Paddling Holm for Christmas

Christmas Eve is upon us and so is our (now) traditional paddle out to Flat Holm.  The forecast wasn't promising again, but our hopes were up.  I met up with Taran and Jules at Penarth waterfront for a paddle over to Flat Holm on the last of the ebbing tide aiming to arrive around mid day.     

A bit of a sticky carry down to the water.

I donned the festive hat and we were ready to go. (Pic by Taran).  Taran being Taran was planning to ride his kayak from the back deck, that lasted less than 30 seconds.

The rain came and went with the strong winds as we made our speedy decent on the island.

Further out in the channel big swells and confused waves made the open crossing interesting. 

Taran getting in the festive mood! Merry Christmas to you as well Taran!

My turn to pull a stupid face (Pic by Taran)

Monkstone light house at the end of a rainbow.

A last minute dash to get around castle rock and we were paddling onto the beach at Flat Holm.

Lunch on Flat Holm.  Jules turn to pull a face, and yet another rainbow.

We take a stroll up to the light house while the tide turns. (Pic by Taran)

Christmas Eve last year on Flat Holm, a much colder day.  A rather wet and windy day in contrast.

A cheesy pose with my Santa hat.

Then it was back on the water for the crossing back.  It was nice and lumpy to start with then flattened right out about mid way.  I mentioned to Taran that this time last year I would have felt uncomfortable in such conditions, what a difference a year makes.  Mind you the boat helps a lot.  (Another two pics by Taran)

We land on the muddy beach with a long carry ahead of us, never something to look forward to after a long paddle.

Another great paddle with good company to celebrate the festive season but hopefully not to finish the year quite just yet.  MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

Cold Feet

Winters finally arrived although nothing near the big freeze from last year.  A coat of frost on the boat this morning and a pair of very cold feet.

I met up with Taran , Peter and Gareth for a gentle paddle out from Sully and toward Penarth with the flood tide.

There was a bit of swell and a chilling wind as we headed out around Sully Island for a play in the race around the tip.

 Pogies were a definite today, my hands feeling the cold.

Peter was feeling a bit on edge with the conditions today.  I never used to feel comfortable in a following sea when I started out either.

Around the island and in the glare of the sun and about three jumpers under my dry suite it was lovely and warm.

The swell into St Mary's Bay provided a great bit of action as it was powering into the cliffs and creating surf as it bounced back.

A few touch and go moments where Taran almost got taken away with the breakers.  I wouldn't mind if I wasn't the one that would have to tow him out.

Back on the move and Peter gets taken by surprise with a side on wave.  You get him Taran I'm busy taking photo's.

It was rather tricky manoeuvring around him in the wind but we managed to get him back in his boat safe and dr..wet. Rather you than me Peter, looks bloody chilly!

We land on the shore for a warm up and snack break after all that excitement.  The rock plateau here looks weird, almost like landscaped paving stones.   

We turn back and have another play up along the cliffs.

 Before venturing back around Sully Island and back into the races.

There were some brilliant waves forming over the causeway providing a great playground for surfing as Gareth demonstrates... 

I head on up to the car park to get myself warm and dry while the others ride a few more waves.

We will are planning to make our Christmas paddle out to Flat Holm on Christmas Eve again so if anyone's feels like joining us let us know.  If not MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Chicken Run

Another wild forecast on the books, Westerly force 4-5, gusts 6-7, 1.5-2m surf, heavy rain.  Rest Bay Porthcawl to The Knap Barry, 20 mile why not?

Hmmm windy but doesn't look that bad from here...

Off to a good start a bit messy, hmmm you sure about this it looks a lot bigger sat on the floor!  Further out waves were braking for some distance.  It was a long way and with Nash passage on the way I wasn't too sure it was a good idea.  Thankfully Taran had the same idea so we chicken out for a re-think.

Llantwit Major , still messy but at least it shortens the trip on very familiar territory.

Up up and away, didn't see this swell from the beach.

Looking up at a wall of brown with Taran perched on top.

Taran about to be picked up by a wave.
Thankfully (or good planning) the wind and swell was going in the right direction so it was surf surf all the way.

A couple of shots of me be Taran.

Aberthaw should be interesting...

I was just about to straighten this picture before I realised looking at the tower it was straight, it's the sea going down hill!

It wasn't as bad as we thought around the tower but some nice big waves to catch in its lea.

Attempting a self portrait.

The recent rock fall at Porthkerry 

No heavy rain but a couple of squally showers.  The sun even makes an appearance. 

We decide to carry on pass the Knap and stop for lunch on the sands of Barry old harbour.

It was then on to Bendricks for a spot of rock hopping.  Quite interesting with the size of the swell.

Into the speed ramps back to Barry harbour for a bit of rolling.

Nice to have a bit of colour in such a dark blog post.  We wait around in the hope that with the turn of the tide the conditions pick up around Nells point.  We play about for a bit with the amusement of a few fishers and the Nells Point Coast Watch Station.  some lovely big waves but it was all getting a bit to cold on my hands so we call it a day.

Some massive waves on the way back, Taran pick out a white almost vertical object at the corner of his eye as I almost pirouette over a steep wave.  My entire boat must have leapt out of the water.  Both absolutely knackared, cold, wet and aching we retire to the Knap after a really adrenaline filled day.  Not before one last  bit of excitement though.  Taran goes into land, over he goes scraping his helmet over the rocks.  I didn't plan on landing on the pebble beach so I go in backwards, legs over the cockpit and jump out.  Perfect until a big dumping wave lands on my boat fills it with water and drags it back out.  Then back in.  Then back out.  My boat and me took an absolute beating.  They really are tougher than they look, only a battered pride thankfully.