Exeter Canoe Club
›

Pembrokeshire paddle 21/22 July ??

David_LewisDavid_Lewis
edited May 2018 in Friends Trips
Who would be interested in a Pembrokeshire paddle, provisionally 21/22 July, just before the school holidays and associated crowds. This would be: travel eve of Friday 21st, camp near St Davids, paddle Saturday and Sunday, return Sunday eve or Monday. I am enquiring into hire of local guide, which could be up to £100/day split between us. I think this would be wise if we wanted to paddle around an island like Skomer or Ramsey, conditions permitting. Need to be minimally around 3* for this one, and we'd need a budding leader or two. Further details depending on initial level of interest. Comments and suggestions welcomed.
David
«1

Comments

  • OwenMichaelsonOwenMichaelson
    David - I would be up for this and happy to contribute to a guide if that adds to our possibilities. It will be just me. Liz is off to. Chagstock that weekend. Owen
  • Stuart_OgilvieStuart_Ogilvie
    Yes definitely interested
    Stuart
  • Nigel_SharpeNigel_Sharpe
    I am interested
  • PaulHPaulH
    I would be interested.
    Paul
  • Richard_KnottRichard_Knott
    edited May 2018
    Ellie and Richard also interested. Good idea to find a local guide, happy to contribute.
  • David_LewisDavid_Lewis
    Looks like we have a potentially strong group. So let's go for it. I have booked the guide, I think(!), subject to their written confirmation. See https://seakayakguides.co.uk/ and the guide will be Martin (see his profile). The cost is likely to be around £200 / day (website is misleading) with a group / club discount, and I recommend we go for 2 days because they want to assess the group on Dy 1 before a more adventurous paddle on Dy 2. They recommended the campsite they use as a base: see http://llainpropertcamping.co.uk/, so I have booked for 9 people at £10 pp per night. They didn't ask for a deposit. So the likely cost assuming 9 folk for 2 nights and 2 days guided paddling would be around £65 / head as best I can determine at the moment. I'll let you know if this changes.
    David
  • OwenMichaelsonOwenMichaelson
    David. Thanks for sorting this all out and good call on the coach. It will help to extend our reach for the weekend. I will arrange my week so that I can be free by 2.00 pm on the Friday to leave for wales. I am happy to drive and so can take one more boat. Owen
  • Richard_KnottRichard_Knott
    Thanks for organising. Looks good. Have booked Friday off to travel. Will be taking van, so space for 1 more kayak and kit. Richard.
  • David_LewisDavid_Lewis
    A little hiccough! Sea Kayak Guides has come back to me and advised that it's £200 / day for up to 4 folk. (Their policy, understandably, is 1:4). So for 7-8 of us it is £400 / day, making it about £120 / head with the campsite charge. (You were right, Jane!). I apologise for my naivety. I am away now until the 6th June. Let me know what you want to do, and we should try to get together at the club the first Tuesday (12th) I'm back.
    David
  • Richard_KnottRichard_Knott
    I would pay to be part of a group of 4 for one day guided paddle somewhere more challenging. But if it does not work out I am sure we can find some good paddling spots to suit whole group ourselves based on past trips etc.
  • jpallenjpallen
    I would be interested in this, but I'm relatively new to the club. I'm about to do the 3* course with Jane in June/July, so I'm not yet sure exactly what 3* standard involves yet, and if I'd be good enough (I've done a few weekend and day trips, but not much formally). When would you need to know by?

    I'd be happy to contibute to a guide, etc.

    I also don't have a car at the moment (sorry!) - would a lift and transport for a boat be available? Happy to split petrol costs, etc. Thanks!
  • David_LewisDavid_Lewis
    Just back from hols. Understandably we all have concerns about the guiding costs so at this stage I am reluctant to pay the deposit until we've chatted it through next Tuesday club night. Meanwhile I am leaning to the view we are a strong enough group not to need a guide, and could organise great paddles ourselves, as we did last year. OK we may have to be more cautious than with guides, but it's a matter of cost : benefit. I'm helping with 3* training, so I may be a bit late getting to the club Tuesday eve.
    David
  • Richard_KnottRichard_Knott
    edited June 2018
    If I dont make it on Tuesday I am happy with your suggestion that we can plan our own trips. There is so much scope in all but the most extreme weather (in which case we would probably cancel the weekend!).
  • Stuart_OgilvieStuart_Ogilvie
    David

    Apologies can't make it tonight delayed at work. Quite happy with the idea we can sort our own trips. Let me know if anything I can help with
    stuart
  • David_LewisDavid_Lewis
    Sorry I missed most of you that Tuesday night. I was later back from Exmouth than planned.
    It is clear that most of you are happy to plan our own trips so that's what we'll do. Then as we don't need to rendezvous with the guides we may as well use a campsite that is nearer to civilisation (pubs and chip-shops in St Davids) so I propose we relocate to Porthclais ( see http://porthclais-farm-campsite.co.uk/ ). Some of you (Nigel, Richard) will have camped there before. It is £7 / person / night. Richard: I assume you will use your van and it might be wise to contact them to check the arrangements for vans. The following have expressed interest so far: Adrian, Owen, Stuart, Tony, Nigel, Paul, Kwinten, Richard and JPallen (sorry J - forgot your first name). That's 10 folk, so a good party. I'll assume that's the final list unless anyone advises otherwise. I'm probably staying on, so I regret I can't help with transport. I'm going to plan to arrive Friday evening, to paddle Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning.
  • Richard_KnottRichard_Knott
    Thank you. Ellie will be coming as well, but may not paddle every day.
  • jpallenjpallen
    edited June 2018
    Thanks David!

    Is anyone going that would be able to give me a lift (with a boat)? I work Mon-Fri, so could leave Friday evening, but would probably need to be back on Sunday evening. I could look into taking some time off if that wouldn't work out though. I'd obviously be happy to split petrol costs, etc. Thanks in advance!
    - James
  • Nigel_SharpeNigel_Sharpe
    James - I am happy to give you a lift with boat. I may load boat on Thursday evening for quick getaway on Friday. Which boat do you use?
  • jpallenjpallen
    edited June 2018
    Thanks Nigel! I normally use a Scorpio, but trying to decide which I prefer between an LV or an MV. Probably the LV. I'm happy to come down on Thursday and give you hand loading.
  • Stuart_OgilvieStuart_Ogilvie
    Hi I am planning to go up sometime Friday probably early afternoon will post time - closer to the date- come back Monday room for another boat

    Kwinten if that suits let me know

    stuart
  • OwenMichaelsonOwenMichaelson
    I plan to load my boat at the club at lunchtime and then travel up on the Friday afternoon. I will need to get back on Sunday night so happy to lift share one way or both. I have space for one other boat. Owen
  • David_LewisDavid_Lewis
    I've booked 5 pitches meant for family tents, and warned the campsite that it will actually be maybe 10 small tents, so there shouldn't be any need for anyone to do their own thing, except maybe Rich & Ellie to check about their camper van.
    It looks like it's going to be a good mixed group, and I am sure it is everyone's wish that we cater for mixed abilities. Nearer the time I'll post some tidal info etc and suggest some candidate trips for you to consider. You might like to arm yourself with OS Landranger 157, St Davids & Haverfordwest.
    David
  • David_LewisDavid_Lewis
    Some hopefully useful information for the Pembs weekend.
    I plan to arrive at Porthclais early Friday evening. My mobile number is 07786 861513.
    Tidal data for Saturday 21st: HW Milford Haven (Porthclais similar) 13:51; HW Dover 06:24. Stream/rates: SW/S all morning until slack at midday, then N/NE all afternoon. Neap tides, so rates rarely more than 1.0 knot in St Bride's Bay, 1.5 knots off North coast, and 3.0+ knots in Ramsay Sound and some races. Weather: likely cloudy with wind NW3-4 (but forecast changing daily).
    Candidate paddles, subject to conditions:
    Porthclais to Solva and back
    Little Haven to Martin's Haven and back
    Abercastle to Whitesands via Abereiddi (North Pembs coast) either way.
    Whitesands to Porthclais through Ramsay Sound (needs SW stream)
    Milford Haven Roads, Dale start / finish. Forts and Napoleonic defences.
    Cleddau estuary: Pembroke / Carew castles. Need high tides.
    See 'Welsh Sea Kayaking' by Jim Krawiecki, (good Welsh name) Journeys #30-40.

    Things to bring (if you own): trolley; VHF radio; helmet (must); coins for car-parks; passport (joke).

    See you Friday
    David
  • jpallenjpallen
    Thanks David.

    Nigel - What time do you plan to leave on Friday? Shall I meet you at the club? Are you still planning to load boats on Thursday evening?
  • Nigel_SharpeNigel_Sharpe
    James,

    Can we meet at the Club at 4pm on Friday? We can load up your boat then. My mobile is 0751 8285574
  • OwenMichaelsonOwenMichaelson
    David. I am really sorry but due to some last minute family priorities I also need to withdraw. As per Adrian’s email above please let me know if I owe any costs for the camp site. Have a great trip. Owen
  • PaulHPaulH
    I'm also not able to make it. As above let me know of I owe anything.
    Paul
  • Stuart_OgilvieStuart_Ogilvie
    Kwinten
    Thinking of loading up 11 am Friday will confirm tomorrow depends how I get on at work
  • David_LewisDavid_Lewis
    Regrets to those who can't make it. You don't owe anything. See the rest of you tomorrow eve.
    David
  • Stuart_OgilvieStuart_Ogilvie
    Kwinten a bit laterv just after lunch 1.30 pm is probably achievable see you at the club

    See the rest of you there

    Regards

    Stuart

Sign In or Register to comment.