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.

Last paddle of the year

After a Christmas break away from the Island it was good to get a quick paddle in today.  The south easterly force 6-7, which was forecast, plus the rather large westerly swell reduced the options but Bouley Bay on the north coast seemed ideal for a couple of hours out on the water.

For the last paddle of the year it proved to be a pretty reasonable choice.

 The small pier was constructed in 1828, although there had been earlier plans to construct a much larger harbour in the area.  This project was dropped due to the lack of available flat land to build on.

 The heavy rain of recent weeks has resulted in a few seasonal waterfalls appearing along this section of coast.

 Alex approach Tour de Rozel, the wind was pushing us along quite nicely.

 Tour de Rozel is one of the iconic landmarks of the north coast of the Island.  On the flood a delightful tide race develops which has provided hundreds of hours of entertainment to local kayakers.  Here are a few pictures taken 5 years ago.

 Fort Leicester dominated the western side of the bay, rebuilt in 1835 it is now available for hire from Jersey Heritage, as a rather unique place to stay.

December's First Paddle

As the rain hammered down on the conservatory roof the easiest option was to roll over for another hour or so in bed but I was committed to heading towards Bouley Bay for the Canoe Club Sunday morning session.  It was only the really keen members who turned up but despite the rain, wind, low cloud etc we had a pretty good time for a bleak Sunday morning in December.

 The tide was running east with a south westerly wind so we turned back towards Bouley Bay and attempted to surf some of the swells.

 John just slipping off the back of a wave.

 In a few places the water was fairly lumpy, all adding to the fun.

 John just missing another wave, but in a reasonably spectacular fashion

 Belle Hougue really is a great place to play, as well as honing paddling skills

 After playing in the waves off Belle Hougue we headed west to Bonne Nuit, one of the small harbours on the north coast of the Island.

 Ruth near Bonne Nuit.  These buildings look as if there at risk of collapse as the cliffs underneath are crumbling away.

 We turned around Cheval Roc, tradition has it that young maidens from the parish were rowed around the rock on midsummers day in the hope of improving fertility.  We are still waiting to see if it had a similar impact on us.

 Heading back towards Belle Hougue, the tallest headland in Jersey.

 

 Passing just in front of Belle Hougue cave.

Bouley Bay 3 Star

Bouley Bay was once considered for a major harbour development due to the deep, sheltered water but the lack of suitable land for buildings prevented the project progressing and so the only sheltered anchorage is behind the small pier which was built in 1828 to meet the needs of the oyster fishermen.  The bay was always seen as vulnerable to attack, in fact in 1549 French invaders were repulsed at Jardin d'Olivet, therefore the bay is defended by a couple of Forts.

With a south easterly wind forecast it was selected as the venue for a 3 Star as provided both sheltered conditions as well as some more challenging water if necessary.

Bouley Bay on a warm summers day is one of the most appealing places to launch a sea kayak, sadly yesterday wasn't a warm summers day so conditions were essentially less pleasant.

Heading out of Bouley Bay yesterday.  The white mark of the pier head is just visible through the November murk. 

 Landing just to the east of Tour de Rozel.  Time to check personal equipment and to cover the theory side of 3 Star.  For the first time in months there was a real chill in the air.

 When we launched the tidal stream had changed direction so as expected, the sea state increased quite dramatically, due to wind against tide, this was only for 100 metres or so but it created some entertaining conditions.  Johan powered through the waves with remarkable ease, the Taran really is a quick kayak.

Sean enjoyed the surfing in the tidal run, but sadly it was all too soon to head to more sheltered waters to continue with the assessment.  A good day on the water.

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.

Sunshine at last

After what seems like months of wind and rain today dawned with light winds and blue skies, some relaxing sea kayaking at last.  Paddled east from Bouley Bay,  almost to La Coupe before retracing our steps.  Just great to be out.

 Heading east from Bouley Bay.  Although the cliffs aren't completely vertical, as in parts of the Island, further west they are pretty steep.  The small pier was built in 1829, mainly for use by oyster fishermen.

 Small headlands are dotted along this section of coast.  In the distance is White Rock or Tour de Rozel, one of the best white water spots in Jersey.

 The views to the west included part of Belle Hougue, the tallest headland on the Island

 Timing was important when going through some of the gaps.  Although the wind had died down there was still quite a heavy ground swell.

 A brief shower interrupted the sunshine but did produce a spectacular rainbow.

 Chasing rainbows is always entertaining

Arriving back at Bouley Bay after a really enjoyable couple of hours.  Hopefully plenty more Sunday mornings like this are on the way.  Fort Leicester just above the pier is available as a holiday let from Jersey Heritage.  What a location for a sea kayaking holiday!

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.