Isle of Man Kayaking - Surfing Gansey.

(Photos by Ian Smith)
On Saturday I went kayak surfing at Gansey Beach, Isle of Man. I spent most of the time swimming, and these are my excuses:

1. I have a new surf boat which I'm not used to.
2. My sea kayak spray deck does not fit the Mega surf kayak and kept on leaking and imploding!
3. I was using a sea kayak paddle!
4. I have a new surf boat which I'm not used to.
5. I didn't want to show Steve Watt up.
6. The waves were too big and the wind was too strong for surf kayaking?
7. The water salinity at Gansey Beach on that day wasn't quite right.

There .....
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Isle of Man Kayaking - keeping busy.

Oddly, despite the fact that I have no job, I have been and am I incredibly busy. I quite my job a little over a week ago. It wasn't really planned but I reached a point where I was no longer willing to tolerate what was going on. It wasn't just one thing it was a combination of factors, although there was a "final straw". I reached a point where unemployment seemed preferable to the situation at work. Have I regretted my decision? I can say an emphatic NO, not for 1 second. I would do the same thing again. Don't get me wrong, it hasn't been easy. There have been moments of abject depression and worry, but they have been short lived. I think that's where the keeping busy comes in. I was already coding for a new, larger version of KAYAK.im and I've immersed myself in it. I'm not sure that this will ever lead to anything commercially viable, but that's not the point. It keeps me occupied whilst I get things together.
And so, if you are ever in my position, the take home message is KEEP BUSY!
Anyway, I reckon the new KAYAK.im is about 2 weeks away.
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Isle of Man Kayaking - Down Time.

I guess quiting your job for the reasons I did is of great interest, as the web stats for www.KAYAK.im would testify. The surge was only interrupted by the 24 hour down time which occurred over the weekend. My web hosting company had problems with the server, and now I've been moved to a different, hopefully more reliable facility. It could be that people are tuning in to read about all things kayaking? On the other hand, one or two may be expecting something a little more dramatic!
Since leaving my job the weather has improved, or maybe it just seems that way. It was certainly sunny enough as Jess, Ian and myself headed down to the Sound from Port Erin. The race was small, but very playful. Unfortunately the fun was all to short lived as we were on less than spring tides.
Monday, and it was back to work! Well, believe it or not I am working pretty hard. The difference is that I don't drive to work anymore. Instead I walk downstairs to my office. There is a plan of sorts which I'm not totally sure about. But what I lack in confidence I shall try to make up for with determination.
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Isle of Man Kayaking - Joy.

For me, there are only two things that can truly take your mind off the World and it's incumbent problems! One of them is thrashing it out in a big, gnarly tidal race and that's what I'll be doing this weekend.
PS Thanks to the many people who have sent me kind messages through various media with regard to my recent change of circumstances. A BIG THANK YOU!
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Isle of Man Kayaking - Gone!

It's Wednesday the 6th of May 2009. For me this date will stick in my mind for a long time to come. It's one of those days that changes your life. Things will never be the same for me again. Life could get allot better, but it could easily go the other way. In a couple of years I may look back on this day and regret what I have done. On the other hand it could be a chance to start over and enjoy a much happier existence. So what have I done? I've resigned from my job as a Consultant Anaesthetist in the Nobles Hospital, Isle of Man! For the very first time since leaving school 26 years ago I am unemployed.
So why would I throw all that away? I was put in an impossible position at work which I could not resolve. Of course, I could just go and get another anaesthetic job somewhere else. Who knows it may come to that, but I'd like to try my hand at something else. I don't know what yet, but I can put together reasonable web sites, and I can paddle. I'll keep you posted.
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Isle of Man Kayaking - Open!

On Sunday Ian and I paddled from Port Moar down to Port Cornaa on the East side of the Isle of Man. To be honest it was fairly flat and it should have been an uneventful trip. At Cornaa I practiced my role as I do on every trip I make. I think everyone should do this but, just one bit of advice ...... make sure you've zipped up your dry suite before you role. I can tell you the Irish Sea is bloody cold at this time of the year!
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Isle of Man Kayaking - Chicken Rock.

Located a mile and a half off the southern most tip of the Calf of Man lies Chicken Rock, with it's formidable lighthouse. This is the most southerly land mass administered by the Manx Government. There's a light house there because the rock is treacherous to shipping. It's also pretty treacherous to kayakers. Exposed to the prevailing westerly and south westerly winds, the rock has vast, endless and constant tidal races sweeping around it. These often meet with eddy currents creating turbulent, boiling, whirlpool infested waters! This seemed the ideal spot for Ian and I to practice our rough water landings, roles and self rescues! Well, to be fair it was pretty sedate for chicken rock this day, and the rough water landing was made in a gentle swell. There was even time to climb the 30 feet or so up the iron ladder to the locked lighthouse door to snap some of the photos above.
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