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Sea kayak exped in Scotland, 3rd-9th May 2020
I am planning to run a sea kayak expedition in Scotland next year. We'd aim to be on the water around 6 days & 5 nights. We would make a final call about where to go once we get a weather forecast about a week before, but hopefully a journey up or down some of west coast around areas like Skye, the small isles, Mull or Jura. We'll take everything we needed to be self-sufficient and wild camping. Other options would be the east coast, the caledonian canal, or doing day trips if the weather is less amenable.
You'd need to be at a 3*/sea kayak award standard (no roll needed). Especially being comfortable paddling in some wind and swell. We'll be aiming to paddle around 20km a day, which is 4-5 hours paddling each day, so you'd need to be fit enough for that. That's mainly just a case of getting out paddling though!
Some experience self-sufficient camping would also be important. You don't want to get a day into it and find out that you hate it!
If you're interested, but worried about not having enough experience, there should be opportunities over winter and into spring to get there if you're willing to work at it. See e.g. https://www.exetercanoe.co.uk/discussion/1552/sea-kayak-developer-weekends-9-10th-nov-23-24th-nov. I'll put on a weekend overnight trip on March 28th-29th as prep for this.
Coming (max of 6):
Nigel?
Kwinten?
Tony?
Francois?
Comments
I would be interested! I love this sort of thing!
The paddling sounds great. Camping not so much!
If there's enough interest, and someone to lead, there's no reason a group couldn't also go up and do day trips too at the same time
We could coordinate on driving and transport still
Hi, this sounds great, but just like Fiona and Steve I need to improve my skills/get more experience, as only did 2* so far - fingers crossed I can get there in time! Wild camping is not a problem. Thanks.
Perhaps those new to wild camping from sea kayaks might like to practice one weekend in March before this trip. I could organise closer to the day, and would be happy to have an evening showing how I pack my kayak for a multiday trip
I'm interested, but also need more experience (also only 2*)
Thanks everyone, it sounds like there's enough interest to put this in the calendar!
I'll try to make sure there are opportunities for us to paddle together in advance, so that we can all meet each other (maybe it's just me that some of you don't know!?), and work on getting some more experience.
Are there any areas of Scotland in particular that you'd be interested in paddling in for when I look at possible trips?
I'm now on a course for work on the 28th/29th April, but if the trip happens to change date for any reason I'd still be interested
I love the sound of this if the dates happened to change and if I got more practise in in the spring time. If not hopefully there will be other chances in the future.
I am having to plan annual leave - is this likely to happen?
Sorry, I'd meant to make more progress on firming up a plan by now. When would you need to know by for sure Nigel?
I might have to move the dates to the week after, May 2nd - 10th. Would that make a difference to anyone?
Hi all,
I've updated the original post with some firmer details. We'll aim to paddle full days on the 4th - 8th, weather permitting. The 3rd and 9th can be shorter paddling days, or logistics for shuttles, or we can also use them for some of the travelling up/down. Hopefully that means we can fit the trip into the 2nd-10th May, travel time included, and make use of the early May bank holiday.
I will run an overnight trip on March 28th/29th as practice/prep for this too. More details closer to the time.
There's been quite a lot of interest, but I'll now start a list of who is definitely planning to come. I will leave it to you to decide if you are happy enough with your skills/fitness for this, and then it will be a first-come basis.
Nigel, Kwinten, Tony, Francois: Yours seem the more definite replies so far, so I will put you down, but please can you confirm if you're planning to come?
Bumping this back up to the top! :-)
Thanks Nigel. Unfortunately I'm not overly optimistic that this trip will be able to go ahead given the situation with coronavirus. With the way things are evolving at the moment, it seems like there could be travel restrictions, or it may not be sensible to travel by early May. I think all we can do is wait and see, and cross our fingers.
Just incase there was any doubt, this trip isn't going ahead now. Fingers crossed maybe we can reschedule for later in the summer. Stay safe everyone!
James. For what it is worth Liz and I had planned to be in Scotland during the first two weeks in June for a kayaking, walking and cycling trip. We had booked two days with a leading coach/guide. For obvious reasons we have cancelled our trip (3 out of 5 of our hotels/B&B’s had cancelled. We had pre-paid for the first days guiding. I didn’t have the heart to ask for my money back because our guide has not been working for 3 months. As such if anyone ends up in Oban this year and wants a guide or coach (2 places for a day) please let me know because I have a credit note for the session. With my work I can’t see myself finding another spot this year so I am happy to pledge the credit to any ECC member who makes it to Scotland this year. Owen