Kayaking Isle of Man - Oban Sea Kayak Race.

Ever get the feeling you've really messed up? I had that feeling when I arrived in Oban for the weekend recently only to witness the inaugural Oban Sea Kayak Race taking place. Of course, as I was half way through a job in a hospital about as far from the sea as you can get in Scotland, I didn't bring my kayak or my gear. To be honest I've never taken part in a paddling race before and I'm sure my lack of preparation would have meant that I lagged well behind, but it would have been nice just to take part.

The race circumnavigates the Island of Kerrera which is just off Oban. Much of the 20 km route is remote and exposed and I think just finishing would be an achievement in itself. A further great achievement is the over £1000 raised for the RNLI. The overall winner was John Willacy from Anglesey in an astonishing time of 1 hour 55 minutes and 41 seconds. You can read more about the race and perhaps sign up for next years at www.obanseakayakrace.org .

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Sea Kayaking Isle of Man- Big Tides!

Jess, Ian and myself back in the Calf Sound tidal races.
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Winter Harbour.

I last visited Holberg in Northern Vancouver Island two years ago. Back then I thought this small logging settlement was the end of the World. I was wrong, Winter harbour, some 20 km beyond Holberg holds that title. To reach Holberg a 40 km gravel logging road winds its way through the dense forest from Port Hardy. Beyond Holberg the track becomes single file, rocky and treacherous, seeming to double back on itself, and twist and turn as if to confuse the traveller. It's a maize of unpaved logging roads only decipherable because of the signs at most junctions. Where the alternative tracks go is a mystery best left unsolved.
As I arrived in Winter Harbour, driving past the welcoming sign, I thought the settlement must consist of just one or two dwellings. In fact the village runs in a narrow strip along the edge of the tree lined fjord, shielded from the track by vegetation. On discovering the village the first thing you notice are the numerous billboards and signs warning that trespassing will be punishable by guard dog or worse! It is like entering a maximum security facility in the middle of nowhere. And yet there seems to be virtually no one around to either heed, or enforce the warnings. Winter Harbour gives the impression of a ghost town of rather cautious second home owners. But this place does have one feature which makes the long journey worth while. Winter Harbour has a magnificent board walk.
The board walk stretches most of the length of Winter Harbour. 3 planks wide, all laid length ways, there are few horizontal supports! The boards spring and flex with the weight of the walker sometimes quit precariously. As you bounce along, the board walk meanders mainly between quaint wooden dwellings and the sea. Occasionally a pier or jetty will project out at right angles into the fjord and out to a mooring. Most again are festooned with threatening "KEEP OFF" signs. The raised passage crosses beach and river beds, open areas of grass and penetrates patches of dense trees and other vegetation. Certainly when we were there it was deserted and peaceful allowing full appreciation of the stunning scenery in and around the hamlet.
Winter Harbour is really a haven for serious fisher folk and those that wish to escape people. It's difficult to get to and I don't think I'd make that journey again. Having said that I'm glad I did if only for Winter Harbour's delightful board walk.
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Sea Kayaking Isle of Man - Tofino KAYAKING.

It's been a week now since I sent a polite email to the Tofino Sea Kayaking Company regarding a solo kayak rental (see previous post). Apart from the automated reply acknowledging the receipt of my message, I still have received no reply from a human being at that particular company.

I thought I was doomed to a kayaking free spell in the paddling mecca that Tofino, Vancouver Island, is! That is until I found Paddle West Kayaking. Their courteous and thorough staff first ensured that I was competent and equipped to solo paddle around the Clayoquot Sound. Once satisfied they provided me with a boat, a paddle and all other necessary gear. And at 10 CAD per hour the price seemed pretty good too. OK, the boat was plastic, green and North American but I was so grateful I didn't care.

For your kayaking needs in Tofino, BC, Canada I would recommend Paddle West Kayaking.

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Sea Kayaking Isle of Man - NO KAYAKING!

The World is becoming health and safety crazy. The individual is no longer responsible for his own safety and well being. Particularly where there is money is involved the threat of litigation looms large. But its all for our own good. We can live longer and have fewer accidents. We also grow fatter and take Prozac. Our lives become empty as we languish in our cotton wool shells created for us by the lawyers.

So why am I blowing off about health and safety and why are there moody pictures of Long Beach, Tofino, Canada instead of kayaking photos on this particular blog entry? Well I'm told that the only place I can rent a kayak in Tofino, Vancouver Island, is from the Tofino Sea Kayaking Company. The pleasant lady behind the counter told me that they only have two rules when it comes to kayak rental. The first is that you have to be an expert, and the second is that you cannot paddle alone! I just want to go for a solo blast around the Sound, something I have done many times before when I fetched my own 3 piece kayak to Vancouver Island all the way from the Isle of Man. I followed up with an email to the Tofino Sea Kayaking Company offering to sign a waiver for the solo trip. Now, I don't blame them for not letting me paddle alone in one of their boats. That's the way the World is now and I'm sure they have taken sound legal advice. I do blame them for not replying to my email sent two days ago. But I thank them for keeping me safe, if not a little frustrated!

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Sea Kayaking Isle of Man - Pain!

Modern advice is not to rest when you experience many sorts of back pain. Instead carry on with your usual daily activities if you can, take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (if you can) and maybe get some physiotherapy. The days of taking to bed for three weeks with pain killers and Valium are mostly gone! I'm not sure this advice should include tidal race paddling at spring tides and in the aftermath of a force 7 however! I was in agony for 24 hours after my experiences in the Sound on Sunday. Much of tidal race paddling is about edging the boat, especially in a rough water kayak like the Rockpool Alaw Bach. Clearly, with a lumbar back injury any sort of edging is agony but unavoidable in a tidal race at full pelt.

Having said all that my back is much better than it has been for weeks today and so the jury is out. Thanks to Ian's Dad for the top two photos.

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Sea Kayaking Isle of Man -Ballyquintin Pt.

Of late my own attempts at tidal race paddling have been a little disappointing. A combination of the wrong tidal conditions, the wind flattening off the waves and a grumbling, but slowly resolving back injury have put pay to any hopes of a satisfying tidal race session. Not so for John Grant over in Northern Ireland who seems to be slowly mapping out his local tidal races. All the above photos were sent to me by John and you can read more about his adventures here.

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