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