Storm Gathering - Anglesey 25th October 2008

First day of the 3 day "Storm Gathering" symposium based at Anglesey Outdoors on Holy Island. The event was organised by Mark Tozer who arranged a number of coaches to attend to run sessions over the 3 days.

Inshore weather forecast was for F9 SW gales, so the only sensible place to paddle was in the Menai Straights. Launched from a slipway in the village of Menai Bridge, just a couple of hundred metres NE of the bridge on the N side of the channel.

Coached by Phil Clegg on basic technique obviously adapted to cope with the wind conditions. Wind was still gusting along the straights, but still just possible to paddle into. Some moving water in the area between the two bridges allowing break-in/break-out practice. Didn't get to play on the "swellies" wave just slightly nearer to the Britannia Bridge.

We were on the water for a couple of hours.

Prior to paddling we had a indoor session on route planning. Involved looking at charts, plotting routes using tide flows etc.

New purchase!

Bought a typhoon Multisport dry suit for the winter. Going to the Storm Gathering symposium on Anglesey next weekend and needed something more substantial if we will be doing rescues.

Abersoch and St Tudwal's East - 12th October 2008

Returned to St Tudwal's but in calm and sunny conditions. Seals and Cormorants present again. About 4.3 miles round trip.



Nice caves...



Returned to Abersoch beach to paddle with Kieron Hudson, Andy Smith and Stephen Gunby. Andy and Kieron had a go in my Capella and appreciated its performance compared to the rotobat and SoT that we had with us. Converts?... maybe next time.

St Tudwal's East and West Island - 11th October 2008

Launched from the town beach in Abersoch. Paddled round the coast to Trwyn Yr Wylfa before crossing to St Tudwal's Island West then on to St Tudwal's Island East and then back to Abersoch. About 6.5 miles round trip.

Launched around midday, low tide was 13:19, returned 13:40. No appreciable tide.

Weather was overcast with moderate visibility to start with, worsening in rain such that compass was used to return to Abersoch as mainland was not visible.

Wind about SW F3, about 3 foot swell near Twryn Yr Wylfa. Quite confused waves due to reflection from cliffs. Much calmer once round to E of St Tudwal's East which was a lee shore. Woman on moored yacht offered me a cup of tea! (refused because I was needing a pee already....)

Cormorants and seals around St Tudwal's East along with more interesting cliff scenary. No place to land easily on either island. One seal followed me closely for 500 metres from St Tudwal's East on return to Abersoch.

Fleetwood Seaquest - 20th September 2008

Format for this year's seaquest was slightly different from previous events. In the past there have been a number of controls to punch (orienteering style) that necessitated getting out of your boat. This year the event was more of an out and out race with only a punch at the turning point.

I entered the longer "seaquest" event that was advertised as 22kms round trip. I finished 2nd single kayak in a time of 2:07:43, just over a minute behind the winner, Glen Parry. Glen was paddling an Epic 18 which is a lot faster than my Capella 163. Might need to spend some money if I'm going to take these events seriously!

Weather was great and the event was very friendly with a BBQ afterwards at the outdoor action group base in Fleetwood.

RYA GMDSS course - 16/17th September 2008

Just spent 2 evenings in class getting my Short Range Radio qualification. I can use a VHF marine radio legally now. Just need to think of a name for my kayak now when talking to the coastguard...

Macclesfield Canal - 14th September 2008

Training paddle on Macclesfield Canal. Clarke Lane to High Lane and back.
Clarke Lane to Higher Poynton Marina - 61 minutes
Turned at 88 minutes, back to Higher Poynton at 112 minutes.
Higher Poynton to Clarke Lane return - 65 minutes. Total 175 minutes.