Sark

Sark is a truly magical sea kayaking destination. Stunning scenery, swift tidal streams and a unique history and culture. Every summer we try to make at least one visit to our northern neighbour, ideally for a few days in order to savour the land based delights, not just the water activities.

As the last feudal society in Europe it has a fascinating history. Settled from Jersey, in the 16th century, it seems to be an island which the 20th century passed by. There are no cars and the pace of life is totally different to virtually anywhere else. It is well worth a visit, either from Jersey or Guernsey and if you are one of the people who has a place on the Jersey Symposium it would make a great paddle in the following week.

Dixcart Bay on the east side of the island

One of the narrow channels near the Gouliot Passage on the west coast

Arch at Port au Moulin on the west coast

Approaching Dixcart from the south

5 Star Sea Kayak

The new syllabus for the 5 Star Sea has finally appeared on the BCU web site and interesting reading it makes. Essentially it appears to state what has been the standard used on assessments for a number of years and on first sight looks to be a useful award. It is pleasing to see that in the aim the following statement has been preserved:

"The award should be accessible to all those who journey on the sea on a regular basis and should not be seen as the preserve of a few elite performers. It is envisaged that a committed club paddler, sea kayaking regularly in a suitable range of situations, sea areas and conditions should be able to obtain this award within a period of three years."

For too long the Advanced Sea and then the 5 Star was seen as an award which was only available to those who could walk on water and even then it wasn't certain that they would pass.
There have been a number of significant changes from the previous syllabus which include:

1. 16 hour First Aid Award
2. Navigation or Tidal Planning Course
3. Minimum of 20 quality advanced sea kayak days.

For the full syllabus it is necessary to look at the B.C.U. web site. It is clearly going to be a useful award for those sea kayakers who are members of Clubs which are largely based on the sea but it is important to ensure that an appropriate number of courses are run throughout the year and that the award is promoted both by coaches and the B.C.U.






















As the conditions become more demanding the photography becomes more of a challenge but open crossings, reduced visibility and moving water are all part of the new 5 Star Sea but if you don't already have the award why not start the process in 2008?

Airborne Reconnaissance

On the apron at Cherbourg ready for the flight back to Jersey

Second World War rocket launchers in the Normandy countryside

Marmotier, the main island at the Ecrehous. The tide is just starting to flow north.

Maitre Ile, the largest island at the Ecrehous, but less visited than the others.

St Catherines, the Jersey Canoe Club building is visible.

La Rocque Harbour, the south east corner of Jersey

Le Hocq, a great departure point for exploring the reefs off the south coast.

St Helier Harbour

Its not often that the opportunity arises to see some of your favourite sea kayaking destinations from a totally new perspective, but that opportunity arrived last summer when Tony Paintin flew us over to Cherbourg in his aircraft, G-AWPW, a Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser. To the best of my knowledge this is the oldest aircraft based in the Channel Islands. Sitting one behind another, with a joy stick this had a real feel of flying.
We took a direct route to Cherbourg, passing over some of the remnants of the Second World War, including rocket launchers. The return journey was via the Ecrehous, one of the classic paddles in the British Isles. Circling overhead, the clarity of the water was amazing. The reefs were clearly visible below the surface, indicating what a potentially hazardous area this is.
From the Ecrehous a direct route was taken for St Catherines, the base of the Jersey Canoe Club, from the there the coast was followed to St Helier, the point of arrival for many participants for the Jersey Sea Kayaking Symposium. From there it was a direct approach to the airport and a smooth landing.
Clearly undertaking regular recces from a light aircraft is not a viable option but if the opportunity arises grab it with both hands as it offers a totally different perspective.

Summer Dreams

Approaching Loch Scavaig in near perfect conditions.

Nicky entering the harbour on the north side of Soay

Telephone box on Soay

Classic conditions in August. Rum in the distance.

With temperatures hovering about freezing today, thinking back to last summer is one way to warm up. After numerous visits to Loch Coruisk and Soay, generally in poor weather we eventually hit the jackpot on Wednesday last August. In perfect conditions we left Elgol to paddle the classic route into Loch Scavaig and then onto Soay, where for the first time we explored the small village. A visit to the old school house is a must for any paddlers who find themselves on Soay, the exhibition on the history of the island makes fascinating viewing.
Gordon Brown, in his book, states that this is the finest one day paddle in the British Isles, a statement which would be hard to contradict on the evidence of this August day. A day of quality sea kayaking!

Sea Paddler

The most southerly kayakers in the British Isles

Paddling the gap between St Brelades and Beauport.

Turning back east close to Pt La Moye

A sea kayak of late 1970's vintage, in excellent condition.

Beauport

With a forecast of fog for New Years Day, the actual conditions were a pleasant surprise. Bright winter sunshine heralded the arrival of 2008 as 15 paddlers from the Jersey Canoe Club launched from St Brelades. If the pictures have whetted your appetite for kayaking in Jersey there are still a few places left for the Symposium in May. If you are interested send me an e mail.

Dolphins

Close to the Point of Sleat. Rum is the island behind. August 2007

One of a group of bottle nose dolphins of the south coast of Jersey. August 2007

Dolphins and porpoise have always fascinated and inspired sea kayakers. In the summer of 2007 I was paddling down the western side of the Sleat Peninsula on Skye when several dolphins appeared parallel to the kayaks. For an hour an a half they put on a fantastic display surfing alongside us on waves and leaping out of the water.
The sea was quite choppy in places because of the NW force 5 wind and strange as it seems two of us in the group had the feeling that the dolphins were accompanying us and leading us into calmer water. We discussed this in a rather reserved fashion, it is difficult to believe that animals possess such skills. Amazingly though as we rounded the Point of Sleat and entered calmer water the dolphins disappeared and weren't seen again for the rest of the trip.
Earlier in the summer I had spent a stunning 30 minutes in the company of a pod of bottle nose dolphins just after dawn on a beautiful August morning. It is encounters such as these which ensure that sea kayaking is such a memorable experience.

The end of the year paddle

After the storms of the last few weeks it was great to get out on the water in reasonable conditions, although the 2 metre swell, remnants of the previous days gales, provided some entertainment off the headlands. St Aubins Harbour was the first destination, one of the islands oldest harbours, many of the buildings were built on the proceeds of the Newfoundland fishing industry. Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria, stated that it was strange that Jersey men built their harbours on dry land, he clearly arrived at low water when as a result of the large tidal range the islands 19th century harbours all dry.

The area around St Aubins has a rich historical past, St Aubins Fort, which is now an outdoor activity base for the local education authority was built in the 16th century although there were additions in later years to reflect the changes in the nature of warfare. The most recent occurred during the German Occupation in the Second World War. The 20th Century gun emplacement can be seen close to Nicky's head.


Days like these are few and far between in the winter months so it was great to get out on the water. The interesting thing is that paddling around St Aubins is always seen as a bad weather alternative but there is always something interesting to see and today was no exception. After nearly 40 years of paddling off the south coast of I saw my first seal in the area. A grey seal popped up probably less than 3 metres in front of where we were paddling, and was with us for several minutes. A great finish to the year and hopefully a positive omen for 2008.