Author: Myles M

Day Trip: Luss-Inverbeg-Rowardennan-Luss

Sunday 9^th June 2024

Leader: Myles  Paddlers: Chris, Jess, Geoff and Mark

Weather: Bright and Sunny but Breezy: NW Gusty F4

Report: The wind is always going to play the major role in a sea kayak trip. The forecast for the day was F3/4 from XCWeather and F4/5 from the Met Office. It was decided that the original route Helensburgh-Kilcreggan/Cove was too exposed for an A grade trip and that we would try Loch Lomond at Luss.  It proved to be an excellent decision for this group in these challenging conditions.

After a hard paddle up the west shore to Inverbeg we ventured up the Douglas Water to the bridge. It is quite surprising the similarity between the entrances of the Fruin, Luss and Douglas. Each of these offers an incredibly tranquil canal between banks of sand and shingle deposited when the river is in spate.

It was a remarkably easy paddle across the Loch to Rowardennan for lunch by the car park. The toilets were good (and free) but there was no sign of the fabled coffee van.

After lunch we headed south enjoying the lovely east shore. We took another coffee break in the sun, sheltered from the breeze in a beach by the Ross Isles. Life was really good.

The final crossing back to Luss saw us back at our cars just after 3. It was a superb if challenging paddle in the sunshine in fantastic scenery. Difficult to imagine a better day.

Present – Gordon, Andy, Sharon, Stephen, Bill, Bryan and Myles

We launched at Letter, just south of Coulport MOD site at first lay-by. Not the best access as you have to climb over a road barrier but OK. The weather when we arrived was very calm, warm and sunny. The forecast was to get windy in the afternoon up to a force 4 from the south so we changed our plans and decided to head straight across the Loch towards Ardentinny.

The water was like a mill pond and we had a pleasant crossing, then headed south to the caravan park at Gairletter Point. We saw a few Harbour Seal who didn’t seem to bothered with our presence.

From here we crossed back to Eilean Beag (or Cape Cove as Bryan called it) and had a look at the modern house on the shore (used in the Nest TV series). We continued south to a lunch spot just past Cove sailing club. From here we could see signs that the wind was building, so after a short break we started to head north.

The water had become a little more lively as the wind had increased to a force 3 from the south. We had a bumpy ride, with the small, steep waves come from the aft port quarter, which was fun for all. The sea state calmed down quickly when we passed Eilean Beag and people had fun surfing the the smaller waves and enjoying the sunshine.

We continued to enjoy the small waves all the way back to the launch site, overall a fun day with a good mix of conditions.

Early season grade A trip on the Clyde to get people out on the water as a bit of a shake down paddle.  Original idea was to launch at Craigendoran and paddle towards Rhu, however the weather forecast was a F3 or F4 from the east so we moved launch site to Blairvadach to allow us to paddle into the wind first.  This worked well as it was very sheltered initially and allowed people to settle into things. Once we rounded Rhu spit the wind was in our faces, however it was an enjoyable sunny paddle down to Helensburgh Pier.  We had a break at the pier and enjoyed the sunshine and used the facilities.  No one had an ice-cream which was surprising….

We had a quick look at the new swimming pool building on the Pier before starting the return leg. The paddle back as a real joy as the wind was directly behind and the water flat, we went across the Gareloch to Roseneath and then returned to Blairvadach.

It was good to meet some new faces and enjoy the sunshine in company.