Grimstad, Norway^

[SJ]

It looks as if I may be spending the next few months splitting my time between home and Grimstad. This will mean that I will have some weekends in Grimstad but will be reliant on public transport.

Has anyone on this forum done any paddling in this area? Any hints or tips, including getting access to a boat? [i'm not even sure that paddling will be an option, given the time of year.]

Cheers,

Sean

[Erling]

It is a great area. I suggest that you send a mail to Lars Verket, lars (at) verket.no, a local paddler/instructor who has published a guide for the area. His web site is www.adrenaline.no

[SJ]

Thanks for the link.

[Erling]

While you are waiting for response from Lars:

As you will have found out, Grimstad is a small town and the only kayak hire I know of are these: http://www.black-hawk.no/
The nearest club will probably be in Arendal; http://www.arendalkajakklubb.no
Contact julie (at) arendalkajakklubb.no
Right outside of Grimstad you will find a large array of smaller and larger islands. If you prefer offshore paddling you will find it a couple of paddlestrokes past these islands. This time of year you will avoid the summer's busy leisure boat traffic.
Interactive aerial photos here; zoom in: http://www.norgeibilder.no

[Freek]

We, 3 seakayakers from the Netherlands, will pass Grimstad may 26th, on our trip from Kristiansand to Larvik (210km).
I've found some help here;
http://www.padleforbundet.no/forum/index.php?board=4.0

[SJ]

Thanks to you both for the information - it looks as if paddling may be a possibility.

The next challenge is to fit some paddling kit into my paltry 20kg luggage allowance!

Freek - I hope that the trip in May goes to plan. I'll probably have finished my assignment in Norway by then, just as the weather starts to get more suitable for sea kayaking!

Cheers,

Sean

[Erling]

Sean;
In case you are interested in marine charts for the area, the charts for both the Agder counties are available here for a short while:
https://dl.getdropbox.com/u/463480/Agde ... t20000.pdf
(Warning! 16 Mb file!)

[SJ]

I met up with Espen from Black Hawk this week, following the good advice of Erling, Freek and Lars Verket.

We went for a little paddle that I have written up on my blog: http://manckayak.blogspot.com/2009/02/first-paddle-in-norway.html. I am about to go out on the water again, so your efforts in replying to my post and/or email have not been wasted.

I am joining the Grimstad club and will invest in a copy of the guide book.

Thanks for the advice,

Sean