The last Sunday morning session with the Jersey Canoe Club saw much warmer weather than we have been experiencing over the last few days. Launching from St Brelade's the plan was to head towards Corbiere but it was necessary to take into consideration that we still had an 11+ metre Spring Tide and there was a swell approaching from the North Atlantic.
It was a reasonable turn out for the time of the year, there were 17 of us heading along the south coast of the Island, experiencing some constantly changing conditions. We turned back just before Corbiere, spending some time working on skills, something we probably don't do frequently enough. The Peregrine, which flew over whilst we were looking at edging was a real bonus.
A pint sitting outside, at the end of the session, was a treat for the end of January.
Passing through the gap between St Brelade's Bay and Beauport. In the summer months this is one of my favourite places to stop and swim. There are some great jumps off the rocks, particularly towards high water.
Just entering Beauport, one of the most beautiful bays on the Island. In the summer months there would be numerous boats at anchor in the bay but we had the water to ourselves today.
Approaching the Grosse Tete, just to the west of Beauport. This was the first time that we had really appreciated the swell
The swell was certainly arriving in sets. Pete Hargreaves and Peter Wrigglesworth certainly gained some altitude as the passed through the gap.
Trespass Point, the tide was certainly starting to flow west. The cliffs behind are a lovely climbing location, short steep routes and sheltered from the prevailing winds.
We pulled into the bay under the Highlands Hotel. This is where the Jersey Sea kayak Symposium was based last May.
Corbiere seemed isolated today. We decided not to go all the way to the lighthouse. The swell arriving in sets, the speed of the flow and 17 members in the group, seemed to have the potential to become just a bit too interesting.
We, therefore, decided to turn and head east along the base of the granite cliffs.
Some late morning sunshine catching the granite.
St Brelade's lies ahead. We had only been out for 2 hours but it had certainly been a morning of contrasting water conditions.
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