South Coast July?

We rarely get any kind of surf on the South Coast in the summer - that is why there is a growing interest in sea kayaks. But July isn't offering much sea kayaking weather. Windblown and messy at Highcliffe but enjoyable all the same

Less Than Three?

More and more of our canoe club members are taking up sea kayaking to while away the summer when the rivers are dry. A couple of weeks ago a few of us enjoyed an 'afternoon at the races' and the swells and waves came close to tipping us over. It seemed sensible for us to devote a few evenings to practice 'rescues'. How difficult can it be to get back into your kayak should the unthinkable happen?

We tried a variety of assisted and self rescues from the 'leg over' and 'ladder' to the re-entry roll with various degrees of success.

Perhaps the overriding lesson learnt was – getting back into a sea kayak alone is more difficult than it looks. Either lots of practice or don’t paddle alone or don’t fall in!

I enjoy paddling alone - but, while my roll has always proved solid, I will make a point of practicing other techniques (eggs and baskets)

Worbarrow Camp

Mid May and an uneasy forecast - but the easterly swell and wind pushed us along nicely - from Sandbanks to one of my favourite camp spots at Wobarrow.

Now, courtesy of Mark Rainsley, a guide to sea kayaking the whole of the South West coast is available http://southwestseakayaking.co.uk/promotional-bumf/

I wonder if we will see more kayakers enjoying the Jurassic Coast in the future?

5 days on the Soca

We were blessed - with good weather and high river levels, for a memorable and relaxing five days paddling on the Soca

When the water wasn't white

It was unbelievably blue

And always playful

We are watching you

Snapped this morning

Images from India

12 of us have recently returned from a mini-adventure to paddle in the Indian Himalayas – targeting areas that see few paddlers or tourists. The trip was arranged by Mark Rainsley (big thanks)

A selection of images tells the story.

Rishikesh - Yoga centre for a warm up paddle on the Holy Ganges

Launching on the Pindar (a tributary of the Alaknanda)

A 3 Day paddle with loaded boats down the Alaknanda (from Chamoli to Rudraprayag)

A day on the Mandikini (Agastyamuni to Rudraprayag)
A day driving

A day paddling the Yamuna gorges
Two days on the Tons

Over the pass for two days on the mighty Sutlej

A final day chilling (recovering) in Shimla

Escape

Not long now - Hoping for some quality rivers, some good weather and lots of fun.
Locking the office door in 10 days time :-)