Boys heading out to the buoys

Jim, Neil and self head out with the ebbing tide from Llantwit Major beach. There is a little surf breaking on the spit as we launch from the plateaux to the east. The sun is out in a cloudless blue sky, a little bit of swell, this looks like a superb paddling day.

Reynard's Cave at Tresilian beach

To begin we tucking in and follow the shore westward, pop in for a visit to Reynard's Cave at Tresilian. Passing Nash Point lighthouse and move on out to East Nash buoy to pick up the Nash passage rush.

Approaching Nash Point lighthouse

East Nash cardinal buoy

From here we head on over Nash Sand Bar and out to the channel. With the following sea we get a few nice pick me up surfs on our way out to the Mid Nash buoy. We are now about 6km offshore, and it is just fantastic being out here.

Mid Nash Cardinal buoy about 6km offshore

Journey continues towards Tusker Rock which is fully submerged, marked close by with the red danger buoy.

Tusker danger buoy

We are joined at Tusker Rock for a short while by a seal who popped up and followed us for a bit towards Porthcawl.



Yes indeed. A very enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.

10.6Nm (a shade under 20km) trip with a nice 6.5 knot kick through Nash Sound.

Paddling with company

We've all probably done it, put out a call to your mates; anyone want to come along for a paddle? Before long there are a bunch of you on a trip. By default, if you like it or not have you become a "leader of sorts"? True or not?

They are grown ups able to make their own decisions, right? Yes but you but them in a situation didn't you by calling them up for a paddle. Did they check the weather, the route, check out the dangers, have they made a judgement if the paddle is suitable for them, or are they coming along on the same basis as going for a stroll in the park.

I had expected that faced with being put in a potential life threatening situation most people would have concerns regarding their own self preservation. It seems not with group behavior. Paddling as a group, is there an expectation that it is safer, and does this delay bringing to the fore any apprehension or fear? Certainly paddling in a group can be safer. More resources to call on, possibly more options available. But bad group paddling must bring with it some element of danger of its own. I mean bad as in a group that are mismatched in some or many ways. Objective, fitness, experience, expectation would be some of the things that first come to mind.


There are many reasons for people to go out kayaking: rockhopping; sightseeing; mellow social paddle; taking time lots of stops for photos; vigorous A to B and many others.

Knowing the other padddlers expectations and objectives for a trip would go a long way to making it a safer proposition.

I never really considered many of these things in planning trips.


I got to thinking about roles, responsibilities, expectations and the leader by default thing and realised that this was quite a complex issue. Group paddling can get really difficult the more you start to think about it. At the end of the day I realised I knew very little about the whole group issue, so decided to seek out a bit of training in leadership on the water.

I had occasion to see Nige Robinson in operation when he was charged with overseeing the running of the Stackpole Sea Kayak Festival last year. Since, relatively speaking, he was just down the road I fixed up a week end of BCU 4 star leader training with him.

It felt a little bit like doing advanced driving. Mentally quite intense, felt at times as if I were projecting myself into and trying to paddle, everyones boat at once, running through “what if scenarios” all in parallel. Was an excellent weekend though.

smurff . . .

. . . just can't get enough. Really enjoying the Impulse. Compared to the Maverick it has loads of volume at the back so being cartwheeled on the out is a thing of the past, and my feet still have blood circulating after 10mins! Comfort. Ah you could probably fall asleep in it.

Sometimes it goes very wrong, but then that's part of the fun of it

Another New Year

Last year a few of us ventured out for a paddle to welcome in the New Year. It was a good feeling to be out on the water, setting the tone for rest of the year. Thought it would be nice to do a repeat.

Together with Richard Mordy from Up and Under and Hywel we set out on a blustery cold morning from Southerndown with the intention of having a big boys breakfast on Tusker Rock. With that in mind I'd packed a portable BBQ, frying pan, bacon, eggs, butties, the works.

Loading up for the Tusker Caff experience

It was cold to say the least, I can't remember the last time I'd seen ice forming on the cliff faces. This was one of those days. Carrying the boat and gear down to the waters edge my hands were painfully cold to the point of being numb. The poggies were going to earn their place in the kit today, for sure.


Leaving the beach we paddled with the last of the ebb and an increasing headwind. Approaching Tusker Rock we were facing a good stiff F5 directly into our faces and blowing against the tide.

At Tusker Rock before the flood submerges it

It was getting a little bit interesting near the rock, with the possibility that the wind would be increasing and the tide having turned and threatening to submerge our planned breakfast spot, we decided not to stop, but to make out way towards Ogmore and catch the beginning of the flood back to Southerndown and a more sedate paddle with the wind on our backs.

Passing Ogmore

The wind dropped a little for the return trip. And we decide to decamp back to my kitchen for that promised breakfast and a natter to talk of trips for the new year.

Landing back on Southerndown beach

Surfing Santa

Having been Santa for the munchkins, I am now really getting into the festive spirit.
A little surf down at Caswell Bay in the Gower is in order.
Just a ripple, but had to show willing!
Thanks again go to Chris for the snaps. He sat out with a warm cup of coffee!

Have a guess . . .

I just received a present.
Do you know what it is?










Thanks to Chris for the photos.

Chill Out

Cold frosty start to the day, but it looked clear and cloudless.
No wind to talk about. Crisp.

With the last 2hrs of the flood, Adrian, Richard and I head out from the slipway at Atlantic College and head east up the Bristol Channel. No intention other than a chance to get out on the water.

Aberthaw Power Station

We head up towards Aberthaw power station, rounding the water intake as the tide turns, and stop and have an intake of food ourselves, before heading back.

Water intake for cooling at the power station

Not alone on this busy water way

Tresilian Bay and more small caves

Glad to have made the effort to get out.


10.5Nm (19km)

"Come in she said I'll give ya . . . Shelter from the Storm "

Outlook: 0700 Sat 25 Oct 0700 Sun 26 Oct
Wind Southerly veering westerly 5 to 7, increasing gale 8 or severe gale 9 for a time.
Sea state Rough or very rough.
Weather Showers, rain later.
Visibility Good, becoming moderate or poor later

Under normal circumstances I would not go out paddling in a storm. (Surfing being the exception). I’m talking sea kayaking here. It is an appealing aspiration that one day I could safely handle and enjoy rough, even wild conditions without the thought of reliance on any companions to help me out. Things going tits up is out side the remit of making a sound decision to go out paddling within ones own ability in the first place (but s**t does sometime happen).

This weekend is different, it's the exception that makes the rule. The expectation is to go beyond my comfort zone and being got out of the cack by others could be a distinct possibility. That's why I'm here. There are experienced people around in small groups, and in my opinion this is a great environment in which to push paddling skills forward.

I've come up to north Wales to the 3rd Storm Gathering, organised by Mark Tozer. He even managed to spirit up a storm. The tent next to mine got blown down flat during the night somehow mine survived. I did manage to end the weekend without needing to be fished out of the water.

Some pictures from a great weekend.

Sheltering from the gale in the Mennai Strait