Sea Kayak Trip 19th September 2009

CarlS · Sea Kayak Trip 19th September 2009

First of all a big thank you to Jon for organising this trip, from a personal point of view I have always wanted to have a go at sea kayaking and certainly got my wish.

Jon will no doubt provide a full report with regard to weather conditions, where we went etc, but having been to sea myself on a number of occasions on offshore yachts (something I don't so much of these days), the sea state and wind suggested that the day was going to be like a flat water paddle. However, there is a big difference between a 30 foot yacht and and a kayak!

We met up with the coaches for the day and got kitted out with boats and equipment. Two groups were created and we spent some time doing basic maneuvering skills. I think I decided fairly early on in the day that whilst there are some skills which are the same as those used in river running it would probably best to try and treat sea kayaking as something completely different. We set off and after a few minutes started to run into waves, we were heading into wind and this meant that the waves were coming towards us. At this point I took back my idea that it was going to be like a flat water paddle.

We pulled into a little bay and did some more skills training and then carried on down the coast whilst popping into the odd cave. The coach explained that we had two choices for the rest of the day, we could do more skills training in a bay and get picked up or paddle back to the start. The latter choice would mean paddling with the wind (and waves) behind us and whilst this would be easier physically, there would be an increase in the 'fear factor' and more concentration. We did a few practise circuits and then a few of us set off for the start. The waves seemed to be more at the side of us than behind and some were around 4 to 6 feet in height, although it should be noted that they weren't breaking and as the coach had explained, if you relaxed you would just ride over them.

We eventually made it back and Steve, Jon and myself decided to try and roll the sea kayaks. The sea kayak roll is a little slower than say a play-boat but they do right without a great deal of effort, the worst part was getting saltwater up my nose and in my ears. However, our rolls were done on flat water, earlier in the day Graham did a brilliant roll in anger and in waves(I'm sure he won't mind me mentioning this, as I'm not sure if I could have done the same).

In terms of difficulty I got the impression that this trip to first time sea kayakers, was as hard as say the Burrs is to someone who has never been on moving water and I'm sure that if we paddled at sea on a regular basis we would eventually do some fairly challenging water. But for the time being today's out of comfort zone experience was enough. I for one would love to have another go.

Once again thanks Jon, I really enjoyed myself today.

Jon W

Thanks to all of you for coming along - it was a top weekend.
All of the group (Me, Caroline, Steve, Graham, Carl, Teresa, Martin, John, Phil, Lisa, Liam, Mel) arrived at various times on Friday night and began our preparations for the following day by taking on board plenty of liquid refreshment. Outdoor Alternative at Rhoscolyn were our hosts and we enjoyed a balmy evening under the stars. Graham and Phil decided to scout ahead early for us sometime in the early hours of Saturday morning, but got as far as a large patch of rhubarb-like weeds and Teresa and Martin's tent before deciding it was best left for the hours of daylight.
We woke to the sound of snoring and an overcast day with a slight breeze. Following hearty breakfasts alround we set off in convoy for Trearrdur Bay to meet up with Roger and Glen our brave guides/coaches for the day. Lisa and Liam headed off for the Sea Zoo.
Graham's eventful weekend got off to a good start when getting changed in a field close to the beach. Thinking he was shielded from prying eyes, he forgot to look behnid him...the 'peep peep' of a car horn signified the appreciation(?) of the free strip show.
Glen and Roger got a taste of what they were letting themselves in for when one of the kayaks we'd taken to the beach was swept away by the incoming tide...we'd put it too close to the shore..oops.
After some skills practice we set off in two groups from Trearrdur Bay heading northwest towards Porth Dafarch. Due to the westerly wind, the sea conditions gave rise to some choppy conditions. Graham got side-swiped by a big wave and managed a roll first time giving rise to a round of applause. At Porth Dafarch we stuffed down our lunches having burned a lot of calories coping with wind and waves. Phil had decided at this point that he was in love with his bright orange sea kayak. Steve and Phil had a quick game of skimming stones before we set off again, heading northwest again towards Abraham's Bosom. We took time to explore some caves along the coast and Phil discovered a new hobby....finding the narrowest gaps to experience the 'Teresa whoosh'.....the force of surging waves lifting the kayak up and then dumping it down again.
The 'half-competent' paddling group (but not 'half decent' otherwise we'd be in the Shufflers) dropped Graham off at a small cove after a couple of rolls and a rescue after Graham decided he'd had enough. This was the start of Graham's epic adventure (Graham will no doubt provide details on the confessions forum). After another small rest, we headed back for home with the wind at our backs. The second group remained at Porth Dafarch whilst we went to fetch the cars. The swell led to some challenging conditions, but we got back without any further incidents.
We picked up the others from Porth Dafarch and headed back to Rhoscolyn. After freshening up we headed along the beach to the White Eagle pub for some badly needed food and beers. A few rounds later we headed back to the tents. Tiredness claimed some victims early (myself included) but not before we told Phil the revelation that clouds also exist at night! Luckily I fell into a deep sleep and didn't hear the latest Phil and Graham expedition to the beach along with their wheelbarrow! I'm sure they can tell you all about it.
We all woke to a beautiful morning and headed down to the beach once we'd packed up.
Back in our own familiar kayaks, we pootled around the bay and around the island exploring coves and inlets and finishedc off with a game of kayak tag.... Steve it still 'it' so watch out on Wednesday. Phil and Lisa kindly got the barbeque out and shared their burgers whilst we sat sunning ourselves on the beach. Unfortunately it all had to end and we set off for home, tired, aching but content. Same time next year?

Steve T

A fantastic weekend - thanks Jon and please pass on the club's thanks to Roger when next you see him.

I'll write a bit more when I have time and have remembered some of the discussions which went on last night. In the meantime here are a few pictures to get a feel for the weekend:

.... and this pair had a lucky escape - there's a pond behind the rhubarb patch. Would you buy a used, beer-smelling wheelbarrow from these men?

Jon W

Here are the photos - on Snapfish, which requires that you register, but is free.

Photos

Mel Stoddart

Great photos, I'll post mine later on.
Thanks again for a great weekend and if you could also pass on my thanks to Roger I'd appreciate it.
For me, I decided to go with the more "challenging" group and said I was a little worried about being the only girl in the group. Carl reassured me by saying that I was "practically a bloke", after a bit of a hard stare he changed it to "Honorary bloke"....

Took a bit of getting used to a sea kayak again, but soon back into the swing of it. The caves we explored were really good and aided by Carls helpful reversing noise as we backed in!
Most challenging bit for me was the trip back across open water. I can only describe it as paddling down the Burrs with my eyes closed (actually I think I do that quite a lot anyway

). That and trying to keep up with my duracell buddy!
Brilliant weekend with a geat bunch of people and I'd definitely be up for another sea kayaking trip sometime.

Steve T

Some more thoughts from the weekend:

My motivation for wanting to try sea kayaking was really the same as Carl’s – it’s one area of paddlesport which I know almost nothing about and have never tried, so it’s time I had a go.

Roger divided us into two groups; I joined the group with Jon, Mel, Graham and Carl which was prepared to try a slightly more adventurous trip, although I think both groups did fairly similar trips until the end.

When I started out my main concern was that I’d feel uncomfortable being so far from land – as river paddlers if it all goes wrong we swim to the side, recover the gear and sort it all out, not an option out in the sea.

As it turns out I didn’t find this exposure an issue, it was really the difference in behaviour between the sea kayak and my river boats which threw me. Initial impressions were that it was really fast in a straight line, but that was all it would do as it had the turning circle of an oil tanker. Roger quickly showed us how it should be done and in fact it was surprisingly responsive once I did what I was told (although it will be a long time before I do another cross-bow rudder). The boat also had a tippy feel, but this apparent lack of primary stability is part of what allows it to turn – it has good secondary stability which means that you can tip it a long way before you feel like you’re going over. This meant that although I had some moments when it felt a bit wobbly, I never once felt like I was going to capsize. I was concerned to note that while most of the boats were nice bright colours, mine was exactly the same shade of green as the sea, so with my grey cag and BA there was no way the helicopter was going to find me.

We practised our newly learnt techniques rock-hopping in and out of some very impressive coves and under cliffs, scenery which you could only see from a boat. Paddling straight into the swell was exciting as the boat lifted itself up and over the wave before crashing down the other side. We had lunch on a nice beach in the sunshine, where the stone skipping was a draw. Phil managed a short series of stone skips so he won on quantity, I think I won on artistic interpretation and distance with one which hit a wave and went shooting upwards.

After lunch was more of the same, until our group prepared for the open-water crossing back to Treaddur Bay while the others carried on rock-hopping. The swell was now coming from over our right shoulders, and as Carl and Mel have said this was technically more difficult and a bit disconcerting although it was physically less strenuous. This was the hardest part of the day but by now I was actually starting to enjoy the exposure of being quite a way out. This was a good job as I found the easiest way to cope with the swell was just to keep paddling, until I managed to look over my shoulder to see the rest of the team, including my designated “buddy”, a few hundred metres behind me sat around having a brew and a Kit-Kat (OK not competely true but when you find yourself out on your own in an unfamiliar environment it’s a bit of a wake-up). The crossing took a bit less than an hour, and for nearly all of this stopping for a rest was not an option – another difference from river paddling, once you start something then you are committed for the duration.

I finished with a much better appreciation of sea paddling. I’m aware that this was really a complete numpty-level introduction but I really enjoyed it and can see why people get as hooked on this as I am on river paddling, and also why some paddlers enjoy being out there on their own. Although it’s not something I will do often, I will do it again and maybe the club can get out with Roger again sometime.

Also it’s an illustration of the diversity of the sport, and shows how many different experiences you can have with a few basic kayak skills which can be adapted to different environments.

Sunday’s expedition around Rhoscolyn bay was less committing but still a good laugh so it shows that you can still have fun on the sea even in river boats. I now know that short playboats are rubbish for playing tag when everyone else is in river-runners. I’m it when we’re next out.

Lisa grilling cheeseburgers for us all on the beach was the ideal finish to a top weekend. Thanks to everyone who turned up to make this so much fun, and again to Jon for the organisation.

The evening happenings are probably best discussed over in the confession box.

Steve

Phil

I want to say a big thank you to Jon also for a fantastic weekend.
I really enjoyed the paddling on sat it was a new ball game to our normal boats.
At first i was really tippy and thought oh no its going to be a wet one today (well it was later thanks Graham) but i got used to it and found that once you lean over to the side the boat kind of got steardy again, it was weird.
We then headed out crashing over the waves and being bounced up and down side to side it was amazing how the boats handle it being so thin.(mind you Carl there designed not to capsize arnt they)
We then explored the coves and some caves which were billiant.We went backwards into one cave which was that thin you had to push yourself in by holding the walls, once you were in you just sat there and experienced the Teresa Whoosh which was when the water sucked your boat right down then shot you back up and sent you backwards further in to the cave it was an awsome feeling.
Our group then paddled back to get Graham and take him back but he had gone (He can explain that one)causing me to get a smelly cockpit (as caroline and Teresa said) caused by the seaweed all over our legs which we had to walk through to get his boat back.
We then headed back to the beach were we got out,to end a totally enjoyable day.
On the Sunday we were back in our normal boats and went for a paddle just out of the bay around the rocks and i tried to show the others my new hobby but it wasnt as rough as the day before so it didnt work,although Graham did show us a new version of a high brace when he tried to go in a gap backwards,it was nearly a third snapped paddle as he got wedged between the two rock faces as the current sent him crashing backwards.
We then went back and chilled out having a BBQ on the beach.
Thanks to all this weekend i had an awsome time and a load of laughs

LALA

We i must say that im glad that i didnt paddle on the Saturday as i would have been a weak spot. I was scared when we paddled on the Sunday.

I really enjoyed my weekend with everyone who attended this club trip. I must say that Liam was very well behaved and im looking forward to another trip like this.

As for the clouds and stars, well what can i say. I thought i was dumb but with a comment like this i can now say i know someone dumber that me.
Dont i Phil?

Lisa

GrahamS

Thanks to everyone again. Another great weekend - great weather, great company, (not so) great paddling!