Sea kayak trip 8th May

Low water 13:15, conditions clear and bright, wind strong, sea state slight to moderate.

The first sea paddle of the year was organised by Ralph Childs, with paddlers John Jardine and Wayne Gibbens. Originally a weekend away but changed to one day.

The plan was to put in at Tresilian bay near Llantwit-Major in the Vale of Glamorgan (between Barry and Porthcawl) and paddle along the coast, pass the castle of St Donats, to a buoy off Nash Point. Then paddle along the exposed sand bar, out to another buoy and back.

We met at Ralph's, loaded kayaks and off we went. The day was sunny with the strong wind forecast to change from the Southwest to Northwest. We arrived at a stony beach, changed and carried our canoes down to the sea along the exposed sand. Even in the short time that took there was about another 10 metres of pebbles and sand exposed by the out going tide. Tides in the Bristol Channel have the second highest rise and fall in the world.

Ralph was using the Club Sirocco, John used a Lettman from Outdoor Active and I was paddling my Skerry. We paddled into a head wind on the outgoing tide for about an hour, for our first stop 'elevenses' at St Donats. We decided not to go out to the buoy and along the sandbanks, as conditions were fairly 'choppy'. So we paddled past Nash point and along the coast for another hour for lunch. The wind was fairly strong and chilly so we left the kayaks on the rocky beach and sat up in the cliffs in sheltered warm sun and had lunch. We could see the exposed sandbanks surrounded with 'white horses'. While we were there the sea flattened around some of the exposed banks as it was low water and the tide was about to change.

On the way back a couple of us decided to venture nearer the buoy, to experience the sea as it was quite 'chaotic', as the wind and tide was causing a little surf, much to the delight of Ralph! Then back to Llantwit-Major Tresilian Bay for the long haul up the beach and back to the cars. It took about 2 hours to go up the coast into the head wind but only took 40 mins to get back!

A good day out and thanks to Ralph for organising it!

Wayne Gibbens