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Weekends : Wales Seakayaking

Last weekend (10/05/2003) Matt, myself, Chika, Kevin and Jodi headed for Wales for a bit of sea kayak training before our trip to the Lototen islands in Norway in mid July.

We left London at 7:00 pm last Friday and were doing pretty well time wise until we got to the A5 which they had closed without any signs or directions as to where to go on the detour. So after taking numerous farm roads we managed to find our way again but it was pouring with rain and we were wondering what we had got ourselves into as this was not going to be fun at all. The rain soon passed and we arrived at the CWM Pennant Mountain Centre a little after midnight. The Mountain Centre is situated in the CWM Pennant Valley five miles north west of Porthmadog in the Snowdonia National Park.

We didn't quite know what to expect as it reminded us all of Summer camp or school trips. Everyone seemed to be sleeping so we quietly tried to locate our room/dorm. We knew that a group of Scouts and their dads were also staying there and soon found this out as a group of five boys in their pyjamas tried to sneak past us. Chika, Kevin and Jodi and arrived about an hour before us so they were fast asleep. Next minute the fire alarm went off and doors were flung open and sleepy eyed people were wondering what was going on. Never found out who rang the fire alarm but we were happy as it resolved our problem of where to sleep.

A beautiful day the next morning so up bright and early to meet our course instructor who has amongst other trips paddled from John O'Groats to Lands End! After breakfast we kitted ourselves up with wetsuit, cag (drymac), spray skirt, buoyancy aid (life jacket), kayak and paddle. Matt was trying to make us laugh by pretending to be a shark by placing a spare rudder/skeg above his head. Dave the instructor commented "you naughty boy" which had me in stitches. So in the beginning I pretty much labelled poor Dave as an authoritarian teacher type guy - this was going to be fun!

Dave drove us to a beautiful bay on the coast where we emptied our boats of water with sponges and made sure that the foot rests were the right length etc. Soon we were on the water but all was not well. I could not steer very well (skeg was broken) and this was frustrating me as I looked like a complete beginner - the paddle skiing days of my youth certainly seemed an activity of the past now. I was getting grumpier and grumpier by the minute until Dave discovered that I was actually holding my paddle too far apart - the man was a hero and saved the rest of the paddling day as that is exactly what I was doing. It was all ease and grace after that. After paddling in the bay a bit and working on our practical skills we ventured into the open Irish Sea which was a bit daunting but soon overcame my uneasiness and enjoyed riding the swell of the waves.

Ate a packed lunch in a beautiful cove where Chika discovered an enormous blister on her hand. So first aid pack came out which led to a discussion on how to do a rescue out at sea which Matt volunteered to demonstrate later on in the day. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly watching 2 seals on the rocks and then watching them slip into the water and playfully swim around us. Back at the centre after washing the kit and showering we enjoyed a lovely dinner and then it was basic chart work, navigation and expedition planning time. It was incredibly interesting and we learnt so much that was going to prepare us for our trip to Norway. It was soon pub time and Dave offered to drive us to "The Goat" just down the road where we enjoyed a pint or two and swapped stories. Quite humorous when we left as we could not determine whether the locals were actually speaking Welsh or had had a bit too much to drink.

The following day was a bit overcast and the wind had picked up so we decided to do a paddle up and down an estuary. So kitted up and drove to a beautiful estuary where it was hard work paddling up the estuary. We paddled for about 3.5 miles and found a sheltered cove where we ate our packed lunch. On the way back the wind had calmed down a bit and was now behind us. Jodi and I decided to have a go on the double kayak as this is what we will be using around the Lofoten islands. What a difference! Far more stable and the person at the back has pedals to steer the boat - bonus!.

Ended the day off with tea and cakes and a shower back at the centre before driving back to London after a wonderful weekends worth of paddling.