Welcome To Go Sea Kayak

Welcome To The Go Sea Kayak Blog...
This Blog is A Record Of My Personal Adventures And Wonderful Kayaking Lifestyle. It Is Also A Taster Of What You Can Expect If You're Adventurous Enough To Tag Along. Why Not Get In Touch And Join One Of Go Sea Kayaks Guided Trips On The Beautiful Mediterranean Island Of Sardinia, You Won't Regret it!

Monday 29 April 2013

Low Tide To The Holms...

Wednesday night at the pool Andy, the club coach suggested a trip out to the Holms the following day at low water, not something I do to often so I was well up for it despite the short notice.
I prepared to tidal plans & started the vector diagrams early in the morning but left the diagrams half finished so as to finish them off on the beach when we know what time we'll be hitting the water.
Today I was paddling with Andy & Andy, easy to remember :)
I worked the first vector out for a 45 minute period & this proved to be spot on, coming just 50 metres short of our landing site & on time.
The 50 metre shortfall did mean a quick push against Castle Rock against the flow but it was no problem & we didn't need to do it, it was just a preferance.
A quick break taking in the veiw of distant cardiff.
And on we go again.
We were 30 minutes behind my pre drawn vector diagram which meant that as the tide was dropping my angle would be generous, not really a problem & it did give a more beautiful view of Steep Holm.
Nearly there, this will be a first for the two Andy's
The spectacular view of the spit at low water as we make our way up onto the island. Shortly after this image we were evicted by the wardens & felt like chastened schoolkids :(
Back on the water & heading for Flat Holm. Its slack tide as planned so no vectors needed.
Andy approaching middle buoy. To be accurate its more like 60% of the distance from Steep Holm so we're getting there nicely.
We found a little chop & some tide as we approached Flat Holm.
And head in for a quick break before the final slog back to the mainland.
Andy passing what I think is called Cardiff West Buoy, its on the correct side for our route anyway :)
I enjoyed the paddle back & went into sprint mode for the last 10 to 15 minutes as I paddle hard for shore enjoying the tension in my muscles & focusing on technique. its good to focus & zone out.

An awesome paddle, cheers to the Andy's for the company...

Tuesday 23 April 2013

Around Wales Again, (just not me)...

Today I was meeting up with Simon as he wants to paddle around Wales for a cancer charity & he got in touch to pick my brains :oS
Here's Simon enjoying the Etain :)

 Somehow some of the misfits from the Glam Boaters managed to tag along???
I was also  paddling with Chris, Steve & Pete & were paddling from Sully to Penarth, just a gentle splash today.
 Approaching Lavernock Point.
 Pete about to be run down?
 Then onto Penarth.
 For a rest :)

 Heres simon experiencing a gentle bit of wave action in the Rannies.
Then back onto Sully for a mess around & some paddle swapping & a first sea roll for Steve...

A Memorable Training Session...

The title says it all really, or does it? I just wanted to put some miles in in readyness for the Outer Hebrides expedition as I could be leaving any day now, just waiting on some lighter winds.
I do train daily for kayaking in general, pull-ups, push-ups & sit-ups but i think the very best kayaking training is actual kayaking, putting some miles in.

The weather was perfect so I planned an quick paddle out to ‘old faithful’, Flat Holm island, I just planned to do it a little faster than usual. I kept a smooth pace & made it from Sully to Flat Holm in 40 minutes, i can live with that.
I got there far too early for the turn of the tide to take me back, but I had planned this as I wanted some chill time on the island.
Did I mention the weather was perfect? I walked the island topless enjoying the strange feeling of sun on my skin. Just a couple of weeks ago I would have been cowering in my drysuit.
After a leisurely hour exploring I checked my watch & still had an hour & half to kill. Looking out East from the beach I saw a little temptress, Monkstone lighthouse just three miles off in the distance, yeah, why not J
I eased the pace a little heading to the lighthouse but still concentrated  on good paddling technique. I was soon there & scrambling up the ladder for a lunch stop with one hell of a view.
After about 20 minutes of  blissfull view admiration i set out on the final leg towards firstly to Lavernock Point three miles off, the sea’s were glassy by now & a wonderful heat haze was blurring the horizon. I was really enjoying my paddle & made Lavernock pretty quickly. From there It was a short hop to Sully & back to my van.
As training paddles go I’d have to say this was awesome & I’ll have a little more training tomorrow as I’m heading out with some of the Glam Boaters though I guess the pace will have to drop a bit.
The Coastguards were out as some numpties were trapped on Sully Island.
Said Numpties :)
Where better to be on a warm day?





Cardiff in the distance.
A fossilised sea bed.
Thr Gulls are back.
I think this was poo which goes to show that the crap we throw away gets ingested by the wildlife :(

This is Flat Holms water collection thingy that runs into a huge water tank.
Lunch stop number two.
hope this holds, would be embarrassing calling the Coastguard because my boat drifted off :oS

Bliss :)

Then a quiet paddle back...

Sunday 14 April 2013

Strumble Head...

Today was the big one, a Pembrokeshire classic that every kayaker wants to do, the Bishops, clerks & Ramsey. Well that was the plan at least, drive to Whitesands to meet a group of local kayaker at 09:00 & paddle grinning from the shore in the gorgeous sunshine.
My van on the other hand at different plans & threw a flat battery at me to halt my plans :(

The day was too good though to not paddle so I walked my boat down the river in Lower town Fishguard with a new plan of to Strumble Head, a small cluster of Islets close to shore but surrounded by fierce overfalls that can make for a challenging paddle.
Today though the conditions were idyllic, I was hoping for some rough water around the Islets but I was being wildly optimistic!
Leaving the Harbour.
Basalt columns like the Giants Causeway in Ireland.
12:15, its late, must be leaves on the track!
Peek 'a" boo!
There she is, Strumble light :)
I do figure of 8's through the Islets having a bloody good explore.
Into little caves, never spotted these before.

I find a little bit of a beach for lunch, peanut butter sarnies :)
Bit shallow here but I was determined :)
I'm loving the paddle back & having a good explore.
I watch the ferry head back to Ireland from a cave.
And all too soon i'm back in Lower Fishguard. Not quite the trip I had planned but a bloody pleasant one all the same :)