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
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Sunday, October 15, 2006
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!
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!
Saturday, October 14, 2006
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.
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.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
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
"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
Sunday, September 24, 2006
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)
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)
Friday, September 15, 2006
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
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
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