temperate paddles in January

'Above average temperatures' was the forecast and some breezy SW west winds. Our beginners mentioned they were getting too hot... And could we practice some capsizes! Gliding past slumbering seals on the rocks, Curlews and Oyster Catchers on the shoreline, and waterfalls gushing down into the sea, there were more than a few reasons why the students looked so contented. The first 'Introduction to Sea Kayaking' course for 2008 will begin next Sunday, and in response to demand we will be running a junior 'Intro' course also. Intro-mediate and Intermediate Adventure Club sessions will continue as planned.

Calf and Chickens in January...

It was with great delight that we watched the possibility of decent weather coming in for the weekend:)

Climbing was a joy on Saturday, introducung a couple of beginners to top roping, setting up anchors and a short bouldering session, as well as Dave leading his first trad ascent!

No pics i'm afraid, as hadn't enough hands...

A few pics from Sunday, starting a little damp for the novice session, but soon turning mild and dry making the trip even more enjoyable. The Intermediates headed off to the Calf, out to Chickens and then round to Cow Harbour for a break. The exceptionally large Seal colony were 'roosting' on the stone beach beneith us as we consumed delicious cakes and flasks of special concoctions. Then it was back to Port St Mary, followed by a young seal pup through Perwick Bay - almost to the harbour, swimming close behind the kayaks and trying successfully to nibble to toggle on Sam's Explorer... Eventually getting off the water as darkness fell. What a splendid day!!

sessions to suit...

After the demanding conditions during the week, we looked forward to a dry, still day on Saturday, to take the rock climbing a little further, again at the Chasms. A slight chilly breeze anywhere exposed, made us head for 'Torque Test Wall' to warm up on friendly routes with the aid of a top rope (many thanks to Doug and the lads who were just finishing, for sound advice and saving us lots of time.) We chose the easier options, of 'Torque Test' and another route up the near arete, the drier conditions made these an absolute pleasure! Feeling comfortable, it was ideal to introduce some easy lead climbing and seconding, using 'Supersonic' and the first half of 'Tower Butress Crack'.

Sunday's conditions were as forecast, and the Southerly Gales made Peel seem the most appealing... but perhaps not appealing enough. So we headed for the Neb, where we were guaranteed shelter from the winds (relatively warm) and certain of some excitement for the Intermediate session!

a weather window

As the days now slowly get longer, demand for sessions in the outdoors is picking up again. Given the generally windy conditions throughout the past week or two, we've been watching the met charts closely, and planning sessions to run in sheltered locations, fitting in trips and customised coaching in line with the New BCU awards and in preparation for the summer!

An open and flexible approach combined with a depth of local knowledge is needed to capitalise on days like yesterday, when an exceptional weather window looks possible...

Without a doubt this also requires the involvement of 'luck'. To quote from a chat given to us as students whilst at QEII High School, by Norman Wisdom discussing his career in acting and the amount of 'luck' people kept telling him he had received, which concluded in him telling us;

"the harder I worked, the luckier I became"

This has often repeated itself in my head, and we have adopted it as part of our philosophy in business as well as life in general, with very positive results. The flexibility to make use of 'windows of opportunity' and the ability to enthuse motivation is also key to this. Utilising these themes (and others) in our leadership and development programs, has given us a proven sucess record with our staff and our corporate and private clients.

Planning our Sunday sessions for the winds dropping, and leaving an exciting ground swell, provided a very sheltered 'classroom' to work on edge control with little forays into the larger conditions! The Intermediates headed further South in the afternoon, past the awesome sea cliffs and the view up at the debris from the rock fall at the Chasms, then out round Kitterland and past the larger seal colony with half grown pups in its midst, before returning to the slipway as the shaddows lenthened...

* New Years's Resolutions *

Sunday paddles from Laxey, very sheltered relaxed trips, allowing for finer points of coaching forward paddling and time to take a few pics...

Plenty of young seals about, following and swimming under the kayaks, a joy to watch.


Landing for a break at Groudle (one of our favourite coasteering locations) we climbed up to the remnants of the old walkway for Christmas cake and coffee. The remains of walkways on this Coastline, are still in evidence in the popular bathing areas on the island's East coast. (Some 'walkable' sections can be noted at Port Soderick, but due to deterioration and attrition by the sea, its not safe to do so and public access is not permitted...). They date from the Victorian era, of summer's spent in British beach resorts, and the Island was reputedly the first to introduce 'bathing huts' to ensure 'decency' was maintained when changing, as well when in swimming attire, participants would not have to walk on the beach!

The Afternoon beginners trip was even calmer, and next weekend's forecast is to be warm again, looking forward to seeing you again!

Its the time of New Year's resolutions, and to learn to to sea kayak seems to on a few peoples list...

One of Laxey's best known landmarks, (and one of our Island's 'claim to fame') is its huge water wheel, named the Lady Isabella, was built to pump water from the mines. It still remains the world's largest working water wheel. Laxey, and the adjacent mines following the valley up towards Snaefell, has the deepest and most extensive mines on the island, employing 600 odd people in its heyday and producing lead, copper, silver and zinc. A section of the mines are open in the summer, and tours are often guided by my Great Uncle.

Yesterday we headed for the Chasms, a much used location for rock climbers, where a large rockfall (on a face of the East section, 'Gardeners Wall') had dropped the day before. A detachment of the local cliff rescue tem were analysing the situation, and declared no added risk to the surrounding crags. Good good, and as the rock was a little damp and just to be sure, we tied in a top rope and warmed up on Tower Buttress. The first pump came fairly quickly, (definitely not enough time on the rock recently) and this was theme throughout the session.
Torque Test Wall (foreground) with Tower Buttress behind (top right) taken previously


Having exausted all lines of ascent, (HVS to E2) and therefore ourselves, we moved to Torque Test Wall, where a delightful HVS 'Torque Test' provided practice on lay backs and keeping moving...

Lastly a pic from today's paddle and the alternative New Year's Day 'Dip'.

Crackers, Christmas and Cammag!

A fabulous Christmas it has been, with much merriment, activity and an occasional beverage...

The Sunday sea kayak sessions just before Christmas proved memorable, putting on at Fleshwick to provide shelter from the increasing South Westerly...

The Intermediate group did a little exploring of the rocky playground before heading South to the old Copper and Lead mines below Bradda Head. After an exciting surf landing on the boulder beach, the group headed for grassy knoll at an entrance to a Copper mine for some well earned refreshments.

It was an ideal opportunity for a small foray into the mine itself, and the phrase 'entering a different world' was very apt. Many of the 'tunnel's in the rock (and judging by appearences, the confidence building timber roof supports) originally date back to the second half of the 18oo's. The delvings of this particular network had yielded relatively little amounts of minerals for the ore removed, leaving a small mine easilly explorable in the time we had. As a comparison, sections of Glen Rushen mine (often referred to as Foxdale mines) which predominantly extracted Lead (and a very small quantity of Silver) have tunnels below the depth of 600m!

The Isle of Man had peaked on its mining production, and mines began to close at the beginning of the 20th Century. By this point, the Island was resposible for 5% of all the Lead produced in the UK and Laxey provided an estimated 20% of the Zinc!

Having spoken to miners who worked in the extensive 'pits' in the UK and read what I can, i'm in absolute amiration (and not the smallest bit of jealousy) at the working conditions they endured and ability to deal with adversity on a daily basis. It puts into perspective what a 'hard day's work' is... and reinforces my belief that I have the best job in the world!!

Whilst negotiating unlikely looking 'well weathered' planks over shafts along our route, (or perhaps worse, the absence of them in places) elements of the group seems less interested in the topic of working conditions, and most interested in the quickest route out...

This little adventure had the very positive effect of making the surf launch back out into the now delightfully challenging surf and wind seem plausable in comparison! A following breeze ensured a rapid return to Fleshwick Beach.

Meanwhile the Intro-mediate session had been running in the bay, where Sarah and Jessica passed the new UKCC 2 Star Test in kayaks, so a big congratulations to them!

The new personal performance star awards from the British Canoe Union have been rolled out successfully, and being a BCU accredited centre we keep up to date with developments, offering the new Star Tests and Coaching Awards in 2008!

On a different note; Jeff Norville, my paddling partner on the Vancouver Circumnavigation Record, has confirmed his attendance at the 2008 Adventure Week, (along with many other entertaining coaches) where he will be our Saturday evening guest speaker, as well as teaming up again in the 'Mighty Triton' looking to set a record time in the inaugural 'double kayak' category of the round the Isle of Man Race...

The traditional Christmas Day paddle organised by Jan and Terry, from Port St Mary (made even more pleasurable by the addition of a drop of Scotch all round) ensured a fair appetite for the glorious repast on return to base. Then it was a 'early night' in preparation for the legendary game of Cammag!

For those new to this sport, it kicks off (literally) at 2pm every Boxing Day, on the Tynwald Fairfield, overlooked by Tynwald Hill and has been described as;

a Manx form of the Irish Game of Hurley, traditionally played all over the island, with matches beginning on 26th December 'Hunt the Wren' day.

Those who have played may also refer to it as;

a meeting of a great many people, armed with implements often made of wood, forming sides of 'The North' and 'The South', involving a scoring against the opposing side with a ball (but this is not necessarily the primary objective), there are no rules as such but there is a referee - John Kaneen - armed with a whistle, strolling about bellowing encouragement to the North side, and administering large measures of scotch at breaks between the three halves of the 'match', particularly as a painkiller for those on the receiving end of the rough and tumble..

The truth depends very much on the perspective and experiences of the viewer (or player). This year the South (whom I happily play for) won, although during the mass confusion and in some cases a combination of blood, sweat and tears, who was on which side was difficult to make out. The North originally held a complete monopoly on the Cammag trophy, but recruitment by the South in recent years (and the moving of boundaries between the North and South) has resulted in some excellent results for the South, culminating in the 2007 5:1 victory. There are varying levels of 'skill', many wide swings and attempts at the ball, with intermittant rugby tactics, often to no avail. The growing number of ladies and youngsters partaking has mellowed the game, from what was traditionally a men's sport. And as with any game played with good humour, those who want to challenge each other hard can do so, and a post match genuine shaking of hands displays the absence of malice on the pitch.

So for those who fancy an unforgettable adventurous experience of a different nature, 2pm, 26th December 2008! 'Proper' hockey and hurley sticks are frowned upon (a stem of gorse, suited to the player is traditional), although pots, pans, buscuit tins and lengths of 2 by 2 have been known! See you there...

Pics by Mike Wade

* Corporate Christmas Paddles *

As predicted, (and at this time of year luck was certainly a contributary factor :)) Peel proved the ideal venue for today's corporate christmas paddle, a new and very different idea for organisations. One which has seen an increase in popularity this year. Meeting up at Fenella Beach at 10am, and a fair nip to the air, I saw more than one questioning face... Donning cosy warm fleeces and waterproof tops combined, and other comfortable fitted kit with clear instruction and explanations of how to stay dry & warm and manoeuvre the kayaks, the group embarked on an excursion down the Sandstone coastline, with Peel Castle's distinct outline providing an ideal backdrop for photos.
Peel Sandstone (a rock coloured red by the presence of iron oxide prevalent in this area) is actually a mixture of mudstone, sandstone and conclomerate deposits, eroded from the ancient Caledonian Mountains about an etimated 400 million years ago. The rocks give evidence that this area was then hot and semi-arid, with distinguishable series of sand dunes, ripples from previous rivers and layers of lake mudstone and deposited sandstone with nodular calcrete, telling a story of a hot climate with seasonal rainfall and floods, in this Devonian period. Certain elements of this climate seem to have changed as the continental plate carrying our delightful island, headed away from the Equator :)
So the feeling of contentment as you paddle along the coast can be further enriched, as it provides an insight into how the the whole Island was formed, in the earlier Ordovician period; it too as layers of sediment eroded, deposited and hardened over time in layers of siltstone, sandstone and mudstone.

The guess that initial instruction would be more beneficial to this group than being subjected to geological ravings paid off and ensured very relaxed paddle, keeping close to shore and past the Stack. Flasks of hot drinks, mince pies and even a random chocolate orange appeared at the half way break at Cains Strand. Then time to head back round into Peel bay, with time to chat and enjoy the scenery, and the icing on the cake; finishing with a circumnavigation of St Patrick's Isle!
Built in the 14th Century on the 'Isle', Peel Castle was the dwelling of Monks, and within its walls are the historic Round Tower and St German's Cathedral, (built in the 12th and 13th century respectively.) Peel Sandstone was well used both for its decorative value and its ease of working, being a 'freestone' and can be "cut and worked in any direction without fracturing". The grey slate outer walls were built a century after the Castle was constructed.
Had we headed South from Peel, we would have kayaked past excellent examples of how continental collision causing metamorphism to the sedimentary rocks (subjecting them to immense pressure and heat), causing the tilted and folded formations, now with intermittant caves and gullies, and the home of grey seals and marine birds, as well as our summer visitors, nesting Puffins, Eider Ducks, Guillimots and Razorbills, to name but a few.


These paddles and more will soon feature on the website, (a complete overhaul of the whole site is near completion.) We have updated the content to clearly display what we offer, reflect who we are and most importantly what we can do.

Todays pictures - predominantly taken by Sam Murphy on this paddle - and the very positive feedback from the whole group during and after the trip, reinforce one of 'quotes' we have adopted as part of our philosopy;


"There is no such thing as bad weather, just people dressed inadequately for the conditions..."


Selection of venue, top quality gear and most importantly, experienced and motivated staff guarantee a Safe, Fun, Learning environment.
I am immensely proud of our staffing team and their dedication, and in response to customer feedback, the 'about us' page now has staff profiles;


http://www.adventurousexperiences.com/about_us.htm


which appear when you click on the photo's. These are the primary staff, but not all of the folk who assist us with sessions. The last Introduction to Sea Kayaking of 2007 was completed on Sunday, with people wishing to join the Adventure Club http://www.adventurousexperiences.com/adventure_club/ and others asking about buying their own kayaks and kit. As always we recommend Kelvins Tackle (fishing and kayaking supplies) in Michael St, Peel (moving to larger premises in January, still in Michael St) where the friendly staff will be pleased to help and advise you. Beginners packages including sit upon fishing kayaks are always available.

The aim of a coach is to provide the student with the necesary personal skills to safely enjoy the sport at whatever level they aspire to, give instruction and guidance when required, and the freedom to be "the master of their own ship." Some paddlers may never take formal instruction, others desire the reassurance and tuition from a experienced coach while they master the basics of the sport. Others want to turn up at the beach, be provided with the best quality kayaks and gear available, enjoy the social, technical expertise, and a progressive learning program within a current modern framework, with the added bonus of no kit to sort and wash at the end of the session!
We cater for all abilities, including absolute beginners. The key theme all of our students arrive with is that they want an Unforgettable Adventurous Experience.

To conclude this epic entry, the expeditions page has also been updated, with details of this years expeditions, and the next Youth Expedition to Norway in 2009....
http://adventurousexperiences.com/expeditions.htm