Steve, David, Gerald and Ian met me at Porth Daniel boatyard and we talk the short walk to a local cafe, were we considered the forecast and work through a tidal plan. Dave was also on his 3 star training and assessment, so i was blending the course into the weekend.
Cemais Bay on the North coast would give us some protection from the swell and also allow us to feel some wind, with coves that we could pull into for protection.
Working with the 3 star syllabus, my emphasis to begin with was on effective use of BODY, Boat and blade. Outside edged turns and then inside, and getting an understanding and feel of what the lower body can do to help. Then as we moved down wind the use of stern rudders ...
Steve below working with a low angled stern rudder ...
Gerald below getting more swell and playing with blade angle ...
Ian and Dave as we leave the bay and head East along the coast with a steady F4 on our backs ..
We then turned into wind, using our turns practiced earlier and worked back into the bay, for another run ... Steve enjoying the swell ...
We then headed to a small bay for lunch before moving out into the ebb tide, which now was creating wind against tide and a chunky ride back. Back in the bay I had to see Dave do a roll and a self rescue and an assisted rescue which also provided Gerald an opportunity to go back over previous skills and techniques and something new for Steve.
Sunday and a F4/5 westerly forecast and Puffin Island was our destination and in particular Puffin Sound. We drove to the headland, talked through the tide and launched from the rocky shelf. Working on small circuits in current and swell, that was wrapping round from the North.
Steve getting a better feeling for it ...
Dave working for a surf ...
As the day went on the sun came out and the gust began to drop ...
We crossed to Puffin Island and stayed on the South side, saw a couple of seals but they were taking it easy mainly some wear else!
After lunch and some towing practice and discussion of its various uses, we headed back round into the sound as the tide had now turned and was ebbing into the wind ... time to push our play ...
Dave and Steve did a couple of runs and due to our location, could easily get off and take the walk to the van and change. Gerald fancied some bigger swell ...
It was a great day and the sunshine as we sat at Penmon cafe warmed out worked bodies.
Roger
intermediate sea kayaking course
+
rough water handling
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