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Tuesday 17th June
Duke of Edinburgh Award

Gold Sea Kayaking Final Practice Returns

Here's a clip of the trip (<2MB).

The team spent the first part of the final practice revisiting the principles of tidal and weather planning so as to work out where on the North Wales coast would be appropriate for the final practice.  After much looking at maps and various sources of wind direction and speed as well as high and low water times it was decided that a route heading south on the south west coast of Anglesey would be very suitable being sheltered from the wind as well as the tides meaning that best use of the ebb flow could be used for most of the day.

The group arrived at Rhosneiger at around 8:00pm to find flat sea, light wind and glorious sunshine!  Boats were packed and a slow meander made to Silver Bay which would be the first campsite of the expedition; it was also the groups’ first experience of a dusk paddle which did not disappoint as the sunset was fantastic.

The second day had the team aim for an 8:00 am departure which would allow the tide to turn in the direction of travel shortly after local high water, the light wind was also at our backs and the sun shining suggesting a glorious day’s paddling was to be had.  Our target was the beach at Newborough some 20km away.  The day passed with fantastic views of the Snowdonia Range as well as visits to Cable Bay and the chapel in the sea!  The team also embarked on a fairly open crossing which had then some 2km off shore at one point as they navigated between two headlands.  On approaching one set of skerries, a few seals were glimpsed basking on the rocks.  This led to a very enjoyable 30 minutes of the seals launching and popping up behind our boats in their curious manner.  We eventually rounded the last headland to paddle the last 2km on a glass like sea with no wind and absolutely no sound except the dipping of our paddle blades - magical!!  One of those moments the outdoors gives occasionally which needs no conversation - just the taking in of the environment that you’re privileged to be in.

An early start was needed for Tuesday as the team had to use the incoming tide to pass round Abermenai Point before finishing in Caernarfon. We launched at 6:30am in a lumpy sea due to the wind veering to a South Westerly direction which gave some interesting balancing at times!!  Abermenai Point was reached exactly at the time planned and the rushing tide helped the team pass through quickly!!  We landed and looked at ferry gliding across the flow as well as the effects that the narrow gap has on the sea around it, a very useful exercise as the area was a very good representation of the Corran Narrows that the team will pass through on the last day of their final expedition in Scotland next week.  The final few km passed quickly with the impressive castle that guards the entrance to Caernarfon dominating the landscape.  Before finishing the team took it in turns to practice setting up and towing each other as well as finishing the expedition with the inevitable “all in” rescue!! 

The expedition went very well and the team are now a competent unit who I’m sure will enjoy the journey they will undertake in Scotland due to their knowledge and ability being matched to the challenge.

ADO