Heather and Mark Rainsley are a married couple who live and work in Dorset.
Heather has walked and kayaked all along Britain’s coasts and islands. She has a degree in Ecology and a passion for geology and natural history. Heather has published writing and photography in numerous outdoor adventure magazines, even in China! Heather’s day job is as Head of Science at a local school.
Mark has kayaked clockwise along all of Britain’s coast between the Solent and Bass Rock, and intends to have the rest done soon! He has written and photographed for numerous sports and travel publications in the UK and worldwide, including National Geographic and The Independent newspaper. In 2008 his book South West Sea Kayaking was published and very well received. An updated second edition was published in 2011. Mark teaches History at a secondary school.
Hi,Heather and Mark.
This is Mohan Kumar from Bangalore, India.A virtually landlocked place in India.I am fascinated by Ocean,the Waves,those Sea gulls,the Surf….The best part is i was at the sea only a couple of times, but dreams are dreams.I write this as I see somebody enjoying ,as what I am I am dreaming.My best wishes,Enjoy,,but do share the best photographs as what you have.
Regards,
MOHAN KUMAR
Hi Guys,
Nice website and enjoyed reading your blog. Im a kayaker myself and enjoy fishing from it usually in the summer along the south coast. Can you recommend a book that illustrates the direction of currents with tides, overfalls and dangerous areas along the south coast of England? I enjoy the Purbeck coastline but got caught up in the overfalls and rip tides of Swanage and St Albans Head – quite a journey and one that i should plan a little better next time!
Thanks in advance,
Dan
‘Can you recommend a book that illustrates the direction of currents with tides, overfalls and dangerous areas along the south coast of England?’
There is a book called ‘South West Sea Kayaking’ which covers this…
Hope that helps,
Mark
Hi Mark,
Responding to you “UK Rivers” post as requested.
Hi,
I am trying to kayak 700 miles acrsoss the UK for Charity next mongth. I am going to try to kayak around the Cumbrian Coast from Morecombe Bay to Carlisle during the last ten days of next month (kicking off around the 20th of June).
I would appreciate any advice, recommendations for good stop off points and any pertinent information which might make my life easier.
Additionally, do you have any local contacts of sea kayakers who might be tempted to come join me or point me in the right direction.
Ta
Sean, I can think of a few folk who may be able to offer advice (including me), but first would you post your query here – http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=4 – this means that everyone will get to see/ share their advice. It’s my website, I’ll answer your query there too.
Hope that helps,
Mark R
Hi Mark,
I’m hoping to paddle out to Red Sands Fort in the Thames Estuary on the Saturday prior to this years Kayakathon having viewed your great pictures.May I ask where you launched from and have you any helpful advise.
Also, may I ask what camera you utilise for for your photos when afloat ?.
Keep up the great website & look forward to hearing from you.
Cheers
Andy
Norfolk
Photo equipment here – http://southwestseakayaking.co.uk/2010/07/06/what-camera-do-you-use-updated/
Launched from near Sheerness for red Sands – see your email…
Mark
I am an artist working on a commission for Portland for the Cultural Olympiad (www.exlab.org.uk) and have been keeping a blog of my explorations (www.simonhryder.wordpress.com). I have become fascinated by The Race, having been working with aerial 3D scans of the water surface, and now want to get up close on the water as part of the project. If this is something that you might be interested in being involved with, please get in touch. s.ryder@artnucleus.org. Thanks. Simon
Hi Mark,
My names Steve and im trying to create awareness of the National Watersports Festival on hayling island, can you help with allowing me to post about the upcoming event in august?
Thankyou,
Steve Barrow