First Paddle of the Year

Today was one of those days when it would have been so easy to stay in bed or to go to the gym, but it was well worth making the effort to head out in to the rain.  With strong winds from the south blowing the north coast was the only really viable option.  Bouley Bay to Rozel and back.  A good run out for my first paddle of the year.

 Kate inside Rozel Harbour.   Just about to head back.

 Kate trying to get a bit of help from the following wind.

 The north side of the harbour wall provided some shelter from the strong offshore wind.

 Relaxing paddle back, not rushing as the thought of getting changed in the rain wasn't too appealing

 At times the rain was so heavy that it obscured the finer details of Bouley Bay.

 Water was running down the road with some considerable force and then amazingly after we had tied the kayaks on the cars the rain stopped and we were able to get changed in the dry!

 Water pouring down the steps and onto the beach had discoloured the sea.

Daily Picture - 65

On a day when the temperature reached 15 degrees, we headed from St Catherines along the north coast as far as Egypt, where the Canoe Club has a small cottage.  Here we are approaching the headland just to the east of Rozel, with the aptly named teddy bear rock clearly visible on the right.

A great day on the water with hopefully many more to follow in the coming weeks and months.

Rainy Rozel

The easiest thing to do this morning would have been to turn the alarm off and roll over, as the rain hammered down on the conservatory roof and the trees swayed in the south westerly force 6.  Fortunately I resisted the temptation and headed east towards Rozel.

This small bay is located on the north east of the Island and is potential departure point for trips to the Ecrehous but today the paddling agenda involved a trip along the coast, to the west.  Conditions were not ideal photography and I ended up deleting more than twice as many as I kept but they give a flavour of sea kayaking off the north east coast of Jersey on a rainy Sunday morning in November.

A rather grey start to the day on the beach at Rozel. 

Approaching Bouley Bay.

L'Etacquerel Fort didn't look particularly appealing on this November Sunday morning.  Built in 1835-6 to defend the eastern side of Bouley Bay, it is available for rent for accommodation.

 Approaching the Jersey Canoe Club cottage at Egypt.  It was areal surprise to see how much the trees had grown.  The small building used to be clearly visible from the sea.  Probably time for some gardening.

 We have been fortunate over the last couple of months to have a number of Tiderace sea kayaks on the Island, for people to try out, thanks to Paul at Seaborne.  Chester from Absolute Adventures is trying out the Xcite-S.

 This is a really poor photograph but I have put it in as it represents one of the highlights of the day.  At the top of the photograph there is a small fin, which is all that I managed to capture of a sunfish which swam through the group.  In 45 years of messing about on the sea this is only the third sunfish that I have seen.

 Entering the harbour at Rozel, the small pier was built in 1829 to provide shelter for those boats engaged in the oyster fishing industry, which could not be accommodated in Gorey.  As if ordered the rain ceased and the sun came out so that it was very pleasant getting changed and a dry walk to the Rozel Bay Hotel for a welcome pint.

Gourmet Sea Kayaking

Once a month during the winter season the Jersey Canoe Club arranges a gourmet paddle, by sea kayak, to a local pub for Saturday lunch. Living on an island it is always possible to find somewhere with suitable water conditions and a welcoming eating house. Although we don't always need an excuse it is a great reason to get on the water. Conditions do vary though as shown by last winters offering.

Rounding St Catherines Breakwater, we crossed Fliquet Bay, heading towards the north east corner of the island. The white building is one of the earliest Jersey Round Tower's probably built between 1781 and 1787.

Once on the north coast it was necessary to pass the small harbour at Rozel. Its small pier built in 1829 to take the over spill of oyster fishing boats which couldn't be accommodated at Gorey.

O.K. I know that James Bond did it first but I have always wanted to arrive on a beach and remove my dry suit to reveal a slightly higher standard of dress than what is normally associated with kayakers.

The Black Dog at Bouley Bay was the selected eating house. A great lunch was enjoyed by all.

The return to St Catherines was assisted by a gentle westerly wind. Tour de Rozel which is one of the most popular tidal races on the island with sea kayakers was reasonable quiet today.

This is the second year that we have run the winter sea kayaking and eating season and I am certain that it won't be the last.

Milos Training

At the end of October 30 sea kayakers from Jersey are heading to Milos to raise money for two local charities, Jersey Hospice and Centre Point. The participants have been training regularly since the end of April, many having to make the transition from sit on top's to closed cockpit kayaks.
Today was our first day trip as group and conditions could not have been better. We headed from St Catherines along the north coast of the island, having lunch at Bouley Bay, after a number of the paddlers had been introduced to the delights of tidal races.
On our return we celebrated with ice cream in temperatures approaching 25 degrees, more like the Greek Islands than the Channel Islands in September. What was particularly satisfying was that everybody came away realizing that they were better prepared for the circumnavigation of Milos than they thought.

Approaching Rozel, the first small bay and harbour on the north coast of the island.

It was only a neap tide but there was still a bit of movement at Tour de Rozel.

As the day wore on the conditions just got better and better. Sea kayaking in Jersey can be a thoroughly enjoyable experience.