Staff Training - Spain

Lads had a great time in Spain, plenty of paddling, and managed to squeeze in a tour around the Caves under Gibraltar!

Large swell and lots of sun made for excellent surfing and day trips along the coast.

Joe, Butler and Neil completed their Coach 3 Training, provided by Sea Kayaking UK, many thanks to all their helpful and friendly staff, and further thanks to Phil for running us round in the bus with a constant smile and no complaints!

Ny Arbyll paddle

An absolutely delightful day, with clear sky, hot sun and a calm sea...

Weather and wind exactly as predicted!

Whilst setting up at Ny Arbyll beach about 9:30, a Minke Whale surfaced in the bay. Just the one sighting as it seemed to be moving the direction of Peel.

The intermediate group followed the coast to Flashwick Bay, where a spot of lunch and the well used flasks produced some decent hot chocolate. Then explored the caves and inlets on the way back. Plenty of noise coming from the seal caves, and a few friendly heads bobbing about as we passed. And a clourful rainbow display behind the waterfall at Gob Yn Ushtey (below Eary Cushlin).


The beginners group also headed South from Ny Arbyll, fantastic views down to the Calf of Man, and excellent clarity of the water enticed us to peer into the depths as we paddled. The wind started to pick up, so we turned and headed back, and out round Point (quite choppy so added a bit of excitement) and towards Peel. A pair of Eider ducks took off from the shore, and occasional Shags dived for their dinner around us.

Then it was back to the trailer, and pack up.

Champagne Day out!

A day to celebrate - the new sea kayk fleet takes to the water!

Each 'Sea Kayaking UK' (formerly NDK) is personalised with a hand painted picture of the different marine life you'll see whan having an 'Adventurous Experience' with us. The name in Manx is also on each kayak, such as the 'Stronnag' - Guillemot and the 'Gobbag Vooar' - Basking Shark!

I also recieved my Lendal Wings to practice with, in Preparation for the Vancouver Island Record Attempt in May this year.

Delightful blades, plenty of extra power without loss of much support.

Perfect weather to test them out in!

After the advanced Staff Training and a quick lunch, we unloaded the new kayaks from the trailer, and the Intermediates headed for Glenmaye, and the begoinners group staying within the confines of Peel bay.

Finally the uncorking of the Champagne followed (appologies for the shaky pic, guess the photographer was a bit nervous of the direction the cork may go.....

Pictured are;

Neil, Gareth, Jenny, Joe, Janet, Lauren, Andy, John, Juliette, Terry, and front row myself and John.

Thanks guys for a great day, see you next week!

Sunday paddle - Canon's last trip...

Following the beautiful Saturday sunshine, we met at Port Erin and surveyed the thick fog, hmmmm decisions, decisions! Conditions looked set to clear quicker from Port St mary, and as we paddled out, so did the sun, very pleasant.

Kim's Bday treat was a ride in the 'Mighty Triton Experience'. He loved it.

Sarah and Dave turned back at the Sound, had some pressing matters to attend to...

Unfortunately, this was to be Canon's last stand. As I pulled my pride and joy camera from the Drybag, in which the long suffering digital SLR was nestled, sea water also poured out...

So much for it being a 'drybag'!

It did a few more pics before finally giving in. So we may be reliant upon borrowed waterproof models until it can be speedily replaced.

Much less of a baby seal population at the Calf on this trip, seems that one theory of the recent Orca sightings is that the young Killer Whales are brought here, as of other locations with large seal colonies, to learn how to catch the young seal pups!

Hot chocolate seems to be the 'in thing'!

Getting back on the water at South Harbour

Sat stroll, Port St Mary - Calf Sound

Easy day Saturday, enjoying the beautiful weather and motivated by the sightings of 6 Orcas off the Calf this week, decided to take a gentle stroll along the South Coast in the hope of sighting some interesting marine life.

On the way spotted Doug and Beef making best use of the weather... Looked a bit difficult so I hastily made my excuses and trotted after the others.

A few new climbs on this wall ranging from E4 - E7, with no obvious escape route.

Lunch overlooking the Chasms, watching sea kayakers paddling past far below.

Then following the coastal path round Black Head and Spanish Head till the Calf Sound came into view.

A flock of Choughs were circling just in front. This area of the Island is one of the few main breeding sites in the UK for these birds, and is one of the main species identified as protected by the Manx National Heritage, ensuring a climbing ban on these cliffs between Mid March - Mid July.

New Camera housing

Tried out my new camera housing today with varying degrees of success...

On dry land (check out Janets new drysuit); And then from the back seat of the Triton, always handy to have Joe paddling whilst i'm messing with the camera, however...

His shoulders can get in the way!

Aquapac gave me a deal on this and VHF and GPS cases for the Vancouver Record Attempt, so thought i'd try them out first...

Advanced Staff Training proved a hard paddle from Port St Mary to the calf and back, with the races not a big as hoped for. Off to Peel for the Intermediate session in the afternoon with delightfully clean surf in Peel Main Bay, what a treat!

The 4* Assessment two days ago was more bouncy and so many seal pups off South Harbour, would have been good to watch them but someone's kayak seemed to be escaping....

Finally a few pics from the Adventure Club meal last week. Sorry if only caught a few of you, our photographer for the evening may have been a little bit tipsy...

Butler managed to gatecrash all the pics as usual!

All sorts of joy...

Been taking less pictures than normal as weather has been ideal for Advanced Staff Training, but not photography from the kayak...

Been some great sessions and plenty of adrenaline! Today was a cracker with the advanced session running from Fenella beach, a confused and rough sea state with onshore wind.




Coach 2 Assessment

Run in the sheltered area at the inland end of the harbour, well done guys, ready for the next step and Staff Training in Spain next month!

Sunny but a bit chilly, everyone enjoyed it and can't wait to get out again.



Intermediates
Peel bay proved to be adventurous enough today, hopefully hit the sound next week, weather permitting!
Navigation Day

Quite a clear day, protected from most of the wind by Slieau Whallian hill. Run at Adventurous Experiences base, navigation training was followed by the teams setting off up the grassy slopes, each with their own route to follow.

An excellent effort by all, and very impressed with the results. Rounded off with the delicious catering at the Green Mann Market!

Looking forward to working with you again, here's an amusing picure from the many taken that day.