First Blood...

First Blood for my New (second hand) Valley Nordkapp. I invite Stuart for the test paddle, the idea being a splash around Sully Island or may be Lavernock as the weather was quite changeable with high winds & showers & A force 4-5 sea state. In the end, we ended up paddling to Cardiff Bay & back (about 8 Nautical miles)...

The first launch & full of anticipation as to how my new boat is gonna handle...

Strange having a yellow boat...

Stuart take's a piccie of my smugness...

Really feeling the wind all the way from Lavernock to Penarth, was really hard work but I couldn't stop grinning. I was in a Nordkapp :)

Getting ready to shoot the pier...

Stuart showing off...

Rainbows at the Bay, looks calm enough but the wind nearly blew me over at one point...

Approaching the 'Rannies' at Lavernock I start scanning the horizon, hunting out waves, looking for my thrill. In this wind it could be a wild ride & I wasn't to be disappointed. As I got closer I found them, found the waves I was looking for. I turn sharp left heading straight towards the confused waves this area is known for. Paddling hard, slightly side on as I move further from the shore to hit the biggest set. I hit the first wave with a reassuring lift as I climb up the face & smash back down the other side submerging my bow. On through the waves I push, Glancing back to see if Stuart is still 'sunny side up', He's fine. All too soon the waves subside but I spot another set further out, paddling hard again, I'm gonna get them, rising up the wave again, yeehaa! this is what sea kayaking is all about. As I clear the last wave I settle back into a steady stroke, body shakey from the adrenalin. A proper test of my new boats ability, not huge waves but plenty enough for a thrill. I love the Rannies!

Another squall shower in the distance, I keep wishing they'd come right over me, let me feel the power of nature.

Back at Sully Island I pass my camera to Stuart so he could film me rolling. As I'm going under I hear Stuart saying 'hold on'. Too late, I'm under & I roll back up, just about. I decide to try again evan though the water was bloody freezing, stuart filmed it OK this time, shall we call it a clamber back on deck roll? (Whoops). Stuart nailed a roll too which was cool...

The weather finally clears up, what a wonderful day & what a wonderful new boat...