Joe's Leaving Paddle!

Joe is leaving the Isle of Man in about three weeks time to take up his University place. Tonight a paddle from Fort Island took place to see him off.
I have known Joe for about two years. During that time I have paddled on many occasions with him. His presence is always a source of great reassurance to us all. His skills certainly outweigh most of ours and I think we've all learned a great deal from him. Joe has a great sense of humour and I think we'll all miss his company whilst paddling.
Joe will keep in touch and and has agreed to contribute to this site with "Paddling News from North Wales".

Chicken Rock and Back!

The Adventure Club plus 1 paddled from Port St Mary to South Harbour on the Calf of Man today. I discovered soon after departure that I was to lead the trip. I quickly worked out the tide and off we went.
Looking out from the Calf of Man, and with some of Jan's excellent sponge cake in hand, I decided to paddle on to circumnavigate the Chicken Rock Lighthouse.
After a couple of roles at the lighthouse we paddled back to Port St Mary. Amongst the wildlife seen were a pod of porpoises and some basking seals.
It's always difficult taking the lead on paddles, especially when you are relatively new to it, and also when you're not expecting it. Suddenly your group awareness has to be amplified. This is more so when you have novices along on such a potentially extreme paddle as this was. It can become rather like a shepherd herding sheep. There always seems to be one determined to go off on their own. The need for eyes in the back of your head can completely change your perception, and ultimately enjoyment of the paddle. Still with 5 star looming, this is just what I need!

Corporate Kayak!

19 bankers, 3 groups and two locations led to some organisational issues at Laxey. Once under way and after a couple of spills, myself, Jan and John decided to group up and head South.

The group quickly got the hang of paddling allowing for an uneventful trip, returning to Laxey for the barbecue.

The Adventure Club are off to Chicken Rock today which, for those not familiar with it, should provide for excitement in the tidal races and whirlpools!

Trip to Ramsay.

With a day off from Kayaking, myself, Christina and Christian took a trip to Ramsay on the Manx Electric Railway.










It was the first good day of weather for a while and would have been ideal for taking "beginners" out in. Either way we stopped off at Ballaglas for a walk and picnic at Port Cornaa, before continuing to Ramsay.

Windy Day!

Force 5 gusting 6 Northwesterly pushes a Level 3 Sea Kayak coach out of remit. Even if you ignore this will a group of beginners enjoy battling away against the wind on a trip? Mostly they want to look at scenery and wildlife and understandably do not want 3 hours of non stop"skills" in a sheltered spot. The answer is obvious; cancel the session and rebook them! But then I'm not making my living as a kayak coach. When Keirron gets back I'll ask him what he'd have done. Any guesses? I'll let you know.
WELL, HE AGREED WITH WHAT I'D DECIDED!!!

Begginners' trips from Port Erin.

Along with Sam and John I took two groups out from Port Erin. There were stiff Northerly winds creating a challenging swell off Bradda Head. This subsided during the evening allowing the more experienced paddlers to venture beyond the bay mouth. Otherwise it was rock hopping, skills, rolling (coaches only) and even some more "double trouble" from Sam and John.
It's interesting to consider the responsibility taken on by those running these sessions. As a Consultant Anaesthetist I'm used to taking on huge responsibility. In turn I get well paid. I'm not sure that the responsibility running these sessions is any less. It seems a shame that it is so difficult to make a living as a kayaking coach.

Wet and windy Intermediate trip from PEEL to Dalby and Back.

Keirron and I took a bunch of extremely competent Intermediates from Peel to Dalby and back. As you can see from the harbour gate at Peel it had been raining heavily accompanied by force 5 to 6 winds. After lunch at Nyarbyl we returned for "wet skills" in Peel. Rolls, re entry and roll and even a mass roll took place. Finally Keirron demonstrated how to re-entry and roll replacing his spray deck whilst underwater.

Level 3 Coach Assessment.

Janet, Keirron (Venture Centre) and myself have been taking the Coach 3 assessment for the last two days. We've completed a written paper, given a lecture and carried out two on the water assessments. We finished up with some body surfing at Fenella Beach.

Janet Taylor, Keirron Stout and one other passed their Coach 3 assessments.

2007 Isle of Man Kayak Symposium Underway!

Freya, Peter and Trys have arrived in the Isle of Man. Force 6 NW winds straight into Peel provided perfect conditions for 5 Star training and assesments. See www.KAYAK.im for more photographs.

Are the "Horrendous Experiences" back?

On Sunday the original Adventure Club members were re-united at Gansey Beach. The weather was miserable with heavy rain and a force 6 westerly wind. We headed off to the Sound of Man and encountered a heavy swell off the Chasms. The swell dropped off on our return towards Port St Mary denying us the opportunity to surf effortlessly home. Not quite a "horrendous Experience" but a good start marking Keirron's return.