More Rescue Practice

Today we had another couple of hours on Coniston Water practicing our rescue skills. Last time we had Barry an instructor with us, this time we were on our own.

We once again practiced the different tows.

Tina practicing a waist tow

We also practiced self rescue and peer rescue. For us both the peer rescue is coming on well, for Tina the self rescue is also coming on well and for me I'm still having difficulty with the self rescue. Oh well I’ll keep practicing until I get it.

Tina practicing a self rescue

Once we are slick at the rescue skills on flat water our next area of practice will be in a slightly bumpy sea.

Towing and Rescue

Today we had another session with Barry, this time on Coniston. The aim of the day was to learn more rescue techniques and to practice them.

We started with the different types of tows. Contact tows, tows using short ropes attached to deck lines on both boats. We also towed each other using waist tows.

After lunch there was no avoiding (all though I did for a while) getting wet. We tried different self rescue techniques. Tina managed both the cowboy and ladder self rescue, I failed miserably at the cowboy and still need to try the ladder one. We both did the T-rescue, taking the part of the rescuer and swimmer. I was also rescued by Barry using the scoop rescue method.

For the next stage of this journey we need to get out and practice all these self rescue and rescuing each other techniques on our own, until we are really slick at them.

For our last few trips we failed to take a camera, I’ll try and remember next time so that we can add some photos of us practicing the self rescue techniques.

Down Coniston and back

Back on flat waters today and our usual paddling haunt of Coniston Water. After yesterdays little sea trip today was about enjoying the paddle but trying to get some miles under our belts in the kayaks.

We set off from Brown Howe and staying on the west side of the lake we paddled the 7km to the north end without any problems. We had a lunch stop at the north end before paddling back on the east shore. During the return journey the wind got up and at times it was a little bit of a battle into the wind. Although we have paddled up and down the lake many times in an open canoe today was the farthest we have paddled in our own kayaks.

Before finishing the trip today we practiced a little bit of contact towing.

First sea trip on our own

Today Tina and I ventured out onto the sea all on our own. For our first trip we kept things simple by launching from Roa Island (east side slip) and staying close to Foulney Island. This is an area I windsurfed many times in the late 80s early 90s. The wind was from the south west, so the idea was that if we had a mishap we would be blown onto Foulney Island. This also meant that when we launched small waves were breaking on the slip and we had to be quick to stop them breaking over the cockpits before we got our splash decks on.

We first headed north into the bay formed by Roa Island and Foulney Island causeways, we then paddles along the side of Foulney Island for a short distance. Although the waves (not that big) were coming on to our sides, they were also more on the bow, we handled the kayaks quite well. However once we turned around and headed back, we both agreed that it was a strange sensation. The waves from behind and to one side lifted us and seemed to have more effect on the kayaks handling. Well that’s what today was about experiencing different conditions.

We had a few more trips around the bay either side of lunch before calling it a day. We may not have gone as far as I had planned but it is all great experience.

VHF Radio

Weather and other activities (archery mostly) have kept us off the water the past few weeks. Today I went to the Glenridding Sailing Centre, alas not to go on the water (it did looked a great day for that), but to attend the VHF short range certificate (SRC) course and test.

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) manages SRCs in the UK and it’s a minor criminal offence to use a VHF radio unless you have a certificate. Your radio equipment should also be licensed with Ofcom.

There was five of us on the course, a mixture of sailors, kayakers and one person who does both. Colin, the course teacher/assessor is also a sailor and kayaker. I think this made him an ideal teacher for the course.

The course covered both DSC (Digital Selective Calling) and voice operation.

At the end of the day there was a 30 minute exam which I managed to get nearly full marks for, just one mark off. So once my certificate comes I’ll be able to legally operate a VHF marine radio.

OK, so there will be lots of people out there operating VHF radios who have not completed a course and I’m sure the Coast Guard/Ofcom have more important things to do than track them all down, unless someone is causing a nuisance. The Coast Guard would always want someone in difficulty to use the radio than worry about what will happen if they do use the radio. That said I would highly recommend attending the course.

Finally I Take a Dip

31st August – another short practice on Coniston Water.

1st September – we had much more time on the water today (Coniston again). We went on a little trip up the lake and then back against the wind. After lunch we went into the south part and practiced our turning and draw stokes. It was then when it happened. After a very successful series of draw stokes I got a bit too confident and edged just that little too far and over I went.  I managed to get out of the kayak without any problems and Tina came along side. Since we were relatively close to the bank we decided to hitch the kayaks together and Tina paddled us both back with me swimming next to my upturned kayak. I'm really glad it happened, each time we come to Coniston I think I'll deliberately tip to build up my confidence, but this way it just happened and we sorted it out. I guess it will not be the last time, but may be practicing some support strokes would also be a good idea.

Castle and Seals

Today we had another private lesson, this time with Barry who we found through our local canoe club. We launched from Roa Island, once more received feedback on out techniques and then headed off on a trip. Throughout the day Barry introduced more new skills and helped up improve the ones we have gathered so far. We went out past Piel Island and around below the ruined castle. To get to Piel we had to cross the shipping channel out of Barrow, this seemed extremely busy today (nice weather and a Bank Holiday). The tidal flow was quite strong and was going against the wind making it a bit bumpy for us beginners, well for me anyway, Tina seemed to be at lot happier with the crossing. We then crossed over from Piel to the south of Walney Island, again the crossing seemed a little bumpy to me. This time it was not caused by the tidal stream but just the wind. I think with more experience in the kayak and once I have improved my skills, so that I can trust them, I’ll be happier. Anyway any discomfort on my part quickly disappeared once we were across to Walney, as well as sheltered water we were joined by the local seal population.

Some of the seals checking me out

These grey seals were extremely inquisitive and playful. At one stage I had three of them following me in my wake. Tina said it just looked like I was taking dogs for a walk. They got that close you would be paddling a long and then you felt a bump as they gave you a push from behind. I watched one of them keep contact with the stern of Tina’s kayak for a number of seconds, I’m sure I saw her kayak accelerate from the push. So to have the confidence and skills to come out here on our own and visit the seals is our first goal. This colony is about 4 miles from our house, why would we not want to be able to do this on a regular basis. South Walney (like North Walney) is a nature reserve and before heading back we also saw a number of Terns diving in the water catching fish or sand eels.

Whilst crossing back to Piel Barry showed us how to do a contact tow and a longer tow on a tow line. For the long tow Tina acted as the casualty and I supported her and her kayak whilst Barry towed us both. This time we came around the west side of Piel, the shipping lane was still busy,  once back on the other side we continued to practiced our skills and had a really good chat with Barry about the extra equipment we should carry. He also pointed out some modification I should make to our tow line.

Lesson on Windermere

Today we had a private lesson with Windermere Canoe and Kayak , this gave us chance to receive some feedback on our techniques and learn some new skills. We also tried a peer to peer rescue with Tina playing the part of the person in the water (I’m going to have to take on that part soon). It took a long time before she was able to get back in the kayak. We need to practice that a lot more until we get slick at it. We did not use our own kayaks today but used hire ones from the shop, I think this convinced us both that we have made the right decision with the ones we brought. The kayaks we had were OK but they both had things we did not like compared to our own. All in all it was another great day and Paul , our instructor, was really helpful.

We Take to the Water

16^th August - we managed to grab a few hours with the Kayaks on Coniston Water. We have canoed Coniston more times than we can remember so it’s a place we both know well and somewhere we feel comfortable to practice our kayaking skills.

18^th August - Another couple of hours spent with the kayaks out on Coniston today, looking to practice and add to our skills.

Tina paddling her Avocet

His and hers kayaks

Nottingham, “it’s a long way from the sea”

Drove back from Scotland yesterday with the Tiderace and today we headed off on another road trip, this time we headed to Nottingham so that Tina can take a look at the Valley Avocet. It seems a strange place to go to pick up a sea kayak. I know Tina really liked paddling the Avocet she used on the course earlier in the year and as soon as she saw this one she was sold on it. So that’s it we are both kitted out and ready to go.

Decision Made

We have spent most of last week on Mull and last night we stopped near Arisaig, but yesterday we made the decision and today headed back to Oban. We decided that I would have the Tiderace Xplore and Tina has been in touch with Desperate Measures Canoe shop in Nottingham, they have a thermoplastic Valley Avocet with a gel coat that she is interested in. Once more we spent some time with Chris at the Oban shop and not only brought the kayak but kitted both myself and Tina with the equipment we need to get started.

Having just picked up the kayak

Gear Fondling

We are holidaying on the west coast of Scotland, there is no intention of sea kayaking on this trip although we do plan to visit some great locations that may be used in the future when we are more experienced. We did however plan a visit to Oban and the sea kayaking shop and have even brought roof bar straps with us in case we make a purchase, the camper van pop up roof has a weight limit so we are limited to only taking one kayak home if we do. So today we went “gear fondling” in the Oban Sea Kayaking shop and had a great chat with Chris, one of the shop assistants. They have some kayaks that Tina is interested in and has researched but they also have a Tiderace Xplore. Now the Xplore I paddled on the three day course was an M and this is an L, my weight means I’m good for either and I know Willie thought I should have used the L that he had. I really loved the Tiderace on the course so I’m tempted, but even with the priced reduced by £500 it’s a lot of money. We are off to the Isle of Mull for about a week so that gives us time to mull it over (that’s a terrible pun and I must apologies for it). 

Way Ahead

We both really enjoyed sea kayaking. Taking up this activity will open up a whole new world where we can’t take the open canoe.  I think in the coming years we will probably reduce the amount of fell walking we do also, if only to be kind to our knees, so sea kayaking it is. Not to let the grass grow under her feet Tina has already arranged some follow up lessons with both the Windermere Canoe and Kayak shop and someone with the local canoe club.

Beginners Course Day 3 – Rubha na h-Uamh to Kyle of Lochalsh

Another great day weather wise greets us this morning for our last day of the course. The midges are also out so I'm keen to get on the water away from the land.

We saw lots of jelly fish on the trip

Start to day 3

Once we are all on the water Willie discuses distance and timings, we have a 2.5 km crossing to the Crowlin Islands. The Crowlins Islands are made up of three islands, Eilean Beag, Eilean Meadhanach and Eilean Mor, I think this means small medium and Big island. During the crossing we spot the odd seal that is keen to get a look at us.

Once at the islands Willie instructs the others on the bow rudder stroke so that they can move around the rock shore of the islands, I think this stroke is a bit advanced for us.

Paddling around the Crowlin Islands

We follow the coast of the islands north to the tip of Eilean Beag. There are a number of sea birds on the rocks. Mostly Shags I think. Down the west side of the islands there are once more the occasional seal, again inquisitive to see who or what we are. Once at the south tip of Eilean Meadhanach we pull into a bay for lunch.

Lunch Stop location on the Crowlin Islands

After lunch comes the big test. We eventually need to finish the day at the Kyle of Lochalsh, but that’s going to mean an 8km open crossing which could take 2 hours of paddling. It looks like it may also rain on the way so I opt to put my cag on, Willie does not. By the end of the crossing it’s boil in the bag time and I’m wishing I had left it off. Well they say you should always dress like the locals, next time I’ll remember this saying. We are going to head for Erbusaig Bay and to keep on course we are going to keep the bay and the last of the Five Sisters of Kintail (Sgurr na Moraich) in line as a transit. During the crossing we see a number of porpoises and guillemots, it would have been nice to have stopped and watched the porpoises but we need to keep the group together and just get on with the crossing. Slowly the Skye Bridge gets bigger and Sgurr na Moraich gets lower and lower behind the bay until we can't see it anymore. After 1 ½ hours we arrive back on the main land. OK to some hardened sea kayakers 8km may not be far and the sea was calm, but considering this is only day 3 in a sea kayak I'm very proud of what Tina and I have just achieved.

Tina during the 8km open crossing

 In the bay there are once more lots of hermit crabs and someone in the group suggests we have a hermit crab race. Each person finds and selects their crab, we draw a circle in the sand just below the water line and set our crabs free. The first crab to reach the edge of the circle wins.

Hermit crab race

The bay is full of other life too, we find a large crab trying to hide under one of the kayaks and some small flat fish who are camouflaged with the sandy bottom.

Crab making it's escape from us

Watching the hermit crab race

Taking a break following the crossing

It’s then back in the kayaks for the last leg around to the Kyle, the water is low as we manoeuvre around the small islands and inlets until we reach the small bridge which joins the main land to the main Skye bridge. This is the last day for Tina and me but I think the intermediates are coming back to the main bridge tomorrow to practice in faster tidal flows.
All too quickly it’s over and we are back at the Kyle of Lochalsh, we have both had a great time and sea kayaking has us hooked.

Heading back to the Kyle

Beginners Course Day 2 – Plockton to Rubha na h-Uamha

Today we are going to head off with the group on the intermediate course for a two day trip with an overnight wild camp. Having not expected to go camping we manage to borrow equipment and a quick shop the evening before sees us ready and willing for an overnight stop with the kayaks. Our starting point for the trip is Plockton, a place we visited for the first time earlier this year. When we visited earlier in the year, we were already looking into the course and we thought wouldn't it be great to one day be experienced enough to paddle from Plockton. I guess things are moving quicker than we thought! On arrival at Plockton the Kayaks are unloaded and Willie sets out showing us how to pack a kayak for a trip.

Once packed, we got on the water and practice getting use to paddling the loaded kayaks.

Leaving Plockton

We then headed around the headland and paddled through the small islands north of Plockton. Here I learnt my first lesson about looking after your equipment on a sea kayak. I took my sun glasses off to take a photo and put them on my spay deck next to my paddle. Forgetting about my sun glasses I packed the camera away and paddled on. When I thought about my glasses I looked down to see an empty spray deck. I guess my sun glasses are now living with the fishes. At the point at An Dubh-Aird we get a look at our first crossing, just less than 3km to the Applecross peninsular. In our open canoe the widest crossing on a fresh water lake that we have done is probably only 1km (if that). During the early part of the crossing we have a few seals that come to us to see what we are doing. On arrival at the beach on the other side we stop for a rest and find the edge of the sea is alive with hermit crabs. There’s a rumble of thunder towards the Isle of Skye and some dark clouds but it seems to just pass us by. The next part of the journey we head west following the coast. We both love the Isle of Skye and to see it in the distance from a sea kayak is just magical. Along the way we stop occasionally looking for fire wood on the beaches. We are heading to Rubha na h-Uamha and the bothy.

Tina, carrying firewood on the back of the kayak

Isle of Skye in the distance

The Bothy

On arrival at the bothy Tina asks me what we should do first, having wild camped in Scotland at this time of year before, I’m keen to get the tent pitched in case the midges start swarming. Although there is a bothy we are going to sleep in the tents and use the bothy to cook and socialise in. We are even treated to some live music in the bothy as Marcus, our other instructor, has brought along a very small guitar in one of the kayaks. 

Moving gear from the kayaks to the tent

In the evening we see a submarine transiting on the surface, not that unusual around here I would imagine.

Submarine near Skye

Oh and the midges? Yes the found us!

Midges

Beginners Course Day 1

In the run up to the course the weather in the UK has been great and looks set to continue, which is great news for us first time sea kayakers. The morning was spent kitting the group out and selecting different kayaks for each member. As well as the two of us on the beginners’ course there are four others on an intermediate course. We are told by Willie that if all goes well we can join the intermediates on a two day expedition tomorrow. Anyway back to the kayaks, Tina chooses a Valley Avocet in plastic construction and I choose a Tiderace Xplore, constructed from fibreglass. All kitted up and we head off the short distance to the head of Loch Duich for our first lesson. We are shown and practice the forward paddle and sweep strokes to turn the kayak. During the lesson we are joined by a loan seal and a couple of porpoise, looks like a mother and young. I have driven along the road next to Loch Duich a number of times and never seen anything in the water before, looks like this is going to be a great way to see wildlife. At the end of the lesson there is a discussion on peer rescue and Tina, having never been in a kayak before let alone been capsized before, volunteers to be the victim (sorry the rescuee). Having agreed that the best way is to be caught off guard Willie promptly pushes Tina over in the kayak. She manages to pop the spray deck and emerge from under the water. We are then instructed on how to conduct a peer rescue and Tina manages safely to re-enter the kayak.

The Beginning

For the past five years Tina and I have been keen open canoeists and for much longer than that keen fell walkers. Earlier this year whilst on holiday in Scotland, with the open canoe, we saw a leaflet for a Beginners Sea Kayaking course to be held in July. Tina was very keen to give it a go and I felt that being able to sea kayak would open up a new world of adventure for us. There is also the possibility that in a few years time we may retire to the West coast of Scotland and what a great activity sea kayaking would be to do from our new home. We happened to be stopping right next to the base where the National Trust for Scotland runs the course from, so we dropped in for a chat. This was when we first met Willie who would be the instructor for the course. He confirmed there were places on the course, so once back home we booked two places.