Monday 28 January 2013

Blue sky sea kayaking ....

This was the advanced sea kayaking weekend, called Perform which focus on the skills, techniques and development towards the 4 star sea kayak leader.

Zoe, Gary, Andy and Pat were on this weekend and despite some snow all made it to Anglesey, in good time.  

Coffees, weather forecast, planning and discussions on venues was done in pairs, with a couple of people turning up with a plan.  The North coast starting at Porth Eilian and towards Bull Bay, and then either on to the Brick works or back, eddy hoping as we went was the jointly agreed plan.

Now we couldn't just get on and not look at the Point Lynas race ... that would be rude .... so we paddled round the headland and in the blue sky, the race looked great.    So we decided to work this area for a while ...



Zoe setting off for a run down the race ...


Pat and the first time he had used a Greenland stick in rough conditions ....


Andy Taking a run down ...


Zoe in some super sun shine and the tower of Ynis Dulas, can just be seen ...


A few tasks were set in the buddy teams  ... and then some surfing ...

We decided to head up the race and look for a place to land.  A rocky landing provided the answer and a break for lunch


The clouds had been forming, with the blue sky disappearing and the wind strengthening.  So we eddy hoped and with short navigation legs worked or way towards Dulas bay and into wind.  It was then suggested to paddle out to Ynis Dulas, which looked clearly in the wind.



The wind was funnelling right out of Dulas Bay, providing exciting conditions .... and focusing attention.  Round the back of the island we took briefly some shelter, before heading back across the sound and on towards Point Lynas ...

The last push from the headland back into the bay was particularly  strong with winds at F5 and occasional gust of F6.  It had been a super day with some great conditions and Winter sunshine!


Sunday - forecast F6-8 SW.

After a reflection on the previous day, we headed to the Straits to work on contact tows - push/pull and tandem rafted tows ... and to gain some shelter!!


The team above, from left to right - Andy, Zoe, Pat and Gary.


After a short break for some food we got back on a took a down wind run towards the Gazelle Inn, using the wind against tide ...



And then turned to paddle back into wind ....


A welcomed sunny break ....


With some time on our hands a run into the the Swelies, ferry glides, eddy turns and positioning, finished a super Winters weekend sea kayaking.

Roger

roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com

sea kayak courses
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sea kayaking north wales

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