Glam Boaters in West Wales - Day 2 09/05/10

I got up around 7am to a very quiet camp site. The cans and bottles around the BBQ a reminder of the late night before. I warmed up a can of all in one breakfast and then went for a walk down Newgale beach.

Looking West toward Ramsey

Looking down on Newgale Beach

Back at the camp people are just starting to get up.

Leaving Porth Clais
We headed down to Porthclais the idea being to take a short paddle to Carreg yr Esgob, a small island just off the mainland east of Ramsey Island, and paddle back along the cliffs at high tide for a spot of rock hopping.

Paddling through the rocky outcrop of Carreg Fran

At Carreg yr Esgob, Andrew eyeing up a narrow short cut through to the other side of the island.

Not quite big enough

Whilst everyone beached themselves upon an awkward rock for some lunch I headed around the island to explore.

Around the other side

This arch didn't quite go all the way through, there was a pretty large boulder at the other end.

Once back at the landing point everyone was just about ready to leave and head back along the cliffs to Porth Clais.

Andrew who started the club a few years ago and who is also a competent sea kayaker agreed to take me out to Ramsey. After a short but slightly bumpy ferry glide and we landed next to the jeti on the East side. The Northerly wind was blowing quite forcefully down the sound.

After a quick bite of my sandwich and a drink we headed back out of the harbour into an eddie behind a large rock.

View from the harbour of Ramsey, the wind against the current causing crests on the waves.

View from behind the first eddie looking out to The Bitches

It suddenly dawned on me that we were at The Bitches. The water was a bit rough on the way over to really notice my location.

The water was flowing through the rocks at an immense rate causing rapids into the oncoming Northerly wind. The force of the flow causes backward eddies (currents going opposite way to main flow) immediately behind the rocks. It was still quite difficult to stay still in these eddies and I managed to almost beach myself on the rock taking this photo. This photo being the last one I took!

We started off from the first eddie and the idea was to quickly paddle like a mad man to the next eddie all the was across the sound. First one, and made it. The rapids were flowing north but the wind was causing wave crest in the opposite direction. My boat was getting banged from left to right.

Next one, Andrew said be confident and if you go over remember your roll. Off we go and instantly our boats turn with the current as we paddle up the sound. Paddle, brace paddle, oooh nearly, brace, paddle and over I go. I thought I was in luck as I nearly got flipped back over, enough time to take a breath at least. I make one attempt but there was no chance in this water, so out I come. Bits of my kit were floating around as I feel my boots fill with water and slip off my feet. My boat is full of water. Within seconds Andrew is by my side and performs a well practiced rescue, timing it at the right moment between waves. At this point we have been pushed quite a distance up the sound.

I look on to the next set of rapids, my boat still slightly filled with water. I am now bricking it, and I can't feel any part of my body from the cold. Andrew sets off instantly forced up the sound. I edge my way into the rough water but chicken out and end up in a weird calm confused looking water in the middle of the sound. As Andrew gets further away I thought there's no way out but to go for it. I made it across unscathed but all I can think about is getting to the shore. We rested in a little cove while I pumped out the remaining water from my boat. Heading back a couple of seals popped up but I really couldn't care less at this point, my legs were shaking like mad and my hands were white. Paddling over the bay to Carreg yr Esgob the wind really makes paddling strenuous but warms me up.

Back at Porth Clais it's now high tide and with no boots I leave my boat at the waters edge and hobble back to the van. Probably as I get more experienced I'll look back and it wont seem half as dramatic, but that was one experience I wont forget. I must thank Andrew, I would have been in big trouble had I been on my own. Back at the van I check my GPS and discovered a new speed record of 9.6kts! I'm off to practice my rolls this weekend and to make a pair of dry trousers my next buy. Oh and a new pair of wellies!

Canoe&Kayak Magazine

Check out this months (May 2010) issue of Canoe&Kayak magazine for a good write up on the club I go to Glam Boaters and also an article on the new white water center in Cardiff. I was going to up-load the whole article but it's taken me almost an hour just to do this, any longer and my PC is going to end up on the pavement via my window. So here's my claim to fame, well not really just a photo of me looking half cut.

Glam Boaters in West Wales - Day 1 08/05/10

I had a call Thursday afternoon from Andrew at Glam Boaters
to say they were heading across to West Wales Friday for the
weekend. So I headed down early Saturday morning with the
view of coming home in the evening to go to a birthday party
that night. A quick look at the tide times and forecast suggested
it was going to be a windy weekend, force 4 or 5 possible 6 or 7
with gales.

Not long after I arrived at the camp site at Newgale Sands
near St Davids we were heading down to St Brides Haven
where I camped a few weeks ago. The plan was to take a
short trip out to Stack Rocks and back along the cliffs.

The group consisted mainly of river boats which struggled
to make much headway into the wind. Some of the group had
never been at sea before and it wasn't long before people were
in the water swimming.

As I was helping a member of the group while others were
performing rescues on a few that had ended up in the water
I was caught out by a wave that hit me side on. It was one of
them moments where your to far gone and think bugger it,
and I rolled into the water. Whilst underwater I was more
concerned about loosing my hat than rolling. I made one
attempt and failed, second attempt my knees popped my
spray deck off and I was also swimming with the fishes! After
that turn of events we turned back to the shelter of the bay.

Exploring a cave and rock hopping near St Brides.

Wet and cold and my tail between my legs in shame of capsizing
we headed back to camp. Not happy with the lack of miles under
my boat today I decided to stay the night. I had brought my sleeping
bag in case but nothing else, no change of clothes or food for the next day.
Luckily my van doubles as a sauna with the heating on full blast to dry
my sopping wet gear.

That afternoon the group headed over to St Non's Bay for
a bit coast steering. I headed on to Porth Clais to launch and
follow the group to take some pictures. The boy levitating above
is only 12 yrs old and was his first time. To be fair he did really
well considering the water was absolutely freezing!

Hopeless, they never would have got a part in the film Titanic!
"save me Jack!!"

Whilst they were throwing themselves off cliffs I paddled across
Caerfai Bay where there is an impressive cave and natural arch.








Porth Clais. The water floods through this natural harbour at
high water which is convenient, but a long walk at low tide.

Back at camp later that evening for some charcoal food poisoning.

After cremating the sausages and burgers we decided to cook

Andy.

Stuart's at the point of the night where he has had enough

to drink to juggle hot coals!

And Nicks at the point where it's time for bed!

Hopefully the weather will be a bit better tomorrow with

the idea of paddling to Ramsey looming.

On a separate note Glam Boaters is featured in this months

Canoe & Kayak magazine with a good write up about the club.

I even managed to get a picture in there. When I get a copy I'll

try to upload it in a post.

Llantwit Major to Tusker Rock

I finished work about 6pm yesterday and immediately started
packing my gear to head off to West Wales. Weighing up the
weather and the time it would take to get there I called it off
last minute. Instead I settled for a paddle out from Llantwit
Major an hour or so after high tide and take the spring ebb
toward Porthcawl.

Immediately I was accelerated to 7kts across Llantwit beach
over the underlying rocky outcrop which extends out from
the beach. I headed into a westerly wind which made it feel like
quite a task to paddle even though I was making a steady 5-6kts.
I thought that low angle paddle I tried out last week at the Welsh
Kayak Show would be nice now.

In no time at all I was at Nash Point. There was no trouble
reaching the East Cardinal Buoy today as I flew past at over
8kts! The buoy straining at it's moorings.

The waters seemed much calmer now along the cliffs reaching

toward Southerndown after the confused racing currents around

Nash Point.

Last time I was here myself and Mick were paddling around

this rock!

And the water was near the roof of this cave blowing

out jets of water. I reached Ogmore by sea and could clearly

see Tusker Rock so I made a short ferry glide over for some

lunch.

It was only 13:30 when I reached Tusker and low tide wasn't

until 15:00. The rock is absolutely littered with bit of iron from

the ship wreck. This tank made a pretty eerie gargling sound

as the tide drained out of it's holes.

In no rush I sat down to have my lunch and a cuppa. As I starred

aimlessly at the rock I noticed it moving. It was covered in

thousands of sea snails all moving around like chess pieces

in quick little bursts.

The tide had now uncovered the larger parts of the wrecks

by now so I decided to explore this living museum.

The bits of iron were literally becoming part of the rock as

limpets, muscles and coral all hung on.

This looked like an old chain perhaps for the anchor?

I originally left my boat where I landed I now had a small

walk to launch again. I was surprised how big the rock

actually was, probably because it was such a big spring tide.

I spent an hour on shore and still didn't get to the far side.

Looking out toward Ogmore by Sea.

As I left the tide had already turned. I could just make out

the mid nash buoy some 4 or 5 kilometers off shore so made

a bearing for it. As I got further out the sea was a bit choppy.

The tide was only now carrying me at 2.5kts. I thought by the

time I get there the flow will be in full force so made a beeline

for nash point.

Flying past the east cardinal buoy this time at 7kts.

Landing at Llantwit Major beach with a bit further to walk

than earlier. A good day out at 30km or 16.5 nm. Top speed

on my GPS 8.2kts! Going home now for a long soak in the

bath to sooth those aching muscles!

Thanks to anyone who reads my blog. Met a few people at

the Kayak Show last weekend at Up & Under, was a bit shocked

when people were asking if I was Stuart. Thanks guy's, and sorry

to disappoint but the sheep didn't jump! Cheers.