Crash Test Dummies...

This short trip was inspired by Chris & John from my local club the Glam Boaters. Their rolls was coming on were in the pool so they fancied trying it outdoors & in some rougher conditions. The outdoors part was easy, the conditions were idyllic though & not as forecast?

Another Chris & Sean were joining us too, tempted by the elusive bumpy conditions?

Ready for the off but we're a boat short? Wheres Chris from the club? late as usual I guess :p

We headed out of Watchtower Bay about 20 minutes before high water & made our way around Friars Point & headed into Barry Island for a wee surf!

Oh, whats occurring? the surf really was wee but i managed a capsize trying to back-surf (LOL). 

The plan was to let the ebb pick up speed & head to the race off Nells point as its usually quite tasty an hour into the ebb. Not today though, flat as hell! But we did practice some rolls & rescues there too & informed the Nells Point Coast Watch of our intentions to avoid them calling the Coast Guard!

So we pull into Jacksons Bay for some fun :)

Before a gentle paddle back thoroughly soaked :)

Just a short route, there & back but a lot of fun :)

Winging It...

So todays trip had a serious plan, training for my upcoming 5 star assessment. Nav training to be precise but I couldn't find my OS map anywhere so there was little point doing a tidal plan if I'm unable to do vector diagrams. I needed a plan B & I call plan B winging it! That's right, a guesstimate which is always interesting on a 13.5 metre spring tide!

I met up with Noel in Penarth again, we left a car there & were starting from Sully with the intention to paddle back to my car via Flat Holm, something I've never actually done myself despite having been there lots of times.

 The race of Sully island was much smaller today but still fun :)

 We head out into the wide brown yonder!

Another 4½ miles to go.

It started getting lumpy as we neared the Island as the tide started to squeeze around this remote outpost for adventurers.

We pulled onto the Eastern beach to discuss our options as the conditions were quite lively despite only being in the first hour of tide. I know the conditions in the image look idyllic but the island is sheltering us from the wind here!

We had planned to stay a while & head back in the third hour of the flood, arriving in Penarth as darkness falls. The tide would really be ripping in the third hour & the conditions were likely to deteriorate so we decided to stop only long enough to drink & pee & continue on.

We were duped really, the rough conditions didn't last for long & were only created by the island obstructing the tide. The sea soon flattened off & became idyllic.

 Well I say idyllic but we were still on a mean ferry angle across the ripping tide! This was gonna take longer than planned!

 As the sun sunk closer to the horizon the light became more beautiful & made me feel very lucky to be out here.

 Nearly there & the thought of peanut butter & jam sandwiches was making me evan happier :)

I finished with some rolling practice which was chilly without my drysuit. I've sent that off for repair.

Not quite the nav training I was planning on but an awesome day out all the same :)

Open Relationships...

So I was meeting up with Noel today & he was going to introduce me to his new lady, a tiderace xtra HV, not sure what the HV says about her?

Anyway being a liberal minded person I was hoping he'd not be the jealous, possessive type & let me take his lady for a ride? :)

We met at Penarth & took one car to the Knap so as to do a one way trip with the wind & tide! Always a good idea.

The new lady was looking good & raring to go!

 Smuggius Giticus!

 'Whats occurring?' as we pass Barry Island.

 Passing Barry Harbour.

Then onto Sully where we hope to finally find some action!?

 I should have had some kick ass pictures here as we both nearly got pasted in the tide race off Sully Island!

I asked Noel the switch my go pro on & paddle just off my stern as we headed through the race but Noel set the wrong function on the camera so no pics.

Instead all I got was this snap in the calmer race off the back of the Island.

 We stopped for lunch & giggled like schoolgirls over the kicking we had in the race. The waves were only 3-4 feet but they were steep, breaking & crossing each other, thats why its my fave local tide race :)

 Noel contemplating another run through the race? maybe?

 He played it safe & let me go play by myself, this time with the camera on the right setting!

It was smaller this time though but still fun :)

 After my play I met Noel on the water & we headed for Penarth. The Rannies race was flat so no more action shots there.

 The paddle to Penarth was uneventful! evan the sun came out. That wasn't forecast?

 Landing at Penarth & I finally got my hands on his new lady when Noel had his back turned :)

She's a big girl & her hips are hard chined but she edged lovely which i didn't expect. She felt pretty quick too & rolled nice & easy. I'd love to paddle her in the rough stuff, maybe next time?

       On dropping Noel back to his car we were treated to a gorgeous sunset!

A perfect end to a very pleasant day :)

Our route from the Knap to Penarth on the flood tide.