Cappoquin Paddle

We had been planning this paddle since before Xmas and finally the day has arrived. The plan is to meet in Youghal, ferry boats to Cappoquin and paddle down to just past Youghal bridge.
We made Youghal at about 9:30 and everyone changed into rivergear (except me) leaving dry gear in cars for collection at the end of the paddle. Racked 3 boats per car and travelled to Cappoquin. I changed into river gear and packed my clothes in dry bags in the boat. We were on the water at 10:50.
After paddling about an hour it became apparent that the biggest obstacle was the wind (F4/F5 Southerly blowing straight against us) and we had practically no assistance form the tide/current. We stopped for lunch just past Villierstown Castle at 1PM. At this point we had paddled 6miles with a further 7miles to go. The forecast indicated the winds would not abate in the afternoon but instead gust stronger. This would be hit and miss towards arriving in Youghal before dark so the decision was made to turn back. At least the strong wind would be at our backs and help us along.
Some nice river waves gave us time to practice our surfing skills! About a mile from Cappoquin the wind dropped and sit on tops had a fair struggle against the outgoing tide. Everyone made it ashore about 4:30 just as it was getting dark. I was the only one with dry gear to change into so we had people sitting in damp neoprene in the cars all the way back to Youghal.
Many lessons learnt today!

Xmas CSK Paddle

Elaine Mullan from Celtic Sea Kayakers (CSK) put an invite up on the ISKA bulletin board for their Xmas paddle meet in Dunmore East. I contacted Elaine and decided to go along. Joe, Pat and Paul couldn't make it as they were either abroad or too busy finishing off fitted kitchens! Invite on bulletin board asked people to bring along mince pies - tried in Tesco this morning and not a mince pie in the house - hopefully Elaine won't send me home!
Arrived in Dunmore and the water was flat which was surprising since the forecast wasn't great. A total of seven turned up for the paddle and we headed West past Portally towards Ballymacaw where we stopped for lunch. Other people had mince pies so I'm the hook! Conditions were glorious and you wouldn't think from the photos this was a Xmas paddle.
We got back to Dunmore, loaded up the boats and headed for cappuccinos. This was a very nice social gathering and I really look forward to paddling again with this group. Hopefully the next time more of the lads will be able to make it.

Inistioge to New Ross Trip

Very bad conditions were forecast for sea so we decided to do a river trip instead. Low tide in Ross was at 11:30AM so we arranged to meet in Ross at 8:30, do all the car ferrying and be on the water in Inistioge by 9:30. River flow in Inistioge was nice and full so we reckoned all we would need to do was sit back and get carried downstream on the current. That worked but after about an hour the flow slacked off and we decided to put some effort into paddling to hit Ross by about 12:00.
Nice spots of scenery along the way and some beautiful mist along the tree lines. Paddling along the river you get accustomed to the temperature of the surrounding air. Then suddenly I paddled through what appeared to be a packet of warm air (like someone opening a door into a warm living room). Pat noticed the same thing and then shortly downstream the temperature warmed up. It must be the way cold air gets trapped in valleys or something.
When we got to Ross the wind had picked up significantly with small waves appearing in the river. at that stage the nature of the paddle changed to something like you might expect at sea - paddling into wind and small waves. It lashed rain just as we were taking the boats and we paddled the 10miles or so in 2 hours. I reckon we had seen the best of the day...nothing more to do but get changed, go home, look out at the rain and put the knees up by the fire :-)

Sunday paddle from Ballydowan to Boatstrand

After the calm weather of the past few days we were hoping for a nice paddle. We arranged to meet in Boatstrand at 9:30AM and ferry cars and people to Ballydowane. The morning started fairly cold and you would notice cold on the fingers racking the boats. That morning the countryside was still covered in mist and it was an indication of a nice morning to follow. We paddled Ballydowan during the summer and it rates as one of the nicest paddles to date.
We arrived Ballydowane at about 10:15 and were on the water at 10:45. Paul was sporting his new cag which finally arrived after it had been incorrectly addressed to Iceland (lost in translation - it should have been addressed 'Ireland').
There were a few breaking waves on the beach but beyond the sea was lovely and calm. Bonmahon was like 'glass' and we even had a seal pop up to check us out. I managed to catch a photo but its turned out like a tiny little head in the middle of the Atlantic!
Back in Boatstrand we all had a nice cup of tea supplied by Joe. All in we paddled 5.5miles (8.8km) and it was a very easy paddle taking it nice and handy for about an hour and a half. No body offered to get wet so I guess the all wet sessions are now 'officially' over until next spring!

Sunday paddle in Garurus

I was really looking forward to this paddle as it's been two weeks since we hit the water. Weather and sea were both calm and we had a nice pleasant paddle. We paddled a ~5mile round trip so it was just about right for a Sunday morning paddle.
Nobody was interested in a wet session so I guess we'll wait for some pool sessions before trying our rolls.
Photos are up on web album

Level 3 Training Day2

Level 3 Day 2 in Dunmore East. Sea was a lot rougher than yesterday with force 4 Easterlies. We paddled Dunmore to Portally and it was a 'bouncy' trip, but rewarding. Heading back to Dunmore the sea was a bit confused near some of the cliffs with waves coming in all directions. Initially I played safe and didn't bother trying to take photos but there were some opportunites and I managed to take a few.
Pat's delighted with new boat and very pleased with how it handled the Portally trip. When we got back to Dunmore we did all the strokes and most people were confident after being out in the bigger sea than we're used to. This showed through in good paddle commitment. The day was a bit on the chilly side and after a few wet rescues you would definitely feel the cold setting in. Myself and Joe did the 'all in' rescue and this is another compelling reason to learn to roll. After lots of attempts we finally helped one another back in the boats but I can see how in a real world situation it would be very difficult.
We all got the level 3 and I feel that lots of techniques are now coming toghether - edging bracing etc lots better than a few weeks ago (actually they were non existent then).
Well done to everyone!

Level 3 Training Day1

At last our level 3 training weekend has arrived! We met in Dunmore East and paddled from Dunmore East to Hook Head to Loftus Hall Beach(?) and back - total 9.7miles.
Pat and Alan both got their new boats (Tsunami 160 and Tempest 165) and took them out for the first sea trials! Conditions weren't too bad with a bit of a swell in the estuary particularly on the Hook side. Heading back towards Loftus Hall most people managed to catch some nice waves. We stopped for lunch at beach by Loftus and practised our surf landings. It was a bit of a laugh launching in dumping waves for the first time. Joe seemed to attach half a kelp bed to the deck of his kayak. By the time we got back to Dunmore the 3:30 slump had kicked in (although by now it was 4:30) and everyone was pretty tired. We did our strokes and wet sessions and a good day was had.
Looking foward to a good nights sleep and more tomorrow.

Another day in Dunmore East

Strong SE winds and heavy rain made we wonder if we were going to get out at all. We got an invite to go for a paddle with another sea kayaking group but decided to practice our strokes instead in the shelter of Dunmore. Hopefully there will be more opportunities to meet up and plenty time to paddle in a straight line after the level 3! We tried all the techniques we have being practicing but this time with an extended paddle grip and what a difference it makes. You can lean right out on the paddle with amazing support and confidence. As Derek Hutchinson says:

"The inexperienced gain courage,
The experienced learn finesse."

I guess we got the courage bit! Paul managed to come up successfully after a roll using an extended grip (Pawlatta style) and despite being accused of pushing up from the bottom, the video footage seems to prove it to be a genuine roll. Well done Paul.

Recording the stuff on video gives us some feedback on whats going wrong. Most of us seem to be pulling down on the paddle so maybe that can be sorted by the next time.

Joe has totally embraced the high brace and can be seen in lots of the pics with ear in in or near the water.

All in all a good day had by all and Mick 'The Hoff' Cagney was our safety spotter during the failed rolling attempts.

Photos uploade to web album

Another Practice Day

Despite the strong South Easterlies and storms of the past few days, Counsellors Beach in Dunmore East was nice and calm with just the occasional small wave.
Man focus of today was to practice our strokes for the upcoming level 3 weekend (weekend after next) and everyone is doing fine.
I tried rolling today with Mick Cagney as my helper (although it did take some time for Mick to join the circle of trust!). I tried the C to C and failed. I tried the sweep roll and failed although I felt it was working better for me than the other roll. The thing with learning a roll is it always seems to work to a point and then fail just when you think it is going to work. Anyway this kind of practice will get us going until pool sessions over the winter. Still it looks sooooo easy when you see people doing it on DVD and its one of those things you say "it would work if only I could...."
Paul was trying some extended paddle strokes and they looked impressive especially the extended high brace. He got a DVD "Beyond the Cockpit" and it details using extended strokes where the grip on the paddle is generally one hand on the shaft and the other on the end of the blade.
Water is still warm so it will be interesting to see when we reach the cutoff point when people don't want to get wet (opinion seems to be end of October)

Dunmore to Portally Cove

Had a kayak trip yesterday evening from Dunmore East to Portally Cove. Sea got a bit choppy which took somewhat from the enjoyment but it all builds up the experience. Paul claims to have seen some fins in the water belonging to Dolphins - but maybe it could be the first sighting of sharks in Dunmore East!
We had to cut paddle short because of falling light and when we got back to Dunmore East we headed for main strand and practiced some strokes.
Level 3 course is on Oct 7-8 so we've 3 weekends left to crack high brace and sculling for support.

Check out links on right to view my photos and also Joe's web album