Exeter Canoe Club
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Sea Kayak Explorers Trip - Updated. Sunday 6th August - Kingswear to Brixham

OwenMichaelsonOwenMichaelson
edited August 2023 in Club Activity: Club Trips and Tours

Provisional notice of an intended trip. I will pick a launch location later in the week when I can get a better feel for the wind and swell conditions. The weather has not been kind for the last few week has not been kind for kayakers so fingers crossed. We will aim for semi sheltered waters with part on the sea and part on an estuary. Final numbers will depend on other experienced paddlers signing up.
If you fancy a paddle next Sunday please indicate below.

Update - looking at the wind and tides a one way trip from Kingswear to Brixham currently looks feasible. The wind (F3/4) is currently forecast from the NW and we should be sheltered under the cliffs for most of the way. We might just need to dig deep and paddle hard between Berry Head and Brixham. High tide at 10.30 allows for a launch at the top of kingswear creek. Meet at the top of the creek at 9.30 and on the water for 10.00.

There is normally free parking along the road opposite the launch field or up the road. Fall back drop the boats and park at the Marina car park. ( -) https://maps.apple.com/?ll=50.353129,-3.564116&q=Dropped Pin&t=h

Taxi shuttle back for the drivers from Brixham to Kingswear. Only 10 minutes by road but circa 4 hour paddle around Berry Head.

Normally great paddle for wildlife spotting.

Please watch this space for further updates because the forecast is quite changeable at present

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Comments

  • Rob_GoodingRob_Gooding

    I'd love to join if it goes ahead!

  • Stuart_OgilvieStuart_Ogilvie

    I would like to join please

  • Pete_CPete_C
    edited August 2023

    I can no longer do this trip. Have a great day.

  • LucyTheophilusLucyTheophilus
    Yes please, if anyone could provide a lift from the club that would be great for me and a kayak :)
  • adamgardineradamgardiner

    Yes please I'd be keen.

  • Nigel_SharpeNigel_Sharpe

    I would like to join, and can offer a lift from the Club.

  • OwenMichaelsonOwenMichaelson
    Nigel. Can you please coordinate lifts and boat shares from the club. Stuart. Are you able to pick me up? If we need extra roof spaces you or I could also head into the club.
  • OwenMichaelsonOwenMichaelson
    edited August 2023

    https://maps.apple.com/?ll=50.353129,-3.564116&q=Dropped Pin&t=h

    Link to launch area. Free parking on the road

  • Ruth_BellRuth_Bell

    Yes please I would like to come

  • Maggie_WatsonMaggie_Watson
    Hi Owen. Wish I was coming! Please would you bear with me if I advertise the March to end July restrictions on all vessels (including kayaks and SUPs) in the bay just before Berry Head? Doubtless, wildlife and cliff nesting birds will be in your briefing, but this looks like a wider opportunity to raise awareness of the closed area within the club - even though we're now into August (apparently!). And with avian flu and the wet weather the guillemot colony will be having an extra tough time this year.

    For anyone planning a trip during the breeding season, this link is to the 2022 harbour notice and has a map - which can be surprisingly hard to find online (I've struggled before now)

    https://www.tor-bay-harbour.co.uk/notices/1422/.

    This is one of the very few legally enforceable closed areas (rather than voluntary) in our region and is worth 'bigging up' a bit, given the pressure on wildlife and the increase in paddle sports. Plus, I've never seen a marker actually on the water... So it's hardly surprising you get people paddling there. Probably I should make a diary note to post a 'general' comment next spring!

    Fingers crossed the forecast let's you get out!
  • Stuart_OgilvieStuart_Ogilvie

    Hi Owen I can pick you up

  • OwenMichaelsonOwenMichaelson
    Thanks Maggie. I think I know the cliff because Richard has previously highlighted it and kept us out at sea. I must admit that I was not aware of the legally enforceable exclusion zone. Good to know.
  • Maggie_WatsonMaggie_Watson
    Yes, Richard is usually my main reference point on local ecology when paddling. BTW I don't think anyone actually does much to enforce the zone...though that's not really the point.
  • Steve_HSteve_H

    I would like to join this paddle. I can go to club and carry another kayak and person if that helps. Please advise if this would help.

  • adamgardineradamgardiner
    Hi Owen just wondering if you could share when you’d expect us to finish please as well as when we’ll make the final call regarding weather?

    I’ll be driving from Exeter and can pick up two boats from the club for Rob and I but would need help securing these to my roof bars as I haven’t done this before, we also don’t have a key for the boathouse so if anyone could help that would be great! Many thanks
  • OwenMichaelsonOwenMichaelson
    Adam/all. The forecast still looks stable for Sunday. Tomorrow is a shocker but should blow through by Sunday morning. As such the trip is still on. If we all aim to meet at the launch area for 9.30 and be on the water for 10.00 we should be off the water by 3.00 and back into Exeter for 4.30. It is about. 45 minute drive from the club so if you are picking up boats I suggest you meet at the club at 8.15.
  • RobPriceRobPrice
    Hi Owen, Anna and I are up for this and can meet at the launch location with our own boats, Rob
  • Nigel_SharpeNigel_Sharpe

    I will come to the Club for 08.15am and can carry two extra kayaks and people. I have a key.
    It would be worth packing waterproofs and a spare set of clothing which you can put in dry bags (or a sealed bin liner) and put in the hatch of your kayak so that you can get changed into dry clothes at the end of the day, whilst you wait for the taxi shuttle.
    Also, take a packed lunch and plenty to drink. Some of you will have heard me bang on about how good a 500mm Fanta bottle is for carrying your on-water drink (Water, or squash)... the Fanta bottle has a perfect groove to fit under deck lines without slipping out!

  • MartinMartin
    I’d like to join too, please. I’ll see people at the club
  • Ruth_BellRuth_Bell

    Hi I would like to come tomorrow
    I havnt done a club trip yet, I can carry a kayak and meet at the clubhouse at 8.15am. Or meet at the club house and come with someone else if they have extra kayak room? Not clear on the people logistics for boats and people.
    What is the level of this trip, I am confident but have just done my sea kayak awards training on the canal and been on the estuary, not on the sea yet, although have been on the sea a lot in my own sit on.

  • OwenMichaelsonOwenMichaelson
    Ruth. This is an explorers trip so designed for paddlers who have done some basic training and need to get experience on the sea. We will paddle at a modest pace and stop on one of the drying beaches for lunch and a break. We have lots of experienced paddlers with us who can give coaching on route. If anyone is not comfortable when we get out of the estuary and in to open water we have the option of turning back. We will not take anyone to sea who is not comfortable. You just need to be able to paddle at a steady pace for up to 4 hours (in two or three stages) in terms of logistics just turn up at the club at 8.15 and there will be plenty of experienced paddlers to help you pick a boat and organise car shares. Please remember to also collect all your sea kayak paddling gear and as per Nigel’s note above bring a packed lunch, water and spare clothes so you don’t get cold on the car shuttle or whilst waiting in Brixham for the drivers to return. (The shuttle only takes about 20 minutes 10 minutes each way) happy paddling
  • Stuart_OgilvieStuart_Ogilvie

    Hi Owen when do you want picking up ?

  • OwenMichaelsonOwenMichaelson
    8.15?
  • Ruth_BellRuth_Bell

    Thanks Owen, that is all really great info.
    I will be at the club tomorrow for 8.15

  • Steve_HSteve_H

    see you at kingswear tomorrow.

  • OwenMichaelsonOwenMichaelson

    In terms of travel logistics
    Owen & Stuart Direct to Kingswear
    Anna & Rob Price Direct to Kingswear
    Steve H direct to Kingswear
    Adam & Rob Gooding via club
    Nigel Sharp, Martin, Ruth, Lucy meeting at the club. I think at leat 3 cars with roof racks so car sharing should be possible.
    If anyone doing anything different please make it clear below.

  • Rob_GoodingRob_Gooding

    Great stuff, see you tomorrow!

  • OwenMichaelsonOwenMichaelson

    Sorry folks - bit of a shock, my mum passed away over night and I need to head up North to see my father. Please go ahead with the trip. Plenty of experienced paddlers/leaders with you. Great conditions for paddling today. Just remember if anyone is uncomfortable with the conditions in the open sea plenty of paddling in the mouth of the estuary and you can get out at all states of the tide on the slipway next to the sailing club in Kingswear. This said the conditions and tides could not be better for this trip.

  • Rob_GoodingRob_Gooding

    Great first trip on the sea, thanks everyone!

  • Nigel_SharpeNigel_Sharpe

    I am so sorry to hear your news, Owen. I hope that the trip up north went well, and my sympathy to you and the family.
    Thanks all for a fun trip - I cannot believe the sea conditions today following Storm Antoni yesterday! I have posted a few pictures on the Club Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/groups/994645113887905/?multi_permalinks=6940351542650536&notif_id=1691348477092012&notif_t=feedback_reaction_generic&ref=notif and a selection of them below...



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