch here at Porth Llanlleiana, and all the time we were there a big bull seal was watching our every move.

The group gathers together after lunch to paddle around Middle mouse, it was a fairly easy ferry glide into the westerly flowing ebb tide.

the last little bit was a bit of an effort as we had got a little too close to the island to early.

The following sequence of stills are from an on deck video I took.

Bow splitting the wave

Submerged

Splash down!

All in all I think I would have stayed around the other side of the island if I had seen how big these overfalls were, made bigger of course as it was wind over tide.

I had to put the camera away now, the confused water and the now constant head wind made it impossible to let go of the paddle. It runs at 4 - 6 knts here, and what with the wind, I just stood still unless I paddled hard into it.

somewhere between Middle mouse and Wyfla Power station, I started to get a pain in my right arm, I let John know as he was close by, he paddled on to let the others know.

It was a real nasty slog now, going with the flow as long as I dared so as not to miss Cemlyn Bay.

When I eventually turned in toward the Bay, there were foot high waves being blown up by the wind, and now as they broke on the bow, the sparay was hitting me straight in the face, I had to close my eyes now. everytime I opened them the veiw was more and more disapointing, the beach didn't seem to get any closer.

Eventually i landed, and after ferrying the vehicles, went back to camp to rest.

Should we have set out? Err, yes. Am I glad i went - YES! Another adventure under my belt.

Approx 12km paddle

Just an hour bobbing around really

Friday 9th July 2010

All I wanted to do was be on the water!

After calling into Brookbank canoes at Stockport on the way over this morning to have a look at junior kit (for Connor who is desperate to get out and try kayaking this year on holiday), I arrived at Angelsey outdoors campsite around 1500hrs, put the tent up etc, and set off down to the Southern coast of Holyhead to have a look if I could get a short play in the sea before a meal and bed.
The sea was tearing through the mouth of Porth Dafarch creating big breaking surf - no chance there then.
I went toward Trearddur Bay, and onb the way found a small inlet with a pebble beach to launch from, and better still the sea was flat here, and only breaking a little about 150m from the shore.

The wind was coming straight at me here, and was to typify the whole weekend really.

I paddled out into the rough stuff, but darn't let go of the paddle to take pictures. This was in the mouth of the bay.

I paddled into a rock garden, and found that as the tide was rising, I would soon be able to pass through to the next bay, leading through to Trearddur harbour.

Sure enough after paddling back and forth checking that the surf wasn't building at my get out beach, I managed to slide through for a look around.

Last time I was here the mooring bouys were all stood emty. Was it the weather, or are we now in the sailing season around here?

I any case I suddenly noticed the rain, it was begining to pour it down, not wanting to get all my gear wet for tommorrow I went back to the car.

When I landed I took this shot.....already wet me thinks!

When I got back to the tent I discovered it was useless! I knew it was really, it just happens it hasn't rained for the last few times Ive used it.

Now it was filling up with water around the door and a couple of drips had started either side of my sleeping bag.

I layed/sat & fretted for 3 hours whilst I cooked and had a beer, then the other guys from Sheffield Canoe club started to arrive. A good time to pop into the paddlers return for a pint.

Hopefully a nice trip in better conditions and with good company tommorrow.