Sea Kayak

Sea Kayak Leader training

Following a successful Coastal Navigation course which, for the first time, was run both in person and simultaneously on Skype, we had an exciting weekend on the Sea Kayak Leader training course. Day 1 saw a 10m tide at Roa Island with fast currents and rapidly changing water levels providing entertaining conditions for the trainees. We also had some great encounters with the Atlantic grey seals, though it was disturbing to see one with a tight band of some kind of waste round its neck which it clearly couldn’t escape from, and another which had lost most of a flipper – possibly from a propeller. It reminded us, if we needed it, that human activity and waste is having a devastating impact on our oceans and how sea kayakers can see up close and first hand the damage. On Day 2 we went to St Bees where we had wind and waves at the top of the award remit giving us an exciting day under the 100m high sandstone cliffs. Overall we had a great breadth of environments and conditions, so thank you to everyone who came to do their courses with us.

Next up we have Sea Kayak Leader assessment at the end of the month, followed by Canoe Leader training in early November. Space is still available on both events so please get in touch if you are keen on either course.

By Steve|October 19th, 2020|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Advanced Sea Kayak Leader training and assessment

We ran our Advanced Sea Kayak Leader training and assessment courses from the Isle of Seil and had a great time in a wide variety of exciting and challenging conditions day and night. The courses were full to bursting, so thanks are due to everyone who decided to take their course with me as well as to Dave Brown for co-staffing them (and for the blog photo). Many thanks also to Michael at Argyll Kayakers Cove for going to great lengths to make his site Covid-19 safe and for allowing us to use it. The next Advanced Sea Kayak training course will likely be in the spring, though assessments for all British Canoeing leadership awards are changing from January 2021: I’ll post a separate blog in due course to explain that as I start to advertise those courses, though do feel free to contact me in the meantime for details. Our next sea kayak events are a Coastal Navigation course and Sea Leader training from the 16th to 18th October, followed by Sea Kayak Leader assessment on the 31st Oct – 1st Nov weekend. Canoe Leader courses are also coming up soon so please check the website for details.

By Steve|October 12th, 2020|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Sea Kayak trip to Skye

Many thanks to everyone who came on the sea kayak trip to the Isle of Skye last week; we had a fantastic week in a wide range of environments and locations: Macleod’s Maidens, Loch Coruisk and the huge cliffs of Dunvegan Head were all highlights. The wildlife also obliged and we had many sightings of sea eagles (flying, perching and feeding), peregrines, shoals of fish, lots of jelly fish species (lions mane jelly in photo) and amazing bioluminescent creatures – which I initially thought to be lightbulb sea squirts but now think may be comb jellies. Thanks are due also to Syrus and Matt at Kinloch campsite in Dunvegan for looking after us so well and for coping with our last minute rearrangements and requests to ensure everything operated within the updated Covid-19 rules. Next up we have Advanced Sea Leader courses on Seil and Sea Leader training and assessment in Cumbria. Next year’s sea kayak trips are set to include a two week trip to Shetland (in June most likely), along with some other weeks away in amazing places. Keep an eye on the sea kayak trip page for updates or get in touch for a chat about these fantastic adventures.

By Steve|September 20th, 2020|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Sea Kayak trip to Arran

Trips and courses have now tentatively resumed with a really successful sea kayak week on Arran. Despite everything from horizontal rain storms to hot sunshine we had great days out paddling from Lamlash, Whitefarland, Lochranza and Sannox – thanks to everyone who came on the trip. We were well looked after by Elaine at Middleton’s campsite in Lamlash and it was good to catch up with Ian and David from Arran Outdoors while we were there – the adjacent photo is by David Lydon who spotted us paddling by Marvin Elliott’s seal in Corrie. The old Clyde paddle steamship Waverley came past us into Lamlash Bay which was a great sight though, unfortunately, it later ran into the pier in Brodick denting the bow and causing quite a commotion. The next adventure is a sea kayak trip to Skye starting on the 14th September followed by Advanced Sea Kayak Leader training and assessment courses on Seil at the end of the month, so we’re hoping for fabulous weather and no midges – we can dream!

By Steve|September 6th, 2020|Sea Kayak|Comments Off