Easter Paddling

Several club members were paddling this weekend.

The “Lundy Lunatics” made it out to the iconic rock in the Bristol Channel, I believe there was club paddle on Easter Day and Mark & Sherril managed one short paddle from Porth Clais, south of St David’s Head in Pembrokeshire. Hopefully we will get some pictures of the Lundy trip and the Club Paddle to put up as a separate post but here’s a few pictures from West Wales to wet people’s appetite.

The rocks on Ramsay Island known as "The Bitches" which produce a famous wave for play-boating in the right conditions. Up to 6knots of tide run through the sound and the moving water viewed from the mainland cliff top was inspiring, especially as we saw a pair of porpoises and a seal being flushed through.

Three sea-kayakers also being "flushed" through the mainland side of the channel.

Horse Rock, a cathedral sized spire of rock sticking up 60meters from the seabed protruding at low water. You can see the size of the wave to get an idea of the power of the ebb tidal stream. It looks like the conning tower of a surfacing submarine!

Launching at Porth Clais.

Rock-hopping - caves, collapsed arches, interesting strata.

We paddlers weren't the only people out enjoying the coastal geology.

Round Portsea & Hayling Islands

Not many words this week- we are all too tired after a fast paced 22nm paddle around the two big Islands. Just some great pictures from Steve Woods.

Perfect paddling conditions in beautiful sunlight.

Despite my previous post, you can get under the Hilsea Bridge at the top of a 4.5m tide - Duck!

Sister ships of the one on Portsdown Hill! We're getting weary now.

A brief rest before the last push out of the harbour and home to Southsea.

Mother's day paddle - boats big and small

A delightful A-grade paddle on the upper Hamble on Mothering Sunday saw club 9 paddlers meander their way up to Botley.

It was a day of boats big and small, boats old and new and a different view or take on the sport/pursuit of kayaking.

Compare & contrast! Safety gear - what's that? No BA, no cag, no tow line, flares, VHF or spare paddles - just a supermarket carrier bag with some energy bars and a drink! Our competitive brothers take a very different view to the risks, especially as they paddle very tippy, super light K1 race boats.

Easy does it.

Last one to the head of the river's a sissy!

The all important briefing. Note the pre-ordered Sunny Weather appearing on command!

A new boat for some - the first few paddle strokes.

Making our way upstream. Sadly (?) we couldn't afford the big blue boat on the right.

A cheaper alternative?

Turn around at the top of the river before an easy tide assisted early return to Swanwick and home in time for Sunday lunch.

WW weekend

Here is a video from Richard H