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.