Lundy Island (Im not a sea paddler im a river paddler)

[nath]

Im off to lundy island soon and im a poor scrimping and saving student...(Reason for visit to fulfill an expedition studies assignment and to climb) I have heard you can paddle there does anybody know any information or has anyone done this before with some advise or good stories. My plan is to start in Devon catch some surf(Hopefully) then the following day catch the tide and paddle over spend a week to ten days climbing then paddle back from the other side of the island to Wales. Any advice appreciated either on here or to my e-mail nball79@hotmail.com nathan :hat

[Jim]

It's possible but it's a long committing open crossing requiring reasonable navigation skills. To put it another way, you need to train (or get decent sea paddling experience) first if you don't want to become a statistic.

Also remember that climbing gear is bulky and heavy and you will have plenty of other gear to fill the boat with, even if you opt to buy fresh food on arrival.

You do have access to a sea boat don't you?

And check out the distance from Lundy to S Wales, this might be very pushy for a days paddle, probably better to return to Devon. Also think seriously about the tides in the Bristol Channel, with a tide range >12m the tides can be pretty strong and will not always be in your favour on such a long journey, which will make the actual paddled distance further than the distance on map or chart....

JIM

[Mark R]

The weather this time of year makes conditions appropriate to your trip as rare as rocking horse poo, and you may find yourself staying much longer than you planned. That said...

Two options -

Cross direct from Woolacombe/ Ilfracombe. This is the shortest distance (c10-12 miles) but crucially, goes across the tidal stream. Offering you the very real possibility of missing Lundy and hitting Ireland instead.

Cross from Hartland Quay. Much longer (20 miles??) but you are to some extent with the tidal flow.

I believe there is only one - fair weather - landing point on Lundy.

I have not made the trip, but as you can see, have considered it. If you need any further explanation on what I mean regarding the tides, then this trip is not for you. Sorry.


-----------Mark Rainsley

[nath]

thanks for your help guys I dont have any plan to leave until mid to late spring anyway...I have a some navigation experiance with sailing so that is not a problem...Also someone else is going to carry the climbing kit hopefully on the ferry. Cheers guys any more help appreciated....
I dont have a sea kayak at the moment so if you know any kind people who might lend one or higher them out id be very happy to find out

[Mike B]

It might be worth joining up with some local sea-paddlers to get some practical experience to help convert your sail-boat navigation experience to a sea kayak.

You could also get some sea trips in, to help you get a feel for the joys of a long, open crossing over a tidal stream and with (I suppose) one or two other craft passing round you.

And of course, maybe you could find someone to share the crossing with.

Best of luck - post back and tell us how it went.

Regs, Mike.

[nath]

Will post back upon return if anybody is up for the trip May time drop me an email nball79@hotmail.com I have at least three others coming with me!

[Graham Dore]

No doubt you will spot this straight off when you look at a map but - Mark has transposed Hartland Quay and Woolacombe/Ilfracombe in his post above.

I have done the trip from Hartland Quay and Woolacombe but prefer Lee Bay which is on the north facing coast between Ilfracombe and Woolacombe. The 'long' and 'short' options take a similar amount of time owing to the tidal assist on the long option.

It's a great trip and a great place when you get there (don't forget to sign the canoeist log in the pub).

[Mark R]

Oops...thanks for noting my mistake, Graham. I wouldn't have realised until I reached South Wales. Or maybe Greenland. Strong tides thereabouts.


-----------Mark Rainsley