Nice Way To End The Day
I am lucky enough to live a matter of minutes from Hythe Marina, on the edge of Southampton Water. Whilst it’s not the most picturesque stretch of water it provides an interesting paddle. I often leave about 8pm, after my 3 year daughter is tucked up in bed, and can be on the water by 8:10 giving me a hour and a half to either push on up to Calshot (my ‘keeping fit’ route) or spend time dawdling about practicing strokes and surfing on the little swells caused by the Fast Cat ferry service to the IOW.
Tonight I was rewarded with the sort of view paddling back that makes you feel glad to be alive, banishes the stress of the day and lucky to be out in a sea kayak! Thought I would share… (Click image to enlarge)
Sea Kayak Services - Repairs & Sales
Sea Kayak Services (SKS) are based in Weymouth, Dorset and are dedicated to providing a high quality sales and reapirs service to all sea kayakers. As well as being an approved dealer for Nigel Dennis Kayaks (Sea Kayaks UK) they provide a comprehensive repair service and since 2006 have built an amazing Cedar strip version of the Nigel Dennis designed Explorer sea kayak.
Lepe Beach
Lepe Beach is a popular, Hampshire County Council run, country park which offers a superb launch point for Sea Kayakers providing the start to four possible routes. Facilities include a slipway, car parking, toilet facilities, a cafe/kiosk for food & drinks, children’s playground as well a tourist information centre. Lepe Beach is also home to ‘Solent Rescue‘, and independent lifeboat organisation covering 20% of the solent area.
Isle Of Wight Sea Kayaking
Isle of Wight Sea Kayaking and Canoeing offers Sea Kayaking, White Water Kayaking and Canoeing Courses and Sea Kayak Trips from Novice to Experienced and Coach Awards in White Water Kayak, Open Canoe and Sea Kayak on the Isle of Wight, the Solent, South Coast and Beyond with Expeditions in the UK and Ireland.
Sea Kayaking Photography Advice
I have been really impressed with the quality of the photographs on a number of sea kayaking blogs such as Sea Kayak Photo, Southwest Sea Kayaking, Simon Willis & Cailean’s Blog. In particular, the shots taken on the water. It’s got me thinking about what kit people use to take photos whilst paddling - point and shoot vs digital SLR and what people use to protect their equipment be it simple dry bags or dedicated weatherproof housings.
Having no experience of this I’m putting a shout out for advice and information from readers of this blog!
Southwest Sea Kayaking
South West Sea kayaking is the new guidebook from Pesda Press, written by Mark Rainsley. It is the first, in-depth guidebook for the Southwest coastline and Islands and has taken 12 months to research and produce.
Mark is undoubtedly one of the great authorities on Sea Kayaking around then South West. He describes three great routes on one of Simon Willis’s podcasts and his blog is testament to his knowledge and obvious enjoyment of the excellent paddling available in the Southwest.
Ocean Paddler Magazine
It’s been a while since I bought any sort of Kayaking/canoeing magazine, having tired slightly of an abundance of play boat reviews and white water heavy content. Then a recent trip to the Woodmill Shop opened my eyes to a relatively new publication - Ocean Paddler Magazine.
Review Yak Quanta Paddling Trousers
Salopette style with high bib, re-enforced knee and seat areas, neoprene ankle seals, thigh pockets and fleece lined chest pocket. The Yak Quanta paddling trousers have just replaced my 12 year old ‘pink’ Yak salopettes!
These paddling trousers already feel as if they will be as durable and reliable as their predecessors and in the more common ‘black’ material don’t cause such a stir when I pull them out of the kit bag.
Dorset Routes Podcast
Simon Willis of Sea Kayak Routes podcast recently posted this interview with Mark Rainsley, author of the awesome South West Sea Kayaking Guide and accompanying blog. Read more
Scottish Kayak Trail
The west coast of Scotland is a dream destination for sea kayakers with some of the world’s best paddling. Now it will be the location of the UK’s first long distance ‘trail’ for sea kayakers. A guide-book to the 300 mile Scottish Kayak Trail will published by kayaking specialists Pesda Press.
The route has been devised by Liz and Simon Willis, who live and kayak on Scotland’s west coast, and whose preliminary research is based on day-trip experience. This summer they’ll paddle the whole route, emphasising minimum impact camping. Follow their progress from June at ScottishKayakTrail.com
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