sea kayakers in S.wales area

[Kevin B]

hi looking for some sea kayakers in Swansea, Llanelli, carmarthen area that could help out a relative beginner to sea kayaking.
i have paddled SOT's for years and now want to get into sea kayaking. I have paddled sit- ins occasionally and I have done a beginners sea kayaking course with Mike Mayberry.
can't find anyone to go out with now so "billy-no-mates" is on hunt for some buddies to tag along on trips with and gain some practical experience as i progress.

1 question also, how limiting is a touring kayak at sea?

would i quickly "out grow" it and need to move up to a "proper" sea kayak, or are there sea kayakers out there that are happily using tourers around coast?
Hoping there are sea kayakers out there who are willing to give a helping hand and advice
Cheers
Kev

[jamesl2play]

There are a few of us who get out now and again at various locations around S Wales. I will pm you an email address.

I cannot comment on your kayak, I would have to see it first. The one thing I would say is that sea kayaks are designed like they are for a reason.

Jim

[simon64]

I'll letyou know next time I'm going paddling, Assuming your toring kayak is something like a perception Expression/carolina or a Dagger Charelston/alchemy then these are pretty good on the sea, I wouldn't rush to change.

[Stuart Yendle]

Hi Kev,

I recently set up a Sea Kayak Cymru Facebook page to try and get paddlers in Wales meeting up and chatting. http://www.facebook.com/groups/406691686047270/ There are a few member so far including Mr Mayberry so feel free to join in.

I'm based a bit further East in the Vale of Glamorgan and get out most weekends. I recommend you get 'Welsh Sea Kayaking' by Pesda Press, full of tidal info and trips, and check out some local blogs..here's mine http://seakayaking-stuart.blogspot.co.uk/

As for the kayak a tourer is fine to start off with. You may find as you progress you will want something that has more performance, which the boats at the higher end of the market offer. I paddled a Venture Eaksy for my first two years and paddled in all sorts of conditions. You can pick up a good second hand sea kayak for around the same price as a brand new tourer, in fact my second hand glass sea kayak cost me the same as my new Easky. If you do opt for a tourer you can always sell it in a few years and if looked after they don't loose much value.

[Kevin B]

Big thanks guys
James, simon pm's have been send, though cant see them in my sent items in messages folder??
stuart don't have a facebook account, will have to set one up though ..have reason to now ;)
I have the book in question, that just added fuel to the fire of me wanting to sea kayak, and ofcourse Mr Mayberry too.
just really pleased there are others in this neck of the woods that also sea kayak and would really appreciate some company/advice and help.
In the local kayaking club i joined no one has any interest in sea kayaking..its mostly surf, white water or sit ons so well happy there are you guys close by.
i'll be following the blog and FB and hope to get out some time.
many thansk
Kev

[dangerousdicky]

Hi Kevin,

A bit further west than you listed but we are an active club with an emphasis on sea kayaking at:-

www.haverfordwestkayakclub.co.uk

We also have some sea boats that are available for club members to use to get a 'feel' before parting with large amounts of wad.

Drop me a line if you want more info.

Rich

[jamesl2play]

Hi Kev, nothing in my inbox.

Not to worry I too have joined Stuarts FB page which seems really good and will do a better job than me. Look forward to seeing you on it, and the water.

Jim

[Kevin B]

Guys thanks all for the help and encouragement. I have tried to send you pm's but for some reason they do not show in my sent messages box and only 2 are in my outbox and haven't been sent...?
i seem to be getting your pm's though so please keep sending them.
cheers
kev

[Mike Mayberry]

Hi Kevin,

Pm's sit in your outbox until the recipient opens them, then they are moved to your sent box. Hopefully some of these great people will get you out paddling close to home.

Hope to see you again soon,

[Kevin B]

Thanks Mike, just worked out the PM's ..DOH!
plenty of offers, which i very much appreciate. who know perhaps a new sea kayaking club could be born??
Hopefully i can get the chance to improve on the many skills you taught me and be competent enough for WWSKM 2, should it take place in 2013.
no doubt i'll be back for the progressive course in the spring though.
thanks again it was brilliant
kev

[kayak1]

There is a few sea kayakers in our Club.... Tawe Kayak Club, could always call in to pool sessions in Swansea Penlan pool Sundays 8pm or ystradgynlais pool Friday 8pm
Cheers

[stevejp]

I have read Kevins call for help and I am in exactly the same situation? I have done the same with Mike Mayberry and I hope to gain more skills on the next coarse in November. But would appriciate any help off anyone in the future I live near Newport the South Wales one but willing to meet up anywere to be honest.

[Kevin B]

Steve if you mean Newport Pembs. im sure Mike is the instructor in the kayak club run from the boat club, in Parrog.
To be honest i'd join that club in a heart beat if it wasn't for the fact that its such a long haul each week and work times mean i couldn't get there before club starts. ask Mike for more info.
Ofcourse if you mean Newport, Gwent then thats a different matter entirely. not sure of clubs around your way.
Be great if a group of sea kayakers could arrange some meets East, South,West and North Wales venues..who knows perhaps with more interest the ball will start rolling for regular trips in 2013 ?

[Stuart Yendle]

If weather holds, looks good so far, possible trip this saturday. Details to follow.

[Kevin B]

Stuart im nights this Fri (2200-0800) and Sat (2000- 0800) so not poss this weekend but if anything going next weekend im up for it. not sure what tides are though??
kev

[Stuart Yendle]

No prob Kev, maybe we'll do something down your end down the Gower if the weathers any good.

If anyone want to join us Saturday let me know...

[Hywel]

Cardiff-based, I've been sea kayaking for years. I accidentally met Jim, Steve, Stuart and another when going with a mate to Flat Holm today. A lovely trip which I do regularly, but the first time for me to paddle with Stuart. I'm afraid I hate Facebook though so you won't find me there. PM me or DM @hywelm on Twitter if you're looking for company again.

[Stuart Yendle]

Cheers Hywel nice to meet up with you guys today, will have to do it again some time.

[Stuart Yendle]

Yesterdays write up...http://seakayaking-stuart.blogspot.co.uk/

[Kevin B]

That's a great write up Stuart from what looked like an exceptionally good day, weather wise. really gutted i couldn't make this one, perhaps next weekend weather permitting ( knowing my luck hurricane Sodya will pay a visit!).
Glad to hear im not the only newbie in the area..and to have done the beginners course with Mike....he got something to answer for! ;)
One concern i have is that i have a Dagger Charleston 14, would that kayak be able to cope with that type of crossing,
ie. tourer not a sea kayak....is there much difference?
kev

[Stuart Yendle]

Yes was a good day, and it's not looking to bad for your weeks off. Flat Holm wouldn't normally be a first trip for anyone but as the conditions were so perfect it wasn't going to be a problem for anyone.

Yes the Charleston would be fine, it's similar to the Easky Chris was paddling. The main difference really is it's performance capabilities. A higher end kayak will turn, edge, track better, things you will notice more in rougher conditions, which you wont be doing for a while yet anyway. To be honest you probably wont notice the differences when you start out. They are both a few feet short than the usual 17/18 foot most sea kayaks are, which means it will be slightly slower but unless everyone is powering along you wouldn't really notice any difference.

[Kevin B]

Anyone up for a trip out this Sat ?

[jamesl2play]

Port Eynon 9.30 am Saturday morning ( 13 Oct ) if anyone is interested.

[simon64]

I hope to have a trip going next sun 21st location to be decided according to weather, no flashy tiderace kayaks allowed though !

[jamesl2play]

I hope to have a trip going next sun 21st location to be decided according to weather, no flashy tiderace kayaks allowed though !

Are you referring to this one:



What about a flashy Cetus, is that ok?

[simon64]

Depends on the colour.............

[Kevin B]

Simon hope you'll post details up here think im off next Sunday. Yesterdays outing threw up some big swells, hope next weeks a lot flatter!

[simon64]

Spoke to Gareth, he of flash tiderace and yesterday sounded a bit full on, I'm into more relaxing paddling myself so hope sunday delivers some good conditions, will post here as i don't and won't get into facebook/twatter etc

[Kevin B]

Nice one, more relaxed the better for me too.
It was my 1st time out on a sea trip, 1st time in the tourer i had bought, and my 3rd time in a sit in. add to that the fact that 1 of my foot rests had slipped out of reach just as we hit the swell around the point, the paddle i had ordered hadn't turned up and i was forced to use the kids inflatable dinghy paddles and when we got back and changed i realised my cag was on back to front :)
but i didn't take a swim, and although bl**dy knackered had a great time, met some really good guys and learned a bit more about sea kayaking.
Haven't a facebook account myself, i'm not sure if Jim or Stuart are going to put a write up on their Blogs though?
Looks like this band of paddlers is growing.
p.s.
can i join in, nothing flashy for me,Dagger Charleston 14 tourer. (Bog standard and basic)

[simon64]

Of course, Charelstons are great kayaks and more than capable of handling most sea conditions. Trip will only run if conditions are ok.