An Assistant's Life - part two

When we get to the put in beach, my tasks are as follows:

Get all the boats off the trailer and lined up on the beach ready to go. The clients are usually pretty enthusiastic helpers, but we try and keep the less sturdy individuals away from the heavier ends, and of course any doubles (tandems) that may going out that day.

Next, I sort my own kit - spray deck, PFD and paddle and make sure my own boat is setup ready to go. I usually take charge of the morning break snack bag - someone has to - and maybe take an extra stick or a split. During this time, Rod will be handing out decks PFDs and paddles to the rest of the group.

By the time they have collected everything they need, and got to their boat, I will be there to adjust footrests, explain the rudder if there is one, and maybe give them their first paddling lesson (which way up). Newby paddlers tend to need convincing that they are probably best off in bare feet, to sit up straight while footrests are sorted, and that the spray deck will come off if they capsize.

An assistant's life - part one

I have the alarm set for 07.30, so of course wake up naturally sometime between 06.00 and 07.00. Doze until 07.00 then make a cup of tea and relax reading or just chilling - maybe have a look at the forecast to see what the wind is doing - not that it is my problem, I am only the assistant - and outside to see my bit of the world.

The view from my balcony

Duties continue pretty heavily as I usually have a coffee about now before getting my kit ready at about 08.00. Put on sun screen, find a bottle of water, bring any drying in from outside, and then head down to the kafeneio for breakfast at about 8.30 - it's all go.

Kafeneio Perros

Breakfast - mainly bread and jam in my case, and lots of coffee, is a time to chat to the '6 day' paddlers who are staying in Rod's accommodation. Typically they have been to Milos before, and paddle at about 3 star standard, but can be complete beginners. During breakfast, Rod usually gives a quick briefing (is there any other sort) on the day and checks whether anyone needs additional equipment or maybe wants to try a different boat.

About 09:00 it is down to the yard with Rod to sort out which boats are going on the trailer, then back here to collect my own kit. This is here by the way:

My Room

Wander up the road to collect the car ready for 09:25, and most importantly, the towels:

Don't forget the towels

Bum's on seats are a good thing, wet bums on seats are not one of Petrinela's favourite things, and it is her car that I am driving.

The paddlers are pretty good at being ready on time, though some take rather longer than others to actually get into the vehicles, then it is off to the 'put in' beach. Usually this just amounts to following the trailer, but sometimes there are some rather more complicated pick-up arrangements for 'day trip' paddlers staying elsewhere on the island.

They have paved paradise ...

Nice quiet paddle out round Llanddwyn yesterday - my second time out this year, and long overdue as I am supposed to be fit for duty in Milos from mid May.

The new car park is not exactly to my taste - more supermarket than SSSI, more big mac than big outdoors ...

The new retail park look

but the new kayak launching system is great ...

Start here

Bear left

Allow gravity to guide your kayak trolley to the water's edge

(The pictures were taken later the same day as the old camera seems to have given up the ghost)

My hands were still pretty cold as it was fairly early in the day (on the water for about 08:15), but calm conditions until the tide turned and the wind picked up from the S/SE - just enough to remind you that this is sea kayaking. About 9k paddled. Sun just breaking through as I got off the water - think I managed to snatch the worst of the day.

Pen-y-parc

Malltraeth to Pen-y-parc

A slightly perverse trip in terms of tidal planning, as you paddle out of the estuary on the flood, and back in against the ebb - but when you only have a couple of hours to spare this trip is a good way to see a quieter part of the Anglesey shoreline.

Mouth of the Cefni

Looking seaward - not much water ...

The buoyage system is fairly basic

You can just about tell what this is

A gradual change from protected estuary to being at sea as you approach and then round the headland.

This beach seems to save a wave for when I land or launch

Although looking at the Google satellite image - maybe there is always some surf here.

 

 

About 13k paddled - see SKW Trip Planning for information on launching, tidal planning, etc.

Trip Planning

Used the SeaKayakWales trip planning service (currently undergoing beta testing) yesterday. Forecast was NNE3/4 sunshine and showers. According to the trip plan, I was due to leave Foel at 11:15, and was not much later at 11:30 ...

A quiet start at Foel

Looking to windward

Pretty calm conditions to begin with, but livened up a bit later, and had to work reasonably hard on the stretch from Plas Newydd to Nelson.

Approaching 'Southport Girl'

Got to Nelson at about 13:15 (ETA from trip plan was 13:35), before paddling back to the shore at Pwll Fanogl.

Busy at Fanogl

A few people about, including some that were interested in my paddle. Lunched on tea and sausages - some things taste better outdoors.

The Plas Menai taxi

A group from Plas Menai were dinghy sailing - here getting ferried out to their boats. Could nearly keep up with them on the way back until the wind picked up and they zoomed off. Still, a quick return trip with wind and tide both in my favour. Off the water at 15:10 - about 19k paddled.

Sailing By

Assume clipped pompous 'Yachtie' voice - "I must say, the standard of seamanship on display by some was dire - fenders hanging everywhere, poor choice of sail ..."

Three times in one week

Unless I am on holiday, and even then, probably only if it is a kayaking holiday, it is a rare enough treat to get out on the water more than once or twice a week.

Tuesday:

Rich had this idea of joining Roger at Aberdaron, paddling round to Porth Oer via the delights of Bardsey Sound (all I am saying is that it lived up to its reputation) and then walking back to collect the car. About 16k of paddling (no pictures as it was not the kind of conditions where you wanted to let go of your paddle - you know, when nobody talks much as they are concentrating on staying in the boat)

Thursday:

Paddled Dafarch to Holyhead (with Roger and Kev as far as North Stack), and yes, it still is quite a long way round the breakwater- mind you I was not in a hurry and more than happy to bimble along

Early morning at Dafarch

We begin our quest

Approaching South Stack

Conditions could not have been much more different as we searched in turn for Penrhyn Mawr and the Stacks' Races.

The trip completed my circumnavigation of Anglesey in the record time of 4 years (less 10 days) - John will be getting worried that I am becoming a threat. I celebrated by leaving all my kit at Nigel's place (thanks) then walked back to Dafarch to collect the car.

Saturday:

We have friends over from Ireland who want to try sea kayaking, so head for one of Anglesey's best beginners spots:

A rare outing for Tim's Capella and the stealth boat

Irene gets the knack

Happy paddlers (Ok, I am the grumpy one at the back)

Milos - Tuesday, West coast of Kimolos to Annoying Donkey Beach

Calm conditions and very calm for a Kimolos crossing.

Leaving Pollonia

South coast of Kimolos

Catherine, her Anglesey Stick and her Necky Chatham

We did paddle together sometimes

Good stacks, arches and caves on this trip

Barb in front of a camel

The jumping spot

Vanessa said her new boyfriend can be a bit stubborn

The wind got up a bit, and Catherine was showing off her back deck roll in the surf, before we headed for home.

Some proper waves for the crossing back to Milos - about 12k paddled.