Sea Kayaking Trip 2009

Jon W · Sea Kayaking Trip 2009

OK - the nagging has worked and I'm finally proposing a weekend of messing about on the sea/sea kayaking.
At the moment I just want to gather people's opinions of what they have in mind. Dates book up quickly so it's best to get something provisionally booked early.
Some people have expressed an interest in a formal trip run by an independent provider (with proper sea kayaks) whilst others have suggested a casual trip using our own boats.
I propose Anglessey as it's not too far away and it has some great coastline. I'd certainly want to do a weekend trip with camping/bunk barns/University Halls for an accommodation option. May to October are probably the best times of the year for this kind of thing....more chance of a (rare) warm sunny day!
As for a formal trip, I've used a company called Coastal Spirit before and they were excellent. It's a small two-person operation and they provide all the gear for a weekend of sea kayaking (cags, paddles, sea kayaks etc). Cost is normally around £120 for the weekend (excl. accommodation). Check out the website at
http://www.coastalspirit.com
They can tailor a tour to whatever you want to do. Last time we had seals climbing on board the kayaks around Puffin Island and then practised some breaking in and out of tidal races.
As for a more informal trip, we could camp soemwhere along the coast (perhaps Outdoor Alternative at Rhoscolyn) and do some in-shore trips around the coastline and out to close offshore islands. There's also the option of Three Mile Bridge where the tidal flow leads to a some decent whitewater surfing opportunities.
If there's enough interest for both types of trip I'm happy to organise them.
So....what do people think?

CarlS

Sounds really good will get some stugeron.

Carl

Mel Stoddart

Thanks Jon, this'll be a really good trip. The only dates (so far) I can't do are the 23rd April - 15th May.
I'd be happy to use costal spirit again, the boats were excellent and our guide was very knowledgeble about the best parts of the coastline to see.
If we went on our own I'd have to see about hiring a sea kayak, think I'd be quite far behind everyone else in my little boat!

CarlS

Brookbank will hire sea kayaks at around £25 for a day and £45 for a weekend (see website).
Carl

Mel Stoddart

Thanks Carl, that'd certainly bring the cost of the weekend down a bit

It does say that they may hire them to suitably experienced paddlers, could someone write me a reference?

GrahamS

I'm looking forward to this trip - keep me posted!

Cheers

Graham

Mel Stoddart

Is this going to be a second weekend of the month trip? If so, there are a few that I can do if they suit everyone else.
11th / 12th July
8th / 9th August
12th / 13th September
10th / 11th October

What are peoples plans for the year?

Jon W

I would prefer later in the year when sea temperatures are at their best (in case of mishaps!). I can't do the 12/13th September but I don't think we should restrict ourselves to the second weekend of the month.
I propose the 19th/20th of September or the 22/23nd August. I know it may be tricky for people with kids of school age and planning their own holidays so I'm open to other suggestions for dates.
If we can get a date sorted then we can sort out the fine details.
I'll try and get a voting form with dates on the forum and we'll see which is the most popular date.

Steve T

I have voted for the September date for exactly the reason Jon has suggested, to get it out of the way of our likely August holiday dates.

However, I'd also like to do the Liffey descent on 5 September, and would be unlikely to do both in the same month. This would of course depend on raising enough interest in the trip to Dublin and I have failed on that count previously so that's less definite than your sea trip, which already has a few takers.

Steve

Mel Stoddart

Any weekend in September is OK for me, if we could manage to do both, that would be pretty good

CarlS

Likewise, September should see warmer sea temperatures as well (all Summer to warm up?)
Carl

grahambrooks · Sea Kayaking

I have made contact with Anglesey Outdoors[/b] http://www.angleseyoutdoors.com/index.php
based at Trearrdur Bay near Holyhead who have camping and bunkhouse accommodation, £4 and £10 per night respectively.

They recommend several local companies for kayak hire and coaching/guiding.

Thanks for your enquiry Graham.

You are probably best organising the canoe hire directly to make sure
you get the right types and sizes of boats. They are all locally
based and all offer hire and instruction or guiding.

The contact details for these are:

Rockpool Kayaks - Mike Webb.
Workshop: 01407 764422
Mike Webb: 07970 298985
email: sales@rockpoolkayaks.com
web: www.rockpoolkayaks.com

Sea Kayaking UK - Phil Clegg
Contact: info@seakayakinguk.com
Tel.:+44 (0)1407 762425 or 765550
web: www.seakayakinguk.com

Adventure Elemnts - James Stevenson
Tel: 01248 680 636
07986992254
web: www.adventureelements.com
e mail: info@adventureelements.com

Hope this helps.
Should you require any more information on availability or any other
details please do not hesitate to contact us..
Regards

Penny - Anglesey Outdoors

I have e-mailed Rockpool and are awaiting their reply -

Westhoughton Canoe Club located near Bolton are considering a sea kayaking weekend in late September based at Anglesey Outdoors. There will be a group of approximately 8 paddlers all of whom will have some level of Whitewater experience only. We intend to camp or use the bunkhouse at the centre.

Please quote costs for a days coaching to include sea kayak hire.

Graham Brooks - L3 Club Coach

Jon W

Thanks for that Graham.
I'll also contact a good guide I know and see if a) he's interested and b) how much it would be.

With 6 votes for the 19/20th September let's go for that date. Get it in your diaries and we'll sort out the finer details in the meantime.

grahambrooks

Jon and all other interested paddlers

Here is the latest thread from the company that you planned your trip with. As Brookbank charge £25 per day and you have to put a deposit down, then this offer of £60 per person for a days hire and coaching seems to be very good value for money!

We could book them for one day and then use our own white water kayaks for surfing on the second day.
Thoughts please from all interested paddlers.

I will post replies re deposit required.

Graham

Roger,

Thank You for your prompt response.

How long is the £60/person group offer valid for and what deposit would you require to hold it? When would final payment be required?

Regards,

Graham Brooks
-------Original Message-------

From: Coastal Spirit
Date: 26/01/2009 11:20:15
To: Graham Brooks
Subject: Re: Sea Kayaking Anglesey

Hi Graham,

Our standard rate for a day is £80 per person, which also includes sea kayak hire, a selection of nine glass fibre nigel dennis designed sea kayaks. However I can better that price as at the moment we have a number offers on and can reduce each place to £60 and this is also incl of sea kayak hire. Based on a group size of no less than six people.

Being a group of eight you will also get two coaches for the day, an aspirant level 5 sea coach and a level 5 sea coach. We can work as two sub groups, so the coaching will be more specific and individualised, this way the group can get more from the day and their money.

Thanks for you enquiry and I lookforward to your reply.

Regards

Roger

roger chandler & sonja ezergailis
coastal spirit
explore, dream, discover

www.coastalspirit.com
0044 (0)7873 132999
0044 (0)1248 605056

----- Original Message -----
From: Graham Brooks
To: info@coastalspirit.com
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 11:33 PM
Subject: Sea Kayaking Anglesey

Westhoughton Canoe Club located near Bolton are considering a sea kayaking weekend in late September based at Anglesey Outdoors. There will be a group of approximately 8 paddlers all of whom will have some level of Whitewater experience only. We intend to camp or use the bunkhouse at the centre.

Please quote costs for a days coaching to include sea kayak hire.

Graham Brooks - L3 Club Coach

P.S. One of our club members, Jon Wilson, recommends you from a previous enjoyable weekends experience last year.

Jon W

You could have told me you'd contacted Roger at Coastal Spirit! I sent him a separate email yesterday!
Anyways - I agree with Graham that it's good value for money. It's worth having a guide for the day in case of dodgy conditions when local knowledge would help find alternative spots that may be more sheltered from the elements. Roger's an excellent coach and guide and I'd recommend him highly. His gear is top notch.
I've given him the date we were interested in and he didn't seem to think it was a problem.

So....what does everyone think?

Mel Stoddart

I'd be more than happy to use Costal Spirit again. The sea kayaks we used last time were really, really good (bit nervous paddling through rocks when Roger told me how much they cost - nearly 2K each!!).
It'd make it a lot easier having the boats there all ready rather than hiring them from Brookbank and we know the spray decks will fit.
If you need a deposit, let me know.

Cheers for sorting it out

grahambrooks · Sea Kayaking

I received this reply from Roger at Coastal Spirit today

Jon - perhaps you could take over this booking now especially as you used this company before. £200 equates to say £30 per head deposit.

Graham

I will keep this offer open for you.
To hold the booking and specific day in September we would require on line booking form from your self, http://coastalspirit.com/?page=bookingform and once received i will invoice you for a £200 deposit. When this is paid your booking is confirmed. The final payment is required one month before the actual day in September, alongside booking forms for each person involved in the day.

Regards

Roger

roger chandler & sonja ezergailis
coastal spirit
explore, dream, discover

www.coastalspirit.com
0044 (0)7873 132999
0044 (0)1248 605056

Jon W

Happy to take over - thanks Graham.

I won't be down at the pool for the next couple of weeks so if you're definitely interested to the point of paying a deposit let me know on this forum or at the pool in a couple of weeks. We need a minimum of 6 people for this...so far I have myself, Caroline and Mel who have said they're happy paying this. Don't worry about payment for now, I can sort that out....I just need definite numbers.

Cheers
Jon

Phil · Sea Kayaking trip

Hi Jon
Just wanted to let you know me and Lisa are defo up for the trip if thats ok also steve we will defo do the Liffy with you if you can get enough interest.

GrahamS

Jon, put me down for this weekend - let me kniw when you need a deposit.

Cheers

Graham

CarlS

and me
Carl

Steve T

Me too.

Jon W

OK - we're booked in with Coastal Spirit. I've paid the deposit (200 quid) - the names I have as confirmed are:
Myself, Caroline, Mel, Graham, Steve, Carl, Lisa, Phil.

That's 25 quid each for now. Full payment due in August. You can pay me in cash, cheque or by bank transfer. I'll speak to you all over the next few weeks at the pool etc.
There are two places left for those that are interested. Of course anyone is allowed to come along for the weekend to spend it by the beach etc etc. but 10 is the maximum for the one day sea kayaking course.
I'll sort out accommodation next.

Mel Stoddart

Thanks Jon, I'll transfer the cash over to you today.

Mel

Phil

Hi Jon
Thanks for that, me and Lisa wont be at the pool on weds however we will bring our money the following weds if thats ok with you.
Cheers
Phil

Steve T

Hi Jon

As you know I'm away at the moment, only home at weekends. I''l post you a cheque when I'm home this Saturday

Cheers
Steve

GrahamS

Thanks again Jon, I'll bring the money to the pool on Wednesday.

Jon W

Thanks all - no rush for money.
Won't be down this Wednesday to the pool....I'm waiting for the new boat to arrive and the Acrobat is on Ebay.
Will be down next week.

Jon W

I've started weighing up the accommodation possibilities for our trip in September. I propose camping as it's the cheapest option open but if some people hate the thought of camping then I could seek out a bunkhouse or similar. I have three tents so can lend people a tent if need be. So what I'd like to know is :

1. Is camping OK for you?
2. How many nights would you want to camp (I'll be going for two..Friday and Saturday)?
3. How many people will be coming with you (i.e. any family or just yourself)?

Post here.
Also, I'm happy to accept payment (25 quid) from those who haven't paid the deposit yet

I'll be down at the Burrs this week and next week.
Cheers
Jon

Mel Stoddart

Thanks again Jon for sorting this out.
Camping is fine for me and it'll be just me for two nights.

Looking forward to it

Steve T

Jon

Camping is fine by me, and I'll probably go for the whole weekend. I have camped at Outdoor Alternative at Rhoscolyn before, which was basic and cheap. I believe they also do bunkhouse / self-catering type facilities.

I guess it'll probably be just me.

Thanks for running this trip. Can we blame you if it rains?

Steve

GrahamS

Thanks Again Jon,

I'm fine with camping, will also be going for full weekend.

Speak to you Wednesday.

Graham.

Phil · Sea Kayaking trip

Hi Jon
Me and Lisa are happy to camp,we will do 2 days aswell.
Ill give you the money we owe you at burrs next week if thats ok, ive had it at the pool now for weeks but keep missing you
Phil& Lisa

Jon W

I've contacted Outdoor Alternative
http://www.outdooralternative.co.uk/
and they are happy to host us on the weekend. I've stayed with them before and their location is top notch. Few minutes walk to one of the best beaches on Rhoscolyn and a short walk to a lovely pub (camping essential). We pay on the day so the weekend is now sorted. Nearer the time you will all be required to fill in a form on the Coastal Spirit website but I'll remind you later.
There are still two places left on the weekend so if anyone wants to join us just let me know.

Teresa · sea kayaking

Hi John, Steve said there might be a place available fro the kayak trip. If there is then I am interested. i would need to borrow a tent too if that is possible.
teresa

Jon W

There is likely to be space for one more person. I'll contact Roger to see if that's OK and let you know.

Jon W

Teresa - you're in. No need to pay anything just yet. We'll wait for the final invoice. I can lend you a tent and various camping bits and pieces.

We now have ten for this trip - the maximum number - if any spaces become available I'll post here in case anyone is interested.

Jon W

Hi all,
Bad news....it's time to pay up for the sea kayaking trip!
Cost is 35quid for everyone bar Teresa (60 quid).
Can you all sort out payment in the next couple of weeks please!
Also, some people haven't filled in an online form yet....they are:
Mel, Carl, Steve, Graham Smith, Phil and Lisa

go to :

www.coastalspirit.co.uk

I'll send on details of where we're staying etc. nearer the time.
Cheers
Jon

Mel Stoddart

Filled out form and will send you the money Jon. Thanks again for sorting it out.

I had to use this link for the form
www.coastalspirit.com/?page=bookingform

Hope you've ordered some nice weather for us

GrahamS

Thanks Jon - are you down on Wednesday?

Jon W

Should be down if I don't get delayed at work

Jon W

Just a reminder that the following need to fill in an online form at:
[/url]coastalspirit.com[url]

Steve,
Teresa
Phil
Lisa
Mel

Please do this asap - I paid the outstanding monies yesterday.

Cheers
Jon[/url]

LALA

Thanks Jon.

Just to let you know i have filled in the booking form and i think i have done it correctly.

Lisa

ps Phil will bring down the money on Wednesday, hope this is ok.

Steve T

Jon

Apologies, I've been away.

I'll sort you the money this week and will do the form today.

Cheers
Steve

Teresa

Hi all... I am feeling loads better. Just had a confidence blip as the first days preparing to go back to school were causing me a lot of eye strain. I have filled in the form now Jon, and I am almost certain that i will be able to make it. Martin is coming with me so the drive doesn't feel too daunting. We will camp Friday night if that is ok, and probably drive back Saturday night as Martin is possibly working Sunday. I can come down to Burrs Wed to give you the money, even if I don't paddle.
Looking forward to it now.
See you all soon.

Jon W

Great news Teresa..glad you can make it.
I'll be down Wednesday so you can pay me then or at the weekend...not a problem. I'll hand out some directions etc. on Wednesday and also post some details here for those not down Wednesday.

CarlS

I will probably do the same as Teresa and drive up Friday and leave after doing the course.
See you Weds
Carl

Jon W

Hi all,
Hopefully you have all you need for this weekend. Roger will provide gear (wetsuits, cags, etc.). You're welcome to use your own.
I'm aiming to get there for 8 at the latest on Friday. I suggest we leave food as free-form for Friday (I'm bringing a stove and some stuff to heat up). There is a nice pub ten (White Eagle) minutes from the campsite for those that don't want to cook. As for Saturday, I may head to the pub for food....I'm not bringing any food for Saturday in case the weather is bad. There is a shop at Three Mile Bridge which has an OK selection of food so if the weather is OK I may just buy some stuff from there.
Don't forget some packed lunch for Saturday to put in a dry bag!
Here's some travelling instructions for this weekend:
To find Outdoor Alternative by road
•From the new A55 dual carriageway across the Island leave at Junction 3, signposted Y Fali/Valley, A5;
•Follow signs for Y Fali/Valley, continue to the road junction traffic lights.
•Turn left for Trearddur (Bay) B4545.
•Continue for just over 1 mile, over the new road bridge, straight across the mini roundabout
•Take the left turn shortly after the bridge over the Inland Sea at Four Mile Bridge - signposted "Rhoscolyn" and "White Eagle"
•After 1.3 miles turn sharp left at the 'Silver Bay' sign.
•At about 1K/.6mile down this lane look for a large white gate-post appearing in the middle of the road.
•Take the unmade track, to the right of the post; the gate says "Private road no cars"
•Follow this track 200m, Cerrig yr Adar / Outdoor Alternative is on the left, with large stone gateposts.

Any problems give me a call on 07739 654860

See you Friday.

Mel Stoddart

Thanks Jon, really looking forward to it and hope the sun is shining

What are peoples plans for Sunday, or does that depend on the amount of pink Guiness consumed Saturday night?
I camped near to silver bay a few weeks ago and managed to get a curry house to deliver to the tent! Another opton if people don't fancy cooking

Have we got a space set aside for us on the campsite?

Jon W

Curry....not a bad idea. Let's see.
As for campsite space...they're expecting us and they know there's ten of us....so hopefully they've made room and segregated us from normal people....

Steve T

Curry delivered to the tent sounds like a fantastic idea. Do you still have the menu? Otherwise I will go with the flow. I'll bring some butties, the essentials for my fried breakfasts and something for Friday's tea (beer probably). What more could you need?

We'll have to have a chat tomorrow about Sunday. Surfing was mentioned, but if there's no surf (as is usual for WCC surf meets) we might want a plan B.

So far I have Graham in the truck with me so there's still space for a lift. Sort that tomorrow too.

Steve

Jon W

There's a decent curry house and a chinese at Four Mile bridge for those that are interested. I'm bringing some balls in a bag...meatballs that is with some beer and wine to wash it all down with.
Bringing a small gas grill for BBQ/sausages/bacon for those that want to bring that kind of stuff and all are welcome to use it.
I'm now aiming to be at Rhoscolyn for around 5pm at the latest (both Caroline and I have wangled time off for good behaviour). Planning on spending the whole night at the tent.

I was planning on taking some tide/sea/wind/surf reports with us on Friday and asking Roger our guide what he recommends for Sunday.
There's always the option of Four Mile Bridge (big wave if you get the tide right) or the Menai Straits at Menai Bridge (again tide dependent). Or we could have a paddle and play at Rhoscolyn itself as the beach is walkable from the campsite with kayaks and gear.

I've printed out directions for those down tomorrow night.

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