Great paddle from Largs around the Cumbrie’s in very interesting water to say the least! With the wind in our faces and a oncoming tide it proved to be a battle of wits to get to the castle ! after having lunch we headed back out into a game of two half’s! Flat calm water and sweltering sunshine that made us quickly forget the bouncy sea beforehand. I did get to pop up my new sail but with not enough wind to blowout my maiden voyage birthday candles I will just need to wait for a better day!...
We set out to cross the Minch via the rat infested islands of the Shiants. There's not many people I know can cook up a plan like this but Rab is definitely one of them!
Julia, Rab, Paul Cromey and myself left for the north of Skye on a Thursday evening. Having planned to drive up with Paul, I had to rethink when I couldn't get him on the phone. I ended up driving up on my own - perhaps a saving grace in retrospect. After Fort William I let a ambulance overtake, and when it turned towards Kyle of Lochalsh onto the A87 I started to hope it wasn't anything to do with Paul, who was most likely ahead on that very same road.
It's a fast road with few cars. It was just over the lip of a hill that I found a swarm of blue lights, and right at the center, confirming my worse fears, a mangled car with a...
The planned route was to paddle from Ballantrae in South Ayrshire, down to Portandea, then back.
The weather forecast was easterly winds averaging 15mph, gradually moving to being from the south later in the afternoon. This suited the location perfectly as this stretch of coastline is very high, providing shelter from any easterly winds, then providing some assistance on the return leg north from Portandea back to Ballantrae.
Andrew, Michael & Colin set off from Ballantrae Harbour, heading south across Ballantrae Bay to reach the more dramatic rocky coastline beyond. Conditions were perfect with a gentle swell from the west but not breaking on the coastline. Rain had been forecast for the afternoon but materialised as drizzly showers throughout the day.
The coast consists of small coves and deep crevices in the rock. As the swell was so light we could get in close, allowing plenty of exploring.
We turned into Portandea which is a small south-west facing bay with...
Skye Sea Trip
7 club sea kayakers braved the waters of the Isle of Skye 21-23 March (going out like Lion!). Unable to paddle the planned locations we still managed 2 great if slightly challenging paddles. We abandoned camping and enjoyed the facilities of the Carbost Bunkhouse and Inn! Many thanks to Colin for organizing the trip and ensuring we all survived!...
A few snap from the weekend sea kayak attempt to paddle around Arran. We got from Brodick to Blackwaterfoot Friday then to Locheanza Saturday but had to abandon the last 22km back to Brodick on Sunday. Even the ferry couldn’t sail so we were stranded in Brodick till Monday....
This trip happened over the weekend of the 14/15 of April. In total, 15 club
members turned up for this trip away, some members were opting to take the Bus to the
Hostel, others walking. The majority paddled up from Brodick to the Hostel in Lochranza.
Others paddled from different locations such as Largs via the Kyle’s of Bute to Lochranza or
from Portencross direct to Lochranza, such were the options!!!
The weather was kind us overall, although paddling up from Brodick some might disagree
with this point with a steady Force 3-4 in our faces coupled with low temperatures made
this paddle a bit more of a challenge.
There was also a Naval exercise in the area and the delayed wake from the ships was quite
impressive! With clear skies the Arran hills were looking very impressive as we paddled
passed Sanox. Once at the Hostel we all managed to get sorted out and feed. It was then
off to the Pub, where we met the local Deer just sitting...
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