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Have they built the fish pass at Warwick castle yet Kayak? That's one of my designs.
Have they built the fish pass at Warwick castle yet Kayak? That’s one of my designs.
Ooh really?
I don't know if I'm honest.
Is it a stepped ramp kind of deal?
Looking forward to getting some pictures for this thread, have just ordered a canoe
Excellent, what have you got on the way?
Some Tuesday morning distraction for you all.
https://www.sidetracked.com/fieldjournal/a-canoe-perspective/
@malgrey - care to share a link to your Easter adventures here?
I've not had the boat out for ages. I'm usually in the water, not on it. Thought I'd best make sure it still floats 😁
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Beach looking lovely, and not too busy (yet).
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There was a wedding on the beach too - piper and all.
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Edit: ace place on a sunny day
@malgrey – care to share a link to your Easter adventures here?
I'd vaguely intended to post some piccies directly at some point, but haven't found time yet. So here ya go: https://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/the-voyage-of-the-pirate-of-moidart-t60508.html
Nice little sup paddle on the Avon down into Tewkesbury.
The M5 long distance trail
Tewkesbury flour mill
Fletcher's Mill
@mattoutandabout plus anyone else.
We are going up to Foss this weekend, which watery bit would be the most interesting for a couple of paddle boarders with a dog and a picnic ( with sensible paddle boarding attire).
Preferably with islands or an unroaded lochside to make a bit of a goal.
Foss by Pitlochry?
In which case: Loch Tummel is lovely. Getting access to it after all the horrid dirty campers have upset the locals could be a challenge. I used to walk through woodland on South shore to get access.
Loch Rannoch I really like, particularly the South shore. Again some issues with dirty campers, and more prone to wind.
Loch Faskally - great paddle IMO, and you can even try heading upstream of the Garry into the gorge/below the bridge. It's challenging, but I've canoed, poled and lined a canoe Upto the visitor centre/soldiers leap falls. A great spot imo. 😎
To add: if you want a place to yourself with atmosphere, head to Loch Laidon at Rannoch Station. It's a 1km walk in to Dubh Lochan, then paddle through to Laidon Beach...
Loch Faskally – great paddle IMO, and you can even try heading upstream of the Garry into the gorge/below the bridge. It’s challenging, but I’ve canoed, poled and lined a canoe Upto the visitor centre/soldiers leap falls. A great spot imo. 😎
Ah I've done that. It really is a lovely piece of water.
Laidon looks mint aswell
Frankie the 8 month old Labradoodle's maiden voyage last weekend:
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A couple of days of dry land familiarisation with the boat made the trip a success, i.e. he didn't decide to leap out when we were in the middle of the loch:
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A couple of not-very-good pics from my cheapy waterproof camera, but a gorgeous few hours in a boat.
Did the Copeland Canoe Club 'Seaquest' event last Sunday, a 3hr Canoe orienteering event in the Ravenglass lagoon and the estuaries of the Irt, Mite and Esk. Paddled as a 3-person team in generic sea kayaks, but there were open boats, general purpose boats, some fast sea kayaks/marathon boats, SUP boards and a few inflatable kayaks as well. Really well planned event and a cracking few hours on the water
Faskally paddled in yesterday's glorious weather.
Set off from the research centre nosed up the Linn's of tummel then scooted round for a wander up the Garry didn't go as far as the gorge. Then paddled under the bridges to be shouted at by the boat hire guy having the temerity to try and stop for a bit to eat in the cafe. Paddled back.
We took the convertible paddled. I didn't but then expecting top quality, defo a bit to flexy especially with 25kg of doggo onboard but the concep is good, it's nice to be able to site down and change up the position/get out the wind.
Doggo managed two bump transfers successfully then on the third one launched herself with quite a gap so she and I got very wet.
Got an underwater phone case to take photos. Case works great but the phone was being a dick
Another maiden voyage here for the canoe and dog
https://flic.kr/p/2oDMa6q
How was the dog in the boat? It seems to go one of two ways....
Canoenine companyon?
Excellent thread … "there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."
Hadn't been out paddling since December last year so good to get out for a few days last week. Paddled out of Eyemouth, North Berwick and Elie, enjoying the minimal swell, light winds and sunshine.
North Berwick – Seacliffe – Bass Rock – Craigleith
Glad to see loads of noisy, smelly gannets on the Bass and rafts of cute puffins bobbing around Craigleith after last years avian flu outbreak.
Elie – St Monan's
A lazy paddle on a roasting day. Arrived at St Monan's on a low tide, so popped up a couple of rusty ladders on the harbour wall to pick up some lunch from East Pier Smokehouse. Found a wee bay to enjoy langoustine and chips with a leatherman proving to be valuable claw cutlery.
(When I tried a dog in a boat, it went the hilariously bad way, those look like very good boys above)
Ada was really good in the boat.
Was very interested in everyone else out on and in the lake, so was moving from side to side to look at whatever was closest. Only had one moment where i thought it was about to go wrong when she tried to climb on top of girlfriend to snatch the paddle out of her hand but she stopped and sat back down when told.
Think when we go out somewhere quiet like river or non waterpark lake she will settle down nicely.
Re dogs: I used to work with someone who's dog Bracken would 'assist' with paddling - she would literally sit behind her owner and try to paddle with a paw. She would also go and sit up front for ballast on occasion, and in moving water...
Here is Bracken.
Frankie was good in the boat as well.
Probably helped that the three of us (Me, Frankie, Daughter) were the only 3 people out on the water, or on the shore for that matter.
He got a little bit interested in the front paddle at one point and I thought he was going to dive in to grab the blade but told him not too and he was fine.
He got soaked running about in some long grass when we landed for lunch mid jourbey so being wet through and with a bit of a breeze he tried to sit on my lap on the return journey for warmth. Apart from that - no issues. He can be a crew member again.
Lola does not help.
Mainly she lies sunbathing, often at the unhelpful end. She likes wandering about gradually embalming my leg in wet lead. Or she takes on the fly drinks from the water.
And that box of seafood would stand no chance, she'd tan it and worry about the hard bits later.
sorry not a picture, but will take some when we next get out
we have an open canoe (Old Town Discovery), which we use on the River Stour Dorset. I haven't done any modifications to it, mainly because we are lucky enough to get out of the MIL back garden straight in. Planning to go further afield this year including possible Poole Harbour. Do any of you run buoyancy bags? if so what do you recommend? Also looking at putting some lashing on the sides and grab loops front and rear, I was thinking about getting hold of some retired climbing rope for this but does climbing rope float if I was also going to use it as a painter? Any other tips on modifications gratefully received
Spent the day paddling around the edge of Llyn Dinas near Beddgelert with Bert onboard!
Nice weather, slight breeze and warm water temperature.
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Took the paddle board around to Lochbuie - most disconcerting when paddling in a mirror calm looking at the sea bed about 5 metres below. Barrel jellyfish was pretty impressive. Esther still hasn’t got beyond using the board as a diving platform - she’ll swim out, jump aboard then dive off again
Ok so now I live near the coast and a river I would like to dip my toes so to speak.
What does stw recommend for a beginner
The coastline is quite rocky so thinking I will need something solid and I want to sit down not stand
<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Went to look for the recently seen pair of white tailed sea eagles on St Mary's Loch. No luck seeing them but beautiful day on the water. </span>
P&H Virgo of the appropriate size and some kayak training?
Or a Sit on top?
Where are you based it might help to know your location.?
Depends on if you want to kayak or canoe really.
A sit on top kayak can be a great starting place. Most paddle ok, you fall out rather than have to get out if you capsize, self draining etc.
A 'proper' touring kayak is likely faster and better in waves. A bit drier and warmer too.
Beyond that we can talk sea kayaks or canoes, both of which are superb, but maybe take a bit more thought and skill.
The big thing would be to find a club or coach and try a few things out and to get some coaching.
(Although as a huge canoe fan, just buy a canoe... 😉 )
we have an open canoe (Old Town Discovery) …Do any of you run buoyancy bags? if so what do you recommend? Also looking at putting some lashing on the sides and grab loops front and rear, I was thinking about getting hold of some retired climbing rope for this but does climbing rope float if I was also going to use it as a painter? Any other tips on modifications gratefully received
Buoyancy bags (or foam blocks) are used in 3 main situations; if your boat is 'fibreglass' composite, to stop it totally sinking (not a problem with polythene boats like yours), on whitewater to stop it becoming totally unmanageable (and wrecked) if swamped, and on open water to make it easier to self rescue from a capsize.
Lashing points are known as 'lacing' - watch this:
He also covers end loops (climbing rope is fine for loops but doesn't float). Calling them or using them as grab loops is discouraged, as if you have your hand in the loop and the boat rolls over you can break your fingers. The idea is to make them big enough to tie a painter to or clip a krab, but not get a hand in.
Have a browse on https://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/ - it's STW for canoes but more 'on topic' and politics is banned.
The coastline is quite rocky so thinking I will need something solid and I want to sit down not stand
A plastic sit-on-top is probably a better place to start if you’re just pootling about - they don’t catch the wind like an inflatable. Your local FB buy/sell might turn up some used ones for reasonable money.
Next step up would be a plastic kayak of some description - more length, less beam means they track/run better in waves and tides and offer more scope to improve your paddle stroke and technique. Worth considering joining a club or doing a course to learn the basics including self-rescue if planning on venturing further afield. Knowing you can get back in your boat if you wet exit is an important skill.
Having bought myself a sea kayak earlier this year - I used to paddle a K1 and did some racing on flat water and can roll in a pool, but going out on your own and encountering stronger winds and waves than expected can be both exhilarating and disconcerting and makes you realise how relatively vulnerable you are even a short distance from home.
Based in Berwick upo Tweed.
Thanks for the info so far
Went to look for the recently seen pair of white tailed sea eagles on St Mary’s Loch. No luck seeing them but beautiful day on the water.
I didn't know about the eagles will keep my eyes out on my next trip
Did you shoot the river between the two lochs?
Regarding inflatable SUPs, are Decathlon ones any good (for a beginner)? Plus what paddling can people recommend near Edinburgh and East Lothian?
Plus what paddling can people recommend near Edinburgh and East Lothian?
Thriepmuir, gladhouse,loch of the Lowe's/St Mary's loch, North Berwick****
**** I debated putting this here. Do not take going in the sea lightly even on the calmest day. Which to be fair is the same everywhere.
Don't do it alone either atleast until you have gained confidence and knwlowledge. Getting back on a board once is easy but three times is harder add some chop and a cold breeze in the wrong direction with a tide and things can go south pretty quickly.
I thought that seeing as the STW team have made it easier to post pictures I thought you might like to see some of the pictures from our trip sea kayaking in Plockton and Skye. We did a number of day paddles some with my partner and some solo.
I know solo trips carry more risk but I have quite a lot of experience, good weather and careful tidal planning
Sea Eagle chased by Gull
Eilean Donan Castle
Near the Strome Islands
Wildlife?
Gull
Excellent,.
From last week, a trip north from Tobermory, around bloody bay and up to Ardmore Point. Almost no wind by the time I got back. The water was thick with jellyfish of all varieties and I even saw a comb jelly. I saw what I thought was some floating seaweed - turned out to be an otter feeding on his back. On the way back I was able to drift on the current and it surfaced about 10ft away. Basking seals on the skerries at Ardmore plus I encounter ed a seal nursery on an isolated islet.
@dmorts we have this one and it's perfectly fine.
I'm looking for a second one that is one step up from a beginner model. It needs to be inflatable (to get it on a train) for days out on big lakes (Constance and Zürich). Any advice?
Just back from a fantastic trip to the fabulous rivers that flow from the Massif Central in France.
First, the Vezere. Lovely gentle paddling in wonderful limestone scenery, with the odd fairy tale chateau thrown in.
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Next we had a day on the Cele, a small river that flows into the Lot. More limestone scenery, stepping it up a notch in size! The Cele also adds in some simple whitewater, mostly barely grade 1, with just a smattering of slightly harder. To round it off, there are some weirs with excellent "glissieres" to slide down.
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