Did YOU paddle today ?

[ChrisJK]

Thanks Sean
I’ve not been out in particularly large swells and the additional complications of wind . It sounds hairy.
However I did a paddle on Derwent water heading into a fairly high wind and didn’t feel confident to turn until I found some shelter at the top end of the lake and then semi surfed back in my Capella with no skeg. I agree compensatory stokes can be tiring and depending on hull shape with a following wind and mixed swell to an inexperienced paddler such as me it can be a stop-start journey .

[leighv]

I spent the weekend out at Llyn Tegid in Wales. The weather was surprisingly windy! Yesterday it was blowing a solid 35mph directly up the length of the lake, and I decided to really push myself and paddle down the entire western shoreline into the wind. A tough paddle! The entire lake surface was rolling white horses, and I saw several other kayakers giving up about halfway down. Eventually I made it to the bottom and crossed to the eastern shore to come back up, making for a nice easy paddle back up until I had to cross at the top of the lake back to my launch spot. The Dee enters the lake here, and where it comes in, and was meeting the strong wind against it, the waves were a good 70cm high, for about 500m or so, which was quite rough to paddle across when I was already tired!

And then I got back to the launching area to see people blowing up inflatables to head out into the Bft5 wind. Wonders never cease.

I didn't really stop and take any photos because I was too busy maintaining speed, but here's a photo from Saturday :)

[ChrisJK]

I was in Bala over the weekend but not paddling.
I did walk within sight of the lake and yes it looked choppy.

[ChrisJK]

Thinking about it I was walking down the main street in Bala on Saturday afternoon and saw a smallish car with a female driver and a kayak not dissimilar to yours?

[seawolf856]

Hi Leigh, glad you managed to venture into N.Wales. You did good on Bala in those conditions, Sunday was particularly blustery. Despite being an inland lake, it is very well known in these parts for having quite a fetch in a SW.
We paddled in the Menai Straits on Sunday, launching from Y Felinheli and paddling into the Swellies. We had seen the wind forecast and as we know these waters very well, we knew it would be a game of two halves with a nice downwind run on the way out but a solid BF4 in our face on the way back. By the time the tide had turned and we headed back, it was gusting BF5 and lashing with rain!! 'Challenging' is one word I could use but I think 'bloody miserable' would be more suited.

[leighv]

Thinking about it I was walking down the main street in Bala on Saturday afternoon and saw a smallish car with a female driver and a kayak not dissimilar to yours?

I drive a black Corsa so that may well have been me! It’s really the most impractical car to lug kayaks and camping gear around, I’ve promised myself my next car will be a van!

[leighv]

Hi Leigh, glad you managed to venture into N.Wales. You did good on Bala in those conditions, Sunday was particularly blustery. Despite being an inland lake, it is very well known in these parts for having quite a fetch in a SW.

Heh when I saw the forecast after looking at the map I figured I was going to be in for a tough paddle! The only thing that took me by surprise is that the gusts pretty much took over; I had my Kestrel with me and it just wasn’t dropping below the max speed all morning, and it actually got even stronger than forecast as I was coming back in. It was really fun though, I enjoy pushing myself sometimes, and let’s face it, choppy lakes are brilliant because they remind me of the sea :)

I hope you guys enjoyed a frothy pint or two after your own paddle!

[leighv]

An excellent day out in Strangford Lough near Belfast today! Force 5 wind made for a lively 5knts downwind run.

[PlymouthDamo]

An excellent day out in Strangford Lough near Belfast today! Force 5 wind made for a lively 5knts downwind run.

I take my hat off to you in rather-you-than-me kind of way. After, my last experience of paddling in the North of Ireland, I'd settle for a boring day on a pond any day: a named storm, a knackered back and me choosing to use a decidedly non-seaworthy rolling boat. I'm sure your trip was 'bracing' and at least you had clear blue skies, rather than the permarain we've been subjected to down here since January.

[leighv]

I take my hat off to you in rather-you-than-me kind of way. After, my last experience of paddling in the North of Ireland, I'd settle for a boring day on a pond any day: a named storm, a knackered back and me choosing to use a decidedly non-seaworthy rolling boat. I'm sure your trip was 'bracing' and at least you had clear blue skies, rather than the permarain we've been subjected to down here since January.

Funnily enough, the day started out terribly. Absolutely torrential rain, dark skies, dark ominous waves… but then when we were having lunch on one of the islands, the sun came out and suddenly the water that had looked quite intimidating just looked really fun, so we paddled out from the shelter of the islands to make the most of the downwind waves. Funny how the sun can so fundamentally change the way a day on the water feels.

[ChrisJK]

I'm sure it was fun but I thnk I'd be in that situation because i'd made a miscalculation! Around 2.00 today I was looking at the Mersey showing it's teeth with wind over tide and thought I'm glad I'm not out there!

[leighv]

Unfortunately the weather was just rubbish but since we’d come all the way over to NI we just figured what the hell… paddled into the wind for an hour or so, in the knowledge that we’d have a fun surf back!

Yesterday was excellent though. Some F3 offshore winds and less than a meter of swell along the north coast from Ballintoy. We paddled out to the rope bridge and then did some rock gardening. Fabulous place!

[Sean_soup]

Penrhyn Mawr this morning with some pals, the Trearddur Bay RNLI inshore boat was there playing, erm.. I mean training in the outer race. And fair play, they were pretty close to getting airborne at times, impressive.

[ChrisJK]

I guess it is a good place to simulate choppy seas . Did they do any mob training.
We went round Hilbre in fairly lively conditions and there was a RNLI jet ski in the vicinity which I was quietly grateful about.
Did you pass through the race? I just watched some videos of runs and thought that’s well beyond my level,
I’d get paralysed with fear and be straight out.

[seawolf856]

I guess it is a good place to simulate choppy seas . Did they do any mob training.
We went round Hilbre in fairly lively conditions and there was a RNLI jet ski in the vicinity which I was quietly grateful about.
Did you pass through the race? I just watched some videos of runs and thought that’s well beyond my level,
I’d get paralysed with fear and be straight out.

Hi Chris, didn't think there would be enough water to get out and back to Hilbre this weekend? it was less than 9m at Liverpool, you must have done a sprint attack. I was on the Conway estuary on Saturday and the neap tide gave us a much smaller paddling window than previous times done on a spring tide.

[Sean_soup]

No MOB malarky Chris, just a few extremely bouncy runs through and back. I have to say after the BH weekend that I find the concept of actually being happy to see (and hear!) a jetski a difficult one to get my head around! What do jetski owners do when the weather is too rough to go out I wonder.. take a big crinkley bag of crisps to eat extremely noisily at the cinema perhaps.

We weren't passing through so much as waiting for the RNLI to pack it in before jumping in to play for a couple of hours. 🙂

It looks kinda scary but when it's in a reasonably benign mood (which it is most of the time) things get calmer as you're washed downstream so it's actually not a particularly hazardous place to capsize or even swim.

[ChrisJK]

Thanks Sean
I get your aversion to jet ski's, However I could see if things had gone belly up it might have been helpful. I generally feel the same, about jet skis eg being passed by some heading up the Conway one time,
The trip round Hilbre was a while back.
Oh ok you are kind of selling it to me!

[mrcharly]

It has been windy here (30-50 knots sustained) all week, so I haven't been out. Still recovering fitness.

Winds dropped to about 20knots, intermitten sunshine and it is a saturday. So off I head, thinking if the weather holds I'll go across the loch mouth to look for prospective landing spots (planning a tentative camping trip). About 8-9km trip.

Just set off, and I can see a squall approaching. Utterly white with the lashing rain. Never mind, I think, it will be brief.

Turn up the loch into the oncoming squall and hits. Within seconds, my hat has gone. Based on previous experience, I think the squall is about 50knots or so. The rain really hurts, hitting my exposed forehead. All I can do is fight to keep bow to wave and wind; it is at this point I realise I haven't reset the footbar position since previous weekend - it is too far away, I have weak connection with the boat and poor steering control. The waves have gone from little chop to steep, metre-high things, half the boat coming out the water as I go over then, landing with crash on the other side. Every time the bow goes up, the wind catches it and pitches round to the side. Water washing right over the boat. Half an hour later, I'm still struggling, but manage to pull into an inlet for some protection.

Get to shore and adjust footrest - but the cable adjusters for the steering keep slipping. My boat is old (Nelo 510 #031 of hundreds); I've had it 3.5 years. One adjuster is just worn. Swear I'll whip it when I get home.

Wind dropped off to about 20knots and I plugged on for a bit, then, feeling more than a bit fed up, turned for home. Waves subsided; it is amazing how quickly they can build up and fade away.

[mrcharly]

On Sat.

Very little wind (actually about 10knots when I got on the water).

I checked windy.com, and it indicated a 1m swell from north east. Perfect for a paddle around the headland, I'll have it behind me on way back.

Take it gentle and slow, nursing shoulder injury still.

Well, no swell to speak of, but wind-driven waves from the east south east, not north east. Wind stronger than expected.

Saw a surprised otter on the way out. Big lump of a thing, not impressed by my being there.

Once out of the loch I semi-surfed north a bit. Tried to stay well clear of the cliffs so I wouldn't have backwash chaos to deal with.

Bit of a slog back, headed out further into the Minch so that I'd be able to turn and run with the waves, rather than being broadside. Good decision, as, despite the light weather, they were steep enough to occasionally break.

Bit surprised to encounter a seal about 1.5km offshore. They normally stick closer in.

Good paddle, and I'm pleased with shoulder recovery. Taking it slow and steady is definitely worthwhile. About 17km in a couple of hours.

[ian johnston]

A couple of day paddles on Loch Ewe last week.

The weather was (thankfully) less windy than it's been for seemingly months - and the days followed a pattern of calm early mornings and forenoons with wind increasing from around midday into the evening. Getting out on the water at about 0630 gave nice chilled out conditions and good wildlife encounters, as well as the opportunity for two breakfasts!







Ian

[leighv]

I spent a quiet weekend in a quiet part of Wales, rising very early this morning to get kitted up and out on the water for a fabulous sunrise!

[P4ddy]

Calm water, light mist, sunrise...perfect

[Tricky Ricky]

Bray head, south of Dublin. Perfect.

[ChrisJK]

All sounds good.
If I’m allowed yesterday. I had an excellent paddle on a section of the Trent alongside mostly canoeists so I had chance to use a solo paddle for a decent section.
Starting with Kingfishers is always a treat.

[ian johnston]

A four-day trip with the Good Doctor W starting at Mallaig and doing an anticlockwise circuit of the Sound of Sleat......


Day 1 - Mallaig into Loch Nevis




Launch point at Mallaig. Mallaig Bakehouse for breakfast prior to setting off and to carry away a gigantic foccacia bread to accompany dinner





A pleasant light breeze helping out on the way up Loch Nevis





Table for two




Evening entertainment

Despite a forecast of light wind for the overnight period and into the following forenoon we had very strong gusts overnight with the wind at a solid F5 gusting F6 in the early morning as we struck camp. We both missed the weather clue late the previous evening when cloud was flowing over the Sgurr na Ciche group. This was a local orographic effect which subsided gradually during the morning but the predominant pattern looked set to be fresh E to NE winds on the Knoydart side of the Sound of Sleat with lighter wind on the Skye side. This influenced our choice of route and camps and was constantly re-assessed as the trip unfolded.


Day 2 - Loch Nevis to Loch Hourn




Second breakfast stop at the mouth of Loch Nevis




The paddling on Day 2 was a steady push against a breeze alternating between light and fresh, but the Knoydart shore of the Sound of Sleat is well worth the effort




We landed on the storm beach south of the entrance of Loch Hourn to walk up to the point and assess the conditions with a view to making the crossing to Sandaig. Once glance at the wind pouring out of the mountains and down the loch was enough.... Douglas and I have had "experiences" here before! We backtracked and found what turned out to be a great camp spot.




A large fish crate lid making an ideal platform to sit and watch the developing sunset....






....which was frankly jaw-dropping; every feature of the Cuillin in sharp silhouette.


Day 3 - Loch Hourn to south Skye





Day 3 started with a sporting but fast crossing of the Sound of Sleat, landing at Torabhaig for second breakfast before proceeding south to Armadale for luncheon ("The Shed" at the pier does good grub)




Approach to the third camp.....




....which was rather fine!





Another stunner of a sunset with South Uist clearly visible on the horizon. A complete absence of wind on the Skye shore and light wind forecast for the morning's crossing - all very good.


Day 4 - Skye to Mallaig




A photo opportunity stop on a popular (for around here) beach




On the 12km crossing back to Mallaig in mirror calm and with JMW Turner skyscapes to end the trip.

A belter of a trip - and hopefully Douglas will drop in some of his truly exceptional images!

Ian

[leighv]

Fabulous photos and trip report, Ian! Those sunset photos are just gorgeous! And indeed that sky in the final photo is incredibly Turneresque :)

[Chris Bolton]

A belter of a trip - and hopefully Douglas will drop in some of his truly exceptional images!

Your images are pretty impressive, Ian, and it's good to see that Douglas is out on the water still.

[seawolf856]

Thanks Ian, a fantastic addition to this thread with great descriptive writing and photos.
On Sunday the sun decided to shine on North Wales so we ventured out to Anglesey and took a ride on a nice ebb tide down the West Coast from Trearddur to Porth Trecastell - a fine day out.

[Sean_soup]

Not today, but I had a rather good few days around Ulva and the Treshnish Isles last week. The Met Office promised a fantastic weather window, which shrunk a bit as the time got closer but still gave three days and two nights of fine weather and light winds.

Launching from the South side of Loch Na Keal, after much faff packing the boat, I arrived at the Ulva slipway at about elevenses o'clock. The Boathouse cafe was open serving excellent coffee and cake, would have been rude not to! Then off again exploring the North side of Ulva in the sunshine, and with a moderate following wind off to the top end of the Treshnish Isles..



Cairn Na Burgh Mor (on the left) and Beg (right) were each fortified with a castle and a garrison back in the day, but Cairn na Burgh Mor has ruins you can see from a way off and a trig-point as well. Love a good trig point, so it was a no-brainer which island to land on. :)



Onwards, exploring the coast of Fladda and the various skerries between there and Lunga, and then on a bit further to find a spot to pitch my little tent. A change of clothes and shoes, and a walk up the hill to admire the view.







Following day, a bit more exploring around the coast of Lunga then I decided to give the Dutchman's Cap a miss and head straight over to Staffa:



I've lurked at the back of a fair few caves, out of all of them I'm pretty sure this was the most hexagonal!



Quite a busy day with the tour boats bringing folk in to visit Staffa. As you'd expect on such a glorious calm day, but still pretty quiet by high-season standards I guess.



But I arrived at the top of the island between tours and had the place to myself for a bit. Looking back towards Lunga:



Back to Ulva, that Easterly wind had completely dropped so I made good time and arrived slightly hot and sweaty back at the Boathouse for ice cream. :)
Leaving the tent, stove and sleeping bag in the boat by the slipway, I took a stroll up to track to stay at the hostel. ( https://ulvahostel.co.uk/ ) There wasn't a breath of wind by now, so apart from the luxury of a hot shower and a comfy bed it was also quite nice to escape the early midges sharpening up their fangs for the season. (Just a few of them so far, early in the season so I guess the other seventy squillion billion are still having a bit of a lie-in.)

[leighv]

Looks fabulous, Sean! I am heading up to Mull later this summer and hoping to paddle across to Staffa if we get the right conditions :) You were fortunate with that fine weather window.