East Coast Kayaking

Today was the first day this year that I have been out kayaking off the east coast of the Island.  It was just a gentle paddle around the area to the south of St Catherine's, the base of Jersey Canoe Club.  The breakwater is the most visible reminder of a grand project by the British Admiralty in the middle of the 19th century.  It was due to join up with the southern arm, which was due to be built out, from the coast, close to Archirondel.
On the way south we passed the small cottage, L'Hopital, which was built as a hospital to meet the needs of the hundreds of workers who were employed on the construction of the breakwater.  It has had a chequered history including being a tea room and as a private residence.  Today it is a self catering property, helping to meet the needs of the tourist industry.  It must be one of the best places to stay on the Island, if you are a sea kayaker.
Continuing south the next obvious building also has a role to play in the tourist industry.  Archirondel Tower.  Built in 1792 as part of the Islands coastal defences against the French military it has recently been refurbished for basic accommodation for up to 10 people.
The small headland between Anne Port and Archirondel is interesting from a geological perspective, providing evidence of some volcanic activity in the distant past.  The columnar rhyolites are easily visible from the sea but are missed by the thousands of people who drive along the road above.
Once past the rocks of the Jersey Volcanic Group we crossed Anne Port, a small bay, which must have seen more attempts at preventing coastal erosion than anywhere else on the Island.  The authorities have used rock armour, cliff pinning, netting, beach replenishment, gabions and a sea wall to help prevent erosion, all is needed is a groyne and there would be pretty much every type of coastal protection.

 L'Hopital is in a superb position, just above the shoreline.

 The white building is the base of St Catherine's Sailing Club.  Originally it was the carpenters sheds whilst the Breakwater was under construction.

 Looking into Anne Port.  Some of the coastal defenses are visible at the rear of the beach.

 Paddling past the columnar rhyolites at La Crete Point.  There is a much better view from a kayak than from the road.

Arriving back at Archirondel.  The end of a rather pleasant way to spend a March afternoon.

Jersey Towers

One of the more unusual characteristics of sea kayaking around the Jersey coastline are the significant numbers of Jersey Round Towers, which punctuate the coast at regular intervals.  In 1781 a French force under the command of Baron de Rullecourt, landed at La Rocque, the south east corner of the island and marched as far as St Helier before being defeated in the Battle of Jersey, in the Royal Square.  This was too close to French success for the authorities so they embarked on a programme of building coastal towers around the island.

Many of these towers survive and provide a historic backdrop to sea kayaking in Jersey's coastal waters.

Seymour Tower, built in 1782, was the first tower to be built following the French invasion.  In complete contrast to all the other Jersey Round towers it is square in shape.  Built approximately 1 mile offshore it is a fascinating paddle when the tide is in, or walk on low water springs when the shore dries.

 Nicky paddling out of Archirondel early one morning.  We were actually on a photo shoot for Jersey tourism, who were keen to publicize the sea kayaking opportunities in Jersey .  Our only venture into the world of modeling.  The tower was completed in 1794 and in common with so many other towers around the island is now painted as a navigation mark.

The south east corner of the island with its shallow waters, sandy beaches and shelter from the prevailing wind was the favoured location for another French invasion.  Built in the 1780's it was one of many which helped to protect this section of coastline.  In all 23 towers were built by Sir Henry Seymour Conway, who was Governor of the Island.

Not all of the towers have survived the passage of time.  At L'Etacq a tower was blown up during the German occupation of the Second World War to make way for a bunker, which is now used by a local fisheries company. 

Built offshore, in St Ouen's Bay, La Rocco Tower is probably the most photographed of all the Jersey Towers and the last of Conway's Towers to be built.   When paddling around Jersey I generally leave from Corbiere, to gain maximum benefit from the tide and La Rocco is a welcome sight as it is less than a mile from the finish, with over 28 nautical miles already under your belt.  A great feeling.

Kayak Models

This was our first, and probably last modeling assignment. Jersey Tourism were looking for some new images to publicize the island and sea kayaks in front of some of the islands more iconic buildings is seen as possible way forward.
So dawn this morning saw Nicky, Katie and myself on the water at Archirondel posing for the cameras. We have seen a few of the results and they look great but we have to wait to see which ones might be used in any marketing publicity. Its great though to see that Jersey is looking to attract more visiting kayakers to our beautiful island.
I think that it is true to say though that I don't have a future career as a professional model.

Two new and recently polished kayaks waiting on the beach

The dawn light had a particularly special quality.