A Year Gone By

I have been kayaking just over a year now so I thought I would put together a post to celebrate my first birthday as a kayaker.

This was the point where it all started. Tied in on on a cliff at Southerndown when two kayaks cut through the still water toward the fading sunset. It looked amazing.

A couple of weeks later and I was demoing some boats at Up & Under Cardiff.

By the end of the summer I bought my first boat and took it out at my local bay at Gileston.

I spent many hours in the sheltered waters of Cardiff and Barry docks practicing my strokes and turns.

Then in October 09 I left the shores for my first trip. I paddled out to Tusker Rock near Porthcawl and along the cliffs near Southerndown.

I have returned to Tusker rock many times since as it remains one of my favourite places to visit.

I joined Glam Boaters canoe club to learn how to flip my boat back up the right way when it all goes wrong.

But it was back to the sea to learn some more testing skills!

With confidence on a high and a few cold winter trips under my belt I ventured further a-field to Pembrokeshire. This was my first trip out west to Stack Rocks before my trip to Skomer Island the next day.

The west coast of Skomer proved to be a learning steep learning curve, I was literally out of my depth!

Since then I have made it a rule that I go further a field at least once a month. More recently I made a trip with my dad up to the Isle of Skye on the west coast of Scotland.

Flat and Steep holm have been a popular destination this summer.

And after months of staring at it from the shore I made a landing on Nash Sand Bar, if only for a short time.

A view from my most recent trip around Ramsey Island, and the menacing Bitches.

I have seen my share of sun sets and sun rises.

Volcanic sunset, Gileston

Sun rise near Llantwit Major

The great thing about a kayak is you can get up close to certain things that you wouldn't normally be able to like this tall ship off Fishguard harbour...

Or a close up of this coastguard demonstration at Cardiff Bay.

The wildlife I have experienced this past 12 months has been amazing! Seals are a common sight out west.

Razor Bills and Guilimots

Puffins...

Lots of puffins

Shags and Cormorants

And my favorite so far, the white tailed eagle in Skye. Also seen many other varieties of sea birds and sea life including dolphins and porpoises which I have yet to manage to capture on film.

I have met some good friends and had some great days out. Above Mick passing Wolves buoy on our way to Flat Holm.

Glam boaters in West Wales

Taron and Richy returning from Flat Holm

Ian and myself spotted by a local photographer at our local bay, nice enough to send us his pictures.

Taron's charity paddle to Flat Holm in a wedding dress.

Glam Boaters coach Andy approaching a buoy off Mumble head. I also have to mention everyone online for all there helpful advise, aspirations to follow and friendship.

My longest paddle so far was from Port Eynon to the Mumbles and back again. A total 38km.

Where's my bow gone?? I've had a few scares this year too.

I've spent a few rough trips along the Glamorgan coast near Llantwit Major, practice in a familiar place more than anything.

And my near death experience at the Bitches where I went for a swim. Still scares the life out of me that place!

South and West Wales (getting there slowly)

The Isle of Skye

That's my first year gone I have achieved more that I ever thought I would. I feel more confident with every paddle and waves that used to look big are starting to get smaller. I can't wait to see what the next year will bring. Another trip to Scotland is already on the books. Hopefully this time next year I will have a new boat as well, providing I stop spending my money that is! Here's to next year..Hopefully see some of you out there!

Ramsey Island

After completing the family chores and visits for the weekend I left for Pembrokeshire as the sun was quickly fading Saturday night. Arriving in darkness I slept in the back of the van at the car park at Caerfai Bay.

I woke just as the sun was rising towards Newgale.
A short drive up the road to Whitesands where I had breakfast and packed up my boat. It was 8am and showing 4'C on the van thermometer.

I headed toward St Davids head before letting the tide take me down toward Ramsey Island.

I veered left to have a nose at Porthsele beach.

It was about two and half hours before the tide was due to change so the flow was still going strong.

Reaching Bay Ogof Hen at the north of Ramsey there was a large cave with a curtain of water.

Rounding the head the tide was flowing fast stirring up the water. I had a little play breaking in and out of the flow, something I haven't really had chance to practice much.

The Bishops and Clerks look temptingly close, maybe another day. What turned out a bright day slowly started to cloud over.

Into Aber Mawr Bay and a caught sight of my first seals of the trip. I was still quite far out when a large bull seal popped up snorting and making a splash.

Paddling out of the bay and round into a sheltered cove I stopped to look at my map. I get a big bang on the bottom of my boat and realise grumpy isn't giving up the chase.

Then I see why he's so upset. Literally feet away just behind me was a baby seal, looked new born only about 18inchs long. Another bang and a big splash and it was time to move on.

He continued to follow close behind until I rounded the head into Porth Lleuog. I could make out and hear more seals nearer the shore but kept my distance.

I continued along the south part of the island into the sheltered bay just before Midland Gap.

Midland Gap
I got to the Midland Gap 10mins before the tide was due to turn but it was already flowing quite fast toward me between the islands.

There was a huge cave next to the gap so I went in to explore.

It turned out to be a big arch giving me a side stage view of the race running through the gap. It looked like it was running quite fast with some small standing waves, it would take a bit of a fight to get through there.

Back out of the cave and around the back was another small gap. The water was just deep enough to edge my way through the boulders and out the other side, with a lot less effort.

There were more bays with more seals and fluffy white pups, I kept a good distance not to alarm them.

Up ahead was the Bitches...I hope its clam today, should be it's neap tides at slack water. I don't fancy getting out for a swim today!

Two lone pups on a beach, one in the center and the other flopping down to the water on the right.

I paddle through the archway at the bitches, the tide is running north now. I started to paddle into the beach next to the slipway for a well earned rest stop when another grumpy bull pops up snorting. I notice there are more seals and pups on the beach at the back. Best leave them to it.

The Bitches

Another mug shot

I paddle out from the bitches and up the sound to St Justinian's. There was a bit of flow in the middle but nothing compared to my last visit.

I stop for a drink and a snickers before heading back around into Whitesands Bay.

Landing a Whitesands where I started I felt a real sense of achievement. After my last trip to Ramsey I felt a little on edge all the way around. What a brilliant day!

More views of Skye

Just when I thought I was done with Skye posts my dad brings around his camera. Here are a few more shots from our week away...

Beer at Loch Long (near Loch Lomond)

Glen Brittle camp site, the tent is already on the lean!

An aerial shot of the camp site. Mountains, sea what more could you need.

Up on the Cullin Ridge

Arriving back from first paddle

Up on the Quiraing looking down on Staffin Island

Leaving Portree one evening

A reflection of the Black Cuillin Hills on the way to Elgol

Blustery seas between Elgol and Loch Corusik

The guardians of Loch Coruisk

Leaving Portree harbour for the final paddle

"Hurry up dad I want a pint", Drovers Inn Loch Lomond