Ice Warrior Swimmer Support

 

Really honoured to be a small part of the team from Kingston Kayak Club offering safety cover and support for the International Ice Swimming Association swim at Welton Waters today. These swimmers get all of our respect, some doing 1000 metres in water that was frozen in parts first thing, at best today it was 2 degrees C.. These guys do not wear wetsuits.. Ultimately really, really good catching up with dear friends at KKC.

A November Mooch Up the River

 

A simple mooch up the river in the sunshine this afternoon. No rods today, the river was just too coloured for lures or flies..

Runswick, Staithes, Boulby Cliffs and on to Skinningrove

 

We started to plan a little journey on Saturday evening for the Sunday but it was evident that fog could scupper our plans. Sure enough as we looked out the window at 6.30am it was a bit pea soup. Feeling despondent I thought I'd just check the Whitby web cam. Low and behold it was lovely and clear so we jumped in the van to check out the coast. Runswick, Staithes, Boulby Cliffs and on to Skinningrove. We where just a stones throw away from our destination when the mist started flowing down Skinningrove ravine. A quick retreat back to Staithes for lunch and then back to Runswick for a hot chocolate in The Royal. A perfect little paddle with 20 kms covered.

Beverley to Wansford by Canoe

We were feeling the need to really stretch our legs and burn a few calories today. A strong southerly breeze suggested a one way trip, a bit of a faff setting up a shuttle but we left a vehicle at Wansford and eventually launched the canoes at my work, Beverley shipyard. We had all the weather but ultimately a following wind for the whole journey. Even time to fish on the way. Twenty plus kilometres and feeling good for completing this simple local adventure....

Needing Some Air

 Feeling the need to just get out and find some open space and fresh air I took myself up the river. Launching from Whilfholme I pushed up to Hempholme, a journey I have done so many, many times but I never get bored of this stretch. Needless to say it was a lot quicker getting back with both wind and flow assist. The rain came down but I really did not care.

This Is My Church

This is my church, this is where I heal my hurts... yes a little corny but stress, anxiety, dread and general sadness tends to dissapate somewhat when I'm on the water. The light was just beautiful, just the perfect therapy.

Beverley Shipyard to Sutton Road Bridge on the SUP

This was supposed to be just another simple paddle home from work - Beverley to Dunswell but given it was a beautiful evening and I was on a promise of tide assist back north imminently I carried on heading south. Music in my ears and a brisk cadence had me down to Sutton Road in no time. With the predicted tide now starting to flow north I had a nice easy journey back home to Dunswell.

Scarborough to Redcliffe in the Sea Boats

Thank you for the photos Fiona. The less said about this trip the better..

Wilfholme to Hempholme and Return

 With a breezy westerly wind forecast this is quite a reliable little journey.  Just me, my board and some tunes....

        

Paddle Home From Work on SUP

A journey I do occasionally, its only about 8kms but it really is a nice way to finish the working day..

 

Kalymnos, The Video

 

Our Final Paddle on Kalymnos

We attempted a launch on the south coast of Kalymnos this morning but we were soon beaten back by a head wind. We could have pushed on and the return journey would have been a nice down winder but to be honest we couldn't be arsed. This is our last journey on the island and we wanted a good one. Boards back on top of the car and away to the sheltered east coast. Launching from the beautiful Rina harbour we pushed much further north than last time, finding more beaches. Another 18kms covered. Boards now away, a lazy day tomorrow before our late flight home late evening.

The Northern Tip of Kalymnos

With a very doldrum forecast for both sea state and wind we decided to tackle the remotest part of the island. From Emborios right around to the most northerly tip - Akrotirio Tilos. After a few beaches there was no place to land and no walk out. To be honest due to the flat conditions and no wind it was quite an easy journey, both there and back. We had amazing views of Leros and for a brief moment was tempted to cross, a few strong gusts from the west soon put that thought to bed, though we needed not worry as the breezes subsided as quickly as they appeared. A simple journey in hot, benign conditions, 13 km covered.

Palionisos, Kalymnos

Thankfully again the winds have subsided here on Kalymnos which means we can get to paddle for the remainder of our trip. We'd identified a really featured coastline on the east coast below Palionisos a place we launched from last week, albeit we headed north that time. Today we got to paddle south, not a huge trip, 6km out and 6km back but it didn't disappoint. Caves, isolated beaches only accessible by boat and goat and Chrystal clear waters.