Channel Islands^

[CCL]

I haven't been to Sark for 30 years. Mark's pictures are exactly how I remember it, so hopefully not much has changed there either.

I think they became a democracy in 2008....reading some of the local press, I'm not sure that this is a solution!

[delphinidae]

The presence of the Barclay Brothers on Brecqhou (v.impressive aerial shot of their private kingdom) has stirred things up a bit, but I think the character of the place (for visitors) is more or less the same.

(I'm from Jersey, but haven't been able to get off 'the rock' for a long time. It's complicated...)

[Mark R]

http://www.cackletv.com/2010/06/14/jers ... symposium/

I think that the 'mean swell' that Justine talks about is the same one we rode all the way to Alderney.

[journeyman]

Rather unimpressive picture of the Alderney harbour wall, what was impressive was the big wave of a set that pretty much broke over it as we drew nearer.
Wish I'd had my camera out then!

[Mark R]

The waves were hitting the breakwater, over-topping it, and also rolling back breaking towards us...

It was amusing listening to the harbourmaster freaking out on the radio while the breakwater was being overtopped.

The already massive breakwater used to be twice as long, and the underwater remains cause swells to steepen dramatically.It was impressive but slightly alarming watching scared yachts bearing down on us, trying to surf the huge steepening waves into the shelter of the harbour.

[CCL]

I saw the whites of the skippers eyes as the swell pick up his yacht and he suddenly saw us in front of him ;)

No doubt in my mind....kayaking is less scary

[Mark R]

Great image from Eurion...



My wife in mid-channel, about to nip in front of the bows.

[Mark R]

I'm currently putting together a list of useful resources on the area for an article.

The first two books on this list are recommended, they can also be obtained cheaply on Amazon...
http://www.suedalyproductions.com/books.html

This is indispensible...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Channel-Islands ... iversguide

This chart pack can be obtained new on eBay for about £20, great value...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Admiralty-Leisu ... iversguide

I have an ancient copy of a hand-typed guide to sea paddling in the Channel Islands by Kevin Mansell (and have no recollection how I originally got it) - does anyone know of this can still be obtained/purchased?

[Bod]

I have an ancient copy of a hand-typed guide to sea paddling in the Channel Islands by Kevin Mansell (and have no recollection how I originally got it) - does anyone know of this can still be obtained/purchased?

I don't know the answer but Kevin has posted on this thread already (page 2) so I reckon he is the man to ask.

[Jim]

I have an ancient copy of a hand-typed guide to sea paddling in the Channel Islands by Kevin Mansell (and have no recollection how I originally got it) - does anyone know of this can still be obtained/purchased?

I don't know the answer but Kevin has posted on this thread already (page 2) so I reckon he is the man to ask.

Oh yes, so he has, here's the link to his blog:
http://seapaddleruk.blogspot.com/

[Mark R]

I haven't been to Sark for 30 years. Mark's pictures are exactly how I remember it, so hopefully not much has changed there either.

I think they became a democracy in 2008....reading some of the local press, I'm not sure that this is a solution!

Sark really was a peculiar place. In this article, check out the story of André Gardes...
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/th ... 21545.html

[Mark R]

This month's Canoe Kayak UK magazine has an article by mysellf about the tripp in it.

Hope it's enjoyable/ informative.

[TechnoEngineer]

Stumbled across this earlier - dunno if it was mentioned before:
http://seapaddleruk.blogspot.com/2010/0 ... re_07.html
The interesting point to note:

Something else to note is that maximum rate occurs at high and low water, with slack, if it can be called that, occurring at mid tide. Many a sea kayaker or other water user has been caught unawares because they assume that maximum rate must occur at mid tide and have set out on what they thought was high water slack.

[Mark R]

In case you were wondering what the coast of Alderney looks like...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFcMFIBT7ZU

Remarkable island.

[Mark R]

http://southwestseakayaking.co.uk/2010/ ... hopping-2/

[Mark R]

I've been half considering a return trip at half term (last week of October). Thing is, having last month paddled around Britain's most northerly rock , I feel an irrational desire to also visit our most southerly outcrop in my 40th year...
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2 ... 1228077132

It'd also be a chance to visit Jersey, a new one on me. Ideally I'd like to visit all the reefs, including Iles Chausey.

I imagine that the weather will likely not be suitable for the solo crossings involved, so I don't know if this trip will go ahead. But otherwise...any suggestions, advice or thoughts?

Cheers,

[CaptainSensible]

I can give you the usual contacts/people I know who have done that trip several times (and I think you know who they are anyway), but I know that one of them is very busy at the moment. Here is Kevin Mansell's blog entry for the Minquiers. The search picked up a couple of posts about trips to other offshore destinations too; the entry for Roches Douvres is particularly interesting. Derek Hairon ("Jersey Kayak" on here) often takes groups of people (on SoTs) out to the Minquiers, but he charters a RIB to carry them and their boats.

It's a trip that I've only done on paper/charts as part of a navigation course, so any information. I give you would be based on absolutely no experience whatsoever. What I can do though is ask some of the other paddlers I know who have done that trip (but don't have much of an online presence/interest) and get back to you. I need to PM you about something else anyway. The weather might be fine, but you'll need to keep a constant lookout for big ships, including some fast ferries (see the Roches Douvres entry).

Jersey's offshore reefs and lighthouses (although that particular lighthouse is French) are great, but the inshore paddling is fantastic too. I did a 4 (nautical) mile Club paddle on Tuesday evening with the return leg taking place in the dark, and it was possibly the most enjoyable paddle I've ever done. I think it would be a shame if you came down here with your heart set on offshore conquests but missed out on something like a paddle along the SW coast during dusk or dawn.

[Mark R]

Anyone know anything about the implications of paddling from France to the Channel Islands? I mean legal/red tape/ etc rather than the paddling itself...

[al27]

My take on it would be, that providing you're carrying all the things you are obliged to carry between 300metres and 6nm off-shore (flares, signalling mirror, BA... I can dig out the exact list if you want, but probably nothing you don't carry as a matter of course), and you are within 6nm of a "safe haven" then game on. The route out to Jersey via the Écréhous gives you this option. Some of the Kayakdemer forum group were planning to paddle out to the Jersey symposium this year via that route (don't know if they did) and I know paddlers that have paddled from France to the Écréhous. The only snag I can see would be the oft discussed problem of the river plod wanting to see a bit of paper for the boat (cat C compliance) which doesn't exist in the UK. Registering the boat with the MCA has been a suggested solution (no experience of this), or I can register the boats in France just to play safe.

Al.

[Jersey Kayak]

Pretty well spot on al27.

Here is the links to the CKM site (in French naturally): http://www.ckmer.com/index.php?option=c ... &Itemid=52

This lists the requirements and also the self attestation form used by some French paddlers and sent to the affaires maritime in their region. Note the download of a chart of buoyage included that should be on the kayak.

My reading of the French regs is that if you do not have the form C or equivalent from your home country then you must meet the French requirements and register with them. The logic seems similar to that of any vessel needing to be registered before going into a foreign port. The problem for the French officials (and perhaps for the visiting kayaker) is that in the UK kayaks are not required to register so we do not have a similar form to present.

Though I have yet to test this out if you got the Coastguard to look over your craft and confirm in writing the craft and kit were correct and as listed on a given date plus 'registered' under the Coastguard CG 66 then this might keep most 'functionaires or paper chases' happy especially if on nice headed paper and with a big official looking stamp!

The key issue is not the bit of paper but the knowledge and suitable kit carried for the journey being undertaken. Sadly the concept of "seamanship" does not fit easily into the world of regulations in some countries.

Luckily none of the French regulations apply if paddling to les Ecrehous, Les Minquiers, Sark etc if starting out within the Channel islands.

I often bump into French sea kayakers on Les Ecrehous and Les Minquiers such as Agnes: http://www.planetekayak.fr/index.html

Didiers trip: http://www.lekayaketlamer.com/oli/rando ... #more-1314

[Mark R]

What is the situation with fresh water on the reefs - i.e. can it be obtained on Minquiers, Chausey, Ecrehous?

Thanks,

[Jersey Kayak]

BYO on the reefs. Chausey possible- or drink wine!

[Mark R]

Hmm, that'll be an issue if the weather turns...

[TechnoEngineer]

Katadyn make a couple of desalinators, although they're not cheap:

http://www.katadyn.com/usen/katadyn-pro ... survivors/

[Mark R]

Well, I've just booked a ticket to Jersey, going early Friday this week.

My preferred option was to go to St Malo first and paddle north(ish) from there, but predicted unsettled weather changed my mind; I might have more options if I turn up on Jersey first.

Whatever happens, it'll be nice to see another Channel Island. Nothing can go wrong.

[Mark R]

Arrrgggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Condor Ferries emphatically won't carry my kayak as a walk-on passenger. Trip is off. Seriously disappointed,


To quote Blackadder... "I believe the phrase rhymes with, 'clucking bell'".

[Mark R]

Great segment on Alderney's tides and wildlife at about 35.30...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0 ... 6_01_2011/

[Mark R]

Burhou Island, near Alderney...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/guernsey/hi ... 392140.stm

http://www.burhou.com/

[maritin]

This is my first post here so I want to say hi to everybody.
What I've read so far, I like the relaxed atmosphere/ tone in this forum and the fact that the topics aren't reduced to only equipment.
I'm just a part time sea paddler, basically restricted to holidays since I'm living in Germany 500 km away of the closest coast..... (Yea, stupid enough not to do something different :-D)
So I won't be able to contribute that much (not only literarily) and will be more of a consumer.

Beautiful pictures of your trip Mark!!!!! I like especially the ones of the gannets.
I've attended the last Jersey Symposium including the following week plus one extra week and paddled a lot of the places you did one or two weeks later. At the trip to Alderney I didn't had that much luck with the weather but was happy I could do it at all. This Jersey Symposium was my third and I've had the idea of doing the trip to Alderney since I was there for the first time.

https://picasaweb.google.com/Martin.Mar ... osium2010#

I'd recommend the Jersey Symposium to everybody, beautiful coastline and friendly people the only problem is – will there be another one?????

http://www.jerseycanoeclub.co.uk/

Cheers Martin

[Jersey Kayak]

Les Ecrehous sea kayaking featured in the Daily Telegraph. "Jersey's hidden charms" on Saturday.

"Off Jersey's north-east coast lies a series of smugglers' islands, most of which are submerged at high tide. Tim Burrows braved fierce winds and rising waters to find an invigorating retreat" Well researched article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti ... harms.html