New Lundy Dates
* NEW LUNDY DATES *
Due to the high demand for trips to Lundy we are running an extra camping/wildlife trip on 14-17th July. If you are interested please contact us info@sksw.co.uk / 01271 813271. Places on these trips do tend to get booked up quickly so contact us sooner rather than later!
We also have a few places left on our trip in September - 22-25th.
Lundy And North Devon Wildlife Weekend - May 2012
We are just back from a wonderful Wildlife Weekend. After a night at Dyers Farm to settle in we loaded sea kayaks on The Oldenburg Ferry at Ilfracombe Harbour and set off for Lundy Island - a 2 hour trip. We camped for 2 nights on Lundy Island, then returned on the ferry and spent a further 2 nights at Dyers Farm while exploring the North Devon Coast.
We were very fortunate with the weather - not only sunshine - but an unusual wind direction which allowed us to explore the exposed west coast of Lundy Island at both low tide and high tide. Sea kayak skills were coached to allow everyone to enjoy the conditions to the full.
We had opportunity to paddle and snorkel with seals and amongst colonies of auks. We saw at least 3 puffins close to, and were almost run over by swallows swooping around the camp site. The exceptionally low spring tide allowed for some fantastic rock pooling In Jenny's Cove where we could admire the sponges and coral reef. Walking around the beautiful island we had wonderful sightings of peregrine falcons, soay sheep, sika deer, kittiwakes, razorbills, seals and guillimots. Along the North Devon Coast we could also enjoy the kelp forests amongst the rocks, gannets diving, oyster catchers, and fulmars nesting. The high tide allowed us to explore caves and passages passing right through Lundy Island, helping us avoid the tide races.
You can see some of our photographs on our Facebook page or our Flickr page - see links on Home Page.
Greenland Paddling And Rolling Courses At Sksw
The world famous american greenland paddlers Cheri and Turner of 'Kayak Ways' who star in the fabulous new 'This is the Roll' DVD are coming to the UK this spring to do 3 weekend courses in Cornwall, N Wales and Scotland. I was cheeky enough to ask them what they are doing during the week days and they have v kindly agreed to come to North Devon and do a day or two with Sea Kayaking South West. As you'll see in the DVD trailers (not released until April!) they love their greenland sticks but work with euroblades too. If anyone would like to join in do let me know on rhoda@sksw.co.uk . Dates 30th May - 1st June 2012. We can provide accommodation in the farmhouse with Cheri and Turner (poor things won't be able to escape!) and can help with kit if needed. Some sea kayaking experience needed (confident in a sea kayak) but you don't need to be able to roll - yet! Rhoda
Update on 15th March: Well folks, we now have 8 people for our Greenland Paddling Courses on both 30th and 31st May and still have people wanting to join us for more. Cheri and Turner are just too much in demand! Because of this Cheri and Turner are delaying their departure until Friday afternoon and are offering a further 4 hour Greenland Rolling session from 9am-1pm on 1st June on the North Devon coast. They charge $100 US dollars for this (about £65 ish) and as long as you bring your own kayak etc (greenland paddles can be supplied) there will be no additional charges from SKSW. There may be some accommodation at Dyers Farm available on the Thursday night if needed. If you are interested please contact me on rhoda@sksw.co.uk
Also featured as part of our Greenland Paddling Course will be:
Richard Bray, who owns RAM-Leisure. He makes Greenland paddles and boats in various forms. He has kindly agreed to bring some paddles and boats to show us and to tell us about what he does. Check out his website and Facebook page for more information.
Also:
Chris Pease, who runs Cornwall Custom Kayaks also hopes to call in and show us some of his work. He has a great website with details of the skin on frame kayaks and greenland paddles he makes. He is in the process of developing a kit to make it easier for people to complete their own boats. He custom makes paddles to fit the customer.
In addition to this he is currently developing a universal touring kayak that should feel at home on the sea, in surf and white water, lakes and decent sized rivers. Hard skinned it will be available as a one piece boat, or alternatively break down in to two parts for those who can transport in a van, or six sections that fit inside each other as an alternative to fabric covered folding kayaks. He has one six section prototype completed and a one piece boat almost finished which he hopes to bring to show us - he says they roll well!
Please let us know if you are interested in Greenland paddling in any way shape or form so we can keep you in touch with further events of this kind which we hope to run in the future. I don't know about you but I fancy help making my own greenland style kayak :-)
4* Sea Training And Assessment
Do you have your 3* Sea and would like to progress further? 4* is a leadership qualification but some people like to do the course purely for the great experience even if they are not planning on doing any leading. Please see the website or contact us for more details.
We are running 4* Sea Training on 24-25th March (£160) and an assessment on 30th June-1st July (£180+registartion fee).
Farmhouse accommodation is available for both of these courses.
Sound Of Arisaig Sea Kayaking Holiday
We have a few places left on this year's trip to the west coast of Scotland 19-26th May. We will be staying at the fantastic Glenuig Inn at the Sound of Arisiag. The Inn sits right on the shores of a sheltered loch and the Small Isles of Rum, Muck, Eigg and Canna are within paddling distance. There will be the option during the trip of paddling over to the small isles for a night of wild camping.
This really is one of the UK's best spots for paddling and on last years trip we encountered basking sharks, seals and many other interesting birds and sea life.
The cost of the holiday is £600, this includes comfortable bed and breakfast accommodation, all equipment and guides.
Please see the relevant page on the website (under holidays and expeditions )or contact us for more information.
Archive
May 12
March 12
February 12
January 12
- Girls Only![31/01/2012]
- Fun Days Out And Camping Trips[03/01/2012]
- Taking On The 2012 London Kayakatho[03/01/2012]
- Self Catering Holiday Home Accommod[03/01/2012]
November 11
September 11
- Autumn And Winter Courses.[15/09/2011]
- North Devon Sea Kayak Meet[07/09/2011]
- Lundy Or Bust Crossing[01/09/2011]
August 11
July 11
June 11
May 11
April 11
March 11
February 11
- Lundy Or Bust ![18/02/2011]
- Introduction To Sea Kayaking 5 Day [13/02/2011]
- Intermediate Course[09/02/2011]
- Lundy Or Bust! Gallery Of First Sea[01/02/2011]
January 11
- Day Trip[30/01/2011]
- Lundy Or Bust ![28/01/2011]
- Sea Kayak For Sale[25/01/2011]
- E-mail Problems [25/01/2011]
- Lundy Crossing Training[25/01/2011]
- Lundy Crossing Training Session[14/01/2011]
December 10
- New Sea Kayaks For Sksw[08/12/2010]
- Surf Weekends[08/12/2010]
- Lundy Crossing[08/12/2010]
- Swallows And Amazons Adventure[08/12/2010]
- Filming For Tv Pilot[08/12/2010]
- Eli Lilly Camping Trip[08/12/2010]
- Sound Of Arisaig Expedition[08/12/2010]
- Mid Summer Lundy Crossing [08/12/2010]
- Chris Nias And Friends, Isle Of Sky[08/12/2010]
- Devon Scouts[08/12/2010]
- 3 Star Sea Training & Assessment[08/12/2010]
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