Celia

Name?
Celia Gray

How long have you been a club member?
I’ve been a member of the club for around 6 years

Where do you stay?
I live in Strathaven South Lanarkshire

What made you start kayaking or canoeing?
My first time in a sea kayak was when I was cycling to Applecross and had a half day’s introduction to sea kayaking. I loved it and was instantly hooked! I love being able to access areas with my kayak that you couldn’t get to normally i.e. caves, and small secluded beaches. I also love the wildlife having had amazing opportunities to see sea eagles, shear waters, dolphins, minkie whale, otters and more recently I seen an Orca up close!

What do you enjoy about the sport?
Kayaking can offer very different experiences. One minute you can be paddling along enjoying the view, the next being tossed around on a confused sea. The challenges it brings are immense and always keep you alert and prepared

Where all have you been kayaking?
Over the past 6 years I’ve kayaked in Orkney, Shetland, Skye, Islay, Mull, Arran, Iona, Gigha, Findhorn, Ardnamurchan, Loch Hourn, Cromarty, Oban, Raasay, Cuan Sound, and Falls of Lora to name but a few! I’ve also kayaked in the warm waters of Lanzarote.

What’s been your favorite trip so far and why?
Every trip has offered something different although my recent trip to Shetland really ticked all the boxes. The sea stacks, caves and challenging waters were phenomenal.

Have trips gone to plan?
Most trips have been well planned taking account of weather, sea states, distance etc, but there’s been a few when conditions have changed and not been forecast. However you’ve just got to ride the storm, and know it’ll pass eventually.

What is your most memorable “oh shit” moment?
My recent trip to the Small Isles gave me a real Oh S…! moment. I was preparing to land on the West side of Eigg on a surf beach, conscious that I had a fully loaded boat I carefully watched the waves coming from behind. Counting the sets and ensuring my approach to the beach would give me a safe landing. Well there is always the odd rogue wave and despite my planning I felt the back of my boat being lifted up, with me sliding off the wave at great speed, approaching the rocky shoreline! Thankfully the wave ran out of speed inches before the rocks and dumped me on the sand. I just got my breath back and out my boat before the next set of waves arrived. 

Do you have a “special move”?
My only special move is sometimes I can only get one leg out my kayak at the end of a long journey as the other dodgy knee wont bend, his can be very entertaining for others watching!

What’s the one kayak skill you’d like to learn?
I’ve worked hard this past year trying to roll my kayak. It is indeed a dark art and although I’ve had a few successes I’ve also had a few failures. It’s not deterred me and I’m persevering!

What’s been the most challenging trip you’ve been on?
The most challenging trip was probably the Falls of Lora! I’m sure there are monsters from the deep in those waters emerging from huge whirlpools, waiting to catch the unsuspecting kayaker. Me being one of them!

Where else would you like to kayak?
I would like to kayak in the Western Isles, Barra, Mingulay, and Harris – perhaps next year.