Springing Forwards with Coastal Spirit

Its been a great start to 2016, with a number of Advanced sea kayaking courses, InterMediate, 3 star
training/assessment courses and InterMediate Plus.  A few Bespoke private courses, during the week and with a near full callender up until late May.

With Summer just around the corner its a good time to start focusing on what you want from 2016 and those early wishes you may have made in January, to actually action!

Here is a list below of what is available currently.

• Introduction to sea kayaking private and unique.  Available during the week, with details available here

• IntroMediate aimed at those who want to progress their sea kayaking skills with a gentle introduction to swell, current, wind and waves - 11/12th June, 9/10th July at £160.  Have a look here

• InterMediate working towards 3 * performance skills - 28/29th May, 2/3rd July, 30/31st July at £160 p/p and during the week 19-22nd July at £270.  Have a look here

• InterMediate Plus, is aimed at 4 star leader and performance skills, while working in moderate conditions - 18/19th June, 6/7th August at £160.  Have a look here.

• Advanced sea kayaking is aimed at 5 star Leader and performance skills and at a ratio of 1:4 - 25/26th June, 23/24th July and 20/21st August at £160.  Have a look here

• Coaching the Mind - for leaders, coaches and paddlers who want to increase their understanding, confidence and performance.  Sports Psychology in action, with the first day of theory and work shops, which also can be used as a coaching up date and the 2nd day on the water putting theory into practice.  Ratio of 1:4 and delivered by Lee Pooley and Roger Chandler.  At £180 - have a look here for more information 

• 4 star leader training with coastal navigation and tidal planning - 25-28th July at £270.  Have a look here

• Orkney sea kayaking for top end Intermediate paddlers 8-16th August at £655.  Have a look here

• 5 star leader training with open water navigation and tidal planning 17-21st September at £330 and only one place left.  Have a look here

Bespoke opportunities are available form early June.  A day is set at your pace, based on what you want and need.  A great way to progress further and gain more form your time on the water.  More information can be found here

For further information on the above either follow the links or email me direct at roger@coastalspirit.com

I hope to see you on the water

Thanks, 

Roger

Sunshine and Puffins ...

This week saw two days of Intro -Intermediate sea kayaking and a third day of rough water handling and incident management.  And what a week of weather, with The Stacks as one big team, The Skerries and Rhoscolyn Head in two separate teams and Carmell Head as a small group.  

I let the photos mainly tell the story ... enjoy ;) 

The Skerries was a top day, with good conditions as we arrived, amazing amount of terns and their chicks and super display of mellow puffins ...

Carmell Head and looking for some rough water ... about to carry out a ladder rescue below

A gentle rocky landing for lunch  ...

Love this shot below with the green reflection from Thomas paddle ...

The return to Church Bay and looking at various rafted tows on the way ... and a giant strawberry scone, with a mug of tea over a debrief, toped the day.

Roger

roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com

intermediate sea kayaking courses
+
anglesey sea kayaking

Ireland Circumnavigation Complete!!

After a good nights sleep, early to bed and refueled, 5am felt OK. Our camp had been well sheltered. We were prompt at  packing and clearing up. The first part of our journey was S with a cross/tail wind. When we could see the Sound between Howth and Ireland's Eye (small island) we turned for a downwind run. 

It was F5 gusting up to F7, so it was a sporting ride. I was keen to make the most of it and at the same time not over do it as I would need plenty of energy!

The back of the headland was well protected and birds drifted about in rafts. We snacked and I for one didn't want to think about the next headland. Rounding it would put us into a headwind!  Heading west from Drumleck was physicall the toughest part of the whole trip for me. No shelter and the full force of a hungry wind. We landed briefly in a spit of land to snack. We had seen a couple of ferries leave, and I kept a good eye on both directions as I crossed Dublin bay. 

One last run kind of downwind and we were back at the start, 6 hours from waking. Dez and Sonja from deep blue sea kayaking, we're waiting on the harbour wall, flashing their headlights and honking their horn. 

Coffee and a Whiskey welcome, then back to their house for a fry up and showers. Our ferry  back to North Wales leaves on Monday, so a couple of pints of the dark stuff tonight ...

It's been a magic journey, which could be called the hospitality tour of Ireland. I'm sure I will be back ...

Sonja
www.coastalspirit.com

Day 42 Ireland Circumnavigation Sat 22nd June

Due to the previous days forecast of S F4 gusting F6 (making a headwind) we thought the day would be a rest day. I was the last one up at sometime after 8am and Justine was making a brew.

We chatted and decided to have breakfast first and then go and look at the conditions. We had a top breakfast and lovely homemade bread. And I indulged myself with 2 mugs of coffee!

It must have been 10 o clock when the three of us wandered down and as we walked across the dunes, we were surprised to see a flatter sea. There was more West in the wind and it all looked workable. We hurried back, and mentioned our change of plan. Bill used his car for 2 boats and Barry & Justine used a trolley  to transport the other. We paddled away just after 12.

We were keen to reduce the distance for Sunday, as 40 mph were forecast. We covered 18nm and were off the water at 1720. The first part of the paddle was a crosswind and as we paddled towards the skerries we had a super tailwind. From the other side it was a headwind!

The last two hours of the  day I found hard. I just couldn't get the right gear. Each time the boat came splashing down I lost speed and I worked hard to claw this back again. 

We regrouped, chatted over options and decided as we paddled into the next bay that if it was hard going we would look for the first camp. It was and we did!! Now just South of Portrane.

In bed just before 9, with a 5am up, to hopefully complete the loop. Forecast is W and then NW but gusting up to 40mph, so we will just have to see. We will at least have the whole day to work on the remaining 14nm.

 Saturday morning

Just 13nm to go to complete the loop


Sonja
www.coastalspirit.com

Day 34 Ireland 14th June 2013

We had a nice relaxed start after our later night and headed along the coast rock hopping and paddling down channels. We stopped at the headland to explore and discuss options and after speaking to Adrian last night we headed for Portrush, keeping well out to avoid the firing range!! We could use the wind to begin with but the last hour was into a F4 headwind. Squally showers pushed through and the colours and the light were fantastic. We worked our way along the coast to the Giants Causeway. The first bay was disappointing but as we rounded the corner, the cliffs with Basalt columns rose out of the ground and were stunning. Another squall hit us, darker and stronger and heads down we paddled on looking for a small Bothy. It was locked! Justine texted and phoned a couple of people...no result! We put our tents up, cooked food and then....someone came walking down the hill with a key! He had seen the location of the SPOT and wondered if we needed anything...like a Bothy!

To Ballycastle tomorrow and a day or so of rest. Jane and Andy will then leave us at some point as they paddle on towards Scotland. (We saw Jura today!)

Susan and Aiden on Gola, with Jane and Andy Morton, Justine and Barry.

Sonja
www.coastalspirit.com

Day 28 Ireland

Up early, 1ft of surf and no winds but loads of midges!! We crossed Killala bay and saw 20-30 Dolphins. They could have been hunting as they were slapping the surface of the water with their tails and swimming in tight circles. Magic....
We paddled on to the town of Easky for water and specific items of food and entered a new county, Sligo. We then headed across Sligo Bay towards Inishmurray, 25nm. What a fab island, loads of sea birds, flat grass and an OK landing. Going to take a wander soon as there are houses on the island. Tomorrow is another good weather day and then the winds pick up!!!

Inishmurray, our landing beach.


Sonja
www.coastalspirit.com

Into the New Year

Starting as we mean to go on, Sonja and my self had our first paddle of the New Year. Winds had drooped to a F4, but were due to pick up latter so a paddle on the Menai Straits, from Menai Bridge to Plas Menai and then back surfing the last couple of hours of the ebb was the loose plan ...

Sonja managed without mitts or gloves ... but I didn't think it was that warm!!

A few misty and wet fronts pushed through and as the headland of Plas Menai approached, we were looking forward to turning round and having the wind assist our journey back. A short break for a hot chocolate and some cake, before heading off ...

Passing Y Felinheli on the right and ignoring the call of the Garddfon .. we paddled on getting some good pushes from the wind and an occasional surf ...

This ones for Marcus ...

Disappearing into the gloom, we were soon back at Menai Bridge and carrying the boats back to our trailer and storage area at the boat yard ... we were soon changed and then off for a coffee ... how lucky we are :-)

Roger

roger chandler

www.coastalspirit.com

info@coastalspirit.com

Rapid Development Xpedition (RDX 2012) - training weekend

Following on from the great success and listening to your feedback, in 2012 we are offering a shorter 16 day xpedition, which may be one big trip ... if the weather is looking settled, or two/three smaller islands or journeys. It is an intensive developmental programme, with two weekends before the main event, so individuals can meet, get to know each other and importantly set action plans that address areas to work on, improve and maintain.

The first weekends training was finally here, with both Shamim and Zoe having arrived on friday evening, we had a relaxed and informal start to the weekend. Sonja was away on a UKCC level 2 coach assessment ... down in Cardiff and to help support the weekend, Di Lee was working with me, coaching and sharing her experiences and top tips from our paddle round Wales earlier in the year.

Day 1

After going through some paper work, discussing wants and needs we set of for the Straits to concentrate on a forward paddling work shop which Di led. It was great seeing Di work and address to different learning styles effectively and after two hours both commented on the fact that their forward paddling felt better, was smoother, less tiring and more effective ... happy days!!

Zoe had to leave on Saturday eve, due to work commitments, so following a goal setting session, i dropped her at the station, while Di reflected on the day with Shamim.

Day 2

More of the above, to grove in the skill, plus an aim of becoming more aware of the dynamic and ever changing sea environment .... with flow, current, eddies and back eddies, so that the angle chosen is the most effective ... and some rock hoping ... cave exploration!!

Bull Bay north coast Anglesey and a super calm day ...

Shamim looking across to Middle Mouse .. working the back eddies close inshore

Di and Shamim upping their cadence and jumping on the main flow back to Bull Bay, with some gentle breeze against tide and useful in helping Shamim to identify, flow and eddies

Action planning with Shamim and a date set for Sonja to contact and work with a telephone coaching session, to further clarify and assist with goal setting.

It was a super weekend, with great results and both Shamim and Zoe being clear on what they needed to work on, between now and the March weekend (this will be an over night 2 day paddle on Anglesey) which will be the final group preparation, before beginning early April with the 16 day expedition and a true adventure!

BIG thanks to Di Lee for her support and great coaching over the weekend.

www.coastalspirit.com

sea kayaking courses north wales

o7873 132999

3 star sea training - North Wales, Anglesey

With a super forecast on Tuesday, Treadour Bay was the destination with 12 students on an Outdoor Eduction course and keen to work towards there 3 star sea. Saying that none had been in a sea kayak before so we had some work cut out!!

The first day we focused on all the skills that make up effective paddling, with a lot of time on inside and out side turns, getting the building blocks right, meant the other strokes just slotted into place ...

Kai working on a cross deck bow rudder ...

We then headed out to Ravens point to feel the open sea, and put the earlier skills into context ...

Back in the bay and some fun and balance, working towards deep water rescues, self rescues and rolling ... Billy above ..

Ben above getting a feel for the Delphin!! It was a super introduction to the day, and all the students worked really hard ... just couldn't get them out of the water!!

Day 2
At Cemais bay on the North coast of Anglesey, with the aim of paddling to Bull Bay, via middle mouse and some Moderate water!!

Heading out to Middle Mouse, working on a transits to adjust our angle and monitor progress while being aware of each other, so keeping together with appropriate space ...

Finding some good gentle flow on the west side of the island ...

and loving it!!

Having headed aback to Anglesey we paddled around and into Hells Mouth, were we took a break before heading into some sheltered but rougher water, to work on deep water rescues and anchored tows

Middle Mouse in the back ground, on the left ..

Jo (one of the groups lectures) relaxed in the conditions ;-)

Billy at the far end of Hells Mouth looking back and out to Middle Mouse, in the distance.

After another short break at the brick works, we headed across the bay ...

Explore a cave ... and had a super exciting finish before landing at Bull Bay. All had done very well considering, the conditions they paddled in ... so to the last day.

Day 3
We were keen to put them into some wind, as they had experienced swell and gentle current, and wind of F3, we needed more ... we got it with a F6/7 forecast, so the Menai Straits with a following sea, fantastic ...

Good commitment to there low brace turns, with the wind gusting under the A55 bridge, we moved on ...

The groups had mainly been using stern rudders and skegs to keep boats tracking straight and then been practicing coming along side effectively to tow another sea kayak and also setting up a tandem rafted tow. They were then given short tasks to work there way back to the slip way, looking out for each other and choosing the best lines.

The groups finished off with more rolling and with the previous nights pool session, there was more successful attempts.

Thanks to Mike for contacting us in the first place, we wish all of the students great success with the programme and there future sea kayaking expedition in Sardinia.

Big thanks to Barry Shaw, for working with me during the week ... and leaving his mug in my van, yet again!!

www.coastalspirit.com

3 star sea kayaking courses

roger chandler