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

New Years day again

Saturday 1st January 2011

Thats 2 years running I've managed to get on the water


After a few drinks on New Years Eve last night with a great crowd, I had slept soundly in the back of the car. Nowhere near as cold as last year, I managed to sleep until 945am!

Next up today was the obligatory dip in the sea! I had made the effort to get a fancy dress kit this year, and had dug out my Universal soldier gear out of the loft, complete with necklace of 'trophy' ears! To my surprise, I could only just fasten the velcro on the bullet proof jacket. How 10 years make a differance.


The intrepid bunch run into the icy water, and then steam around the fire and enjoy some tipples.
The water really was icy cold, and it served to remind me not to do anything daft this afternoon, whilst kayaking. I was alone for this trip.



Putting on a brave face. I had already made the decision to paddle from Porthclais back to Porthsele beach (weather permitting) before leaving home. I drove around in the car and launched at 1250pm, and with the Flood tide already having started on Neaps, it should be a gentle but easy trip.

Leaving Porthclais Harbour, I felt very alone, with no boats and just the odd coastle path hiker around. There was a very slight swell in the harbour that helped me launch off the beach, the water was still a fair walk from the car.

Leaving the safety of the harbour, I discovered that there was quite a swell, and over at Solva, the seemed to be some ominous looking clouds, rain, sleet snow maybe?

Looking in the direction I was heading it looked OK, I knew there was a Northerly gusty wind, but not too bad, and with the flood tide, it would not make the paddle up the Sound impossible, just a bit tiedious.

Approaching Carreg Fran, I could see there might be a need to go around instead of through. I made my way over, and discovered that, although there was a way through, the swell was making it a bit lively, and mindfull of being alone, I considered my options. i, Go through. ii, go around. iii, Turn around, go back.

In the end I watched the swell crashing through, and every now and then as normall, it seemed to level out for a minute or so, so I waited for it , and went through- no worries.

At the other side Porthlysgi looked desolate, the were some people throwing pebbles or something in the sea, I doubt they even saw me in the grey-ness. 

The photo doesn't do justice, but the crashing waves around Carreg yr Esgob were worrying. Having now got to the point of heading into the sound, I could feel the wind blowing over land, and it had me thinking again......should I head back, or carry on?

I chose to carry on. Heading into the Sound I could see the flow was exactly what I was expecting, scarcly there at all. I paddled on.

Looking over to Ramsey, it looked tempting, so I set off fery gliding over towards Midland. I found there to be very little flow here so headed toward the Bitches.

Approaching them, I couldn't hear any white water, or see any tell tales. Allthough this is what has nade them so dangerous to shipping throughout the ages. You can't see anything from above, until its too late. Especially in a kayak.

Within 50m I could make out a little white water, and a swell every so often, I was still not being pulled in though, and was sure I could easily ferry glide acrooss to the end Bitch for a free ride down the sound

I headed on through, I was right, there was a small amount of standing waves, altering with the swell, but not too terrifying! I made sure I was sat nice and upright, and well braced in- just in case!

I just bobbed through, nice big sweepstroke and broke out toward the Ramsey harbour entrance, the counter-eddy here was strong and it carried me back up to the standing wave. I could have played, but felt it not so good an idea out here alone.

It was then I realised that my legs were shaking, cold maybe? No, it was me bracing so hard through the turbulant water I had just used all my energy! I opened the deck bag and grabbed some coffee and chocalate.

Looking back at the Bitches as I left, there was really nothing to be worried about here, it was nothing.

Looking across at St Justinians Lifeboat Station, I could make out the fast flowing water running up the Sound, and some white water, probably Horse Rock, although it should really bother me on these Low Neap Tides.

What I hadn't really noticed was in the distance at before St Johns Point, the overfalls looked to be massive, it was 'wind over tide' and as I sat and picked a couple of transit points I could feel the wind was stronger than the water flow now, it seemed to hold me.

With a bit of skeg deployed to balance the weather cocking, managed to pass straight across the Sound, and although it was lumpy and exiting through the overfalls, I hit dead on where I wanted to be - Just short of St Johns Point.

Passing between Carreg Garfielog and the headland was the usual slog. But I was glad to be heading to relative comfort.

Back at the deserted beach I had to pick my moment to land, as the re was a bit of surf building now and then.

Out of the water, and packed up, I realised I still had loads of daylight left, it wasn't going dark. Looking at my watch I realised I had really rushed around. Damn!

The deserted beach, the 300 mile journey home is ahead of me, but I'm glad I came - thouroughly enjoyed myself.

I needed to run back to Porthclais for the car before I could have a hot shower and head off home. I had placed my running shoes under an empty caravan, but didn't need them as I got as I got a lift from a thoroughly nice chap from next door to Pencarnan many Thanks to you, youknow who you are.

Unfortunately though, I have left the running shoes under the caravan! That has put my training for the local 10K run on hold!

Happy New Year to All, here's to an adventurous and enjoyable time at sea this year!

The winds here!

Monday 25th October 2010

A bit of a battle & then a free ride!

Having been into town this morning, we arrived back at Porthsele to find the wind had picked up somewhat.
I quickly got my gear on and headed for the deserted beach.

Connor was gagging to go out in his boat, looking out at the sea it looked as though he could have.

Launching from the beach, I didn't really know where to go, but figured that as there was less than 1 hour until low water I could go around St Johns point into Ramsey Sound and see if I could get down to Porthlysgi.

Hardly any swell, and just little ripples on the surface, the forecast for later this week is not looking very favourable.

Approaching Carreg Gareiliog, with the sun in my eyes, I pick out Richard heading toward me.

We stopped for a quick chat, Richard had had similar thoughts on where to head today, but had only got as far as the Bitches, the wind in the sound was a relentless South Westerly.  

We went our seperate ways, and I soon discovered what Richard had ment! Heading toward St Johns Point the wind hit me head on.

After a bit of a slog down to St Justinians Harbour I decided to stop and have a coffee and a bite to eat, the wind was howling in toward the slipway though, and it just blew me towards the shore

Whilst two boat loads of passengers from a day on Ramsey Island disembarked, found the only shelter under the Lifeboat slip.

I headed South a little farther and passed in and out of the rocks that offered a little shelter from the wind.

Looking out toward Ramsey, the sun and wind in my face, I knew I would be in a constant battle if I tried to go any further, so I decided to head back.

The Gower Ranger made two trips to Ramsey whilst I was at St Justinians.

Looking North where I'll be heading in a moment, it looks perfect, but head out a little into the sound and the wind just carried me North against the still South flowing Ebb tide.

I wizzing along toward St Johns point, I didn't have to paddle at all to maintain forward motion.

The water around Carreg Garfeiliog looked flat calm, not like yesterday.

The wind carried me most of the way to Porthsele, just needed to paddle the last little bit. I had a quick look in a cave I've not been in for a while, and then headed back.

A short paddle in the beginings of what turned out to be very strong winds for the rest of the week, preventing any more sea paddling. Althought there was time for a bit of surfing in the microbat.