South West Sea Kayaking

 May 2006. We’d made the crossing to Lundy Island on the previous day and it had been a chore. The 18 mile paddle across the Bristol Channel from North Devon had been marred by a lousy headwind and poor group communication. Worse weather was forecast. It was obvious by the next morning that if we stayed much longer, there was no chance of safely paddling back to the mainland. Some chose to paddle back ahead of the weather right away. A few of us decided to stay and explore the island, knowing that we’d have to take the ferry back.

We paddled around the island, battling against powerful tidal flows. The imposing cliffs of the west coast were a worthwhile reward for choosing to stay. I ventured alone into the largest cave. Soaring granite expanses, whirling seabirds, rolling swell, gathering clouds and nervous paddlers. I raised the camera to my eyes. With these ingredients, I could not fail to take a stunning photograph.

I did fail.

Well, my photos can henceforth only get better! One of the challenges I’ve set myself in working on this book is to raise the standard of my photography somewhat. I’ve since bought myself a digital SLR and read lots of photography magazines. So this’ll mean I’m now a better photographer, right? If you know of anything else I should be doing, let me know…

I am champing at the bit to get out sea paddling; I can’t wait to get back to the SW coast! Given that I’m also a fanatical white water paddler and the rivers are all heaving right now, something seems to be wrong with me.

Even so, I suspect that I might just stay away from the sea for the time being…

My last sea paddle of 2006 was right here on my local coast; I live in Corfe Castle, Dorset and conveniently enough, I am surrounded by some of the finest coastal landscapes in Britain. Don’t take my word for it, it’s a World Heritage Site!

I was joined by two members of the Swanage Lifeboat crew; useful people to be on the right side of! John Gilmour is a teacher like me. He’s only recently got into the sport…can you tell?

I have paddled this trip dozens of times, but always spot something different each time. On this day, the little waterfall just east of Kimmeridge Bay was flowing well.

We paddled from Swanage to Kimmeridge in great weather, despite dense fog on the previous day. This seemed like a good omen for 2007. Unfortunately, since then the wind hasn’t dropped below Force 13 in three weeks!

This year I am researching, writing and photographing a Sea Kayaking guide to South West England, from the Bristol Channel to the Isle of Wight. This is a pretty exciting undertaking. I have paddled all of this wonderful coast before, but I plan to revisit it all during 2007. Such a chore!

I intend to use this blog to keep folk updated as to how I’m getting on, and more crucially…as a form of work avoidance.

The photo below is of course the banner picture at the head of this page. I chose it because it pretty much encapsulates what this whole endeavour is about for me. It was taken several miles offshore from Lands End whilst paddling back from the Scilly Isles. Kevin Francis and I had shared our 28 mile crossing with porpoises, sunfish, seals and supertankers.

Life doesn’t get much better. Looking forward to much more time out at sea in 2007.