Yorkshire Coast Paddle 2010 - in Aid of the RNLI

On the morning of Friday the 27th of August Dave and myself set out from Skiningrove on the 90km paddle down the coast to South Landing Flamborough. The following three days paddling were some of the most demanding the team had done. It was the first time for both Dave and myself to use the kayaks for expedition. the whole idea of packing a sea boat for three days paddling did have its headaches for the inexperienced like us.







The forecast was always going to be rather borderline and we launched apprehensively from Skiningrove into breaking waves.



Heading down towards Staithes the large northerly swell was very much evident. We met up with the rest of the group coming out of Staithes. Nicky, Angela, John and Martin. As a group we made our way towards Whitby.







Into the harbour for lunch, poor Nicky, more at home in open boats, wasn't very comfortable on the swells and called it a day. Really good effort though.

Martin and Dave publicised our quest.



Then out through the harbour and on our way to Robin Hoods Bay were we made camp for the night.







Day 2 started with a nice cooked breakfast before we packed up & headed off at 09:00 leaving the sleepy hollow in pristine condition, the swell had subsided a lot overnight and we had a little play in the surf over the steel before we headed south again

The wind was a fresh westerly and despite the fact we were paddling against the tide we made good progress, we still had the problem of getting ashore so we just got a nice rhythm going and by lunchtime we were into Jacksons Bay.



Back on the water and the weather was getting worse now with squally showers and a fresh westerly pushing us on, which makes keeping a straight course a bit difficult.Fortunately we picked up the strengthening flood tide off Casty & were soon riding the jetstream down to the Brigg. We were still a bit unsure were we could spend the night, so we visited Barry at the cobble landing were he kindly bought us coffee & supplied replenishments to our beer cabinet.



We also took the opportunity to have a look at the weather forcast, it was pretty obvious that sunday was going to be a nasty day to be afloat. We reasoned that we would either have to end it here or get as near to Bempton as possible and then get an early start to get around the head before the worst weather arrived. -Plan B it is then.

The wind was already fresh & another hour got us to the beach between Rieghton Sands & Speeton, we found a nice quiet little spot & set up camp. A little more than 40km today, so a few aches, but not too bad really. Off the water and camp sorted.





Tents erected on the cliffs...





And what a view out of the tent door...



And a chill out with a beer, good food and a great bonfire.







Sunday morning and with a gale force 9 imminent it was necessary to get on the water for 5.30am and shoot down towards Flamborough Head. This last section was the most challenging yet, evil gusting winds, choppy unpredicatable swells and then a force 7 in our faces as we rounded the head, it was never going to be easy.









Finally at 9am Sunday we reached our destination, South Landing, Flamborough. Exhausted and tired we simply fell out of the boats and dragged them up the slip. The RNLI gave us a warm welcome and hot coffee.





An amazing if rather challenging few days, expeditioning really does get under your skin and I think we are all keen to get out there and do something again soon.

Importantly we collectively have raised over a £1000 for the RNLI, a brilliant achievement.



90Kms covered, two days on......and I'm missing being out on the kayak.
Thanks for reading.