Humber Fort - Bull Sand Fort

I've been wanting to have a look at this fortress in the Humber for a while - Bull Sand Fort, this is the one way out in the Humber and marks the southern point of the main shipping lanes. Bull Sand Fort is 1.5 miles from shore off Spurn Head. It is a 4-storey concrete building with 12-inch (300 mm) of armour on the seaward side, and originally armed with four 6-inch guns. Today was suitable for a blast down the river to visit this monument. 47 kilometres covered and I'm feeling it..

Leon's Birthday Paddle Trip

Our Leon has never been to Whitby, so on his birthday we arranged to pick him up from home and with Dave to assist we thought we would take him to this amazing town. But on a sunny Sunday it is always going to be busy so there is only one real way to visit Whitby - by boat, or more specifically, by kayak, no traffic problems for us.

We drove down to Boggle Hole, near Robin Hoods Bay and made the journey along the coast to Whitby. Fiona and her friend Claire had decided on a gentle paddle around the bay as time was tight for them.








And into Whitby we went.





After a spot of lunch and a visit to Whitby Angling Supplies we set off to find a few fish..





Before then carrying on to Sandsend..



What a cracking day and Leon's smile says it all, that will be fish for tea then.

Andy is Introduced to Sea Kayaking

Our friend and 1stWet & Wild Team Member Andy took the decision to further his paddling experiences recently. So on a hot Sunday we delivered a brand new Delphin 155 to Runswick Bay for him. A little time was spent assisting him the fundamental skills of sea kayaking and then after a short journey around Kettleness we had him trying all kinds of rescue and self rescue techniques, I do believe our Andy will make a great sea paddler, he seems to pick up new skills very fast and has no fear of being in the water.














Looking forward to getting out with Andy soon and furthering skills with him, you cannot beat working with someone who is keen, enthusiastic and enjoys fooling in water..

Anthony goes Sea Kayaking

With an amazing forecast and neap tides I made the journey up to North Landing, Flamborough with my son Anthony (8) and Leon who was a student of mine and now friend.

It was a beautiful day and we explored the caves and features of this area, I'll let the photos do the talking...




















So very proud of my little boy, he was so brave going into all those caves and he enjoyed surfing the small waves. A salty sea dog one day he may be..

A Sad Day on the Humber

On a sunny Saturday morning in mid June I met up with some sea kayakers from Sheffield. I had not paddled with these guys before and the plan was to circumnavigate Reeds Island. Neil who I had spoke to on the phone was interested in demo-ing the Taran.

We met next to the Country Park, Hessle and proceeded to sort equipment. Launching at 9.30 am gave us a leisurely two hours to get to the top of Reeds Island and if we had time to spare we could even have a quick stop at the South Ferriby Pub, always a bonus.

We headed onto the water and took a ferry glide across the river pointing up into the incoming flood, facing under the bridge. As we headed out, the water become lumpy and small breaking waves were forming due to the effect of wind against tide, I was happy with the group though, we had discussed experiences prior to launching and knew we were all more than competent in this environment.

We had hardly got a short way across when right in front of us a large dark figure fell from the Bridge dropping 100 ft into the water with a huge splash - it took a split second to realise what had just happened. I called Humber Coastguard straight away on the VHF and reported someone falling from the bridge. We were closer to the shore than to the casualty and so I took the decision to turn around hastily and summon a small motorised inflatable rib that was just launching. Within seconds of informing the rib of what had just happened he was on the scene, closely followed by the Humber Rescue boat and the police helicopter - no one was found.




After much time of giving statements to the police and coastguard we made the group decision to go for a little paddle, we were informed a bicycle had been left on the bridge. I think we all agreed, as sea paddles, being out on the water was probably the best place for us to be.  We could be together, yet if necessary, alone with our thoughts and feelings. We had missed the tide to circumnavigate Reeds Island so agreed on a short paddle along the north bank to Brough Haven and back.







A sad and humbling day, its taken me couple of weeks to write this blog post, the poor chap was eventually recovered a week or so later, further down the river.

I have always known that one day, while paddling these busy, industrial and urban waterways I may come across a body in the water and had given it thought of what I would do and how I would deal with it. What I hadn't prepared myself for was to see someone take their own life in front of me. It does change your own outlook and I hope I don't witness this kind of thing again. I will carry on paddling the Humber, and hopefully soon, its a complex, dark and foreboding river but its my home water.

Of course our heartfelt feelings go out to this poor persons family and friends, such a tragedy, rest in peace poor soul..

Llangollen Viaduct

On our way back through Wales we had a quick stop so that Fi could paddle this amazing feature.

Disability Day 2013

I was asked to assist with the Disability Day again this year, it really is such a fun and rewarding day. Martin sums it up nicely. Well that's it for another year. The expected storm stayed away until Sunday and the sun shone and the wind blew. A great turnout saw the lake a hive of activity. Big thanks to all the Clywedog sailing crew who volunteered and of course all the kayaking volunteers , Lads and Ladies , who travelled from all over the uk to give up their time at their own expense.

Runswick Summer Kayak Angling Festival

Ten months in the planning and it has to be said, the event was a complete success. With many workshops such as VHF radio, navigation & tidal planning and the new BCU Kayak Angling Safety Module, this was always going to be a busy couple of days.

The main event is always going to be the big kayak angling match..



For both Saturday and Sunday I was delighted to assist Kim Bull deliver the new Kayak Angling Safety Module.







Excellent photos by Glenn Kilpatrick

Sea Kayak Expedition Gathering

A wonderful weekend recently on the East coast of Yorkshire, based around the East Barnby Outdoor Centre. Sea kayakers came together to learn a little more about expedition and associated skills.

I was honoured to be asked to run a couple of small workshops on how to catch fish on expedition.










A really nice chilled out weekend with lots of lovely people.

Leon's First Tripon the Humber

Leon, a very keen and enthusiastic chap, came to the club a few months ago with one wish, to paddle the River Humber. With his brilliant attitude and a bit of training I now felt he was capable of the trip. I was chuffed to bits to be the one to guide him across then around Reeds Island, then finally back to the bridge using the tides. We even had to stop and have a pint at the the South Ferriby pub just to wait for the optimum moment to carry on our journey.