Filey Kayak Match and Three Days of Paddling

Couldn't get to Filey until 8.30am of the morning of the match so missed out on a good night apparently on friday. Tent pitched, boat sorted, changed and down the slip just in time for the start. Got to the Brigg End and hung about a little and took a few snaps. The Mad Moleman was the first around the corner closely followed by Jellyworm, Damo and co.







I didn't see this one coming



Our Tarpon Ben, as mad as a box of frogs but we do love him







The fishing was kind to me and I managed to winkle out a couple of pollock to 5lb 3oz. Then with it getting a bit lumpy paddled back in with Kev who had been chatting up a seal all afternoon and this old girl followed him all the way back in with her nose on his stern, almost all the way back to the beach.



Saturday night was fun, a quick run down to the shop and we had everyone fed with a nice big BBQ. But having only had a couple of hours sleep the previous night I dosed myself up on a small vodca tipple and headed to my pit.

Sunday saw Lozz, Spawney and myself head off around the Brigg for a nice paddle and a little rock hopping.









We all had a little play on the end of the Brigg as the tide race had started to develop quite nicely, Lozz started to find out the diss-advantages of a SOT compared to a sea kayak complete with spray deck.



Spawney was starting to get just a little bored...



And so decided to practice his roll within the race on Brigg End



Back into the bay and a bit off messing about and rescue training , then back to the beach were we again met up with Ben who was waving around a huge cod and attracting the hoards of tourists.



Really well done Ben, his smile says it all and a new PB for him, 9lb exactly. He didn't even frown slightly when we told him it would have been worth £300 the day before



Monday and yet another launch was decided upon,this time both myself and Dave decided to target the bass, a poor but enjoyable day with just a few fish

An Evening On the River Hull with Friends

Arrived on the river early so young Anthony and myself had a paddle downstream to the Beverley Beck lock gates,sunken boats litter the river.





Back up the river and as we waited for the guys to launch Anthony enjoyed a little picnic on the bank.



Dave and his lovely daughter turn up.



It was then a nice relaxed paddle up the river, a nice warm still evening. A few miles up and we stopped for a break.





Think my son has just experienced his first crush.



A selection of boats.



A lovely evening and hoping to do it again soon.

Pike Fishing on the Canoe

My dear son Anthony was keen to get out on the open boat this weekend. With the weather being a little inhospitable we stayed close to home and put the boat in at Brigham near Driffield today. The wind was howling and we had to dodge several heavy rain showers but still great fun. Pike gear was taken more as an after thought but made for an interesting day.

The proud boat owner with his launch



Up the river towards Wansford





To the lock and the first place we actually found a reasonable depth of water to fish.



Fish on, a nice pike of about 7lb, the lad wasn't impressed with the tail walking next to the boat as he got quite wet. Fumbling for the net the fish spat the hook and was away, oh well.

More effort was required so we knuckled down casting a floating Spro BBZ lure anywere there seemed to be enough water away from the weed.





Even Dad started putting a little effort in - the beauty of a Canadaian Canoe is that they make a great fishing platform, nice and easy to stand up and cast from.



One missed take later and we finally get another good hook up with a small fish of about 5lb landed.  The lad was very pleased but no way was he going to hold it.



The day seemed to brighten up just a little which made the slog back down to Brigham quite pleasant.

Have a go at kayaking

Kingston Kayak Club have teamed up with Hull City Council Sports Development as part of their Sports Unlimited Programme this year to offer youngsters the chance to try kayaking. I was asked if I would like to assist with the coaching on this ten week course.

Most of the sessions have been conducted at the outdoor pool on the club premises but to give the kids a different environment to contend with we took them to Princess Quay yesterday evening. Great fun and with a full turn out everybody enjoyed the session.

Raft Building Fun

Today I was privalaged to take control of a Raft Building Day with young pupils from Westborough High School in Dewsbury.The day again took place on the watersports lake at Kelsey Gardens.

It started with an introduction to rafts and raft building and then a safety briefing before the students went off to design a raft given the available materials that they had available to them.

With a little guided discovery they were soon on the path to producing a reasonable floating platform.







After another quick lesson on knot tieing the boys and girls were down to the waters edge and given the opportunity to construct their own rafts. But someone had tied all the barrels out in the middle of the lake, oh how inconvenient, only thing to do is go and retrieve them in the open boats - after a little tuition on how to hold a paddle.





Down to the construction of rafts...



The girls were soon making very good progress









And the boys were doing a very good job too





Both teams were well impressed with their boats





After lunch it was time to launch the craft and the rest of the day was spent having fun on the water.















A wonderful day enjoyed by all.