Lomond Hosteller’s Canoe Club is closing down and selling off its equipment this Saturday at 10am. There are sea kayaks and a lot of other gear but have no idea about condition. The club store is found by going North past Duck Bay Marina, pumping station and cottage and entering via small green gate on left of road.
Training Programme Oct-Dec 2011
1. Basic Skills, Adults.
Pool: 7.40-8.10 Tues Sept 27th- November 29th
Outdoor: Sat Oct 8th Luss Main Car Park 10am, Sat Oct 22nd :RYNC 2 Groups 10-12, 12-2 Open Canoeing, Sat Nov 26th: Trip around Islands Luss 10am, 14th Dec TBA
2. Sea Touring
Pool: 8.10 to 8.40 Tues Sept 27th to Oct 25th Navigation Training: Tues Nov 1st to Nov 22nd. Outdoor: Sat Oct 8th, 2 other sessions TBA
3. Rolling Clinic: Tues Nov 1st until Xmas
Garvellachs: Oct 2nd 2011
Paddlers: Hugh, Geoff, Innis, Ruth, Alan and Sue
Report: On the journey to Easdale it rained, oh how it rained. Cloud brushed the car as we crossed through the mountains. Turning back was not however an option and as we approached Easdale at 10.15 it stopped and the cloud started to lift. It was the start of one of the best days of the year and we were in one of the most fantastic settings in the world.
The Garvellachs are a small chain of islands in the Firth of Lorn to the south east of Mull. Surrounding them are seas with strong currents that flow at odd times (changes in tidal flows do not coincide with high or low water). Landing is difficult on both main islands and impossible on the others.
- The Clouds lift over Mull
Thanks to Hugh’s navigation skills we managed to travel down to the islands with the southerly current and back up with a northerly flow. There was a substantial swell and where this was broken (by clapotis by the 300ft cliffs and by currents in open water, the surface was less than flat.
Because of the tidal flow there was only just time for a brief cup of tea at each of the main islands and no time to investigate the old Celtic monastery and the burial ground and no landing for the castle.
We arrived back in Easdale just after 5 having covered some 28km. A great sea kayaking day.
Kerrera, Sunday 18th Sept 2011
Paddlers: Hugh, Ken, Geoff, Stewart, Douglas and Boo
Weather: A brilliant sunny day with a brisk NW wind force 3/4 at start, easing and moving west as day progressed.
Report: Left Oban at around 10.15 and headed NW into fresh breeze, tide and bumpy sea. Conditions enjoyable if a little tense for the less experienced.
With the tide we moved quite swiftly. Decided to pull in at Slatroch Bay and just before landing spied 3 otters. Douglas to provide photos.
Headed on south with a detour out to Bach Island but too much swell to land. En route a Sea Eagle briefly circled overhead. Crossed the south of the island and eventually landed to bay on east of Gylen Castle. Future groups are recommended the west bay as opposed to the rocky east.
After a coffee break and castle inspection (well worth a visit for the views alone) proceeded on round the Rubha Seanach and up the sound back to Oban. By this time tide had turned and wind had dropped so final leg relatively easy, even with damaged shoulders and beginners weariness.
Got back to Oban just after 5 pm, giving a journey time of some 7 hours for the 20 plus km. Two weeks ago Sue managed it in 2 hrs 40 mins. How?
Wet and Windy on Loch. Sunday 12th September
Paddlers: Geoff, Mel, Miriam and Ross plus paddlers from Glasgow KC and West of Scotland BC
Report: This paddle was support for a 12km charity swim from Luss to Lomond Shores. Late communication from the organisers suggested they only needed 1 kayaker and, given an atrocious forecast, a number of kayakers and open canoeists dropped out. Helensburgh at 8am was blowing force 4/5 and we confidently expected cancellation and a short training paddle for us. Luss, however, was surprisingly calm and 19 paddlers and 19 swimmers eventually set out at 10.15am.
Progress was slow; the top swimmer swims at less than half the pace of a normal kayaker. However I think it is true to say we were all in complete admiration of the effort and determination of the swimmers; it is not a good way to travel! As we exited from the passage between the Inchtavannach and the mainland the wind became much more obvious and as we passed the golf club was starting to lift the paddles from the hands. By the time we reached the end of the golf course two of the lead kayaks had capsized, one of the teams withdrawn and the swim and paddle cancelled by the Safety team. To go with the force5/6 winds I should also mention periodic bouts of torrential rain. The Ribs then took the swimmers and one kayak driver (me) on a very wet and bumpy trip to Lomond Shores whilst the kayakers retreated back to the road at the golf course entrance where they were eventually picked up and transported onwards.
Lessons: None really. Safety was never compromised and we all seemed to enjoy the experience, even when cold and very wet.
Equipment for Sale
For Sale on 15th August
McNulty Huntsman, with Lendl paddle and neoprene spray deck £425
Dagger Honcho, which has airbags and voyager fitted hip pads (full WW spec) £300
Contact Simon simon_parrott@sky.com
Some Trips in Late July
Thursday 14th: Canoe Practice at Craigendoran Geoff, Willie, Euan and Natalie
With only 4 of us turning up we decided on a roughish water canoe paddle. An enjoyable game but not a serious proposition for the sea.
Thursday 21st: Cove, Blairmore and Strone Geoff, James, Laura, Mick, Damien and Stewart
At 7pm the rain was bouncing. At 7.01 it stopped and we crossed a tranquil Loch Long to Blairmore. Pushed on round to the Holy Loch for a drink in the Strone Inn. A wonderful evening.
Thursday 28th: Craigendoran-Ardmore. Geoff, Euan, Natalie, Willie, Stewart, Mel
A pleasant paddle by kayak and canoe (W&N).
Sunday 31st: A trip round Loch Lomond Isle with Myles Myles, Willie, Keith, Geoff, Stella, Mel, Vee, Boo, another Ranger
This was a “pilot” trip organised under the umbrella of the National Park. Myles, as a senior water Ranger provided insight into the natural history of the islands including the wallabies (could not find any), Capercaillie (found “pooh”) and the Ospreys of which we saw two. Trip promised some lively kayaking (Force 4 plus) which failed to materialise, unlike the precipitation. An excellent trip which we hope will lead to regular Ranger led paddles in the future.
(Photos to follow)
More Photos of the Tall Ships (with some kayaks!)
URTV
Here’s the piece on the club as a stand-alone. Geoff and Euan interviewed on URTV Helensburgh
Tall Ships: July 2011
Paddlers: Group 1 from Commodore: Hugh, Grant M, Jamie, Myles, Ruth. Group 2 for Craigendoran: Geoff, Vee and Boo
An excellent day. Left 11.45. Slight breeze from NE to push us over to Greenock had disappeared by the time we returned. Eventually two groups met up off Gourock along with half a dozen members of the Royal West Club. Longish break at RWBC clubhouse before returning at about 5pm.
