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Sea kayaking Wales, Anglesey, with Coastal Spirit.  A Blog of sea kayaking courses and personal expeditions and adventures.  Wales, Scotland, UK and beyond.

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Orkney Sea Kayaking, the magic 2016
22
Aug
2016
We had a fairly grim forecast, with strong gale force winds from the North which meant cold temperatures and a good solid swell running.  thankfully so of that blew through and with Orkney being made up of over 70 islands, protection can often be found.

South Ronaldsay, East coast from water sound down and around Helcro Head, on to Old Head and then back up Wind Wick was the day.  A super  mix of playful surf at the start, swell and rock hoping, big clifts, caves, stunning arches and sea stacks, an amazing blow hole, some tidal flow and a small race and an intro to the magical Orkney. 









Dat 2 saw us still avoiding the forecasted swell and the Deerness peninsular was paddled.  Trolly stunning coastline up near Mull Head and whats known as a Gloop - cave, were the roof has fallen in, so daylight is seen, and then back into a cave.  Must have been 200 mt in length!










Day 3 was really wild with lots of rain so we saw the local delights and various neolithic sites.

Day 4 although still windy, we went for a down wind run in the protected Scapa Flow.  The result 18 km covered in 2 hours!  As one of the team said they did more surfing in that 2 hours than they had done in the last year!!





Days 5 and 6 and we finally had a more settled forecast and the potentially of an overnight. Fins town with the Westerly wind on our backs and into the String (the sound between Mainland Orkney and Shapinsay, around Berwick Head and South to The Ness and a super wild campsite.





Douglas with the cannon lookout on the right!



A beautiful breakfast sunny morning, set us up for the day with a crossing to Shapinsay and a visit to the local cafe and super cute puppy only a few weeks old ...






The finish of our paddling, back at Finstown and a super happy bunch.  Well done Julie for managing the guys and to all for making it a super trip, despite the mixed weather.



We crossed on the ferry with a super blue sky silky sea day, which would have been perfect with the SE wind to have paddled from Scotland to the Orkney.  Another time!

Interested in Orkney?  In 2017 there is a sea kayak festival on Orkney, i will be there and also offering a similar course beforehand.  Details on a Coastal Spirit course will be out around Nov/December, so watch this space for 2017!

Thanks, Roger


Courses and expeditions
Isle of Harris Exploration
The Isle of Harris is part of Lewis and is rich in natural beauty, sandy beaches and stunning wildlife. The golden eagle and white tailed sea eagles are highly likely to be seen most days.

We will be based at a campsite and if the weather is super settled we can decide if we do an overnight wild camp. During the last two years we've at least managed two nights wild camping.

You need to be an experienced moderate water paddler who can manage Beaufort winds f4/5 and occasionally stronger. You're also happy paddling a loaded sea kayak for 20km

We meet up on the afternoon of the 30th of April and leave on the morning of the 6th of May 2027. Zoe Robinson and Roger will be delivering the course. Both are advanced coaches and advanced sea kayak leaders.
1
May
6 Spaces remaining
Outer Hebrides by Tall Ship ... Intention St Kilda!
The Outer Hebrides are an outstanding and beautiful island chain. Sometimes called the Western Isles. Our intention weather permitting is to sail the 60NM to St Kilda, set in the deep Atlantic. 'Lady of Avenel' our mother ship and floating home - this is a lifetime experience with two adventures in one!

With Lori, Zoe and Roger as your advanced leaders. We meet on the afternoon of the 6th of June and load our sea kayaks onto 'Lady of Avenel' and kit into our cabins. You need to arrive on the 4th of June. This allows for any disruption with the CalMac ferry and a rest day, after a long drive). We arrive back in Castlebay on the 12th June.

You need to book and arrange your accommodation for the night of the 4/5th June and the 12th June.

There are two hotels, a bunkhouse in Castlebay and a short drive to Wavecrest campsite, which is where Lori, Zoe and Roger will be van camping.
6
Jun
4 Spaces remaining
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Our Facebook reviews
Simon Turnbull

"I've just completed a two day 4* Sea kayak training course with Roger. Having been coached by Roger in the past, I choose to do this course with Roger because I knew I would get a great deal from the course. My expectations were certainly well and truly met"

Tavi Murray

"And I'm probably learning more from his mentoring now, as my paddling horizons expand, than ever before. I can't count how many questions I've asked... and he's answered. Roger has the knack of making that suggestion that radically changes your thinking and moves your paddling on in leaps and bounds."

Stella King

"There are a number of wonderful things about Roger. He has a very light touch in his coaching, and he's always smiling and encouraging you to relax into the enjoyment of the day"

We come recommended
Thanks again for a fantastic weekend. We look forward to doing it again soon!
Janice from London