This weekend James is working at the Anglesey Sea Symposium. This is a big event that attracts about 150 kayakers that attend a whole range of workshops, classes and lectures. The event is always a good laugh with a good social and a chance to meet up with friends from the paddling world.
Pete is out with a big group on Saturday who are doing a discover sea kayaking day.
At the weekend we were out with Deborah and friends on a days discover sea kayaking. The group launched form Moelfre on the East coast of Anglesey and had a beautiful paddle down the coast to Benllech. The group hadn’t done much in sea boats but were really quick to pick up skills like edging.
On return to Moelfre the group braved the water and all decided to have a mess about in their kayaks trying to balance standing up. For most people this resulted in a bit of a dip in the water.
Last Thursday until Sunday 12 students from King Edwards School, Birmingham completed there Gold training expedition.
Myself and one of our coaches Phil were out at the weekend with Lynn, Kitch, Paul and Anne on a two day private sea kayaking course. After a chat on saturday morning to discuss the groups needs and goals Phil set of for the stacks to introduce the group to a bit of tidal flow and moving water. Fantastic sunny day with glassy conditions made for an enjoyable paddle round one of Angleseys most impressive and sections of coastlines.
Sunday and we took the group to Cemlyn to practice there moving water skills on the friendly race at Harry Furloughs rocks before dropping down to Carmel Head where we encountered a small pod of dolphin. A bit of wind over tide on the way back made for a nice bouncy paddle back to Cemlyn.
In March we ran a white water weekend for a group of students from King Edwards school in Birmingham. Slightly low water levels didn’t stop the group from having a great weekend running sections of the Llugwy including a drop off Cobdens falls. Here is a video that Tom Boss, one of the pupils, put together of the weekend.
I have been up in the Lakedistrict this weekend with King Edwards school from birmingham running a Sixth form adventure trip. Saturday morning started with a gorge walk in Church gorge near Coniston. This was a new gorge walk for me and proved to be really good, loads of great jumps, climbs and excellent traverses. The group then packed their rucksacks and we headed out for an overnight bivvy in a cave on the side of the Old Man of Coniston. Awesome venue for a bivvy, huge cave and really atmospheric. The next morning everyone was up early and when the group got out into the light they were greeted with an amazing temperature inversion where the surounding peaks looked as if they were floating on the cloud. 
The group then ticked of the summit of the Old Man of Conistan before heading back down to the bus and back to Birmingham.
We have had a fantactsic few weeks up here with the weather really warming and beautifull conditions out on the sea. We have been busy with a few early discover sea kayaking courses and several private courses for individuals and groups.
Last week we had a cracking trip around the Great Orme from conwy harbour. This is a trip I don’t do very often as I get drawn towards the coastline of Anglesey but the paddle the other day reminded me what an amazing section of coastline it is. A real contrast as you come round from the huge sea cliffs on the orme where you get a feeling of remoteness and wild then into Llandudno, a bustling town.
Lots going on this season, all of our dates for courses expeditions and trips are on the website.
Out on the water on Sunday with Russ and Martin on a private sea kayaking course. We headed out to Rhoscolyn beacon for a play in the tide. The guys worked on their breaking in and out and controlling their boats within the flow. A bit of wind and swell created perfect conditions to challenege the pair and meant there was a bit to surf in the race. After lunch we paddled down to Cwmryan where we hoped the swell might pick up a bit of surf. ALthough the surf was quite small it was really clean so the lads could really think about trim and positioning on the wave, a few capsizes also gave good rolling practice.
Me and Pete were out today with 12 students from king edwards school in Birmingham on a sea kayak taster day. The group had all done a bit in general purpose boats but never paddled sea kayaks before so we took them through some basics before going on a trip up the Menai Straits. Although not the nicest of days the group were really keen and picked up new skills like edging really quickly. A wet finish with some rescues before we all ran in for a brew to warm up. The group will be back next year to start training for their D of E Gold sea kayak expedition.
Yesterday I was out on the water with Mark and Lewis from warrington. They had booked a private day out after getting hooked on sea kayaking on a trip to Vancouver Island. Both quickly got to grips with all the neccesary manouvring skills and we headed out to the white arch near Rhoscolyn Head. On route the group had fun rockhopping and checking out the local seals in some of the caves. A nice high pressure, again, provided settled, sunny conditions. I love this time of year for paddling as it is generally nice and quite on the ocean with only the odd fishing boat for company.