Building skills needed for the sea kayak moving water group UPDATED *6

JaneEvans

I am planning some skills sessions that will be useful for paddlers who want to paddle on moving water. These sessions are for people who have already learned sea kayak skills in a calm water environment.

The skills will include

• Efficient forward paddling: technique, power, speed, paddling in wind, paddle length
• Manoeuvring arounds rocks where there is some water movement
• Contact towing
• Rescue practice in 3* conditions
• How to approach another sea kayak when it is windy or the water is moving
• Moving the casualty’s sea kayak effectively during a rescue
• Anchored tows: ie towing a raft whilst a rescue is being undertaken
• Paddling sea kayaks half full of water
• Brace strokes
• Rolling practice

Selected dates are

Sunday 18 Oct
Sunday 25 Oct

More info to follow re location and timings. Also whether there are any new restrictions this week.

I suggest a couple of pool sessions:

Fri 23 Oct
Fri 13 Nov

If you would be interested in acquiring these skills please reply to this thread saying which dates you can make.

We have to restrict the group to a maximum of 6, so I have allocated the spaces as follows:

Sun 18 Oct
Venue Meadfoot Beach, Torquay. Meet 8.30am Maclaines or 9.30am at Meadfoot Beach. Exact location at Meadfoot will depend on where there is usable beach, as the tide will be high in the morning.
Paddlers to bring a tow line and helmet, available at the back of the Maclaines shed / next to BA store.

Wind forecast is current F3/4 from the East. This has been increasing over the last couple of days. If it continues to increase we may need to change location.
Jane
Maggie
Mike W
Jake D
Adrian E
Martin S

Sun 25 Oct
Jane
Pete C
Jon H
Toby S
Owen M
Kwinten
Martin S

If anyone cannot make the selected dates please can you reply so that another person can take up the place. I don't want to fill the 6th place on Sun 25 Oct just yet.

The tides for Sun 18 Oct are large: coefficient is 115 out of a maximum of 120. Weather forecast looks quite calm at the moment. The group should look at the weather forecast and tides and bring the information with them.

Sunday 25 October
Kayaks for people using club boats are already loaded. I have 3 club paddles in the car, but paddlers need to bring spraydecks and helmets. Also a towline from the back of the Maclaines shed.
Meet 10.30am at the inlet at Kingswear. Grid ref 888515. You drive to Kingswear, taking the road towards the lower ferry. As you come into Kingswear this becomes a one way road. Then 200 yards before the ferry you turn very sharply to the right and back towards Exeter, still one way. There is a bus stop at this wide turning. You drive along an inlet and at the head of the inlet there is a grassy area and some parking. We can unload here as there will be water in the inlet.

Weather is fairly robust tomorrow, so please bring plenty of warm clothes, woolly hat for lunchtime, hot drink etc.

Remember the clock is going back tonight.

Pete_C

I’m interested in the sea based sessions but not the pool sessions because of my chlorine allergy. Best dates for me are 18th, 24th & 25th.

Maggie_Watson

Thanks. Sounds like an excellent opportunity. The Sundays are (still) easier than the Saturdays for me. So preference is 18th and 25th. If the Fridays are evening pool sessions I can do any. All the skills you mention are things I want to improve, especially rolls in full kit. Out of those dates the hardest to make would be 24th October. Of course, the later it gets the colder the water and the higher the risk of lock downs I suppose.
Really do appreciate the effort you're putting into pushing us along. I want to be a competent paddler so kayaking is not just a calm weather summer hobby!

MikeWillmott

Hi Jane,
This sounds ideal. I did 3* sea kayak about 12 years ago so really need a refresher as I've not been active in the sea, apart from surf kayaking, for several years. If you've got space please throw me in on any of those dates. I can transport a kayak and me.
P.S do you know anyone selling a Delphin?

Pete_C

Agree with Maggie, I really appreciate the input from Jane and James on this. I’m not sure I’ll ever be the sort of paddler who seeks out big waves etc for fun, but sometimes you don’t have a choice and I would like to feel more confident in those conditions and develop the skills to keep myself and those around me safe.

Fiona_H

Great offer thanks. I can do either of the weekends atm but would prefer to to a Sat and Sunday the same weekend if possible and favour the 17th 18th, unless cancelled per weather conditions
Not sure re pool sessions per C19 ATM.

Toby_S

Sounds great. I can do 23rd, 25th and 13th.

Pete_C

18th & 25th work for me. Please put me down for these.

Maggie_Watson

Yes please, I can do both those.

MartinS

I'm in for the weekends, I'm free 18th and 25th. I may be available for all of the pool sessions but would prefer to do short boat rolling practice, so will see on the day.

OwenMichaelson

Jane. Tied up this coming weekend but free 25th onwards. Owen

Maggie_Watson

Thanks, looking forward to getting wet.

JaneEvans

Hi Adrian

There is reasonable parking at Meadfoot, both free and paying. First decision will be to decide where to launch: big tides, and parts of the beach disappears at HW. Then decide where to park.

Help with boat transport would be great. Re whether we share cars, let's decide when we meet at 8.30am at the club. Covid cases in Exeter are falling but it is still a hotspot. Please can everyone bring a facemask.

JaneEvans

Message for Pete C. Someone has not turned up today. If you’d like to come today please come to meadfoot beach. Target time 9.30 Or 9.45 am

Pete_C

Ah! Just seen this at 9.40am so can’t get there in time. Pity, as I have the boat loaded ready for a paddle out on the estuary. Have a good day.

Maggie_Watson

Thanks, it was a good day, and that water was certainly moving at times! Good to practice towing the rescue against the flow.

MartinS

Thanks for the paddle and the solid rescue/drills practice. Good to see how that all works when the water is lively!

Also thank you to Mr. Robin, for his sage navigation advice.

MikeWillmott

Defo a great day out! Thanks Jane!
Learnt loads In jolly good company. High lights - lunch; getting targeted by fishermen (who obviously own that bit of the ocean); Paddling with a boat half full of water!(Shh...don’t tell but I followed Janes lead on that one and kept my bum dry).😏
Anybody who wants to learn new skills and gain confidence in moving water - I recommend a day out with Jane!
Looking forward to the next one!😎

Pete_C

Yes Jane, I'm still in for Sunday

MartinS

Very keen for the 25th!

Toby_S

Jane.
Do we need anything special for the pool session tomorrow evening?? Assume just see kayak otherwise..

JaneEvans

Hi Toby
usual kit is fine. I will have the paddle floats with me.
I will be at Maclaines at 6pm to meet Tina and to load boats,

Toby_S

Hi jane. Sounds good I'll meet you their at 6pm aswell..

Pete_C

See you in Kingswear at 10.30am. Remember the clocks go back tonight!!

MartinS

Anyone going to Maclaines tomorrow morning? I'll be there at 9 to load up.

Toby_S

Yes I was going to get some tow lines and bits before heading off..I'll get there for 0900 to

Stevehorwell

Hi, am I to late to join for tomorrow? I have a boat and kit

JaneEvans

Hi Steve

I think the group is large enough for the paddling conditions that we'll face. There are quite a few trips on at the moment, so please can you wait for the next one.

Stevehorwell

No problem, have fun

Pete_C

Good day, thanks everyone.