Monday 31 May 2010

Kimmeridge Bay to Durdle Door

4 of us decided on the kimmerage paddle on bank holiday Monday, as I had also offered to do a trip to Symonds yat.


Allan Sturman, Clare Thurger, Sheila Villet & myself set off to a really calm sea, max wind speed 2mph & 0.5knot Tidal assistance. I think every other Sea Kayaker on the south coast had the same idea as us.


We made a brief stop at Lulworth cove where there was 100's of people lined all around the stoney beach. There was a small group of novice kayakers that set off from there in borrowed boats, to our amusement this one guy (15 stone Mr Mussel type) was showing off to his mates how strong & fast he could go took 4 strokes and promptly fell in, to which he started to scream "Help me" as he doggy paddled back to the shore. That was the only kayaking he did that day.


we set off again around the corner to have a play in Durdle door and stopped for lunch in St Oswald's Bay. The return leg was rockhopping all the way to Worbarrow Bay where we stopped for a quick visit to Tyneham village.


A really great day was had by all


Photos by Alan Sturman






Sunday 30 May 2010

Hill Head to Upper Hamble - Sunday 30th May













With no club trip programmed this weekend, due to the Jersey Symposium, a couple of us opted not to battle with the Bank Holiday traffic and instead stayed local (to battle with a stiff Westerly, which seemed to veer NW as soon as we reached the Hamble).


























We headed west from Hillhead with an F4 against us, it was a bit of a slog but an hour or so later we entered the Hamble and after dodging the procession of pleasure craft we paused at Hamble village for a coffee.
Continuing up river we found the strong Spring flow more than negated the wind that now whistled its way down river on its way to the Solent. Ignoring the chattering of the rigging we shot past the remaining yachts that were still tethered at their berths, their stable mates off to join the seemingly endless stampede to open water.









In contrast the Upper Hamble was a picture of serenity and despite the Jolly Sailor looking very inviting we resisted temptation and continued with the flow.






























Timing our return with the ebb we cruised down river (though somehow we still had the wind against us) and once at the entrance we were suprised to find the mass exit still going strong.
With the Westerly now on our backs we found exhilaration in the strong following sea that pushed us back along the coast and also helped make this twenty miler feel a bit of a breeze.