Venturing out

So since returning from the intermediate course we have spent May venturing out on our own coast, including a number of crossings to Piel Island and encounters with our local seal population.

Our attempts to sneak upon them to video them was stopped in its tracks when one of them sneaked up on us!

One of our routes in May

Intermediate Course day 4

Today we headed over to Glenelg Bay to try and demystify Kylerhea, an area of fast moving water. The groups crossed just south of the ferry crossing with the flow running north by more than 4 knots. We ferry glided across but got pushed north a little more than expected. This resulted in us having to portage over some rocks to get away from the main stream. Not sure it demystified Kylerhea, but it did mean that we have now paddled across to Skye a place both Tina and I love.

We continued to paddle south west along the sound and then crossed the sound to the Sandaig Islands. These islands are just off the main land where Gavin Maxwell, the Scottish author lived. He wrote the book “Ring of Bright Water”. We stopped on the Sandaig islands for lunch, what a great location.

Sandaig in the Sound of Sleat

After lunch we paddled back along the main land coast back to Glenelg Bay, along the way we had a real wildlife treat. Willie spotted a Sea Eagle high up on one of the trees next to the loch. We watched it for quite a while until it spread its huge wings and flew away. Although it looked large sitting in the tree, it was when it spread its wings that I realised just how big they are. That’s the first time either of us have seen a Sea Eagle in Scotland.

On return to Glenelg Bay we practiced our rescues some more.

It’s been a great 4 days and we have added to our knowledge and have some more things to practice.

Intermediate Course day 3

Today we went back to the slip opposite Eilean Donan castle, crossed Loch Duich. We spent a little while practicing moving sideways before heading up Loch Alsh. Again we practiced close manoeuvring along the rocky shore where Loch Alsh meets Loch Duich. Near to Glas Eilean we stopped for lunch before returning by the same route.

In the evening we had a session on sea kayak navigation theory.

Intermediate Course day 2

The plan today was to kayak from Plockton to Kyle of Lochalsh, so we left one vehicle at the Kyle and head off to Plockton.

The wind was still in the east so this made for a bumpy time leavening Polckton, but once we rounded Rubha Mor we had the wind behind us and a following sea. With this being the case we did not put our skegs down, but instead used it to practice out stern rudders. Past An Dubh aird we stopped on a lovely beach for lunch (57 deg 20.2 mins N, 5 deg 41.1 mins west).

Lunch

Beach - lunch stop

After lunch we once again became exposed to the following sea and spent some time practicing turning into and away from the wind. There was also a bit of excitement when one of the others on the course managed to beach his kayak on some rocks as they got uncovered by a wave. The rest of us took shelter in a small bay while Willie freed him from the rocks. From all accounts it was quite a hit, so in the shelter of the bay the kayak was taken out of the water to check it over. Luckily there was no damage.

A bit further along the coast Willie spotted a mink on the rocks near the edge of the water but by the time we had realised what he had seen it had gone. We all however had more look when we came across an otter in the water. We were able to watch it for a little while and managed a good look when it climbed out on the rocks for a short while.

Before reaching the Kyle’s we also practiced a little bit of peer rescue, with Tina (as usual) volunteering to get it the water. This also attracted a couple of seals who wanted to see what was going on.
Under the road way which links the Skye Bridge to the main land and a bit of a paddle into the wind saw us back at the Kyle of Lochalsh.

Wild life count – numerous sea birds, a couple of seals, 1 mink and 1 otter.

Earlier in the week the plan for tomorrow was to have a wild camp, but the wind is still forecast to be strong so the plan is now to stop each night at the centre and go out each day practising in the wind.

Intermediate Course day 1

Today was the first day of the course, the first part of the day was taken kitting out and looking at different kayaks with the two other people that are on the course. Tina and I now have all our own kit but it’s still good to hear about the differences in kayaks. Mid morning we left the centre and went to the north end of Loch Duich where Duich and Loch Long meet. We put in at the slip just north of Eilean Donan Castle. Crossing to the castle, the tide was on its way out but there was still sufficient water to go under the middle arch of the bridge which joins the small island that the castle stands on to the main land.

We headed south east for about ½ nautical mile before crossing the loch which was a little choppy. Once on the other side we went north west and just around the headland into Loch Alsh. On route we stopped and practiced some new skills. It’s likely to be windy this week so one of the most important skill we learnt today was about turning in the wind. When windy it can be a bit of a battle to turn a sea kayak and it is possible to get in a situation where no matter how hard you try you just go in a straight line, not so good if that straight line takes you out to sea!

On the way back from Loch Alsh in to Duich we practiced moving along close to the rocks and another choppy crossing got use back to the castle.

Today’s route was only about 4 nautical miles in total, but we learnt some new stuff and got to practice some of the old stuff.

Wild life count – numerous sea birds and 1 seal

Travel to Scotland West Coast

Today we travelled to Scotland for 4 days of paddling on an intermediate course run by the Kintail ranger service and NTS. It was a real nice day weather wise, temperature nearly reached 20 degrees C but we were surprised when we reached Loch Duich to find small white horses on the surface.

Wet and Wild Take 2

Saturday 12th April
We are still practicing our skills for our trip to Scotland, so once again found a wet and windy Coniston Water was our destination today. Again we paddled around the south end and used the sheltered bay for practicing our different paddle strokes.

Sunday13 April 2014
Having spent yesterday practicing paddle strokes today was another day for building up stamina. We paddled down the length of Coniston Water and back again. The weather was very windy and at time the water was equivalent to sea state 2 (smooth) but it felt like anything boot smooth. A couple of times when travelling 90 degrees to the wave direction I felt like I was going to be tipped over, the kayak was unloaded so easily pushed about by the waves. I managed to stay up right more with luck then skill, bracing strokes still need a lot of work! We both agreed it was good practice and I can’t remember having ever paddled in such rough conditions even in the open canoe. In fact I'm sure, since there is no way we could have paddled the open canoe against such strong winds that we had on the way back.

I have taken recently to having the VHF radio with us on Coniston, there is a Coastguard repeater nearby, which means you can hear the weather broadcast. As well as the coast guard you can hear the ferries which operate on the lake and the yachting club reporting their plan for races. This gives us an idea of what the larger vessels and fast yachts are doing. Also since I paddle with it fixed to the outside of my buoyancy aid I’m making sure it does not interfere with any strokes. As if we had not had enough excitement with the weather, on the way back the radio started alarming as it had picked up a DSC (Digital Selective Calling) urgency broadcast (PAN PAN), one level down from an emergency broadcast (MAY DAY). There were no details given in the DSC message apart from the MMSI number and we could not detect any follow-up voice message on channel 16. No further alarm was received so it was either cancelled or acknowledged by the coastguard.

Well that’s probably the last outing until we head to Scotland in a weeks time.

Turning Practice

A very wet and windy day found use once more reinforcing our skills and trying a new stroke. It’s just two weeks until our trip to Scotland, so having built up our stamina on forward paddling recently, we decided today that we would practice our turning strokes. We paddled to the south end of the lake and found a sheltered bay to practice in. We could really hear the wind gusting in the trees and see the sheets of rain against the fells in the background.  As well as practicing our sweep and draw strokes I also managed to start practicing the bow rudder stroke with a little success.

After a little while we had to break out of our sheltered bay and paddle back to our put in. By now the wind had picked up and the lake had a few white horses on it, but with the wind on our backs we were soon back near the car. Having practiced a peer rescue last week with me in the water, today we practiced another one, this time with Tina in the water.

Once again a successful day, if a little short, brushing up on our skills and learning new ones.

Over Night Camp

Towards the end of April we are off to Scotland on an intermediate Sea Kayaking Course. This trip, should the weather permit, will include an overnight stay using the kayaks. So this weekend we practiced loading the kayaks with camping gear and paddling them loaded.

We were at our usual practice lake, Coniston Water, so decided that we would not wild camp but would camp on the Caravan club campsite which also have a number of tent pitches. So on the Saturday having checked in and reserved our pitch we took the kayaks and all the camping equipment down to the water and packed the kayaks for a short paddle.

We recently purchased a new tent for camping from the kayaks, a Terra Nova Quasar. It’s small enough to pack away in the kayaks but large enough to give you ample room when pitched. Our other lightweight tent is a North Face Tadpole 23. A great little tent for backpacking but does not afford much room. That said we have camped in it from the open canoe and even managed to sleep the two of us and our dog Bonnie in it once.

Packing the kayaks with camping gear

We paddled down the lake getting use to having a loaded kayak, this is the first time we had paddled loaded kayaks since last July. After a short lunch stop we paddled back unload the kayaks and transported the gear to our campsite where the Quasar proved to be a comfortable home for the night.
On the Sunday we left the camping gear in the car and did the usual two lengths of Coniston Water to build up our endurance.

stopping for lunch on day 1

Not actually a wild camp!

The weather over the weekend was great especially Sunday, calm and sunny. It was a little warm in the dry suits but the water is still cold enough that we are dressing for the water and not the air temperature. On return to the put in spot I had a go at self rescue with a paddle float. Defiantly need to work on that one as none of the attempts were successful. We did however carry out a successful peer rescue with Tina acting as the rescuer.

So it was a successful weekend, we checked out the new tent, learnt a bit more about packing the kayaks and experimented with some meals we can take on the trip.

Lunch stop day 2

More practice on Coniston

Not written much in the blog lately, so just a bit of a catch up. We have had a few trips out on our normal practice lake, Coniston Water, in various conditions. The latest today saw us paddle practically the whole length of the lake and back again. At the moment we are just trying to build up our stamina for a trip we have booked in April when we will be on a four day intermediate Sea Kayaking course.That said, at the end of the paddle today Tina did practice a couple of self rescues. I thought it was a bit cold for that, but we will need to practice our rescue techniques before the course.

Tina with Coniston Old Man, with a dusting of snow, in the background

First Paddle of the Year

The weather was set to be cold but dry and calm, so it sounded like an ideal day to try out our dry suits and to be able to work out what layers we need underneath. A check of the tide tables showed that high tide was early in the morning and would be on the ebb at a reasonable time when we would be able to set off. Living near the mouth of Morecambe bay means that the tidal range is very high and setting off after high tide would give us very little paddling time. So it was off to our regular haunt, Coniston Water.

We have not been paddling properly since October and it showed in our stamina, well at least now having the dry suits we will be able to get out throughout the winter and keep our stamina up all year round. We kept dry and warm in the suits, although it must be said we did not test them fully with a dip, and so far we are really happy with them.

We recently added graphics to our Kayaks, this is so we can name them and record the details on the Maritime & Coastguard Agency GC66 form. The graphics were created and produced by Art and Sea

Kayaks with their new graphics

Rafted up for a selfie

Tina looking snug and warm in her dry suit

Looking towards the Coniston fells with just a light dusting of snow

Not a lot of action

Well it's been a while since we last went kayaking, but we have been brushing up on our skills and purchasing some new kit which should allow us to get out all year round.

One thing I did do a while ago, in fact you can see it in the photos of the last blog when Tina was towing me, was to modify our tow line. When the manufacture puts a tow line together they do it in the quickest way they can.

Unmodified Tow 

 I have been told that this is not how you want the line set-up. With big knots and the float near the carabiner, the knot and float can become fouled up on the deck lines of the person been towed if they try to release the tow. If it gets stuck on the deck lines out of reach then there is no way they can release themselves.

Modified Tow

I modified our tow by moving the float down the line and by stitching the rope to hold the carabiner in place without a knot. Hopefully now if the person been towed wants to escape from the tow, the line will move freely under the deck lines.

Although we have not been out with the kayaks since October, we have had two pool sessions with them at one of the local leisure centres. We got together with a few others and hired the pool for two hours for each session. The others were interested in learning to roll, I don't think we are quite at that stage so we used the time to become more confident in turning the kayaks over and practising both peer and self rescues. I still struggle with the self rescue which Tina appears to have mastered. Our peer rescues are getting much slicker.

We have recently been gear fondling again and have brought a dry suit each (Christmas presents), so we should at least me able to get out in the coming months without having to wait for the summer. This also means that since we will be wearing several layers of socks to keep warm we needed to buy some "new underwater shoes" in a bigger size.

Dry suits and "new underwater shoes"