Report: The plan had been for a weekend trip to the Garvellachs but the wind was forecast as 5 with potentially gale force squalls. Instead it was decided to do a training run (part of the sea kayak training course) departing from the RCYNC at Rhu. There was a very pleasant run up the loch with the wind to Garelochhead for lunch.
Lunch
The journey back into the wind was significantly less pleasant but successfully achieved by all. A good, if short, day.
Weather: Calm. Overcast with summy intervals and periods of heavy rain in evening.
Report: Departed from Aldlochlay close to noon Saturday and paddled to Inchonnachan for lunch and some exploration of the old summer house..
Departure
From Inchconnachan we headed over to our camp site on Inchtavannach and pitched. After some debate we then proceeded on a late afternoon paddle around Inchmoan before dinner. During the paddle there was heavy rain which continued on and of throughout the evening. Most of the youngsters decided on a swim before drying out in front of an excellent fire. A pleasant, if occassionally wet evening was had by all.
Sunday was calm and sunny. We left the camp site about 10.30 and paddled over to Inchgalbraith and its ruined castle.
At the castle window
A slow leisurely paddle back to Aldlochlay followed, arriving just before noon. A very successful conclusion to a successful course.
As Hugh said Sea States are used in the Open Sea not inshore, where we tend to go. A lot of the video was shot around St Kilda, which is just about as “Open Ocean” as we will normally get. Here you get sea states 3 and 4 without the howling gales (” strong breezes”) that are necessary inshore to generate big waves. I am sure it does not help much to know that last Saturday the sea state was “slight”!
Thursday 13th June: The Beginners will be at Luss in the canoes. I am hoping to go for a paddle but because of trailer limitations only have room for a couple of the club sea kayaks so if you would like to come and need gear you will probably need to find some transport. If you can take an extra boat please let me know ASAP.
Friday 14th: During the day and evening we are supporting a charity relay team swimming 35km (the equivalent of the length of Loch Lomond) on Loch Lomond. It now appears we will be based at either Inverbeg or Luss. If you have the time off and are interested in a paddle let me know and I can suggest times and locations to join us.
Thursday 20th: The Beginners are going down the Leven from Balloch to Dumbarton. If interested let me know so I can arrange gear.
Sat/Sunday 22nd/23rd: Beginners Canoe Camp. Leaving Aldlochlay at 2pm, returning 12 noon on the Sunday. More details (how and what to pack etc) at the pool session the previous Tuesday.
Weekend 6th/7th July: Round Lismore. Depart Helensburgh 8am, returning about 4pm. This is graded as B i.e. you should have done some longish day trips but not necessarily camped from the kayak before. Please let me know if you are thinking of coming.
Pool: From 25th June on the pool will be open access with a concentration on rolling. Cost £3 per evening as usual.
Gear: You can borrow gear from the club if it is not required for club outings. We charge a nominal £5 per seat per day provided it is returned as it was issued.
We are intending running the following three courses starting October 13th in the Pool
1. Safety and Planning for Sea Kayakers (Hugh): This involves 3 pool sessions developing rescue skills followed by 3 instruction sessions on hazards (tidal flow, over-falls, wind etc), gear and passage planning.
2. Basic Safety and Rescue (Grant): 6 weeks in the pool developing rescue techniques for both kayaks and canoes and one outdoor consolidation session. If there is demand this will be followed by a BCU Foundation Safety and Rescue Assessment.
3. Greenland Rolling (Myles). For those who want to progress from the Screw/Pawlata Roll
Grant will also be running an Intro to White Water Safety and Rescue soon
Each course costs £20 and includes pool fees. Places are limited and we need to ration pool time so please let me know of your interest ASAP.
Trip Programme
Thursday 27th Sept. River Awe (Grant) or Clyde-Toward (Geoff), Email if interested
Saturday 29th Loch Long and Loch Goil (Geoff). Meet Finnart 10am
Wed 3rd October- Wed 10th October: Sea Kayaking in Turkey
Saturday 13th October: Oban Demo Day. A chance to paddle Valley, North Shore and TideRace boats from Oban
W/E 27th/28th October: Scottish Canoe Show and Tay Descentwww.canoescotland.org for details
Myles will be leading some night paddles on a Tuesday or Thursday when conditions permit. There will also be day paddles midweek and weekends. Watch this space for further info.
Club Meetings will take place on the last Wednesday of the month . Next meeting: 31st October 8pm Commodore
Six hardy souls plus Grant took part in the final open water session of the course. The photos do not convey the temperature of the Loch in mid February
