I was looking for an easy bimble after a 3hr - 5kt test in the Prototype the previous day; so we tootled up a gloomy Wyre Estuary, taking a look at the the ramshackle Wardley's Creek and Skippool on the way. Lunch by the Shard and then an interesting nav ex through the dark and the fog to Knott End - the best way to see Knott End perhaps?

Puffin is always a pleasant and easy going trip - a good way to start 2010.

Many years ago I started my love affair with the hills on Parlick and Fairsnape. In the snow it just had to be done, again. A run along the Brock valley, up to Bleasdale, across the bowl to Fell Foot and then a race against the weather to the top of Parlick - the weather won! A slog up to Paddy's Pole in the snow, spindrift and cloud - but then a great view from the top of the last of the sunset as the cloud broke . The snow gave the luxury of a descent straight down the face of Fairsnape and then a night nav back through Bleasdale and the along the Brock - fantastic.

Another trip out from Rachub; after wallowing like a geriatric hippo across the snow in the bottom we made it up onto Drosgl for a beautiful view. Then across to Moel Wnion and home. Life doesn't get much better.

A quick run out of Rachub up onto Moel Wnion and Gyrn - always a pleasant run.

Late in the day to avoid the crowds, this popular route has some fantastic scenery in the snow. A little chilly on top though - a nice afternoon out.

Making the most of the snow for an enjoyable bimble around the Marchlyn reservoir and over Elidr Fawr. This time I dragged the Boss up to show her the view.

Over Christmas Peter was brave enough to let me loose in his new toy - a beautiful red cedar canoe that he built in his garage! A very nice boat.

Is the fast prototype stable enough for self rescue? I was hoping we could hold off 'til August for this one...

As part of the testing programme for the Fast Prototype we had to see how it handled under bimble conditions. So we called in our resident bimble pacesetter for a trip around Rhoscolyn. The chill northerly wind brought relaxed conditions for rockhopping as well as a few snow flurries .

A pleasant trip to the Skerries provided another excuse for a Prototype test paddle. A nice cruise down but with a strengthening and chilly headwind making a bit of chop on the return.

Though the rain was taking it's time getting into the river, Halton was up a touch and so it was still worth throwing on the old slammer for a bit of a cobweb clearing sess. Always good for a laugh. All photos copyright Pascale E

Perfect weather allowed Little Brother and me to go for a long awaited trip out to Wyre Light and Lune Deep.

The heavy rain gave us good water levels for some cracking runs down the Nith. Once again an excellent week - good food, good company and good water; always an excellent way to bring the year to a close.

To answer a question...

The recent strong winds gave us a great opportunity to test the bad weather handling of the Rockpool Fast Prototype. It took it all in it's stride, even leaving me happy enough to take a few pics - the wind read out shows a max of 49.8 mph (on the water)! I was just hanging on to the blades after that...

Our first trip in Malta. Clark provided us with excellent local knowledge and one of his 'Divorce boats' to give a very interesting trip around the coastline of Comino. Excellent sea kayaking in warm sunshine - a nice change from North Wales in November. The photos don't do it justice.
A big thankyou to Clark Weissinger at Rugged Coast Adventures - www.seakayakmalta.com

A calm night brought a pleasant trip to St Pauls Island; with Captain Ahab and the Pequod, a rather impressive floating canoe store, circling Tuna and a thumping for George Bush on the way back - there was plenty to talk about.

The snorkelling was nearly as good as the paddling. Once again, thanks to Clark @ Rugged Coast Adventures for his help.
www.seakayakmalta.com

Like buses! You wait so long for good blades to come along and then they all arrive at once. A taster of the excellent new VE Blades - blades with a pedigree! (The rough kev/carb collars were my work and not indicative of VE standards!)

I went out for a 'Day into Night' but it was just a touch too lumpy, so it turned into a 'Day into Dusk' as I wimped out! A few glooomy pics from the Beacon on the way out, too dark after that.

The autumn sushine tempted me out for a quick lunchtime bimble over to Penrhyn Mawr, looking for a little peace and quiet. It was a good opportunity to try out the new VE blades too - couldn't shake the cab though...
Very nice blades by the way.

After a 20 year break Little Brother decided to resume his paddling career with a pleasant potter around the Lune Estuary. A launch from Mum's held a hidden agenda but unlucky, she was away on her hols.

Sun & fun on a trip around Llanddwyn, but this time with a difference...
(Large collection)

I've been looking for a new set of splits for a while. After speaking to Lance Mitchell I decided to give a set of his blades a go. It's early days yet but they are nice looking, very well made blades. Impressed...

Unfortunately La Petit Pois has finally succumbed to the scrappage scheme. Here is short celebration to ratttle filled motoring.

Just a steady bimble around Puffin on a bit of a breezy day.

After a 'heads up' from Seagull, I joined Eric Innes to paddle along the North Wales Coast. Eric is paddling around the UK coastline to raise money for the 'Help for Heroes' charity - send your donkey sanctuary money to somewhere worthwhile instead, give it to Help for Heroes - see 'Links' (lower right)
Go on send a few quid...

Well, the weather window was more the size of a letter box really (nice one met. boys!) and the conditions were bordering on ridiculous at times but we went anyway - the time now stands at 10:24:54 (22nd Aug 2009) for the 119km - 20 mins off the previous time. The new Rockpool Prototype really earned it's spurs on it's 3rd time out, handling the conditions very nicely. Thanks to Jason, Mike and Pascale for their support and the boys in the Rockpool Factory for getting the boat on the water in time - a real team effort.
With good weather who knows...

More Swellies stuff. A 10.0m tide with a stiff westerly behind it and it was hard not to succumb to temptation. Dinner in next door's dog again I suppose...

A couple of weeks on Skye started with us dodging the weather (and midges) for some good days on the water and even better days on the hills.

A 2nd week on Skye working with the folks from ESUAS. A friendly & motivated bunch with good culinary skills! Always a pleasure...

The tide wasn't the largest but the sun was out, so I met up with Pete and Tom for a bit of a laugh in the Swellies. Good wave, good company.

It was too nice a night to go training so we decided to have a bit of a laugh down at Borth Wen...

Not sure of what trip to do today, but AIS came up trumps again (http://www.shipais.com/currentmap.php)
So it was off, with a 3 mile ferry glide, to take a look at this beast (the Thornbury - 56115gt) lurking a few miles off Point Lynas.

A combination of low light and hi-speed settings made for grainy photos but it was an interesting exercise in combining moving water photography with falling darkness all the same. And it was a good surf to boot! Pete seem to be enjoying throwing the slammer around.

A look at the latest Rockpool design - the G.T. The sort of boat that puts a smile on your face.

For a while now Steve had been chomping at the bit to test his mettle in the treacherous Bardsey Sound. Unfortunately I was more inclined to wait for a dead calm day and sneak across on neaps! - it looks like the fishheads had the same idea too.

Well I thought I would spend this morning in the office catching up on some work - NOT! It was a 10.0m tide, the wave was running and so another outing for the old slammer, yeehaa!

The early morning traffic was crawling across the bridge as usual; queue for ever suckers!
Life's a beach.

John was over in North Wales and fancied a New Year sea trip. The calm spell ended as we took a breezy trip around the Stacks.

Colin was keen to get out for a play in the Swellies again, it was only a steady tide but good for a nice little surf all the same - a pleasant way to finish the year off.

A few simple pics from Rhoscolyn. The calm Boxing Day weather was enough to tempt me to dust the Inuk off for a gentle bimble around the cliffs.

I fancied a little fresh air, Mike wanted a few photos and there was a bit of surf creeping tentatively into T'Bay - not a bad combination. Though it was a poor light Mike managed some pics before heading back to work; meanwhile I popped over to see the nice lady at A & E...
Paddling a Rockpool Isel - a bit of a girls boat apparently. Thanks to Mike for the pics.
Photos © Mike Webb

After a few false starts the weather finally gave us enough of a break to get Seaward & friends across to the Beacon.

Always a fitting end to the season and a good opportunity for a few pics. Pascale was there to record the thrills, spills and a bit of WWR gurning!
© Pascale E

Well, with the sniff of end of season points in the air, along with a good water level it was no surprise that the Dee start list had a few big names plastered across it. Once again the river demonstrated it had little respect for reputation, even the World Champions had a few thrills and spills! From my point of view it had been something like two decades since I last took a wendy boat over Town Falls so I had to admit I was a little nervous without my straps! All pics © Pascale E

The autumn Washburn race made for good racing with the new changes to the river and some cracking good weather. Photos © Pascale

It was time to venture a little further afield; the weather was just what we needed to get James and Tom out for their first visit to the Beacon. It seemed to be rather like a fashion show on the dry-suit front too...
James you're famous again!

Nick drove up to Anglesey to collect his new Rockpool boat and was itching to get it on the water. Nick doesn't seem to be the sort who does things by half, so it was straight from the factory out onto a chunky Penryn Mawr.

After an exciting couple of days falling out of dinghies at Plas Menai, we decided it was high time that JDA visited the seals at Puffin. Is that Lucy?

The AIS map showed this big ol' beast lurking off the east coast of Anglesey; so a quick paddle out for a nosey around, a quick lesson in the Norwegian language and a few pics.

Martin had not paddled Rhoscolyn before and was itching to paddle his new boat; seemed like a good excuse for a day out to me.

Time for the Rockpool boys to take time out from boat building for a bit of a paddle.

After the Snowdon Mountain Race the Weak Girl/Fatboy household was feeling a little fragile, a gentle bimble around the Stacks made for a pleasant afternoon on the water.

The sunny afternoon seemed a good excuse for Pascale to take her new Rockpool Isel out for a bimble around Llanddwyn. Of course the sun hid behind the clouds as soon as we arrived.

Pascale was lucky enough to be the first to get her backside into the latest model from the Rockpool stable. Aimed at the smaller paddler, the new lower deck gives a nice snug fit and precise control. This vacumn formed epoxy boat is lightweight, rigid and tough - just what Weak Girl needs when she cuts it a little too close to the old barnacles... All photos courtesy Mike Webb.

Following the lousy weather of the Conwy Ascent and a front room tour of our favourite distilleries; Jason and myself hopped on the Sunday morning Swelly Wave to top the weekend off.

After the Awe race we hopped on the ferry for our annual pilgrimage to the land of midges. Fantastic weather made for some excellent paddling and running.

After many years of waiting, we finally got the weather to sneak into Fingal's Cave.

Alan T ran a smooth operation at this years Awe Race - once again a good turn out from the Diggers and Double Diggers... All pics © Pascale

It's not often that I sit out and just watch a bit of canoeing, but after what Jason did to me last time I decided it would be the safer option. It was a real hoot to watch - thrills, spills and much laughter! Go on "Hit 'im!!" (Large collection)

Peter Pan finally made the big 40! We used it as a good excuse for a little indulgence and a trip around the (in)famous Newark Loop. Last time I paddled there Grant had only just started school...

The spring Washburn race saw a strong C1 turn-out with some close racing and a few thrills & spills - all good stuff.

The 2007 season had its ups and downs, but at the end things didn't turn out too bad...

I was a little reticent to forego the perfect paddling weather but Pascale fancied a quick run over the Moelwyns. Excellent choice! Perfect running weather and the best views in Snowdonia (even with a little haze) combined to make for an outstanding day out.

The near-perfect weather presented the opportunity for a long-overdue trip in the Inuk - all rounded off with an impressive sunset over Caernarfon Bar.

The second WWR K1 race boat from the Rockpool stable is now on the water. Testing is going very well and the boat should be in production soon. A few photos to whet your appetite...

A look at some of my racing over the years. It's a rather large collection, but then it did take a long time...

Thanks to Tom Carter and Peter Schofield for the use of their excellent photos.

Came across this impressive beast 5 miles out from Moelfre, the Hildegaard. Here are a few pics for you ship spotters out there...

After a hard day on the hills yesterday, we decided to just take a relaxed bimble around Puffin Island this morning.

Every job has it's perks...

Undaunted by our recent Skerries trip, Steve returned for something a little more 'arduous'. We attempted to conquer Holy Island but were eventually thwarted by the worsening weather.

Yesterday I took Pete and Steve across to the Skerries. The boys handled the 'lumpy' conditions admirably!

A solo crossing of the Irish Sea. What some people will do to shave £24 off the cost of a pleasant trip to Dun Laoghaire...

57.4 nm -- 13 hrs 45 mins -- 4.1 kt average

Helicopter vid footage here:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Dk5kPAhtCXI

Pictures from the excellent Academy/Coaching Development week at Bala, run by Jes Oughton and Mark Williams . Some excellent displays of paddling from our future stars. It was also a good opportunity to test the new Rockpool Racing kayak in the hands of top paddlers (from the past, present and future).

I took part in the 2007 Challenge, an amazing, week long, team event comprising: Fell Running, Sea kayaking, Mountain Biking and Open Water Swimming. No paddling pics though, I was too busy...

Just a simple paddle down to Abermenai point to watch the mountains as the sun went down. Then fast cruise back the following morning for a quick surf on Swelly Rock - chilled.

The maiden voyage of the new Rockpool Racing WWR K1. We are still looking for a name, any suggestions gratefully received...

Good friends, good paddling and a good laugh - not a bad way to celebrate reaching the old 40, with a Swelly Surf, Conwy Ascent, the Big Meal and a sunny Rhoscolyn trip. It was also time to say 'Bye 'Bye to Gary - the RAF Champs should run smoother now!

A rare sighting of the lesser spotted Rockpool Webb off the Rhoscolyn coastline, making light work of the chunky conditions. (The boys in the factory should have an easy day tommorrow as he sits in the corner recovering)

Photos from the 2007 Great Strait Raft Run. An impressive range of rafting expertise and ingenuity made it's way through the Swellies with plenty of smiling faces, despite the lousy weather.

A busy week on Mull with trips around Kerrera, Ulva, Iona and Staffa; along with runs of Ben Mor, Dun da Ghaoithe ridge and Treshnish Point - then back to work for a rest! Sadly it was all too much for my trusty camera which finally succumbed to all the abuse.

Today we paddled over to the Skerries, starting and finishing in sunshine but spending most of the transit enveloped in a chilly fog. Nice to try out the Alaw & Alaw Bach.

A bit sleepy after a nightshift, but couldn't resist the early morning sunshine for a leisurely paddle around Rhoscolyn.

A nice bit of winter sunshine tempted me over to the Skerries for a peaceful afternoon paddle.

An overnight frost suggested a calm and sunny trip around Puffin was in the offing. A collection of views of the Penmon light.

Recent strong winds made for a bit of a lumpy trip out from Cymyran to Rhoscolyn Beacon. I didn't get the photos I was hoping for, but then 35kt winds, a kayak and a hand-held camera - probably not the best combination. (Photos taken 'out back', beyond the break...)

This autumn I made a successful attempt on the Anglesey Circumnavigation record, the time now stands at 10:45:40 - if you feel up to it... Many thanks to Mike Webb (of Rockpool Kayaks) and Aled Williams for the timekeeping and to Pascale for her support. Photos courtesy of Mike Webb.
Fastest kit around Anglesey: Boat - Nelo Inuk -- Blades - Legend WW wings -- Spraydeck - Phoenix -- Cag - Tomas Zastera -- B.A. - Peak -- Arms - JW

A wide ranging and eclectic collection telling the tale of North Wales paddling.

As requested by Graeme B, a second look at NWSK Stacks trip from Oct 2005 - led by the illustrious Jim K I believe, on a warm and sunny day.

Whilst paddling nr Port Quin, Wadebridge (Cornwall) we came across this sunfish basking near the cliffs. Excuse the standard of photography, I was in my Inuk...

A gentle evening paddle around Rhoscolyn.

I tagged along on the NWSK Stack's trip. An easy going, pleasant trip, though the weather was more November than August. It has to be said that Zoe's rapport with the weather gods is not quite up to Jim's standards! A gloomy day for photography...  

Unusual wildlife, impressive scenery or just want to share memories with the world - stick your pics here!
To add photos of your own, attach them (in JPG format preferably) to an e-mail and send them, with the story and name of the owner, to: paddleanglesey@yahoo.co.uk
I will then add them to the gallery.
Let the world see your view of sea kayaking...

It had been a bit of rollercoaster ride but I finally made it to the 2006 Worlds in the Czech Republic. A bronze medal in the Masters race made up for a lot of hard work. Thanks to Dee Paterson for her photos & to Pascale for all her help.
Kit: Boat - Bala by Tomas Zastera -- Blades - Double Dutch -- Spraydecks - Phoenix -- Cags - Tomas Zastera -- B.A. - Peak

After a few years away I was back in a race boat, another comeback! Had to buy a new spraydeck though as the old one had obviously shrunk in the wash. Photos past & present.

Many thanks to Peter Schofield for allowing me to use his excellent photos.

Aled suggested I join him and Guto for a bimble over to Penrhyn Mawr with a handful of Alaw Bachs. The sun was out, so why not...

The Awe race gave us the excuse we needed to spend a few days wandering around the Oban area -- nice paddling, nice scenery, friendly locals!

We headed down to Cardigan for Geoff's birthday do, I won't tell his age as he wouldn't want everyone to know he's fifty now. We had a sunny but choppy trip up to Aberporth on Saturday followed by a party and then a paddle down the Teifi with the boys on Sunday morn. Good paddling and good company, a cracking weekend.

Off topic a little I know but...

After the 'Tully races we stayed in Scotland for a couple of days in the hills - fantastic weather!

Caves & cliffs, hidden bays, the solitude of Bardsey, and the power of the Sound all make the Lleyn Peninsula a special place...

Photos of boats from the Rockpool stable (Alaw, Alaw Bach and the Menai 18 prototype) being put through their paces. Here you can see what we got up to. Take a look at 'A Day in the Office' too.

Surfing Scotch mist...

An enjoyable few days up in the North East, taking in the excellent rock-hopping of St Abbs Head, an interesting day pottering around the Farne Islands and a wonderful night-time paddle around Coquet Island with a dolphin! Thanks to John Rae for his invaluable guide - see the Links.

A trip out to Bass Rock, an amazing spectacle of countless Gannets...

More fantastic shots from the Falklands, this time courtesy of Jason Morley

A collection showing Daz's first sea trip - a quick hop across to Puffin. He obviously knows how to draw in the wildlife! Mixed in are a few of the sunny day Jason joined us around Rhoscolyn.

A wide ranging and random collection from around Anglesey.

For most people one of the attractions of sea kayaking is the ability to view wildlife in it's natural habit, from close-up...

A return trip to West Wales: an amazing place for sea paddling, fantastic wildlife, challenging tidal planning, spectacular hidden coastlines and an easy going pace of life. Bliss!

These photos were taken in early 2004 in the Falkland Islands. Real 'seat of the pants' sea paddling!

Puffin Island - a local favourite, a staple paddle that can provide so much variety right on the doorstep.

The most popular collection, you've probably not seen anything like this before -- An 'ordinary' trip around Puffin Island took an unusual turn when 'Lucy' decided to come for a ride.