Macclesfield Canal - 15th June 2009

Clarke Lane <-> Higher Poynton Marina.
Paddled in a thunderstorm with a heavy downpour. Sheltered under canal bridges a couple of times in the worst rain. Couldn't do normal timed runs because of the weather on the way out, and stopping for a chat with the Macc CC paddlers on the way back. Still trying different strokes - definitely the quieter the stroke the faster the boat goes. Also longer strokes seemed more efficient, gaining a higher speed. Paddled a short distance with Mark Finch and he said it looks as though I could do with more trunk rotation. He also thought the boat was sitting up at the front, though this could be by design. Might be an idea to play with the trim and move the seat further forward.

Llandudno - 14th June 2009

Launched from west Llandudno beach with the intention of performing "sea trials" of the Epic and the wing paddles.

Because of the rudder arrangement of the Epic I wanted to try launching from a beach in a few inches of water so the rudder was not weighted. With the long cockpit this proved fairly easy since I could step into the boat and sit down with one leg still on the ground. Finally I swung the other leg in. Getting out was the reverse - it's possible to raise a leg out of the cockpit and put it on the ground, then get out.

I also tried some rolls and self rescue. The wing paddles were fine on a right hand roll, but I failed on the left. My left side has always been the weaker and I need to work at it to get it more instinctive and correct technique. I managed a couple of self rescues by clambering on to the back deck then sitting astride the boat I could inch forward then drop into the seat. I could then swing my legs in. Wouldn't like to do it in any swell though!

I paddled over to the mouth of the Conwy to have a look at the start of the Conwy Ascent race that I may have a go at in a couple of weeks time. There was a small swell and the boat seemed to track fairly well in the swell and using the rudder I could maintain course without breaking from normal forward paddle strokes. Didn't feel as secure as in the Capella though.

On the water for a couple of hours.

Macclesfield Canal - 11th June 2009

Clarke Lane <-> Higher Poynton Marina
55 minutes out, just under 55 minutes return.
Seems better to ensure that power is put in early in the stroke, i.e. straight after the catch. Still not sure if the paddles are the correct length for me...

Macclesfield Canal - 9th June 2009

Clarke Lane <-> Higher Poynton Marina
56 minutes out, stopped on way back to chat to Macc CC members.
Using GPS max speed still around 6mph, more consitently around 5.5mph. No idea how some people can get these boats to go around 9-11 mph! I think I'd need bigger paddles (larger surface area) to get a high top speed, but these wouldn't be comfortable over a long distance.

Macclesfield Canal - 7th June 2009

Clarke lane <-> Higher Poynton Marina.
Lot of boat traffic, maybe 56 minutes out and same back. Using the Epic and the wing paddles. Don't have a comfortable/consistent stroke with the wings yet...

Maillaig to Port Ban - 3rd June 2009

Launched in Mallaig harbour and paddled S down the coast to Port Ban (near Back of Keppoch). Fairly strong NE wind, maybe F5 or stronger when concentrated by land features. Slight swell with odd breaking wave/white cap (pictures make it look a lot calmer than it actually was!)


Paddled round skerries, up to the top of the estuary of the River Morar. Paddled out around Eilean Da Chuain about 1 km of the mainland. Paddled into beach by Traigh golf course and around skerries in the bay.


Saw eider ducks, cormorants, oyster catchers, terns etc.

On the water for about 2.5 hours. Timed the landing at Port Ban better this time - much better at high tide - short carry up beach!

Arisaig Skerries - 1st June 2009

Launched from Port Ban near Back of Keppoch then paddled round Eilean Ighe and circumnavigated all the skerries at the mouth of Loch Nan Ceall (the village of Arisaig itself sits at the E end of this loch).


Pretty calm conditions, mirror like water around the non exposed part of the skerries. Main wildlife encounter was the seal colony on the S most skerries (didn't think I was going to see any till I encountered two groups of around 20 seals).

On the water for about 2.5 hours. Great views across to Eigg, Rhum and Skye.