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Dynamic Water Sea Kayaking - Coaching and trips throughout 2022

jpallenjpallen
edited August 2022 in Club Activity: Club Trips and Tours

Sea kayaking doesn't have to just be about journeying along the coast, it's also a great opportunity to have fun in more dynamic conditions. Dynamic water sea kayaking trips normally involve paddling to a play spot, and then spending some time enjoying the conditions. I'm planning to run a few dynamic water trips & coaching days throughout the year if you'd like to get into or do more of this sort of paddling.

What is dynamic water sea kayaking?

  • Surfing. Sea kayaks can pick up waves earlier than shorter boats or boards, so you can get some lovely clean runs as the waves build towards the shore. Playing in the breaking surf zone is also a fun challenge, especially in a 5m long boat.
  • Tide races. Like surfing, but on a treadmill. You get continuous long runs on waves with lots of energy to push you forwards, but that don't dump like beach surf does. Tide races can get addictive!
  • Down wind runs. Another variation on surfing. With some swell and some wind behind you, the sea forms waves that you can continuously surf downwind.
  • Strong wind paddling. Not for everyone, but there can be something satisfying about fighting into a force 5 head wind. Type 2 fun perhaps. At the very least you'll probably get rewarded with a nice down wind run when you turn around!
  • Rock hopping. With some underlying swell, the rocky areas between the coast and sea become a playground of gaps, gullies and other features. We always aim to pick spots to play with fun features, but minimal consequences.

Who is this for?

You! (If you want it.) You'll need some good paddling foundations, but the club can help you get there. This is for anyone who would like to try out or do more of this sort of paddling, whether it's new to you, or whether you're an experienced sea kayaker.

Before going out in these environments, it's important to have a good foundation of skills, both personal and safety. Everyone in the group needs to be able to help out to make sure the group can perform any rescues quickly and efficiently. Anyone coming on these paddles should therefore:

  • Feel stable and comfortable in your kayak in 1m of swell, a few feet of surf, and up to force 4 winds.
  • Be able to make progress into a force 5 head wind, or against 2 knots of tide.
  • Have a reliable brace/recovery stroke that has been used for real a few times. (A roll isn't necessary, but this would be a good point to start working towards one, or turning your flat water roll into a rough water roll).
  • Be able to perform an efficient deep water rescue of a swimmer in moderate conditions.
  • Be practiced in using a tow line and some tactics that we might use in a rescue situation, like contact tows and anchor tows.

There are plenty of opportunities within the club to work on these skills, such as the Explore Sea Kayaking course, and trips that run throughout the year. If you're not sure if you're at the right level, then get in touch (webmaster@exetercanoeclub.org.uk) and we can have a conversation, or get out for a paddle to see.

When will the trips be?

I am aiming to run sessions on the following days:

  • Sunday 29th May
  • Sunday 26th June
  • Sunday 31st July
  • Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th August, as part of the club bank holiday trip
  • Sunday 25th Sept

Pembrokeshire Long Weekend

I'm also considering organising a club trip for a long weekend Pembrokeshire over the weekend of 15-16th October. Pembrokeshire is a beautiful place, with lots of exciting paddling. A play spot forms at some rocks called The Bitches which would be one of our aims for the weekend. More details to follow.

How can I sign up?

I'll post forum threads for each trip around one month in advance - keep a look out! There will be a limit of 4 people per trip. If additional leaders are available this may be increased up to 8.

Please post below if you're interested in general, and which dates you can or can't make. It will be useful to gauge interest and potential numbers at this point.

Please also post if you're interested in a Pembrokeshire trip in October.

Thanks for reading this far!

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