Mackayak

Elusive Elbow Roll

2012-01-29T15:57:00.000-08:00

Encouraged by success with the cross arm roll I thought I'd try the elbow roll. I can brace easily in the elbow roll position but can't get back on the deck. So when I tried it 'on the move' I was hopeful of a bit of help from the momentum of the body movement. I managed a few, maybe one out of every ten, only on one side, but its a start. It looks better on the video than it felt!

Dreaming about rolling.

2012-01-23T12:45:00.000-08:00

At one end of the pool Donna and Jack were building up a solid foundation to rolling, thinking carefully about body and head movement, keeping it slow. Upside down and the wrong way round had proved challenging the week before, but Donna had done her homework - she had been dreaming about rolling, and it had worked!

building muscle memory

Meanwhile at the other end of the pool Northern Kayaker tested rolling in her new helmet and... it worked with and without a paddle! Her shiny surf boat in Orkney flag colours is just dazzling! Next week it is going up to Shetland in its stripy sock, hopeful of another northern adventure.

shiny smiley Northern Kayaker

Have fun!

Follow NK's Shetland adventure at Paddling Orkney and Beyond.

A break in the weather

2012-01-15T09:52:00.000-08:00

Ready for off at Inganess

After what has been weeks of driving rain and storm force winds a break in the weather meant an opportunity to get out for a relaxing paddle. It was also a great chance for beginners and 'returners' to get out of the pool and paddle in agreeable conditions on the sea. Thirteen paddlers in all met at Inganess in the morning and we set off on a gentle paddle towards Yinstay.

...and away we go!

It was very pleasant to have everyone together for a 'social' paddle - an opportunity to put names to faces and catch up with paddling buddies.

Peedie caves at Yinstay

Stacks were just big enough to squeeze a boat round.

Taking a break and discussing each others' Christmas ~~paddles~~ presents.

After a poke about the caves it was time for a break - good practice at landing and launching.

Heading back...

on a glassy sea.

At the wreck.

Finishing in sunshine.

Its good to get out!

(back indoors tonight).

Aspirant

2011-12-28T15:43:00.000-08:00

Normally I edit out the tantrums and add music for fun. This time there is a hint of frustration left in and the music is essential to mask the hysterical laughter at my bendy 'invisible paddle'. Luckily Santa brought me a new more robust invisible paddle to practice with when the pool opens for kayaking business again in January. Typically it was the first thing I did when I got in and it worked OK but after I had picked up the real paddle I lost the way of it.

The music is by some talented young Orkney folk Broken Strings who have won a prestigious prize for their music already. They played at our Paddle Orkney Symposium and everyone was impressed at how accomplished they were. They have their first album out called Halda. Check out their Facebook band page and find them on itunes and amazon uk. The track I chose is called 'The Duggid Yowe' (the stubborn or determined female sheep) for obvious (non-sheep related!) reasons.

Paddling with spoons and playing with sticks

2011-12-11T09:31:00.001-08:00

In an attempt to create cards which follow up from coached skills we have been working on in the pool with beginners, I found myself referring to Christopher Crowhurst's Rolling with Sticks for inspiration.

The idea was to support folk to go practice the strokes in their own time, and seek out one to one guidance on the particular areas they wanted to work on while being a bit more independent. The advantage being that it is the same langauge and same points emphasised as in the original coached sessions with us.

My 'paddling with spoons' cards.

I ended up really wanting to have a simple illustration to go with the instructions so I invented my own prototype paddler. It made me think very hard about how many things we were asking folk to do at once and forced me to describe it in clear language.

Meanwhile back in a sea boat session in the pool, I was playing around with a vertical paddle. Could I hold the paddle vertical in a static brace? Its really hard to know when the paddle is vertical, though I think I did manage it. Unfortunately, and not surprisingly, the photographer did not know what I was aiming for so random photos of a waggling paddle were taken.

I later realised that other folk set the end of the paddle in the water. That would have been easier!

Happy with storm and reverse sweep I turned upside down with norsaq in hand to attempt a forward finish norsaq roll, experienced extreme disorientation and mental confusion, and returned to the surface none the wiser!

Why do you roll?

2011-12-08T11:36:00.001-08:00

I wanted to have a go at this web based animation software, so I used the first topic that came to mind. Not too far removed from some conversations I have had from time to time.

It must be Tuesday...

2011-11-30T09:06:00.001-08:00

For a short period of time I am coaching three times a week.

Once on Sunday and twice on Tuesdays.

Each session is very different.

The Sunday session is an adult group of beginners and improvers who are building up knowledge of fundamentals and foundation skills. Every time I do this I remember just how much there is to think about when you are starting out. Hopefully folk in this group will want to get into sea boats next Spring and get these skills working for them outdoors.

On Tuesdays I coach an after school junior group of beginners, the goal here is to build up a bit of knowledge and safe practice, and a feel for paddling with lots of fun and games.

On Tuesday evenings I contribute to coaching adults who are mostly determined to learn to roll and have high expectations of themselves!

Amy sets up for success.

Since beginning my own endless pursuit of Greenland rolls I feel better equipped to help with this. I really enjoy helping folk get their first few rolls. Its a great sense of achievement for us all, and recently a group of new paddlers have made fantastic progress. Thinking back at how long it took me to learn - I am continually impressed.

Ivan analyses.

Well done everyone!

For some the rolling journey will soon be pretty well complete - for others...

how all consuming it might become!

Winter sunshine

2011-11-19T09:12:00.001-08:00

Unseasonably pleasant weather. Short day. Trip or rolling practice? I chose to go roll fearful that there would not be enough time or daylight at the end of a trip to do what I feel I need to.

I must be addicted.

A huge plus point was Thorfinn was able to come and help with forward finish rolls. Still I am working away on reverse sweep and storm roll. Quite often practising rolling feels like maintenance of what has been achieved, checking its still there and it works. Its an attitude or frame of mind I tend to adopt in winter. Cold water, chilling winds, frozen face and hands = limited learning. Today, however, I felt like I made some progress, hard to describe why, but gradually these two rolls are feeling more and more solid and reliable. I am sure the brief sunshine helped.

Pool versus sea

2011-11-13T10:26:00.001-08:00

Pool is warm.

The pool is expensive.

I only get an hour at a time - just enough time to get to the stage of making progress - then I have to stop.

I don't have to wear endless layers of restricting warm gear.

It provides less buoyancy.

It's not the sea.

The sea is cold.

The sea is free.

I only manage to practice for about an hour before I get so cold I can't concentrate
(and yes! I can get my hood over the top of my tuilik).

I have to wear layers of movement restricting gear.

It provides lots of buoyancy.

It's the sea.

Either way an hour is about all I can afford.

1 and 2 star assessment

2011-11-12T11:53:00.001-08:00

Last weekend was the first assessment our cohort of coaches delivered. Most of the participants had been coached by us this season so it was great to be able to finally offer the assessment ourselves.

At the marina.

The breadth of the award is challenging, particularly in our windswept islands where it can be hard to find calm and sheltered places to paddle a canoe, so it is a real achievement to build up skills with a single blade.

Stern rudder - how close can you go?

This is how you do it.

Yes, I think that worked well!

and... return to the bank.

As night fell (4.30pm) we completed a long but enjoyable day.

Well done everyone!

Nice weather for gannets

2011-10-18T14:05:00.000-07:00

Nice weather for gannets, not for kayakers.

Rolling with Sticks

2011-10-11T13:13:00.000-07:00

I now have a copy of Christopher Crowhurst's 'Rolling with Sticks' which works well both in sea water and pool water. The problem with learning new rolls is a DVD and laptop have to stay dry, whereas 'Rolling with Sticks' can come with you.

Saturday - Sticks at Scapa

The combination of illustration and concise text is enough to help recall a video sequence and the main points to attend to. The presentation is clear and easy to follow.

I recommend using it in conjunction with video clips, such as Christopher's own Qajaq Rolls.

Pam over at 'Kayak across the Water' has reviewed 'Rolling with Sticks' in her usual eloquent and entertaining style here.

Sunday - steamy Sticks at the Pool

The book makes it tempting to try a series of new rolls one after the other!

Hot work.

Having started out with hand rolls, then a norsaq and after that a paddle, I often find that the paddle just gets in the way. The rolls that finish on the back deck are do-able if the paddle is held in front of you, but, if there is any behind the back or neck paddle placement I find it extremely difficult to finish. Similarly forward finish rolls like the reverse sweep roll and the storm roll remind me of learning to roll all over again. I feel like I'll have to do thousands before they are reliable. If they are all I do for a session of about an hour or so, by the end I am pleased with them. If a week goes by before I have practiced them again the success rate is unpredictable.

As for the forward/forward norsaq roll, I have left that for another day, hopefully one spent with a mentor.

Until there is a projector and giant screen at the pool with a web-cam/video-conferencing link with an expert, I will be using all the help I can get!

(Come to think of it, that's not such a bad idea...)

The Falls of Firth

2011-10-06T12:17:00.000-07:00

A short bit of film at The Ouse. We don't have any rivers here so it is a novelty to get on a bit of accessible moving water. Good practice for meeting the flow at skerries and holms. I was surprised at how fast it was. I was unable to paddle out (and up and over) the flow under the bridge at all. Ha! no big deal I hear you say, but Mr M struggled too until it was nearly high water.

(If Mr M doesn't start taking useful photos soon I'm going to have to re-name this blog.)

Mr M learns to roll

2011-10-02T11:35:00.000-07:00

Mr M proves that an old rocker can learn to roll.

End of season treat

2011-10-01T10:27:00.000-07:00

Our last outdoor evening coached session was completed in the dark as a gale was building.

Once we were changed there was a lovely surprise cake made by Nicola.

Thanks Nicola!

and thanks to everyone who came along through the year and helped Mary, Peter, Kristian and me achieve our Level 2 in July.

more cake anyone?

We have had a few indoor sessions already as folks get ready to roll and warmed up for the forthcoming canoe polo season.

upside down indoors

Mr Mackayak has decided he is learning to roll too. Lucky for him his partner is a rolling nut who has thought through all the approaches to learning to roll and is happy to spend hours and hours and hours thinking, talking, practising, discussing, deconstructing and reconstructing rolls.

Unfortunately I have no pockets or places to attach my camera to on my tuilik so I have no photos of progress so far, but its going great!

Sea Shepherd

2011-09-05T13:12:00.000-07:00

Wednesday nights are for coaching, but I try to get on the water earlier than the group meets to get some rolling in, so, I was floating around at Scapa when I noticed Phyllis racing down to the pier and a well known local kayaker jumped out and rushed down the slip, shouting, 'Steve Irwin is here!!!! Lets get to Hatston!'

carry on coaching...

Off we went to the 'Dark Side' and launched from the slippery slip, the coaching session being designed to get us up close to the MY Steve Irwin - the flagship of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Just back from the Faroes and on her way to London the ship was anchored in Kirkwall Bay.

2 blue boats

I had a chat with a couple of crew about their experiences in the Faroes: Operation Ferocious Isles.

chatting not coaching...

I did not know while we were visiting the ship that the sea Shepherd conservation Society owned its very own island here, not far from where they were anchored, at Green Holm. The association between the organisation gives the island another layer of interest having created its own mini seal sanctuary back in 1985. The only time I have been there involved a few alarming moments paddling hard and getting no where while ferry gliding on what seemed like an enormous river... so it was reassuring to read their observation of 'white water rapids'! Read about their Orkney visit here.

After all the excitement we carried on kayaking and finished our coaching session under the pier at Hatston before touring the basin in the dark. Head torches on, it felt cold. I had now been on the water for more or less 5 hours and not paddling very hard for most of it, it felt like winter.

Kirkwall basin

We might manage a couple more evening sessions of the weather holds - I'll be wearing my gloves!

All photos by Mary Saunders aka Northern Kayaker.

A little bit of Burray

2011-09-04T13:46:00.000-07:00

A beautiful day and a paddle round the east coast of Burray from the 4th to the 3rd barrier.

blue sky

Burrayness lunch spot with Roseness and Copinsay on the horizon.

Hundreds of geese made a noisy fly past.

Seals at Bu Sands

I had the closest encounter yet with a seal.

Junior was very brave and came within a couple of metres of the boat before splashing and swimming underneath.

Paintballers' playground.

The first swell

2011-08-31T16:13:00.000-07:00

Orkney from a different viewpoint...

The First Swell - The Shorties entry from Tim Boydell on Vimeo.

Storm roll

2011-08-15T03:54:00.000-07:00

This footage is from a couple of weeks ago and is at about the stage where I am starting to feel its solid enough on one side to start building up the other side. If I fail on the other side I can always go back to the side I started on and analyse what works. I find if I start a new set of rolls on both sides its more problematic to build up a muscle memory.

Since then I have taken these rolls out into F4 and a following sea and I am quite happy with how they work (apart from a couple of unexpected mouthfuls of briny water).

I am nearly at the stage of making a list of the rolls and tackling them in an organised fashion. I really enjoy getting a new roll, but its a bit of a solitary business up here, so any feedback is most welcome.

Unfortunately I seem to be unable to comment in reply to those left on posts here on blogger so I am posting in FB too, it has been great to get involved in conversations about GP rolling and watching everyone develop or finesse their rolls.

Copinsay and The Horse

2011-08-11T12:51:00.000-07:00

A trip to Copinsay with Kate and Mary.

After checking my tidal planning and estimating how long it might take to make the crossing we set off, only to be greeted by the man who caught the lobster we had enjoyed for tea the night before.

'He was delicious! Thank you!'

About 45 minutes of paddling later we approached the pier.

Nearly there.

After being warned that we were making a dangerous landing we decided to proceed to The Horse.

Kate decided it would be rude not to.

Mary, mid- channel.

Leaving The Horse.

Back over to Copinsay.

Approaching the light.

Great slabs lie at the bottom of the cliffs at the side of Copinsay exposed to the open ocean swell.

As we paddled along the swell washed gently up over the slabs before powerfully rolling back down.

Kate and Mary paddled the margin. I watched from a little further out...

Rockfalls and caves.

Further along past the light the cliffs receded and the caves were high above the slabs.

From the lighthouse looking back towards Deerness and Mainland Orkney.

We climbed the hill to the light, after a bit of lunch with another solo paddler we met on the shore.

The cliffs from above.

Looking back towards The Horse.

After a quick explore we signed the visitors book and headed off again.

'Look who has been here!'

Before leaving we encountered hundreds of seals, Mary sat on some rocks and paddled the tiderace.

Aground.

The wind blew us back to Newark on a pleasant following sea.

A great day of paddling and exploring!

Paddle Orkney '11

2011-08-09T07:57:00.000-07:00

50 paddlers, 24 coached sessions, 3 trailers, 1 helicopter 7 coaches later... phew!

Oscar Charlie.

Mary, Gordon and Todd.

Getting a look inside.

A raft of paddlers experiece the downwash.

(My camera decided B&amp;W would be better for these shots without telling me).

Dinner at the Rugby Club.

Broken Strings play on Saturday night.

As folk upload photos and video hopefully we'll be able to share some of the best paddling shots and video highlights through our website as well as via this blog and our FB page.

Thanks to all our participants and sponsors and organisers.

We are extremely grateful to our excellent coaches - Jas, Gordon, Paul, Kate, Todd, Bruce and Dave. Thanks for coming to Orkney!

Read about Kate's Orkney trip round Graemsay here, her circumnavigation of Hoy here and rounding South Ronaldsay which at one stage was like 'Penrhyn Mawr on steroids' here.

Reverse Sweep Roll

2011-07-22T02:03:00.000-07:00

This is the roll am trying to learn at the moment. Sometimes it works a treat, usually at the beginning of the session when I'm fresh and haven't over analysed it too much. Having had the expert teaching of Turner and Cheri not so long ago I try hard to remember clearly what they told me. Watching other folk's videos is very useful. Recently I have watched the accomplished Eiichi Ito, Duane Strosaker, Christopher Crowhurst, and of course Helen Wilson.

Little and often is my approach to learning new roll. Having my son assist so excellently is fantastic. I explain it all once and demo the separate parts, then he watches and tells me what is happening. With great insight he explains details like how much difference 10 degrees outside the blade being perpendicular can make! I am convinced he would make a great Greenland bank based coach.

Today I changed the side I started on and it was suddenly much more successful… it’s a mysterious journey.

Here is hoping Justine is gets lots of great footage in Canada for the Kayak Ways DVD - can't come too soon!

Three men in their boats

2011-07-19T06:11:00.000-07:00

Summer - time to honour long held promises of getting our friends out in a kayak and showing them what all the fuss is about.

Maybe the beginning of a new shared activity for the third of these ~~old~~ good friends.

'This is how you do it...'

'I remember when we were lads...'

Paddling not rowing.

The Gulden Leeuw

2011-07-19T03:40:00.000-07:00

An evening cruise around the Flow on the three masted top sail schooner the Gulden Leeuw, before it set off for Shetland and the next leg of the Tall Ships race.

Gulden Leeuw berthed at Stromness.

Originally Danish built, the ship has an interesting configuaration of square sails and fore and aft sails.

Might this be the reason that the Gulden Leeuw has been able to set it sails when other ships have been unable to in the last few days here ?

Passing the Europa.

Sailing back to Stromness.

From the bridge towards Hoy Sound.

The tall, the elegant and the lifeline.

The whole experience was enhanced by having recently read the epic 'We, the Drowned' by Carsten Jensen - the next best thing to actually being on the high seas in the days of sail.

Follow the ships here.

An Orkney holiday

2011-07-17T10:30:00.000-07:00

Having completed the L2 assessment and returned from a family holiday I can resume the blog.
Time also to get serious about forward finish rolls again, improvising an avataq and perhaps bribing number one son to spot me while I practice.

Before all that, a weekend of tall ships in Orkney.

Kirkwall marina as the tall ships arrive.

Always impressive, our regular visitor Statsraad Lehmskul.

Like a ghost from the past this tall ship heads through the Flow for Stromness.

The last canoe journey...

2011-06-12T13:35:00.000-07:00

before the assessment.

Pleasant June weather, good company and a good few laughs.

Nice PFD.

Checked

paddle names, forms and functions.
PFD design and performance.

Scapa shore.

Indulged

NK's penchant for climbing up on rocky outcrops, stacks, skerries and wrecks.

Shipwrecked.

Logged.

Greenland Intensive with Cheri and Turner

2011-05-17T15:00:00.000-07:00

I have just returned from a truly excellent weekend of learning in Skye with Cheri Perry and Turner Wilson of Kayakways, hosted by Skyak Adventures.

Two days of traditional paddling and rolling skills meant there was a lot to learn and remember. Adjusting and refining some rolls I had built up on my own as well as beginning the elements of a forward finish roll was plenty on its own, but looking again at the paddle strokes with the skinny stick was a further challenge.

Practice at Armadale.

The opportunity to try a variety of paddles and get some expert advice was a great experience. Some were too heavy, some were too wide, but for me the 'razor' blade was just right.

No more splash and plop!

Cheri at the end of a rainbow.

Cheri and Turner demonstrated not only their own accomplished Greenland skills but their excellent coaching skills as they explained and broke down each skill for all of us and then helped us work on our individual goals.

Justine films Cheri demonstrating how to use an avataq.

The view from Breakish, Skye.

Boats waiting.

I was so busy learning new things, and with no pockets in my tuilik, there are only a few photos to post though lots of pages in my notebook were filled every evening as I trawled my memory for all the precious nuggets of knowledge and advice.

Two traditional SOF boats join the fleet.

Cheri demonstrates and Turner explains in his own inimitable style!

I have taken away so much to work on from this weekend - there is plenty to keep me busy until I have another opportunity like this. Most of all it was fun to learn new things with no assessment other than your own goals to work towards. Meeting other paddlers (and boat builders!) keen to get to grips with traditional skills was a novelty for me too. I highly recommend taking up the opportunity to be coached by Cheri and Turner if they are anywhere near your part of the world - their skills are inspirational!

Now I have a dilemma - to commit to the stick completely or continue Euro blade coaching commitments.... L2 assessment in 5 weeks....

Marwick

2011-05-04T14:39:00.000-07:00

Taking advantage of the continuing good weather and calm conditions we followed Northern Kayaker out west to Birsay and launched opposite the Brough.

NK sets a course towards the cliffs.

The cliffs began as low ridges of fissured rock and grew higher and higher as we progressed.

NK squeezes in to a narrow pasageway.

Soon we came to the giant's eyes.

Eyebrows of dripping greenery draped the cliffs above us as we plunged onto the first socket.

Approaching the dripping curtain.

Looking in.

Looking out.

Malcolm and Jackie pop out the other side.

Some caves were linked with small passageways between them.

Some innocent looking caves invited paddlers in, instilled confidence and then turned into violent 'washing machines'. Others looked like narrow straight tunnels which would require reversing out of by hand - NK went in, disappeared and then unexpectedly popped out bow first from an adjacent opening.

Sun beginning to set.

The scale of the cliffs and caves on the west coast of Orkney is awesome.

Most of the west facing caves were enormous and well lit by the setting sun.

Big cliff, little boats.

Awesome entrance.

Follow the light...

NK finally emerges from another cave.

Approaching the Kitchener Memorial.

This short paddle took about one and a half hours which was spent mostly exploring and appreciating the awesome scale of the place.

As we approached Marwick Bay the red sandstone cliffs glowed in the light of the setting sun.

Waiting for the green ray.

We were lifted into the bay by the gentle glassy swell.

Awesome.

Sunshine!

2011-05-01T12:23:00.000-07:00

Time to exercise the paddle muscles again after many weeks of wrestling canoes, coaching and rolling and not really going anywhere. My paddling partner had not been out for over a year so I thought I might be able to keep up.

Back on the water.

We followed a familiar route in beautiful sunshine, taking our time and respectful of old injuries.

Dunters.

There were lots of nesting birds: eider, fulmar, shell duck and guillemots.

Head of Holland.

We passed the 'interesting bit' last seen from above on a walk. From these cliffs the wildlife is regularly observed in order to assess the impact wave and tidal energy installations might have.

Deserted beach.

Time for a break on a sandy beach.

Three boats.

Kirkwall Bay with St Magnus Cathedral.

Big boat, little boat.

We passed the North Isles ferries Earl Thorfinn, Earl Sigurd and the Varagen.

Back home - Shapinsay slip.

Great to get out on the water on such a beautiful day, hopefully there will be many more days like this to come.

Mad river women

2011-04-23T14:04:00.000-07:00

John Rae, Erlend and Einar look on.

Taking advantage of a calm evening we wrestled the heavy craft to the water - it never looked so low and far down the slip. Northern Kayaker passed on some helpful hints gleaned from a Glenmore Lodge weekend.

Squeezing through between the tugs takes strength and a lot of nerve!

This is how you do it!

OK, so there were no rivers!

Location, location, location

2011-04-19T12:58:00.000-07:00

Orkney's landscape is treeless. There are no rivers. The low hills allow the almost constant summer F3 or F4 breeze to proceed uninhibited across the exposed lochs. Orkney is made for sea kayaking rather than canoeing, but a-canoeing we must go if four of us local coaches are to fulfill the criteria for the L2 coach assessment in June.

Kristian coaches single blade skills.

Canoeing brings to mind mountains, lakes, rivers and forests; camping and bushcraft skills, not street lights and ferry terminals. However finding a bit of flat water in a sheltered spot in our windswept islands can be a big problem Boat, body, blade and WIND can be a discouraging combination. So off we go to Kirkwall Marina, though it is still pretty exposed, on a good day the water is relatively flat.

Peter coaches sea kayak skills.

We miss having access to a local quarry which is sheltered from most wind directions - a rare reliability which rewards the efforts we put in to our endeavours and allows us to make real gains in skills.

A year ago in the marina.

Hopefully Northern Kayaker has returned from the Coach Development weekend at Glenmore Lodge with lots of hints and tips!

It'll be fine

2011-03-31T12:17:00.001-07:00

Challenge and mastery

2011-03-16T15:16:00.000-07:00

Continuing my own Greenland skills development alongside coaching Euro rolling is a challenge. Sometimes I think it helps - I have to think carefully about what kind of roll I am about to do and distinguish clearly between them, especially when demonstrating. Sometimes I think it hinders.

In the small amount of time that I have for practising GP rolling I sometimes rush to try something new without going through the ritual of static braces. Sometimes the basics seem shaky. Last time at the pool the video revealed I needed more body movement in the roll on my right side. Later the same day I was still thinking about that while I was coaching a screw roll.

I realise I am hooked on a never ending challenge and mastery learning cycle when it comes to personal skills. This week I recognised the paddler's determined expression as I coached the screw roll and when the roll was achieved for the first time I'm not sure who felt more sense of achievement! Perhaps that's why folk coach - more opportunties for challenge and mastery...

I am looking forward to being coached myself again in a few weeks. It will be great to have it explained rather than trying to recall DVD footage, then, later when comparing my video and DVD, be unable to get back in the pool and try again. Perhaps I won't be the only tuilik wearing paddler either.

Time and Tide

2011-03-06T09:06:00.000-08:00

Time to get out on the water again for a few hours and cross to Shapinsay with the ebb tide.

Northern kayaker passing Balfour Castle.

HY and his invisible paddle...

HY passing the douche.

The Thorsvoe created a whitewater playground for a few minutes - squirt boating anyone?

NK emerges from underneath the old pier and collects a souvenir on the way.

A deep cave on Helliar Holm.

The light on Helliar Holm.

NK stands on Iceland Skerry where a few hours before she floated.

A true marine creature NK gathers her food from the sea - yummy!

Tuilik trials

2011-02-20T08:41:00.000-08:00

Off to the pool I go in my new TUILIK!!

With the smell of new neoprene wafting from the freshly unpacked Brooks tuilik, the pool staff looked mildly alarmed as I donned the black garment for the first time, not sure whether to avert their eyes as a special ritual was about unfold, and... it kind of was! A bit like launching a boat on its maiden voyage I set off for the shallow end after stretching the tuilik to the max around the enormous rockpool coaming.

A few ritual static braces to start with.

Then on to the rolling...

The video shows a few clunks into the side of the pool, which are par for the course for me, and an easy save when the norsaq roll fails, showing how handy it is to have the GP deployed on the front deck almost already in set up position. Compared to the usual procedure of emptying the boat periodically thoughout the session there was almost no water in the cockpit at the end of the half hour - result!

By the end I was hot and convinced that I could comfortably roll in the sea in winter with my tuilik on top of a drysuit, that is if I get it back from the folk who want to borrow it to go to the spoots!
If you fancy one of your own get in touch with Mike Holgate at Poole Bay Kayaks.

Flotsam and Jetsam

2011-02-09T13:28:00.000-08:00

Recent hurricane winds created seas only a hairy yaker would surf a sea boat in.

Skaill Bay

The winds from the west brought this piece of flotsam from Canada.

'Made in Canada'

Further along the shore from Skara Brae the coastal erosion threatens the remains of a derelict old house. The stone has been removed, perhaps for another building.

The flag floor is overgrown. Whitewashed walls are visible and in the fireplace the old iron for hanging the pots from is still in place.

The people are long gone. Maybe to Canada?

On the shore side of the fence.

Skara Brae's sea defence wall does its job well, so far.

The sea wall at Skara Brae.

Kayakways

2011-01-28T10:11:00.000-08:00

With great regret I have had to pull out of attending the FIRST Scottish Women's Kayak Symposium. What natural disaster or man-made drama ask has necessitated this drastic course of action?!

I delighted to say its because I am off to Skye to a course run by Cheri Perry and Turner Wilson of Kayayways! Unfortunately for us paddlers in the northern peripheries of Scotland both happen the same weekend. Although I feel like I'll be missing out on a great event this is an opportunity too good to miss.

Here is Cheri rolling in an excerpt from Justine Curgenven's excellent DVD 'This is the Sea 3' .

45 minutes of fun

2011-01-25T14:22:00.000-08:00

Another Sunday session at the pool, pure fun, relaxation and good company! Video initially taken to check form becomes an incidental record of a few moments when I don't feel my age and just play.

Pipes or accordion and fiddle just don't capture the fun as well as the excerpt from 'Boom' by Charles Trenet, so this is one of the few occasions where I have diverged from the Scottish music theme.

Greenland 101

2011-01-17T14:02:00.000-08:00

Norsaq roll is back! Hanging on the right side of the boat is fixed by getting rid of my buoyancy aid - it must be getting caught on the day hatch as suspected. Lots of playing around this week and the video shows how much there is to work on but, Hey! its all good!

First GP pool practice.

2011-01-10T13:46:00.000-08:00

No - the snow is in my imagination....

Got to the pool with my Joe O' paddle at last.
Practiced static brace - sliding into it and falling into it.

Butterfly rolls are great - the paddle doesn't wander. Sculling for support was, as expected a bit different, but a nice kind of different. Then, having watched Helen's DVD just before the session I was determined to execute a proper Greenland roll - not a Euro roll with a GP, but using proper body movement rather than the paddle. In an effort to improve this I played around for as long as I could with the static brace trying to move as slowly as possible from below the boat to the surface and on to the boat. I'm sure I can improve this.

Finally I played around with sculling up to the surface from being upside down - it works... just like in the videos!

Disappointingly the narsaq roll was absent this session, but I'm so encouraged by the rest of the practice I'm happy, and sure he will return in his own good time.

First Women's Paddle Symposium

2011-01-07T13:11:00.000-08:00

The first Scottish Women's Paddle Symposium is going to be held on the 14th and 15th of May 2011 and will be based at the village of Findhorn on the Moray Firth - perfect for sea and surf with all grades of water nearby. The aim of the symposium is to provide skills workshops to support women in paddle sport and help them reach the next level - whatever that level is for them.

Amongst the coaches at the event will be Mags Duncan, Morag Brown, Tracey Sherrington and our good friend Eleanor MacDonald.

To find out more email: scottishwomensymposium@yahoo.co.uk

Looking forward to it!

A Walk and some Wise words

2011-01-02T14:03:00.000-08:00

The New Years Day Boys Ba' begins with two of my own lads somewhere in the scrum.

In between the Boys Ba' at Christmas and New Year and the big family meals we got out once in a while for a windy walk to places sometimes visited by kayak.

Boy, dog and wind.

Broch o' Deerness - a sheltered geo often used for a break on the way to or from Mull Head.

Warebeth - the beach in this blog's header photo.

The beaches are covered in tangles (the old kelp washed ashore) that used to be gathered for soap making

Wrecks in the Hoy Sound hint at firece seas and tides encountered hereabouts.

I tried to take a photo of the tide racing through the Sound but my little lens couldn't capture the awesome moving water. As usual the scale and speed of the waves can't be reproduced in still images.

There are some fantastic images of this part of the world in this account of the Big 5 kayak challenge expeditions - No 8. John O'Groats to the Orkney Isles.

Taken with my Olympus Tough

I tried a trick my son had shown me - using binoculars as a lens, but I think it works much better with a phone camera's small aperture.

Watching the tide race through the Sound made me think of videos of Deception Pass and in particular this video of Warren Williamson. Awesome skills which I could never aspire to but prove that it can be done.

Recently I came across these words of Warren Williamson's at USK which describe his disciplined approach to skill development.

I hope that in 2011, despite my own slow and incremental learning style, it is possible to build up the confidence to feel comfortable in moving water of the tamest kind and have a go at 'weaving my' own (modest!) 'basket'.

Exciting new arrival!

2010-12-30T09:19:00.000-08:00

What could it be?

Today I my Joe O' Greenland paddle arrived from Mike at Poole Bay Canoes!

After a great deal of measuring and checking with both Mike and Joe who have shown much patience with all my queries I ended up with a non-shouldered 205.

I could have waited until Spring to get a 210 - BUT I COULDN'T WAIT!!!

A bit nervous that it would be too short - all the other dimensions turned out just right as far as I can tell.

With my shoulders square my fingers curl over the top but I can comfortably extend my reach by another hands length at least, so I'd say its probably on the short side of a range which would suit my height.

first stick strokes

I have read Qajaq USA pages foresically and peered at you tube videos, so it was with some trepidation I set off to try out my own stick. Of course I wanted to go straight to the canted stroke and fairly quickly got the hang of it on one side (my right handed side) while on the other the blade consistently entered the water with a stubborn 'plop!'. I slowed down, I focussed, I paddled on one side only, I looked for the tell tale vortex of water leaving the blade and tried to make it point to the bow...'plop! plop! plop!'

No flutter but persistent plopping..

I thought about cadence and tried a faster pace of paddling - the plop disappeared. I couldn't keep it up! It was a good work out, like crunching elbow to opposite knee, but I had no idea if the rest of my body was working correctly - all the usual flags and markers meant nothing. Clearly this is going to take a while...

If only I had a mentor who could tell me what to work on!

static brace worked nicely

Sculling for support was different and I will practice that in the pool soon.

In the meantime it seems amazing that I have a Joe O' Blenis paddle of my very own!

The well-paddled path

2010-12-29T10:01:00.000-08:00

The snow has melted and the temperature is now about 6 degrees C, about the same as the sea. A lull in the weather (now returned to normal - wet and windy) meant we could get out to exercise the paddle muscles on a familiar route.

Sunset? - it must be lunch time!

Along the way we had plenty of time to think about deveopments for Paddle Orkney '11 (involving TV personalities and playmobil) schemes for buying the boat of our dreams (involving secret bank accounts and time-share garages) as well as ways of making the route from St Mary's to Scapa more interesting (any suggestions other than those involving dynamite, on a postcard please!)

Is this the same geology as Newfoundland?

Along the way there were a few waterfalls created by the snow melt which have to be appreciated close up.

We reached Scapa as the light dimmed and the sunset proper was occurring.

Time for a bit of wet practice!

We headed towards the sandy beach but the water remained murky with run off from the snow and significantly colder than further out in the bay.

NK was determined to practice the static brace and the butterfly roll and that is what she did, finishing with a nice butterfly to store away in the muscle memory and practice through visualisation in the warm.

NK - before immersion.

NK - after immersion.

I think it is too cold to learn anything new but it is possible to have a good think and sort out a few annoying anomalies.

Dog walker and kayak doctor

2010-12-27T12:02:00.000-08:00

Labrador in natural habitat = happy dog.

A Boxing Day walk at Hobbister proved to be an intrepid adventure in the snow.

Being a town dweller meant I didn't have a full appreciation of the extent of the snow and ice in the country, but I could tell by the tracks and lack of human footprints, that we were the first to make the journey along the coastal path since the last snow.

It seems we are not the only creatures who prefer to use the path.

The dog raised a few grouse and seemed to be in her element.

Wintry Waulkmill Bay.

Later it was time to attend to the patient. So it was into the shed and onto the trestles. Drip set up and attached with the appropriate fluid (thank you Jackie) before the bleeding and transfusion took place. After a successful, if stressful, operation we are ready once again for whatever the weather throws at us.

Though I rarely use the skeg, when I need it I really need it, and that is more often in the winter.

The kayak surgery.

Christmas mitts at the pool

2010-12-22T09:06:00.000-08:00

Everyone knows you are allowed to open 1 Christmas present early! and that is just what we did.

Our new Reed paddle mitts are put through rigourous testing in pool boats.

Getting the second mitt on takesa minute or two....

I was really happy with the mitts. They are far superior to finger paddles I have used - they stay on better and are equally effective palm up or palm down. You can pick up a paddle and paddle away or grip a paddle easily for butterfly roll and I'm pretty sure they will be very warm.

I tried a few static braces and did some hand sculling with the mitts in the pool boats and was happy with how secure that felt - looking forward to trying them out in the sea boat.

Next goal is to try a few palm down front finish hand rolls.

NK - on the way down...

NK - on the way back up!

Somewhat deflated we struggle on - SCA take pity!

The juniors enjoyed NK's inflatable canoe, but all the excitement and the drastic changes in temperatures did it no good at all.

Another chapter in trying to access the single blade discipline in our sea kayaking dominated lives ends in tears (and literal tears).

Good job she now has her very own open boat!

Cold turkey

2010-12-19T08:38:00.000-08:00

garden in the snow

Excessive snowfall for Orkney means the sea boat session in the pool I had planned for tonight is cancelled.

I was really looking forward to it and had hoped to get a bit of video self check and feedback from Hairyaker on all the things which are prone to gradually slip away over the winter. Now I'm thinking that a tuilik is slightly less expensive than building my own heated pool in the garden, so its creeping up my wish list.

The cockpit on my boat is one of the longest I've seen so it would have to be specially made to fit I suppose.

If anyone out there has experience of getting a tuilik to fit a Euro boat perhaps you could offer some advice?

One thing we did manage to do this weekend was to have the OSKA Christmas 'do'.

Paddlers and partners got together for a bit of Christmas cheer.

Hopefully we'll be out there paddling again soon.

Christmas break

2010-12-15T12:15:00.000-08:00

Last weekend we had our last coaching session in the pool this year, with a look back at what we had already done and a couple of new skills - the stern rudder and the low brace support stroke.

Finishing off with an energetic game of canoe polo, it was obvious how much confidence everyone had gained over the weeks.

Peter gets stuck in.

NK shows them how it is done.

Everyone has achieved a lot in a short time thanks to the effort they put into the sessions. We look forward to seeing them again in open boats and long pointy boats on the sea in the New Year.
Perhaps even in a canoe polo team if NK gets her way!

The Rush Hour

2010-12-13T09:53:00.000-08:00

The hour before launch. T minus 60 and counting....
No matter how well organised there is never enough time.

Today after a late decision to go paddle on the sea in my kayak(! novel idea - I like it!) I started gathering up a lot of bits and pieces, you know the usual - paddle, deck, BA etc, enough layers of clothes to stay warm under dry suit (6) and then hunted high and low up and downs stairs, getting very hot in the 6 layers, before finally surmising my car keys must be in the other car which had been driven away that morning, and the garage keys (my boat shed keys) with them.

Every time I think I will arrive at the launch site well organised, cool, calm and on time, nothing forgotten there is something mislaid or missing which slows me down and causes the hour to be a rush. This may sound as if all my gear is scattered around the place in an unorganised fashion, but I do believe, bearing the restrictions of family domesticity, I have things reasonably well dry bagged and ready to go.

The next problem was how to communicate to NK (her phone being broken), by now probably pacing back and forth in front of her boat shed, that I couldn't come along and help lift her boat. An intermediary was contacted! Uncle Johnny to the rescue! Then, reluctant to give up on the idea of a paddle entirely, I broke into my own boat shed (shockingly easy actually - though I have remedied that since) and extracted my boat.

Finally I set off with NK with both boats on her car, a situation which nearly demands that we get on a ferry and make some kind of expedition... but...we resisted, and arrived at the launch site in good time.

T minus zero.

The trip was from Barrier 1 to Barrier 3 portage across to Weddell Sound, around Lambs Holm ( the site of the Italian Chapel) and back to Barrier 1.

The portage.

Shrek meets his match at the lunch site.

We had a break at the beach at Weddell Sound. These beaches on the east side of the barriers seem in places to be accumulating sand at ever increasing rates, smothering blockships at Barrier 4..

Passing the mast of the block ship at Barrier no.2.

Theses are popular diving sites and NK herself has braved the depths to investigate the wrecks we usually paddle above and around and sometimes through.

NK paddles close to the 10 tonne blocks.

The barriers were covered with 66,000 locally-cast concrete blocks. Ten-tonne blocks were arranged on the sides in a random pattern to act as wave-breaks. Much of the labour was provided by over 1300 Italian prisoners of war. There is still a link today between Orkney and Moena, the home town of the principal artist involved in the creation of the Italian Chapel.

We arrived back just as light was beginning to fail at half past three.

Nice to be back on the sea, in a kayak.

Catching up...

2010-12-06T12:17:00.000-08:00

After missing last week's session because of the extreme weather affecting our travel plans home from Inverness, we resumed our coached sessions at the pool. I worked with a couple of folk who had missed last week too, while NK worked with the guys on a recap, building in lots of reciprocal and self check activities, making sure to be clear about markers.. oh my!

concentration counts...

We worked on turning with sweeps, going sideways and reversing and stopping. I notice that folk who swim with efficient technique and have a good feel for the water seem to pick up the basics well and understand when it feels right. The catch, pull and exit phase are all familiar ideas.

NK - 'So what makes these boats all different?'

We had a few different boats in the water, some felt comfortable to one paddler and like a bathtub to another paddler.

Reverse paddling down the lanes.

The lanes can be used as a challenge and a measure of success in control and direction.

Coach demonstrates in a polo boat.

Meanwhile up in the deep end Hairyaker demonstrated different types of roll to a small group of paddlers who are all keen polo players. Next match next weekend - lets hope for good travelling weather.

Nick's roll - nice!

Back to the bat

2010-12-05T11:02:00.000-08:00

NK delicately removes the icy seat cover with her hardy Werner blades.

A welcome return to the pool and an hour's session of full on rolling and bracing. With the limitation on time, the pressure to achieve one's goals is tangible - even if it is only to re-visit and consolidate and be able to finish with the confirmation that what was achieved last summer is still in place.

decisions, decisions...

Butterfly and static braces were still OK and the bat roll was in place. I managed only a couple of norsaq rolls. Good job I still have the evidence I can do it - need to study the videos again.

A nice shallow sandy beach to start on too, with warmish water would be nice..

NK takes a break after a period of blocked practice.

Because we are all trying to make the best of the opportunity of being in the pool the reciprocal feedback is limited too - it would be good to just have a coach on hand to video us and observe.

Perhaps something for next time.

Ansgar coaches hand rolls in a sea boat.

Sea boats returned outdoors steam in the freezing air.

The boats visit St Magnus Cathedral.

After the session a coffee and a few ideas for trips for next year, boat wish lists and ideas for Paddle Orkney '11 were discussed.

I like the 'most original roll' competition idea - inspired by Gnarlydog and friends!

The Journey North.

2010-12-01T12:07:00.000-08:00

Canoeing at Muirtown Basin, Inverness.

2010-12-01T12:05:00.000-08:00

The big chill

2010-11-30T13:51:00.000-08:00

Off into the snowy night we flew for a weekend of canoeing adventure in Inverness!

I had sent many emails the week before trying to ascertain if our arrangements were feasible - everyone insisted on going ahead despite the earliest snowfall for 17 years.

Northern Kayaker's mantra, 'It'll be fine!' proved to be correct. It was, cold, but fine.

NK and Mags confer.

The venue for the Level 2 coaching support day was Muirtown Basin - sheltered and with good access. The adjacent Sea Scout hut was a welcome retreat from the chill where we could ask Mags questions to clarify technical undestanding and coaching. It was a great opportunity to think skills through on the water in a small group with an expert on hand.

Not the usual scene in the viewfinder.

Opportunities for paddling canoes in Orkney are very limited. Presently we have access to one open boat and virtually no access to sheltered flat water. With minimal daylight hours the options for developing the necessary skills and technical understanding in order to achieve L2 coaching certificate are limited, and its a serious challenge to set up coaching in open canoes. As volunteer coaches with full time jobs outwith the outdoor activity industry, the obstacles to achieving our goals at times seem to be insurmountable.

NK powers into the arctic wind.

On the second day of our weekend visit we had the opportunity to coach a group of brave paddlers who had volunteered to be our students. It was a really useful experience to plan, discuss with Mags and then deliver a session and observe each other and the paddlers. Thanks to Justin we had the warm of the hut to retreat to from time to time, and the benefit of his open canoe experience.

I knew the BCU regulation hats would come in useful one day!

The day started out with blue skies and sunshine and with NK delivering the first session on forward paddling in tandem. Justin went on to coach turning in tandem and after another session from NK on solo forward paddling, I coached a short session on solo turning.

Demo on the pontoon.

As the day progressed, the weather deteriorated. The wind became a bit of a bother and staying warm was a challenge. The boats filled up with snow, but everyone was stoic, and fortified by cups of tea, cake and chocolate we carried on in the spirit of the voyageurs. It was a great learning experience all round - many thanks must go to our hardy volunteer paddlers!

Paddle your own canoe!

We arrived at the airport in good time, feeling pretty pleased about having achieved what we had set out to do while around us the country was grinding to an icy halt. Little did we realise as we checked in, that though NK had the foresight to buy a can of de-icer for the hire car, Mr Flybe had failed to buy a big truck of de-icer for the planes. Back to Nairn we went for the night, this time at the expense of Mr Flybe.

The next day we waited.....

and waited....

Eventually the discrepancy between the 'information' given by the Flybe and airport staff and the available information we could access on the public access internet became so absurd (truck with de-icer on its way/A9 blocked, plane from Shetland expected/its on the tarmac at Sumburgh) we cut our losses and ran to the train station.

Its nearly 24 hours later - can you tell?

Armed with a can of de-icer and a wire brush the Scotrail man prepared the train for its epic journey on tracks buried under the snow and off we set.

A brief stop at Lairg.

Weighed down by ice, the trees clattered along the side of the train.

So 3 taxis, a train and a boat later we arrived in Orkney.

Finally on the Hamnavoe and a few home comforts!

In spite of the 24 hour delay in getting home the trip was great fun and full of valuable learning experiences made possible by Steve, Mags, Eleanor, Justin and our fab coachees. Thanks folks - see you at Easter!

Onwards and forwards

2010-11-21T15:19:00.000-08:00

Although this week is the second session it really is the beginning of the journey for our new members. For some folk the beginning of a long journey of continuous development has begun. There is so much to consider and just when you think you might be begining to get the hang of one aspect of forward paddling, another is introduced, and the first falls by the wayside.

On we paddle....

Boats without bulkheads can involve a lot of labour.

Of course it is our job to help keep everyone progressing and not to overload them with a daunting task which we profess not to be finished with ourselves. At the same time you have to kind of map out the big picture and show folk what lies ahead.

practising good posture

Often I will use challenges or activities which worked on me, or games which children I have taught found helpful. Learning is fun and its very satisfying to feel yourself improving, so giving folk an opportunity to experience that feeling as adults is very rewarding.

Using the lanes as guidelines for paddling to the deep end and then stopping.

No one said it was going to be easy! But we did promise it would be good fun.

Girls get a goal!

Alarming the lifeguards...

2010-11-15T08:08:00.000-08:00

is all too easy when we are trying to consolidate rolling skills in the pool. This afternoon a few of us went to the pool to consolidate old rolling skills and try to develop new skills. After adjusting the BA to fit with less layers underneath things went a bit better. I managed a few butterfly and narsaq rolls, but the static braces didn't feel as buoyant as on the sea. The paddle got caught under the boat in the butterfly roll. I had to use 2 hands to push it round and then re-position myself under the boat. A couple of times and 'accidentally on purpose' I practised self rescue and re-entry and roll. Aware that the lifeguards are inclined to interpret the ' just getting up far enough for a breath in order to try again' re-entry roll as drowning after a couple of goes, this forced a few self rescues.

Is it my imagination or does the salt make that much of a difference?

Congratulating Cathy on rolling the Aquanaut.

NK sets up.

Later it was back to the pool for the first week of this years beginner pool sessions. After a good deal of planning and cake eating and coffee drinking NK and I were happy with the outline session plans.

Laminated notes prepared, we introduced ourselves to our groups and began with the manual handling, capsize and empty. Before introducing the paddle we encouraged folk to use their hands to paddle, experimenting with forwards, backwards, turning and sideways.

Paddling with hands to develop feel.

Ingrid seems to be enjoying herself!

'Where'd they all go?'

Paddles introduced, we went on to experiment with different paddle positions.

A little bit of boat balancing.

We finished with some boat balancing, sitting behind the cockpit and paddling with hands and then with the paddle, which always makes folk feel so much more stable when they get back in the boat again.

Throughout the evening it was clear to see that everyone had brought a lot of strengths to the session and we have a fantastic group of paddlers in the making.

Looking forward to the next session!

All photos of coached sessions by Malcolm.

Cheers.

The dog ate my homework....

2010-11-07T01:43:00.000-07:00

...and other excuses are occasionally offered to me at work as reasons why tasks are not done out of class. So today I have to admit that I squandered an opportunity to get in a canoe and instead got in my own sea boat. My excuses are that the wind had decreased (on a weekend), the sun shone (weakly) and the idea of getting wet seemed like a reasonable idea (at the time). So after making outline plans for indoor coached sessions, NK and I set off, noted the NNE wind, and headed for the shelter of the south facing Scapa pier which catches a few low rays on nice days at this time of year.

Decisions, decisions...

No competition really, so, dressed for immersion, hands already stiff with cold, I got in my own boat. Before NK returned I had donned hood and mask and tried a few static braces, lost feeling in my fingers and developed an ice cream headache.

Elegant or what!

Too cold for total immersion unless you are a lonely 1*.

After completing the passage to the north side of the pier we discovered John Rae and traditional paddle practice getting underway.

Not long before we all agreed it was time to get out, but only after NK rolled a green boat with a GP.

Yes the challenge proved too enticing.

We agreed paddling a canoe and staying dry was a worthwhile winter pursuit.

Bird Lady of Scapa Flow.

OK now back to practising my knots... where is my knot board...oh no! ...the dog ate it!

The accidental canoeist

2010-10-31T13:47:00.000-07:00

On this long journey to L2 assessment its possible to find oneself in the most unlikely of places!

'How does Becky Mason do it?...'

Nevertheless a coach has got to do what a coach has got to do.......

We wrestled the only canoe we have access to off NK's car, into the marina and practised.

Northern Kayaker goes solo.

After a wistful look out to sea we returned to the urban backdrop of our watery classroom.

Fear kills all great ideas

2010-10-31T03:58:00.001-07:00

Sea Kayaking UK and Lendal are working on a new DVD over the following year, filming sea kayaking in its most extreme conditions

Paddle Orkney '11

2010-10-28T15:47:00.000-07:00

Northern Kayaker has set up a facebook page for folk to keep up with plans for next summer's event.

Something to keep us occupied this winter while we take turns in the canoe!

Last roll of summer

2010-10-23T08:33:00.000-07:00

Yes it was - and I am starting to wonder if extended boat deprivation will mean the loss of new skills gained this summer. I hope not, but the seeds of doubt are there already. In what is becoming something of a Mackayak annual tradition, I am firmly bank based for the time being.

Glenmore Lodge

2010-10-16T05:13:00.000-07:00

After a hiatus in both blogging and boating it was time to get the UKCC Level 2 coaching paddlesport training done. After a couple of attempts to get myself 'sooth' this year were foiled I finally managed to get to Glenmore Lodge for the 4 day course and half day module 'Coaching Young Paddlers'.

Early morning view from the Lodge - mist over the mountains.

The first day beyond the classroom was in open canoes and kayaks (short boats). Conditions were perfect for an open boat novice like me, flat calm and sunny. Conditions were also perfect for a sea paddler to get into a short kayak and try not to spin round in circles (active blade please!). All the talk about tranferability of skills seemed to amount to nothing when the back of the boat is missing. I realised why this was such an important feeling for me - its the back that makes it track. As I went on I think I learned much more about sea kayaking, by having the boat ~~surgically~~ removed from me, than I thought I would. We worked on feel often, and when I shut my eyes I missed the long pointy bits even more!

~~Sea~~ Touring boats on the ~~sand~~ groul.

Proudly surveying the estate - in a YELLOW boat?

All too briefly we got a chance to use the touring kayaks, which by now felt like an exotic species of boat. I learned again how much difference it makes being in my own outfitted Isel - it was a good lesson to be concentrating hard on skill development in a boat I didn't paddle regularly. I was in a Valley Avocet and all the regular points of reference were slightly different - a rounder hull/no hard chine/less of an inbuilt skeg. (Respect NK!!) Luckily I had a paddle which I could adjust to 45 - 15 vital degrees! Who would have thought such fine detail could make such a difference! Good to have that familiarity when coaching sculling draw though.

kayaks

The adventure continued between classroom sessions in canoes and kayaks. We visited an old haunt of mine from the days when my kids were about the size of a couple of large dry bags, when we went to Loch Insch for the journeying part of the course. The journey took us up river and with a little imagination and a Kelly kettle, it was possible to feel vaguely like a voyageur. I learned a lot on this day mostly because we spent a lot of time in the boats and a few expert coaching points had a chance to really ~~sink in~~ be absorbed.

Loch Insch

The journey - Kelly Kettle at the ready.

The final day on Loch Morlich.

The final day was as calm as the first. Loch Morlich looked picture postcard perfect with the trees turning golden framed by the misty mountains. The conditions at first so novel and a welcome break from the constant movement of sea and air, now reminded me of how much the draw of sea kayaking has to do with getting out here on the briny... Just as well the conditions were forgiving all week though, I wouldn't have learned as much if I had been struggling even more with my personal paddling development.

The whole experience would not have been half as enjoyable without the great company and support from the other participants, Andy (Andy's blog here), Andrew, Mark, John, Iain and Imogen. I learned loads from the other participants' breadth of experience and we had a good laugh at regular intervals throughout the process. Perhaps we might see you up here in Orkney for an adventure on the high seas one day!
Perhaps Paddle Orkney 2011?....
Cheers!

And the winner is...

2010-09-25T11:20:00.000-07:00

...this photograph, set up by Mike Cooper (also in the photo) for a national RNLI competition showing safety officers at work. Dennis and I discuss VHF radios and ask about where to dispose of out of date flares.

'Are you sure about that?'

The same evening I began to look distinctly uncomfortable about standing around on dry land.

I must become more aware of my body language!

All dressed up and waiting to go...

One year on

2010-09-21T15:17:00.000-07:00

the dog remembers...

I started this blog almost a year ago after breaking my ankle on 20.09.09.

(Clustrmaps says the blog visits total since 25 Sep 2009: 4,360.
Blogger says since May there have been 2,338 visits)

I have resumed my swim to recovery in the pool along with another unfortunate paddler!

Be careful out there.

New Season

2010-09-21T14:13:00.000-07:00

Sunset 7.14pm = end of evening paddling season...

Stretch.

Warm up

Good save.

Spot the ball.

...and beginning of canoe polo season in Orkney.
Spectator sport only for this paddler!

Sunday school

2010-09-19T15:03:00.000-07:00

Morning session - sea boats at Scapa.

Great fun intoducing a new paddler to the delights of the ocean wave!

Footpeg adjustment break.

Time for a little continuing personal development.

Afternoon session: solo canoe.

Practise pure and simple - forwards, backwards, sideways,

through the buoys... and as ever a few unanswered questions...

Earlier this summer.

Crossing the tide

2010-09-11T13:59:00.000-07:00

The race ends as we get ready to launch from Hatston slip.

Who said there are no rivers in Orkney? For this paddler today's trip felt like crossing a huge river as we went north with the ebb tide then ferry glided across the flow. Hopping from skerry to skerry and dealing with the tide as it flowed around each small landfall was an education. At one point my learning curve became rather steep and I was glad to be able to ~~shriek~~ call politely for further instruction! The calm conditions meant focussing on what was happening in the tide was all there was to deal with which was just as well for me. It was easy to imagine what conditions might be like with wind and tide combined.

An unexpected familiar face in a fast boat greets us as we leave Kirkwall Bay.

Looks calm...

Hitching a ride with the north going ebb tide.

In an eddy at Vasa Skerry - no more photos taken until Gairsay...

Dennis heads for the Mainland.

Arriving at Tingwall in the rain.

It was a great learning experience and I appreciated being on the water in places usually only viewed from the north isles ferries. Many thanks to experienced fellow paddlers for taking me along and coaching me across those eddy lines.

About 8nm? - don't know, left the GPS on in the car, again!

Swell at Roseness

2010-09-09T14:53:00.000-07:00

A few days of high winds left behind a swell from the ESE. So on a still evening we set off towards Roseness through dumping waves at the launch beach, disturbing a raft of geese on the way.

Noise on the water.

The unusually still atmosphere looked like it might develop into fog so a bearing was taken, just in case, to help us find our way back.

HK finds north.

At the headland there were regular breaking waves of about a 1m, with the occasional extra large bonus wave. For a short while I enjoyed trying to catch the swell, paddlle strokes eerily silent on a raft of foam, with a rainbow on my right and sunset to the left.

Sun setting behind Hoy beyond the glassy swell.

Arriving back at the put in point in darkness, there will be only a few more opportunities for evening paddles like this one.

Paddler's Playtime!

2010-09-01T13:02:00.000-07:00

This evening might have been the first moment when two paddlers were simultaneously trying to get to grips with their own particular 'dods o'wood' at Scapa. Could it be the beginning of Greenland skills group?

While I flailed my stick around (but never actually threw it - much to Ola's frustration) another paddler was testing a self made GP and evaluating for refinements.

going through the motions...

As usual after a break from practising, I was doing everything too fast.

Carrying on the pace of the working day isn't helpful.

The doubt about whether I could pick up from where I had left off floated around...

I went through the motion, 'butterfly floating on water' again and again...

This is becoming a ritual!

Eventually the moment came and it all worked fine...

putting it into practice...

Though only an hour of practice, I think that little and often is effective.

Each time the demons of doubt are a little less of a problem and keeping the faith is easier.

Is she ever going to throw the stick?

Windows of opportunity

2010-08-28T01:18:00.000-07:00

Back at work + short busy evenings + nasty cold = missed paddle to the tidal race at Eynhallow this week. Exactly the sort of thing I want to get experience of. I console myself in the usual way - Eynhallow is not going anywhere, it will still be there for another time... My ability to be 'philosophical' about this varies!

Sometimes in a group of paddlers there is someone else who can't come along because of other commitments, health issues or broken bones.
On the trip there are reminders - the obvious caves they would have relished, rock gardens which would have tempted them and breaking waves they might have whooped in.

Best just to enjoy it when you can then...

Newark to Tomb of the Eagles

2010-08-23T14:18:00.000-07:00

Leaving from the Kirk at Newark Bay in South Ronaldsay we paddled toward Bigore Head and then straight across to Great Head and Lay Taing. Beyond here thar be caves! This was all new territory for us all as this stretch of coast is exposed and tidal so not always accessible. As well as a Gloup (cave with a collapsed roof) there were many very large caves with many singing and apparently oblivious seals.

Nick chooses a cave.

Spot the kayak...

big cliffs, small kayaks.

Another one!

Someone is behind me!

Grand cave exit.

New boat = happy man.

Some caves turned into tunnels.

A boat emerges from giant nostrils?!

Exit or entrance?

Which exit?

Halcro Head.

After a break at Ham Bay below the Tomb of the Eagles we headed for home - our window of tidal opportunity was drawing to a close.

Heading home through the stack at Clett of Crura

About 10 miles.

A spectacular maiden voyage for Malc's new Rockpool Alaw Bach TCC.

An early night out

2010-08-20T14:25:00.000-07:00

Every year there comes the moment when the increasingly shorter days begin to impact evening paddles.

Even before the launch daylight was fading.

The serene conditions invited a crossing but time available meant this was not to be.

4* leader.

Plastic first.

Towards Mull Head.

Hide and seek.

Moonrise.

For sale

2010-08-18T13:07:00.000-07:00

Wilderness Systems Tempest 165

This is a great boat in very good condition.

Very comfortable and forgiving but performs well too.

Read about it here

Open to offers....

Birthday cake

2010-08-14T13:22:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to my mother-in-law who organised this fabulous cake for a recent birthday...

Complete with logos and norsaq!

I love the way the water splashes the side of the boat and laps on the beach of brown sugar!

Skyak guinea pig

2010-08-13T03:45:00.000-07:00

This week I visited Skye to take part in the 4 star sea leader award as a guinea pig. Having done the training more than a year ago I thought this would give me a good opportunity to paddle somewhere new and different while observing the assessment in process and deciding on future goals.

The 2 days were run by Jas Hepburn and Ken Nicol for Skyak.

The first day involved two groups planning and leading a trip from Armadale towards the Point of Sleat. The wind built up towards the end of the afternoon so we finished with a bit of a surf in through the skerries at Armadale on the following sea, the leaders working one to one with us.

Getting ready to set off from Armadale.

Waiting for the CalMac ferry for Mallaig to leave.

Lunch break with the mountains of Knoydart on mainland Scotland in the distance.

Figuring out precisely where we were.

Heading back on a following sea.

Follow the leader.

Adam an Eleanor keep an eye on us...

The following day the weather was again glorious - so we went to Kylerhea in search of tidal conditions in order for there to be sufficient challenge for the candidates. The flow here gets squeezed into the 500m channel and was flowing at about 3 to 5 knots (this is a guinea pig guessing!). Although the guinea pigs like me were supposed to be 'mock' students, this location did provide a real learning activity for me and a few others. No pictures I'm afraid. I observed the various rescue scenarios set up by Ken and Jas and the impressive team response which the candidates executed to get the 'casualty' out of the tidal flow and to shore within a few minutes.

Well done to all the candidates... this guinea pig has got goals!

New Norsaq

2010-08-06T13:02:00.000-07:00

After a bit of investigation I found that the norsaq Helen Wilson uses is made by Joe O Paddles who had just held a symposium at which Helen gave rolling clinics. Joe responded to my enquiry straight away and helpfully put me in touch with Mike Holgate at Poole Bay Canoes who has started importing Joe's paddles and norsaqs. A bit of measuring and emailing later I have received my own norsaq made by Joe.

As soon as possible I was off to Scapa, down the slip, into my boat and underwater. I had just enough time to try a couple of butterfly rolls which worked fine on one side, and then on the other after I adjusted the boat position to account for the wind.

New fixture for the deck.

Butterfly roll gripping norsaq in the middle.

Looking forward to many hours of practice while the sea temperature allows...

A butterfly and a bat

2010-08-04T08:08:00.000-07:00

Looking at the last rolling video over and over I realised I was making a fundametal mistake in the hand roll by keeping one arm out of the water and pushing down with the other, so I decided to practise the butterfly roll and the 'bat' (read fat blue norsaq) roll, to improve body position.

This felt like taking a step backward. Just how far am I going to take this? Why not just stick with someting that is effective already? but I had to give it a try. Sure enough the hand roll felt less reliable but there is something else not quite right - I am still to figure that out. Also it was significantly easier on one side that the other I am sure this has to do with the resistance of my buoyancy aid on the day hatch.

I am in shallow water to be close to the camera on the shore and to save time with emptying the boat when the inevitable happens ( I also believe the water is 1 or 2 degrees warmer here), but because of the onshore wind I ended up touching the bottom a few times. This is quite good as it makes you tuck up round the boat in a U shape.

After a certain amount of time I resort to a snorkel mask as my eyes start to hurt from the salt water and I get an ice cream headache between the eyes, it allows more thinking time.

I am aiming for 90% thinking and 10% effort.

The camera combination is really helpful for analysing what worked/what felt awkward and so on - that is my excuse for saving so much footage. I used a gorilla pod mount on the boat. It worked fine - I don't like the idea of drilling a hole in my boat!

This time Helen's instruction to keep the chin up was the main point I tried to focus on and it worked very effectively if the rest of the roll was on track.

The only vantage point I could find to film from above was over water clogged with jellyfish, but I hope to film there before the water gets too cold this year. Filming from above might reveal the obvious...I am hoping practising little and often will help all this stick, but a great reason for doing this is you can't think about anything else other than what you are doing there and then. Its addictive!

Just keep rollin' along

2010-07-30T16:29:00.000-07:00

This time I used a beach ball bat instead of a norsaq and swimming finger paddles.

Other paddlers out there on a similar journey... your comments are invited!

Since I did this latest session I have received Helen Wilson's DVD and can immediately see where I can make simple improvements to adjust and correct body position. I surprised myself by watching the video and thinking that it looked possible to do these rolls. Helen makes it look achievable. Although I had not realised it I have been working on the set of rolls which use the butterfly roll as their foundation. Now I will be able to take a much more structured approach to consolidating and developing what I am doing.

Helen's DVD is clear and straightforward. The instructions simple and concise - exactly what you need when you are trying to remember what to do while upside down in the water. It would be fantastic to be coached by Helen herself but this has got to be the next best thing. Oh yes - and having a great rolling boat helps!

Roseness to Newark

2010-07-28T04:32:00.000-07:00

A summer evening paddle.

We passed Roseness and the mysterious beacon, paddling through an area notorious for shipwrecks and this paddler's encounters with big waves. This evening though, it was peaceful, with a few gentle waves to catch a ride through the rocks and a helpful following swell. The low tide allowed lots of cave visits.

Passing the beacon.
photo Malc

We reached the Roseness Gloup, easy to miss if you are not vigilant!

Into the Gloup.

In the Gloup.

This photo was taken with a flash but the tunnel is really much darker with dramatic light beyond where the cave roof has collapsed.

7 sea boats sitting in a cave...

Leaving the Gloup.

We carried on to the Y shaped tunnel at the next headland.

Ansgar decides which tunnel to take.

Further along still there is a tunnel with a very narrow point - SCRATCHY!!

Malcolm makes a smooth exit.

After a little rock gardening we reached Newark in time to watch the moon rise over Copinsay.

Antje takes a moonlight dip to celebrate rolling her sea boat.

Thanks for the track Jack.

See Malc's excellent video,
and Steve, our visitor from Fife, made a video too.

Half paddle to hand roll

2010-07-27T05:30:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I recorded some further attempts to develop rollling repertoire after watching some videos on the internet. Pausing and replaying only a second or so of some of Helen Wilson's videos gave me a rough idea but its usually very hard to make out what folk are doing exactly, so its a slow job of figuring it out in practice. Watching my attempts back again helps.

It would be great to get a bit of coaching in this but since that is unlikely at the moment any helpful comments are welcome.

I am not sure why having my paddle in my left hand helped. Originally I had it in case I failed and wanted to roll up in the regular way, but it must have had a positive effect on how I positioned my body. Quite often I had to re-set up the starting body position and go again and it worked second time.

I am hoping to get out and give it a go again soon. It will be interesting to find out if watching the video helps me remember how to do it...

Next time I am going to try other hand held objects like a swim fin, hand paddle and bat in the hopes that will increase my 'feel' for what is happening.

Day trip to Rousay

2010-07-26T03:17:00.000-07:00

A one way paddle with return by ferry, no fee for the boats on Regatta Day.

Just over an hour's worth of paddling, a relaxed day out.

Wacky Races

2010-07-26T02:25:00.000-07:00

The coast is clear.

We made a dash for it between races, arriving at the Rousay pier just as the sail boats set off for the next round.

Negotiating the pier at Rousay.

Peter set up his kitchen producing an impressive menu as usual!

Peter's kitchen.

The pier at Rousay looked more like a marina for the afternoon.

Rousay 'marina' with Wyre behind.

The crew of the 'Mean Machine', complete with a 'Mutley' arrive for the raft race to Wyre and back.

The Pigeon anxiously waits for the race to start along with Dick Dastardly and the crew.

The Thunderbirds and Fiona have a pre-race consultation with Penelope Pitstop.

...and they're off!

'Catch that pigeon!'

Shrek loses his early lead.

The crowd follow the action from the Eynhallow.

Brilliant!

Cubbie Roo's castle

2010-07-25T18:06:00.000-07:00

Watching the race from the new slipway at Wyre.

We took a wander up to Kolbein Hruga's 12th century castle.

It is clearly marked on this old map at the visitor centre.

Rousay, Egilsay, Wyre and Gairsay.

We passed St Mary's kirk on the way.

This was built later in the 12th century after the castle.

Some parts have been rebuilt and it is still in use as a burial ground.

Cubbie Roo's 'burden' seen from St Mary's kirk.

A wandering geophysics expert might be considering how difficult a site this might be to survey.

Kolbein Hruga was an important man in Norway before he came to Orkney. He acquired land in the mainland parish of Evie as well as the island of Wyre.

He may have chosen to build a strong castle there around 1145 perhaps becuse he was the tax collector for the Norwegian king.
In Edwin Muir's day the castle was a grassy mound of rubble, and it may have been in this state that the ruin became the basis for the traditionally Norwegian style legend of the giant Cubbie Roo.

The view to Rousay from the base of the tower.

Rousay Regatta

2010-07-25T15:07:00.000-07:00

NK about half way across to Wyre

We made the crossing to Rousay Sound in the company of a few yachts.

The sailing boats prepare to race with Trumland House in the background.

Just in time we removed ourselves from the race course to Wyre.

Viewed from Wyre, the race provides the unusual spectacle of sails in the Sound.

Puffins and a porpoise

2010-07-22T01:13:00.000-07:00

back in a boat again... photo Johnny

I didn't manage to get photos of either the puffins or the porpoise, but enjoyed sitting under the cliff at Mull Head with puffins flying off and landing on the cliff ledges above.

Conditions were perfect for spotting marine mammals and sure enough after a few minutes of concerted 'spotting' a tiny porpoise performed close to us in smooth oily swell.

Along the way there were plenty of caves to explore, including the Gloup.

Entering the Gloup, paddling downhill.

No kayak trip to Orkney is complete without a visit.

Time to paddle up and out.

It was fine to hear the familiar cry of 'Ramming Speed!' once again echo off the cliffs of Orkney.

Our visitor Steve's video:

Viking Connections

2010-07-21T12:41:00.000-07:00

Orkney's culture and way of life was entirely that of a Norse earldom by the end of the ninth century.

At the Viking ship museum at Roskilde I noticed that many of the smaller reconstructed Viking boats resembled the Orkney Yole design, which was in turn built and used by the Hudson Bay Company Orkneymen at York factory.

The students at the museum build boats based on the archaeological evidence and reconstruct everything from longships...

...to boats carved from single logs...

...and early boat designs with hulls of expanded timber.

The Earldom of Orkney was held for the Norwegian (and later Danish) Crown until 1468, when the impoverished Christian I, King of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, gave Orkney to the Scottish Crown as part of a marriage agreement with King James III.

Kayak DK

2010-07-21T12:02:00.000-07:00

On a recent trip to Copenhagen kayaks were very much in evidence.

The kayak - a convenient form of transport.

SOF Greenland kayaks being emptied on the canal bank.

The National Museum exhibits items from the 5th Thule expedition (1921 - 1924) which visited most of the Inuit peoples of Arctic Canada. The five Danish and six Greenlandic explorers built their main base in the land of the Iglulik people. From the base ethnographers and archaeologists explored to the south and north. In 1923 Knud Rasmussen continued west on the long sled journey to Bering Strait and Alaska.

On his way he spent seven months with the Netsilik.

He returned with a large collection of objects.

kayak display

Paddle designs

The original kayak gear

The kayaker wore gear which varied from area to area. The most common garment was an anorak made of depliated waterproof sealskin. The anorak was tightly laced around the face and around the kayak aperture. An eye shade made of skin or wool offered protection against glare.

Double thumbed mittens

Fishing lures

Danielsen watercolour

Jakob Danielsen was a hunter living in the Disko Bay area, West Greenland, 1888 - 1938.

In 250 drawings and watercolours he depicted the hunters mode of living.

Hunting methods for seal, walrus and whale are displayed in detail.

Where I live..

2010-07-06T05:18:00.000-07:00

...the weather has been unseasonably windy, even for such a generally windswept place. Combined with rain and occassional thunder and lightning, the long school holidays have not provided the long anticipated freedom to paddle...so far.

However I am trying to sort my rolling and undo the hybrid roll into either CtoC or back deck and from there build up to hand roll. For the Norsaq part I am trying to use half my paddle.

This is a video I first picked up from Christopher Crowhurst's site.

Rollin' with Ola

2010-07-02T11:46:00.000-07:00

Well nobody is around to paddle with...

No point in moping around.

Might as well practice.

Spirit Dancer

2010-06-29T12:52:00.000-07:00

Spirit Dancer is visiting Orkney and has for the last week been at the Kirkwall marina.

We meet the 'Godfather of canoes'!

Kirk Wipper, whose collection established the Canadian canoe museum, is also visiting to see Spirit Dancer off on the next part of the voyage around Orkney. I was delighted to be able to meet him.

Chris and Barbara Cooper have been sharing the experience of paddling the big canoe with local folk each evening before they take Spirit Dancer to the North Isles on Thursday.

Tonight it was our turn to try it out.

The boat was fast and manouverable.

Chris told us that it can cope with a F5/6 with an experienced crew.

Mr Mackayak and the orca and eagle design painted on the paddles by Barbara.

The crew of 19 with Chris steering at the stern.

Paddling into the wind was no problem.

Chris told of past voyages and plans for future destinations.

A great experience!
Lots more photos of the whole visit in Fiona's collection here.

Paddles up...