There And Back

At last, despite numerous previous invites I actually managed to get out for a paddle with Stu and Taran, and the best bit for me was that it wasn't going to be in The Bay. Today's plan was to paddle to Llantwit Major from Cold Knap on the ebb and return with the flood.

Timed to perfection, the small hull friendly sandy bit is starting to get exposed, and the water is like a mill pond.

Shortly after getting on we meet up with Peter from Glam Boaters who's out having a bit of practice, he declines the offer to join us as he's been on he water for a while, maybe next time Peter.

The cliffs of this section of coastline are made of sedimentary rock which makes them susceptible to erosion and ultimate collapse. A pre Christmas gift, passing mother natures landscaping gift to the rather concerned owners of the front row of caravans at Porthkerry. Hands up, a bit of a fashion fopa on my behalf,  it seems that Bandannas are a must have fashion accessory.

Approaching Aberthaw power station......

And it's associated water intake Tower, this was a dominant feature on today's paddle, you can see it from miles away. Stu and Taran explained that the water gets rather freaky around here when it gets rough, as that was not an issue today I paddle over to take a closer inspection. The structure basically  allows an eddy to form behind it,  but unlike a river feature it didn't extend in a straight line with a defined edge, rather more like a meandering path that was full of some large, bigger than boat size boils (upwardly moving water with rounded domed tops ) with one eye on the edges of these boils I cross over them testing out how my boat feels. All happy we carry on....

The above shot really encompasses this part of the coast, rather featureless cliffs that go on and on..... it would have a bit boring really if not for the company, it was really good chatting with Stu and Taran. Another feature of today's paddle was listening to Swansea coastguard dealing with what they believed to be a malicious Mayday call, apparently there is someone out there who has access to a vhf radio and is making Mayday calls for the fun of it, what a prat.

As the surf was big at Llantwit, Stu and I decided to wait out beyond the surf as we didn't want to land and risk damaging our boats on the rocks, however Taran did make it to shore though for a quick pee. I didn't take many photo's on the way back as nothing really changed from the shot above which was taken at Llantwit, except that the cooling tower you see on the horizon just kept getting bigger.

On the way back just by Rhoose point we noticed some very large waves breaking, Taran charged in, myself a Stu took the cautious approach and observed from a distance, the waves seemed to appear and then disappear with no indication that they were going to form. At one point it went all quiet for some time, then I heard a crashing noise from my right, Oh My God it was one of the waves, both Stu and I hit reverse at Mach 10 giggling like children.

Image courtesy of Taran.

Thanks guys for inviting me, I know it was a bit flat and uneventful but I did enjoy myself.

A Winters Tale

Honk Honk, paddle alert! That's the message I used to get from my friend Mark when the rivers went into spate, but as he lives in Australia now I'd guess he's enjoying far better weather than I am. That's also the reason why my phone remained silent when the rivers in Brecon went into spate earlier this week. However, step forward Chris (This boy is keen, he's even had a mention in Canoe & Kayak magazine since the last time we paddled) and his friend Taf.

They're out for a paddle and want a river guide. A last minute change of plan took us over to the River Wye to do the Glasbury to Hay On Wye section. Chris wanted to have a look at this section so that he could run it again with a couple of his mates.

No gravel beach, meant the Wye having a much larger catchment area than the Usk had retained its water. This whole section is flat but should not be underestimated, I know personally that a fatal accident occurred on this stretch a few years ago.

After a quick briefing to ensure that wouldn't be happening on this trip, we set off. Chris beginning to experience the joys of winter paddling........bloody cold hands !!!!

Snow on the hills and a cold cold wind ensure we keep paddling. Its hard to show in a still photograph but we are absolutely motoring along. You just know with a sky like that it will probably snow.

On cue it began and didn't stop.

Taf and I on the Wye.

In record time we are at the get out, I think Taf's expression says it all, we had a right old laugh on this trip.  I should have realised because right at the start I noticed Chris with a puzzled face and Taf nearly crying with laughter, not understanding why and with a puzzled face, Chris came over to me and wanted some advice about his new dry bag. Did it need to go back to Cotswold, was the question as apparently they had neglected to enclose the zip / fastener with it and it wouldn't close properly...

Yes mate, it most definitely does need to go back.

Way Back When

Not exactly Seakayaking but with strong winds forecast for the South Wales coast yet again, I decided to meet up with my friend Chris from Brecon Canoe club for a nice grade II bimble along the River Usk. Chris is a relative newbie to paddling and I think this would be his 3rd time on moving water.  Today's section had to be from Aberbran to Brecon.

This section was one of the first I paddled when I started way back when and is heavily used by clubs and centres to introduce people to moving water river skills, ideal place but like usual not ideal conditions, heavy rain had increased the flow but at least it wasn't in spate. Although Chris thought it was twinned with the Zambezi.

Power On !
And punching through.

I notice that the river levels are beginning to rise, some of the smaller rapids are washed out, no drama yet so we push on. Chris skirting around the fun bits on this one, I don't think he noticed I was there.

Me surfing a minuscule wave I found trying to encourage Chris to have a play.

This bit always feels so remote. 

A short break for lunch and a chance to inspect another rapid.

Me about to enter the bumpy section by Llanspyddid closely followed by Chris hopefully.

Yep, what I remember bumpy (Yee Ha)

The rest of the river was pretty washed out so I gave up on the pics. All in all no swims and a massive grin on Chris's face at the get out said it all.

Todays Forecast

Time is my biggest enemy, I just don't have enough of it. As recent events have been conspiring to keep me out of my boat I have become a bit desperate to get back on the water, I was adamant that I would snatch at least an hour or so today but with a forecast of Force 5 to 7 and rough seas scheduled for the Bristol Channel my options were limited. So with decision made I headed off yet again to Cardiff Bay.

Absolutely flat calm and to be honest a tadge disappointing, I was hoping to do some practice in slightly bumpier conditions, building on from a previous adventure Lost Property  but beggar's can't be choosers.

Approaching the bridge I stop and have a mess about with my camera. I then make my way in the direction of Penarth Yacht Club straight across from the metal pole you can see in the distance.

As soon as I pass the flats, the wind hits me, the water was relatively calm but the wind was strong trying to snatch my paddle from my hands. I stopped my boat to take this picture and realised I was being pushed along by the wind ( a little wake from my bow is evident in the picture above). A bit of practice turning in the wind and I head over to the yacht club.

A bit of respite from the wind as I pass the yacht club and make my way to across the River Ely. I use the Ely embankment as a handrail and then turn to make my way towards the other side of the bay.  Back into the wind only this time it is coming side on and accompanied with slightly bigger waves, I practice trying to make progress without the skeg but its sooo much easier using the skeg so I give up on that one, the two yellow speed boats pass and their wake only adds to the fun coupled with a bit of clapotis sprinkled on top at the maintenance depot certainly spices this side of the bay up. 

The wind drops in the lee of the St Davids Hotel so it's out with the camera again. The Port of Cardiff was one of the first to have a Norwegian Sailor’s Church established to provide spiritual and social care to thousands of Norwegian sailors that were employed in the Norwegian merchant fleet. The Church was founded by Herman Lunde of Oslo and built in 1868 between the East and West Docks on land that was donated by the Marquis of Bute. Over the years a number of building alterations were made, the most significant took place when a gallery and a bell tower were added in 1985.

During his childhood Roald Dahl and his family also worshipped here, in fact both Dahl & his sisters were christened at the Church.

Looking at some relics of the past and enjoying the smell of freshly brewed coffee which is so evident at Mermaids Quay especially very early in the morning.



After one circuit I head back to the launch point, paddling again in calm water, its amazing the difference between one side and the other.

Before I get out I have a mess about with my camera exploring different shooting angles, I quite like this one although a bit of refinement is needed and maybe a spirit level. Glad to be back in my boat and also achieve what I wanted, can't ask more than that. One happy boater.

Lost Property

As it's been a while since I posted anything so I thought I'd bring things up to date. I haven't been lazy, I've been getting out for a few paddles but just no further than the bay.

The one time I was invited on a paddle outside of the bay sods law intervened and I couldn't make it because of work, but Scott and Taran did http://scottkayak.blogspot.com/2011/10/cold-knap-to-aberthaw-back-161011.html.

On a few of my sessions down the bay I started to notice that my roll was getting weak, so I thought I'd go practice until I got it sorted.
                                       

                                        

Everything started of ok ish, but I wasn't entirely happy. Then things started to take a downward spiral, I should have stopped then and there, but no I had to continue. I began relying on a reverse brace to get me upright in a stable position, then the next one failed but I got up on a second attempt, then it happened I couldn't get over at all, after three attempts and with lungs bursting for air, I swam. I did a lot of swimming that day and nothing has improved since. I've lost my rolling mojo.  I must say that this has knocked me me back a bit, I don't fancy paddling solo without a reliable roll.

With this in mind I did managed to get out with the Monday club the other night. It was blowing a gale and I honestly thought our little paddle would be cancelled. It was very windy, bumpy and to top it off, dark. All this made for a very interesting circuit, at least I hadn't lost my bracing mojo, which came in handy on more than a few occasions.

By far this was the roughest water I had paddled in, no way would I have been out there on my own in the daylight. It was scary but I just about held my own, brace paddle forward, brace etc etc I made painfully slow progress.  I couldn't make much out through the beam of my head torch other than the immediate waves around me and they looked big, concentrating on the lights of Mermaid Quay helped keep things level for me in my head and I was able to plod on.

A couple of points I noted for myself

a)  I need to stay relaxed and let the boat move under me.
b) Try and cut down the use of the brace stroke, it acted like a brake and virtually stopped me dead in the water every time,
c) My forward stroke was totally ineffectual against the wind, I was flat out and making very little headway.
d) I don't like rear quartering seas (probably because I don't know how to deal with them )   

I was in good company though with Stuart, Mike and Taran. I gave the clapotis a miss at the dock gates though, sorry Taran.

When I got back to calm waters of the River Ely I had time to think as I paddled back to Up and Under. That paddle had pushed me and I'd survived, I just knew I'd taken a step forward with my paddling.

Now where did I put that rolling mojo ?  

The Bay Again

As I am working this weekend and will not be able to take advantage of the stunning, I thought I'd have a change. Instead of a skills circuit I thought I'd just have a bimble around the bay, relax and maybe catch the sunset.  As I was about to launch a skipper of one of the charter boats in the bay starts talking to me about my boat and the wildlife in the bay, I think I'm going to have to keep my eyes open a little more.

I quickly sprint down to the bridge and realise that I've missed the sunset.

Before I set off I give way to a trimiran that is coming in to berth.

And then make my way over to Penarth yacht club, but by then the sun had truly set.

I then follow a yacht travelling up the river Ely and over take it as it berths near the CIWW centre, further along I notice some fellow seakaykers by the Penarth Bridge. I paddle over to say hello, it was Elen from Up and Under, Chrisie and Chrisie's partner (I'm sorry my friend I didn't quite catch your name). They are about to do a circuit of the bay over to Mermaid Quay and then back, I'm invited to join them and I accept.

After a few minutes it's dark, what an experience, very surreal, looking onto the city at night from this location. I didn't want to slow the pace to take photo's so I'll add some later from a future trip because I will definitely be paddling in the dark again. 

Thanks guy's I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Mind Games

As mentioned in my Stupid O'Clock post I really did feel like a right old wuss for turning back, after all there wasn't anything major going on with the sea, yes for sure it had changed slightly but I was comfortable further out beyond the surf, or was I. Subconsciously something had changed,fear was starting to get a hold. 

But thinking rationally about this, I was aware that things had started to slide when I realized I couldn't let go of the paddle because in turn the kayak had became more wobbly and I needed to keep that death grip on the paddle shaft. Why, probably because I was looking at waves smashing onto some rocks and breaking on the beach and was a bit intimidated by it all and felt vulnerable, probably, deep down I also knew that my self rescue skills were very limited. I can roll but that's about it. If that failed I was truly in the cack with very little equipment to summon help or deal with such an incident. So the voice of reason won out on this occasion.

At no point did I feel I was going to capsize, but clearly I was on the wrong side of being comfortable. Once I made the decision to turn around and start making my way back, things calmed down. I became a little more relaxed, still on edge mind you, just a little less stressed. All that had changed, was now I had a focus to concentrate on, simply paddling back.

A logical conclusion would be that it was all in my head and fear was taking over, if that is correct then the answer to releasing that ever tightening grip of fear would be to concentrate on some task at hand thus taking your mind from that stress trigger, a simplistic view, yes but maybe i've stumbled on one tool to put in the bag to be used against fear in he future.  

I have no doubt I will experience this feeling again as my adventures continue.

Stupid o'clock

That's the time I had to get up to get this one under the belt, but as usual the best laid plans of mice and men.

The plan today was to complete what I had attempted a few weeks ago, basically leave Oxwich and get over to Three Cliffs Bay and maybe Caswell or Langland as well

I arrived at the planned time to catch the last few hours of the flood, but the car park was closed and the man with the yellow can of paint had been very busy around here. I eventually managed to park the car and got stealthily kitted up without too much noise. It was beginning to get light, I was already late.  I then had to carry my boat (no trolley) to the beach, it was a long walk but worth it when I got there.

  The sun was inching over Pwlldu Head and the water was like a mill pond, very very inviting, I quickly put my cag and bouyancy aid on and made my last checks making sure everything was clipped on, it was getting light very quickly now.

Don't look behind you....ooops, what is it with me and this place. More dark clouds building behind me.

I jump in the boat and get going, it was like paddling across a mirror, but I was getting blinded by the sun and the glare from the water (yep no sunglasses) yet more stuff to remember to bring.

I don't know if I was in some kind of back eddy but I seemed to be making very slow progress, I hadn't made it halfway across the bay and there was little under an hour left on the tide, at this rate I wasn't going to make it. Change of plan turn inland and have a cuppa at Three Cliffs,  then follow the coast closely and see if I can make it to Pwlldu Head against the tide.

Now, I thought I had planned this one well but I hadn't factored in swell, the further west I went I became increasingly aware that every few seconds I was rising over some bigger mounds of water travelling towards Three Cliffs which is where I wanted to go. Because of the sun I couldn't see what was happening at the shore but I had my suspicions, as soon as I made the turn the boat rocketed off, I had found a hidden turbo button.

As I neared the shore I could see that big plumes of spray were being sent up into the air as the swell broke on the cliffs of Great Tor. Suddenly the boat became wobbly,  my camera ability went down because both my hands were now super glued to the paddle, although I was comfortable I was aware my stress levels obviously had increased.

I paddle past Great Tor and had a look at Three Cliff Bay. Wind was being funneled down the valley towards the sea, causing the breaking waves to steepen and throw spray into the air, Three Cliffs was not on for me today, small windblown waves were coming from the direction of the shore as well.  

I had about half hour left before the tide turned, I didn't fancy being out here with with wind over tide freaky stuff going on so I decided to land in the lee of Great Tor and have that cuppa and watch what happens when the tide turns.

I make my way in through the surf. Surfing in was fast and dramatic but fun, no grace about my landing at all. I think the Royal marines would have been proud though, managed to get my boat further up the beach than some landing craft. Maybe I should have bought that plastic boat.

I have my cuppa and a sandwich on a completely deserted beach looking at the waves absolutely bliss. After the tide has turned I paddle back out through the surf, and back around Great Tor, unfortunately nothing has changed. In the distance it looks as if the same sort of thing is going on towards Pwlldu Head although the sea appeared relatively calm.

Being acutely aware that I was on my own and there wasn't anywhere to land safely after Three Cliffs until I got to Caswell, I decided to turn around and head back. As I paddled back I was feeling a bit wussy about this decision, I'll tackle this trip again but not just yet.

I completely mess up my surf landing at Oxwich, I fail to notice that the beach is a bit steeper at this level of tide, I try and practice stalling the boat on the wave but didn't press the brakes hard enough, all I managed to do was not to drop down into the trough and maintained my position at the top of the wave. Then I noticed the wave I was on had sucked all the water from the beach there was simply just gravelly sand in front of me as I was lurched forward, BANG! followed by some horrible fiberglass scrapping sounds before my boat came to a rest. Happily no damage caused (2nd time today I thought maybe I should have had bought a plastic one) Plastic 2, Composite 0      

I was out for a little over 4 hours and despite not reaching my goals again, it was worth it for that sunrise.

Walk back to the car.............. Palstic 2, Composite 1

Paddle Fitness

I realised after my first Gower trip that without getting a lot of the more specific seakayak techniques down, I am going to be a liability to myself. So in order to avoid this I thought I'd better get my act together and practice and keep on practicing. However what I didn't want to do is just bimble around without any focus.

For now I've decided to use Cardiff Bay as my training ground making it in effect my gym. Hopefully by practicing here I'll be able to get out a do some of the sea journeys that have inspired me. One area I definitely need to improve is my fitness.

There is a plethora of information about paddle fitness out there on the web, ranging from gym based specific moves to theory's that you don't have to do anything more than just go paddling, now that sounds my kind of exercise. After thinking about it, I realised that I wouldn't like to run out of oomph when I hadn't quite made it back to shore because I've paddled further than I'm used too, or struggle to carry my boat down the beach or lift it onto the roof rack.

So I decided that I needed more of a general purpose programme to get me going, something I could adapt as I got stronger and didn't need membership of expensive gyms or the need for equipment. This is what I came up with.


Running/Jogging
I aim to run for thirty minutes. If like me you couldn't run for thirty seconds start a run walk programme that will build you up slowly enabling you to run for that 30mins, you'll be amazed at the progress you will make.

Strength

For this, my choice was simple circuit training. For an all over workout without equipment you can't go far wrong, if it's too easy, add some more exercises of your choice. Or do the circuit 2 or 3 times through.

• 20 Squats - This helps with raising your pulse.
• 20 Push ups -If you can't do twenty, then do what you can, rest and do some more until you do twenty.
• 20 Burpees - These are a great all over workout
• 20 Bicycle crunches -  One crunch would equate to both left and right sides
• 20 Leg Raises - don't rush, do them slowly under control for added benefit.

Swimming

 

I use a swimming pool for this one. I'm not sure how this would work for wild swimming but I guess if your into that then you'll already have your own routine.

 

Think of how many lengths you can swim in one go, lets say it's 4 for the ease of explanation.

 

Swim 1 length and rest for a few seconds at the end of the pool,

Swim 2 lengths together and then rest, just enough to get your breath back

Swim 3 together and rest again

Swim 4 rest, then 3 rest, 2 rest and then 1.

 

I find doing this reduces the tedium of just doing lengths, vary your stroke as well for added benefit.  

 

Warning Speed Humps

Today I decided to go to the gym, that really big expensive one, the one between Cardiff and Penarth known locally as Cardiff Bay. I had only a few hours to spare so I get going early hopefully before the city rises

Not everyone is asleep though!

I launch from the slip on Jim Driscoll Way in Grangetown and paddle up the Taff. This is a really good access point for using the bay but unfortunately like most things, you have to pay. Currently you can either pay £5.00 for the day or get a yearly season ticket that is calculated against the length of your boat. Both are available from the harbour office located upstairs in the leisure centre, there are other access points for the bay where you do not have to pay but they involve either a little carry or an interesting get in.
 

The scenery isn't amazing along this stretch of water but it gives me an opportunity to concentrate on technique, on today's menu is vertical paddle strokes and edging. Both of which I certainly haven't sorted, sometimes when I edge, the boat turns nicely and I can navigate the bends of the Taff without using sweep strokes, other times I head towards the bank like someone has switched on a boat magnet. However it didn't take long and slowly as I paddled further upstream I gained more control of the boat.

After a short while once you pass under the Castle Street Bridge the river banks become more appealing...

but this doesn't last long, as the river gets shallower I'm forced to turn around.

Whilst paddling up the river I was overtaken by a number of rowers or is it scullers, as I paddle back there are even more coming up towards me including a woman in a dingy with outboard engine, shouting coaching instructions to the rowers, suddenly the river doesn't seem to be that wide for someone with edging issues. I decide not to pop the deck and take the camera out as my boat tends to turn 90 degrees to the bank while I'm faffing about, I didn't fancy finding out what it was like to be a speed hump.

I carry on past the get in, out into the bay concentrating on my edging. I stop and look around, the sun is shinning on the roof of the millennium centre and reflects a lovely bronze colour.

Unfortunately by the time I got the camera out the moment was gone. I head over in the direction of the Norwegian Church, is that the Black Pearl.

Maybe Captain Sparrow was kicking it back in Cardiff last night.

I decide to try and head back without getting run over,there are boats everywhere and I'm at  the bottom of the food chain. After a few heart stopping moments as I encounter the wake of a few boats (tip:-watch out for the yellow speed boats) I make it safely back to the get in where I see another paddler gearing up. I walk over and say hello, it was Peter from something called 'Glam Boaters" (I find out it is a Cardiff based kayak club) he tells me tales about a very inspiring trip he went on from Barry the other week and about his recent trip to West Wales which also sounds equally exciting, he also talks about somebody called Taran who is apparently a local sea kayak celebrity? 

Cardiff bay is not big it doesn't take long to do a circumnavigation, but its a good place to go to blow the cobwebs out, practice a few skill or just paddle without having to worry about tides etc. I know I'll be back time and time again.