Over time, I’ve worked out a set of handrail features made up of various lights/landmarks which I aim for or use as the markers to keep me far enough out to sea but away from the shipping channel.

Occasionally however I get caught out by a particularly low tide and run aground. Thankfully I can simply push off and head further out to get around the obstacle or in the worse case scenario jump out and wade the boat out unlike these poor folk just off the Isle of Skye!

Over the last couple of weeks I’ve had a couple of great night paddles and one aborted paddle. I recently outlined my self enforced criteria for deciding when to paddle solo at night and the routes I’m prepared to paddle.

Last week I set out in wonderfully calm conditions and enjoyed a great paddle along the shore to Stansmore Point. However literally seconds after a photo session the Isle Of Wight which often features as the back drop for my photos vanished. Dense fog rolled in and up Solent Water. Within minutes the visibility had dropped to around 25-30ft maximum.

Luckily I had stuck to my guns and despite such calm, clear conditions when I set out I was in a position where I was able to follow the shoreline home listening to the booming horns of the shipping out in the deep water channel.

Tonight I arrived at Calshot to find the wind considerably higher than shown on the weather forecast. Whilst it was at a level I would happily paddle in during daylight hours, or at night with other paddlers I decided to abort the paddle and spent a great evening exploring some new launch points for future paddles and taking some night photographs. I was struck by how beautiful the industrial landscape of Southampton Docks is at night and discovered a great public slipway which provides access into the heart of the docks. I’m planning a paddle up Solent Water past the docks on the next suitable night!

Here are the results from the last two paddles (Click on any photo to view a larger version):

Stunning View

Landing Near Lepe

Calshot Castle

RNLI Jetty

Calshot RNLI Station

Southampton Docks

Docks

Keeping Warm

Solent At Night

Quickly checking the Southampton VTS live weather stream showed less than F2 wind on Bramble Bank and Easytide sealed the deal by showing relatively high tides.

Solent By Star Light

I put in at Calshot Castle on glassy waters and as i headed out around Calshot Spit was astounded at the lack of wind and quietness of the usually busy Solent. Heading along the coast towards Lepe I could smell woodsmoke presumably from generated by the fireplaces of the large, shore side properties just past Calshot.

Calshot Lifeboat Station

Having reached the entrance to the Beaulieu River, I headed back to Stansmore Point an spent half an hour or so playing with the camera before picking up the pace for a swift paddle back to Calshot. It felt great to drop back into a quick paddling rhythm I pushed faster and faster enjoying the sensation of the kayak cutting through the still water.

Calshot Castle

A welcome paddle thanks to some sublime conditions. Hopefully the first of many over the Christmas period.

Early morning paddle today. On the water in the dark and watched the sunrise as the Cruise Liner Oceana came into Southampton Water.

Not sure who had right of way as it crossed in front of me – I deferred to her superior size and speed and let her past!

Besides, the ship was accompanied by the Harbour Master and I didn’t fancy getting into trouble with him.

Sunrise Off Calshot Spit

Oceana Cruise Liner

Oceana

Unbelievably huge boat – one of a handful of regular visitors to Southampton Docks.

Phone: 023 8089 2077
Fax: 023 8089 1267

Email: calshot.ac@hants.gov.uk

Calshot Activities Centre,
Calshot Spit,
Fawley,
Southampton,
Hampshire
SO45 1BR