Archive for April 4th, 2007

The Trap

The Trap, Hurst Narrows

In the Hurst Narrows, the kilometre-wide gap between Hurst Spit and the Isle of Wight, the tide squeezes through at speeds of 5 knots and beyond. A number of tide races form, the race nearest to Hurst Spit being known as ‘The Trap’.

On the ebb flow, ‘The Trap’ can be an entertaining roller coaster propelling paddlers out towards the Needles Rocks. However, when the tide is ebbing outwards against the prevailing south westerly wind, the waves in the race surge and break. On these occasions ’The Trap’ isn’t always a fun place to be…

The Solent, wind against tide

 

Night Watch

Bournemouth Bay

On a warm summer night last year, John Gilmour and I made the crossing of Bournemouth Bay from Swanage to the Needles Lighthouse on the Isle of Wight, about 18 miles. It was too dark to read our compasses (we only found this out after setting off, oops) but some guesstimated navigation saw us through the first half of the paddle until we could see the lighthouse. We were several miles from the nightclubs of Bournemouth but could have been mid-Atlantic, it was pretty lonely out there.

I hoped to repeat this (in reverse) this week, but it’s too windy for my taste. I cheated and came back from the Solent by car instead.

Bournemouth Bay from Milford on Sea, this afternoon

 


The Book

The Book

A Sample Chapter

Prawle Point in south Devon.

About

During 2006-8 I researched, photographed and wrote a sea kayaking guide to the South West of England; from the Bristol Channel to the Isle of Wight. I have used this blog to keep folk updated as to my progress and to reveal some of the wonderful scenery, culture and wildlife of this little corner of England.

Pesda Press Titles

 

Sit-on-Top Kayak Sea Kayak Navigation

 

Welsh Sea Kayaking Sea Kayak

 

The Northern Isles Scottish Sea Kayaking

 

Oileáin English White Water

 

Scottish White Water Kayak Rolling

 

British Canoe Union Coaching Handbook BCU Canoe & Kayak Handbook

 

Kayak Surfing The Seamanship Pocketbook

 

Scottish Canoe Classics Scottish Canoe Touring

More Good Reading

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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