Surf'sUp!!!

After a few too many Guinness last night I knocked the idea
of getting up at 6am to go out to Steep Holm on the head.
I didn't know where else to go so I decided to face my fears
and practice my surf skills. These pictures are thanks to
my better half who froze her bits of with the kids on the beach.



First wave, brace let it carry my toward the beach, not so
bad, then it all went tits up and I smacked my head in the
shallow water. Helmet next time!

Beard gone for the summer now.

I didn't go too far out, some of them waves looked pretty
big. Well for me anyway. No so bad going over it's just
getting back.


I was practicing my bracing moves and letting the waves
bring me in rather than surfing. I had a couple of shots
at riding the waves but nothing to big. I bit of backward
surfing as well, dunno how that happened??

That'll do!

Was a really exciting afternoon and I think I'll feel a lot
more confident now going out into the surf. I'll take you
up on that offer Eurion, next time your down Southerndown
give us a shout.

Caving at Ogmore

I joined Mick for a trip down to Ogmore for a short paddle
along the cliffs toward Southerndown. I had only the morning
to spare and with high tide being at 9:18am we headed out
against the current from Newton Bay.

I finally got my new van this week after 3 long months of
trying to work out of my car, so I'd thought I'd show it off!



When I got there Mick was already down on the beach building
his boat.

The water couldn't get much calmer than this! Only a slight
ripple in the water differed it from the sky.



There was a slight swell, but it didn't break before it hit
the cliffs which made it quite safe to get up close. Where
the water was near the roof of some caves the change in
level blew the air out with some amazing force.

As we reached the small rocky outcrop, which I believe to

be known as castle rock in the climbing guide, we couldn't

resist the temptation to paddle between the gap.

On our return trip we went to go through again but had to

make a quick retreat as the tide had uncovered some

underlying rocks.

There was a lot more head room in this cave!

Backing into the cave.

This cave seemed to go on and on. You could here the swell

hitting the back wall but couldn't see that far in.

Back in for one more look.

A pair of lambs stranded up on the cliffs.
We did plan on paying Tusker Rock a visit on our return

trip but time was pressing on and as far as I could see it

wasn't even visible yet.

It was an easy paddle back gliding through what could have

been a lake at a steady 5kts. Great day out, cheers Mick.

I ended the day with a roll to get into practice. I've been

wussing out for ages because it's been so cold not that the

water was bubbling hot today!

Evening at Llantwit Major

With the nights finally getting lighter I took the opportunity
to have a quick paddle at Llantwit Major at high tide after
work.

I made my way toward the caves either side of Tresilian
Bay.

But once again I was prevented from getting to close!

On my way back I noticed a small red boat towing a small
sailing boat. Probably the life boat from St Donnats college.
Coming the other way was an RNLI life boat from Barry.
I watched them link up a tow line and tow the boat off
toward Barry.



Lets hope this weekend is as good as the last one!

I found this piece in the local paper which gives a bit more
detail about what I saw...well at least I think so, they got
the day wrong if it is.

Flat Holm

Launching from Penarth with flat holm and steep holm in the distance
I've felt a little bit apprehensive for a while about doing
this trip. The thought of leaving the safety of the shoreline
behind and paddling into the full flow of the tidal stream
seemed a bit daunting. I couldn't have asked for better
conditions though! I left Penarth at 10:30am, low tide at
11:50 on the island.

I did my maths last night and stuck to the plan and made
a heading of 128 degrees simply to see if it would work.
Even though my kayak never pointed in the direction of
the island I made a perfect beeline.

Pausing for only a minute when Hannah (my wife) phoned

me, my boat headed backward into the flow of the current

at 1.5kts. This doesn't seem like much but when your

watching your position go off course on your GPS you realise

what your up against.

I reached Flat Holm spot on time at 11:20am. So ferry

gliding does work after all!

Having never been in this position I wasn't sure which

way to go around the island. Does it make a difference?

Maybe I'm thinking to much into this.

Steepholm in the distance

Because the tide was fully out I could navigate though the

shallow rock pools.

But everything was so far away. There are goats in this

picture honest.

The farm houses

Calculations for the return trip

Castle rock looking very different than it did in Richards

trip last week. No playing with the fast water flowing

through this gap for me!

Having gone around the island I landed near the jetti.

I had a bit of lunch on the beach and had a little wander

around the cliffs. Looks like some good climbs here and

I bet no one has done them! Although I get a feeling

your probably not allowed.

Victorian cannon

After a quick half hour I left before the tide picked up.

The tide was stronger on the way back and I made good

progress at 5kts. My GPS seemed to be playing up and was

pointing me more toward sully than Penarth.

Looking off the back of my boat toward flat holm

Arriving back at Penarth

Looking back at the two islands

On my return journey when I reached the wolves I felt my

ferry glide angle was a bit steep and I was veering off course.

I made a new course toward Lavernock point. It was only

when I looked back on my GPS that the current had carried

me out in a big curve. A total of nearly 9nm and home in

time for the rugby, although wish I never bothered! A really

good trip, will do that again soon, maybe include Steep Holm

next time.