Still no paddling!

13 Febuary 2011


A short sabbatical


Having had to cancel last weeks trip to Anglesey due to the increasing wind, I had planned to go real early this Sunday morning.

Unfortunately I had to buy a whole set of front brakes for the van, and this, added to the fact this weeks customers had paid by cheque meant no money in the bank again!

At the moment I can’t see the end of the struggle to make ends meet, and have made the difficult decision to take a sabbatical from Sea Kayaking, hopefully a short one.

I have also been toying with the idea of changing my Aquanaut LV for a shorter boat of some sort, which should help me with the ‘on land’ handling with this rubbish bad back I've ended up with  ( I currently struggle to manhandle the boat, particularly if its windy etc).

It would also enable me to store the boat in the garage, which would be far more sensible.

I have therefore got the boat listed on ebay this week, and going on a similar club spec Aquanaut last week it should sell no problem.

I am aware that both my Dad and Connor have got kayaks and will be keen to get out this year, I will have to manage by paddling the micrabat until I get a replacement ‘long’ boat.

I decided to put together a little review of my short but sweet blog entries, it seems a bit ‘final’ – I certainly hope not – I will be back!

When the sea kayaking bug bit!
Having paddled short play boats for about 18 years, I watched Richard leave the beach in 2008 and then from a boat trip saw him around the 'other' side of Ramsey island. I knew right then I wanted to do this, I set about looking at boats.
 

Having looked around for something affordable, I decided to go over to Northwest kayaks, i demo'd this Venture Easky 15 on the canal beside their shop at Runcorn. It really was extremely comfortable, and although I had nothing to compare it too, I bought it.

I took the kayak on local recreational lakes to get some practice in, but Angelsey Easter 2009 was the first proper trip. With Sheffield Canoe club, and Dad we ended the weekend with a 10mile trip, something I would never have dreamed of with a playboat! I was hooked.

First solo paddle, I made the 6 hour trip to South West Wales, and  passed down through Ramsey Sound, around to Porthclais, and stopped off in Porthlysgi for a break. It was here that I saw Richard paddle across and around back into Ramsey Sound. I got back in the kayak and went like mad after him.

Passing around Pen dal-aderyn I was surprised to have to battle against the ebb tide rattling arond the point.

I managed to catch Richard as he took a little rest.

I stayed over at the campsite thast weekend, and had some excellant weather. I was also very ably guided around Ramsey Island by Richard.

Myself and Dad also did a trip on the Macclesfield canal, completely different surroundings but really enjoyable. I had also re-assesed the kayaks suitability at this point, and although it cruised very well, its awkward handling in the races in Ramsey sound had really put me off. Begining t owish I had an LV version I started to look around for something else. The Easky went on ebay.

By the time I went to the Yorkshire coast with Sheffield Canoe club in June, I had become the proud owner of this ex-demo Valley Aquanaut LV. So much better at -well everything really.

Unfortunately, when we arrived at Pencarnan for two weeks of family holiday and lots of paddling, the wind seemed to arrive with us, and the kayaks spent too much time like this.

When I did get out it was made all the better by being with my best paddling buddy - Dad.

We did a night paddle, only short - across to Porth Melgan, but all good experience.

The start of 2010, leaving the Porthsele beach with snow filled clouds in the distance.

We had it all, rain, hail, snow, wind, and a little distant thunder. Proper kayaking.

In March I left home at 3am, went over to Angelsey, and had an extremely cold day on a prety flat calm day.

I had to stop on the way home as I was falling asleep.

My demise! At Easter 2010 the family went to Porthsele, Richard was leaving the day after we arrived, so we had a quick paddle around Ramsey. Ended up swimming in this headland gap. It has left me far more respectful, but also was a very good learning experience.

Passing around and through into the caves at the South end of Ramsey.

I havn't made it around on a solo paddle, will I make it one day?

I camped alone in Angelsey in June and had changeable weather although the sea stayed freindly, I had a great time. When I got back Connor announced he wanted to go camping and canoeing. Having been thinking about getting some sort of craft for the family, I considered the options....

He demo'd a Rebel, but settled on a Dagger Axxiom 6.9.

Paddling with the Sheffield guys in July, we went around the back of a small island called middle mouse in Northern Angelsey, the overfalls here were really quite big, and scared the life out of me, I got left behind whilst taking pictures, and really had to paddle to catch up.

At Porthsele in August we had the usual 2 weeks, and Connor got to launch his pride and joy for the 1st time.

Perfect, deserted evening beaches.

Connor really came on with his paddling, here at Porthclais at high water

Which is which?

Me and Dad had some good paddles, this is by far my favorite so far though. Abercastle to Porthgain, a very hot sunny day, calm seas and all new coastline to explore.

At St Justinians, we watched the lifeboat launch, and rode the wake! Connor was at ease on the water.

A couple of weeks later Connor got his wish, we went to Angelsey camping and canoeing. We paddled with the resident seal in Borthwen Bay.

At October half term we made it down to Pencarnan again, the weather was a bit windy, the sea a bit rough, but myself and Richard managed a couple of trips.

I must thank richard at this point for all the encouragement and sound advice over the last couple of years or so - Thankyou

I made the trip down to Pencarnan for a New Years Day paddle, I knew when I set out this year was going to prove difficult, I had hesitated about going due to laack of funds, it costs somewhere around £70-80 in fuel alone to do this journey.

With not much planned work at the moment, and the cost of travelling etc, coupled with the risk of paddling alone with the dodgy back, I have as I said made the difficult decision to sell the Aquanaut and look at replacing it sometime soon.

Break, Break, Break,

At the foot of thy crags, O sea!

But the tender grace of a day that is dead

Will never come back to me

by Alfred Lord Tennyson