A downwind run

It is hard to believe that it is May, low cloud, heavy rain and a cold northerly wind, gusting up to 21 knots.  So there are limited choices of activities, but a downwind run, across St Ouen's Bay seemed a real possibility.  Launching from L'Etacq it was just under 4 miles to La Pulente, ideally the northerly wind was going to assist the journey down the bay.

 Leaving L'Etacq at the start of the down wind run.  Our destination is lost somewhere in the murk.

 It was important to settle into a steady rhythm and to try and use the following wind.  There were 11 of us on stand up paddleboards, a pretty good turn out considering the conditions.

 La Rocco Tower appearing.  Our route would take us in between the tower and the shore.

La Pulente appearing out of the gloom. I had only taken 4 swims up to this point.  Not far to the first pint!

OK the pictures aren't great but it was a thoroughly miserable day and I think we made the most of it.  It's hard to imagine an alternative activity which would have been as enjoyable on such an afternoon.  Stand up paddleboarding is a great way to train for sea kayaking, it maintains fitness but more importantly it improves balance and gives a better understanding of motion in the water and the effect of waves.  The other advantage of SUP is that it is not so demanding with time, we were only out for 45 minutes but I can't remember the last time I felt this tired as a consequence of paddlesport. 

Give it a go you won't be disappointed.