Tuesday 19 May 2009

sea kayaking in Loch Feochan, May 19th.







Today Andy ran a sea kayaking and open boating day, with Debbie, Kyle, Stuart , Bill in Loch Feochan. Conditions were lovely, light winds and sunny.
Everyone did really well in the sea kayaks and open boat, everyone trying out different craft and learning new paddling skills.
There is a particular atmosphere back up here in on the west coast, warm sunshine and light airs combine to create a unique feel to the landscape.
Loch Feochan, just south of Oban is a sheltered and interesting sea loch opening into the sound of Kerrera via a narrow entrance which can run at a powerful 5 knotts. Islands abound with nesting Turns and seals, whilst spotting Otters are not uncommon.
Its good to up North!



Cornish class!

Mexico's quiet but powerful!
Hayle Bluff, at 'way over' head at 0630AM. Along paddle out back found long rights into a powerful rip and an easy paddle back out!

We headed south, two days of driving and we were in the 'Tropics', well Hayle in Cornwall!
We were chasing surf and we found it, in Bucket loads.
We surfed at The quiet, Hawks point at dawn on a big swell day, Mexico's produced a quality small long right, Hayle river mouth at head high, Gwenver came good again, with beautiful point break waves and Godrevey, produced immense powerful sets of Glassed off class!
Although, not Scotland the coast is amazing, it's fine beaches and open moorlands are remote in feel, but limiting for dog owners and access.
After a couple of Barrels , the longest ride i have ever had and cover ups the long drive seemed a distant epic!
We found really lovely campsites to park the vans in and were made really welcome, May seems to be quiet to visit and the Atlantic swell still piles in.


Sorry not many pics as i was having far to much fun out there!

Sunday 3 May 2009

Sea Kayaking course in Oban. May Bnak Holiday 09.

Ladder rescue practice.

In Loch Creran heading out towards Isle Eriska....

Hannah in Loch Feochan during a lull in the wind, well done Hannah you were a star!


Rafting up and running with the wind [f4 /5] up Feochan on Sunday.


Nial, Connor 15 and Hannah 13 joined Andy www.hebrideanpursuits.com for an introduction to sea kayaking course this weekend.
The conditions were testing for all concerned as the wind direction and strength shifted on an hourly basis.

We paddled in Loch Creran on Saturday and Loch Feocan on Sunday, finishing in The sound of Kerrera to practice some rescues in deep water.

Nial, Connor and Hannah seemed to have got the bug!
Given it was a bank holiday we didn't see anyone else on the water, it just shows if you use your imagination solitude can be found, we also saw otters, a golden eagle and loads of wading ducks.
Thanks to the guys you were great to paddle with.