Any one into Kayak sailing?
I've spent the last few month's mucking around with sailing rigs, on both single and double sea kayaks. Its quite a large sail area, the first reef involves quite literally folding the sail in half, after that it rolls around the mast itself. Its been great fun and taking it out in a strong wind with my son in the back seat of one of Rob Feloy's Voyageur double sea kayaks was really quite exciting. The sail's design came about after chatting to Rob at the South West boat show, I went away and chatted with Dave Buchannon, a local sail maker and came up with this. The sail double's up as an emergency shelter, in much the same way as an army basher, but has a distinctively orange glow beneath it. Anyone interested in purchasing one can email us at info@seakayakingcornwall.com or call me direct on 07788690183.

SKC Symposium

Well the symposium has come and gone. We have had a really busy end to the summer. There was a great number of people who made their way south to join us on the water for our first symposium. Nigel Dennis came down from North Wales to run classes and gave a truly inspirational presentation on expedition paddling. On the Saturday everyone paddled in Falmouth bay as the tall ships made their parade of sail along the coast.

On the sunday people headed to some of the best locations in cornwall for surf, cliffs and tides. We really enjoyed the event and are looking forward to running it again next year.

For more photographs please follow the link below to view a slideshow by Petr Major of Gale force images.

http://www.photobiz.com/slideshowbiz/slideshow.cfm?slideshowID=29283&photographerID=5790

See you next year!

Scilly Isles Expedition 2008

I have just returned from SKC's Scilly Isles expedition, this is our second years Xped to this unique archiplego of low lying isles which stand approximately 22 miles south west of mainland Britain.

The islands are very tropical in their appearance and have a unique charm.

Poor weather throughout the week did nothing to steal away the beauty of our surroundings or dampen the spirits of those who made the journey with us.

Everyone did very well, extending their paddling experience by learning on the move, often in advance conditions.

Simon did a fantastic job in organising the schedule and is still out there with another group of paddlers. Demand for places on the trip led to us extending our stay on the isles.

A full gallery of images will be going up on our website upon Simons return but for now here is an image from the first weeks Xped.

A big thankyou to Mike, Geoff, Dave, Sally, Charlie, Lisa, Nick and Nicky for being such great guys, we hope you had a wonderful time.

Ride, Stride, Glide.

Neil Jordan set off this morning from a Falmouth beach on the final leg of an amazing personal challenge. On the 23rd June last year Neil lost his wife to Cancer.

Neil decided shortly after this tragic loss that he was going to do something to help try and raise funds for Cancer research.

The challenge has been to journey from John O Groats to Lands End through cycling, canoeing, Walking and finally by sea kayaking from Falmouth’s Maenporth beach to Sennen Cove, he hopes to arrive there by Wednesday of this week. He will then be making the final walk from Sennen beach to Lands End along the coastal footpath. Nigel is going to be accompanied on this final leg by Simon.

Since setting out Neil has managed to so far raise £14,000 and he is hoping to reach a target of £30,000 to pass over to Cancer research at the end of his journey.

You can read more about Neil’s challenge by looking at the following web site:

http://ridestrideglide.wordpress.com/mission-statement/

'Planning this journey is giving my life some kind of purpose and meaning. It is also an opportunity to gain additional skills, make new friends, and to undertake a journey which combines many of the things that I enjoy with raising funds for charity.
I believe that Linda would approve of what I am taking on and I hope that the monies raised will help Cancer Research UK in their work of finding a cure for cancer and Sobell House to continue to offer the care, comfort and support that Linda and the family valued so much in her final days’.

Neil Jordan

For anyone wishing to join Neil on the final leg of the official finish of the Linda Jordan Memorial Ride-Stride-Glide – ‘The last lap’ - will be on Saturday 26th July, when Neil will start from the car park in Sennen Cove at 2.30 pm to walking the last stretch of his long journey to Lands End.

Yvonne, Nick and Sandra in front of the Benoit Glacier, Blackstone Bay.

Alaska

Expedition in Prince William Sound

For the last two weeks, I have been away in Alaska, along with Nick, Sandra and Yvonne.

Together we spent seven days on expedition in the Prince William Sound area.

The whole region is renowned for its Tide water Glaciers and wildlife and we were not to be dissapointed in our time there.

Although we had a mixed bag of weather, this only served to heighten the experience.
Below are a few images from the expedition which we shall be running again next year.

Getting ready to leave from Whittier

An overcast sky, followed by heavy rain did nothing to hide Alaska's beauty

After several days of inclement weather the sun came through and revealed Alaska's beauty.

Blackstone Bay forms a perfect backdrop to the third days camp site.

Bald Eagles were a common site along with many other species wildlife.

All in all I have got to say that the expedition was a very memorable experience and marks the start of what I hope becomes a lasting relationship with a very special part of our planet.

Many thanks to Tom Pogson of Alaska Kayak School for the use of his Explorers.

Sea Kayak UK Symposium 2008

25th Anniversary

Anglesey

Hi guys, Nigel Dennis recently hosted his 25th sea kayaking symposium here on Anglesey. The event was extremely well organised and attended by paddlers from numerous countries from around the world.

'It was in 1983 that the first sea kayaking meet was planned. I wanted to start an annual meet specifically for enthusiastic like minded paddlers. I spoke to Frank Goodman who owned Valley Canoe Products and he decided to help with the event. This was fantastic as all my early years of kayaking had been in a Nordkap and Frank had always helped with expeditions etc. I decided to call the event the Nordkap meet. There would be a small charge for attending the gathering but it would be free to owners of VCP kayaks. These early events were simple as we met on the Friday had an evening lecture every night, met after breakfast and the more experienced paddlers would offer to lead trips and by 10:00 am all were off paddling for the day.
Over a period of time the event grew into the symposium we now know. Unfortunately Frank retired but the event continued.
Time goes by quickly and now some 25 years later we are planning some small changes for 2009. With help I hope to develop an additional section of the meet to run alongside the main event for the 2 to 3 Star kayaker.
Finally the event over the years has been supported by many Coaches and Expedition paddlers offering to help and for this I am very grateful. Without the help from people who enjoy giving back to the sport the event would not run as we know it'.

'A VERY BIG THANK YOU TO ALL'. Nigel Dennis

We had very good weather, with the exception of some fog, this just added to the mystique of this unique island. The tides were big and this gave some exciting conditions in the races. On the Saturday night Sam Cooke gave us all a splendid lecture
on the early days of sea kayaking as well as recounting his early expeditions to Nordkap and Svalbard.

On the Sunday, Des Keaney of Deep Blue Sea kayaking presented on his recent circumnavigation of Cape Horn, both were natural speakers and kept the audience well amused.

Thank you once more Nigel for inviting us to help out at this fantastic event.

Jeff & Simon

Below are several images from the event.

Ride Stride Glide

http://ridestrideglide.wordpress.com/a-message-from-neil/

Sea Kayaking Cornwall have been helping Neil prepare his skills for the epic journey he is about to undertake in aid of Cancer Research in memory of his wife Linda. He will set off from john o groats, and using a bike, open canoe and kayak he will make his way to Lands End in Cornwall. The last section is to be undertake by Sea kayak from Lyme Regis to Lands End.

We hope to find a paddler that could accompany him on the sea kayaking section of the journey. The kayaking section should start in mid July and take around 2 weeks. If you are interested please get in touch with us and we can give you more information on the journey.

Sea Kayaking Cornwall wishes Neil the very best of luck in his challenge and we are looking forward to welcoming him in to Cornish waters.

Good luck from Simon and Jeff