Sea Kayaking

Out on the water on Sunday with Russ and Martin on a private sea kayaking course. We headed out to Rhoscolyn beacon for a play in the tide. The guys worked on their breaking in and out and controlling their boats within the flow. A bit of wind and swell created perfect conditions to challenege the pair and meant there was a bit to surf in the race.  After lunch we paddled down to Cwmryan where we hoped the swell might pick up a bit of surf. ALthough the surf was quite small it was really clean so the lads could really think about trim and positioning on the wave, a few capsizes also gave good rolling practice.

Me and Pete were out today with 12 students from king edwards school in Birmingham on a sea kayak taster day. The group had all done a bit in general purpose boats but never paddled sea kayaks before so we took them through some basics before going on a trip up the Menai Straits. Although not the nicest of days the group were really keen and picked up new skills like edging really quickly. A wet finish with some rescues before we all ran in for a brew to warm up. The group will be back next year to start training for their D of E Gold sea kayak expedition.

Yesterday I was out on the water with Mark and Lewis from warrington. They had booked a private day out after getting hooked on sea kayaking on a trip to Vancouver Island. Both quickly got to grips with all the neccesary manouvring skills and we headed out to the white arch near Rhoscolyn Head. On route the group had fun rockhopping and checking out the local seals in some of the caves. A nice high pressure, again, provided settled, sunny conditions. I love this time of year for paddling as it is generally nice and quite on the ocean with only the odd fishing boat for company.

This weekend we were out on the water with Andy, Alison, Andrew, Tim, Mike, Cameron and Sibyl who were all on a discover sea kayaking course in North Wales with Adventure Elements. The group were really lucky with the weather and had a fantastic first day getting to grips with basic sea kayak skills on the menai straits. The second day provided a little bit more excitement with a bit of chop in Treaurdaur Bay where the group looked at manouvring kayaks in and out of rock gaps and gullies as well as having some fun messing about in some Surf.

Rescue Practice

Last weekend Jamie, John, Mark and Tabitha attended a 4 star sea  kayak training course with adventure elements. The first day of the course looked at leadership and the group were given the opportunity to lead sections of the North coast of Anglesey. The group completed a great trip from Bull Bay to Camaes. Force 4-5 winds created great conditions and gave the group plenty to discuss with regards to leadership techniques and styles. The next day was in Treaurdaur Bay, Force 4-5 westerly winds had created a good sea state. Adventure Elements had another private course running in the Bay so the 4 star students were given the opportunity of leading some real clients. Thanks Brian and his group for letting the students lead you along the coast for the morning. We then spent the rest of the day getting wet looking at rolling rescues, towing, self rescues and lots of other fun bits. The session finished with a bit of an all in rescue(not completely intentional). The group then ran in from the horrible weather for a hot drink and Debrief in the Treaurdaur Bay Hotel.

Group Break near Puffin Island

In September Adventure Elements ran a two day intro to expedition sea kayaking. The group paddled from Menai Bridge to Moelfre on Anglesey with a cracking nights wildcamp on route. Slightly windy conditions all weekend made conditions a little challenging at times but the whole group managed really well and even getting off the water in pouring rain spirits were high and the group had a great weekend.

 In our intro expedition paddling courses we look at all aspects of camping and journeying out of a sea kayak. This includes navigation, boat loading, campcraft, trip planning and lots of tips to make sure your next sea kayak expedition is enjoyable an safe.

On Friday two groups from King Edwards Sixth Form in Birmingham set off on a 4 day sea kayak expedition form Abersoch to Aberdovey in North Wales. The group left on Friday morning in perfect conditions with boats fully loaded and looking a little low in the water (few to many tins of beans?). Myself and Pete observed them from the shore for most of the day and went to meet them at their nights wildcamp near to Criccieth. Saturday and Sunday had the groups making their way down the coast in brilliant conditions, camping the night at Shell Island and then onto Fairborne. On Monday the Wind picked up to good force 4 from the West and created quite a sea. The group decided that to continue on to Aberdovey would be too tricky so opted to finish at Penmaenpool up the Mawdach Estury. The groups had a bouncy entrance to the estury but once in the enjoyed following winds which blew them to the finish. On arrival at the finish the group looked sufficently tired (probably due to the 6.00 wake up to catch the tides) but were all in good spirits.

Well done to all 12 students who took part, a great expedition and hopefully some good memories for the future.

On Sunday Russ, Martin and Richard joined adventure elements on an introduction to sea kayaking. All the group were super keen and expressed a real interest to learn as much as possible. We paddled out of Moelfre on Anglesey and looked and a range basic boat handling skills and played around with some core stability exercises. The lads got to grips really quickly with sea kayaking so a bit of a trip up the coast to Dulas Beach was in order. Although it is only just March, mild conditions allowed the group to finish of with a bit of a wet session looking at rescues, Martin and Russ even managed a solo re-entry (geting yourself back in your sea kayak with no assistance). A great day on the water and we will be seeing the lads again in a months time for an Improvers session.

Last Saturday me and Dave had a great paddle out to Bardsey. Unseasonably mild weather and light winds made for a really nice trip. The race at Pen y Cil was working well on the way out and fast tidal streams on the approach to Bardsey had us both digging a bit deeper with our paddling. Bardsey is, in my opinion, one of the best sea kayaking day trips in North Wales offering challenging conditions which require careful tidal planning along with stunning scenary and a commiting crossing.

Approaching Henllwyn Bay on Bardsey

This year Adventure Elements and Sea 2 Summit will be teaming up to two weeks of whitewater courses on the fantastic Soca river in Slovenia. The 24th-30th May is an improvers course and the 31st- 6th of June is an intermediate course. The trip including transfers, accomodation and (most meals) is £600. For more information visit www.adventureelements.com/expedition.aspx .

The Soca river offers sections of quality white water that will appeal to a range of different skill levels. Ideal venues for coaching all with a stunning mountain back drop.