The Esk with Jacqui

 

Really nice to catch up with dear friend Jacqui, it has been too long. We headed to Whitby bright and early, arriving at 8am so we could progress up the river on the 10am HW tide. I've paddled this many times over the years but have never ventured further than the tidal, today we paddled all the way up from the harbour, to Ruswarp, portaging the weir, and then onto Sleights. About 13kms covered.. Jacqui is a very strong and technical paddler, she made advancing back up under the town bridge, against wind and tide, look so easy.. Quite novel paddling from harbour to the furthest possible on this little spate river and then back down to the sands by the shore..

Dolphins in Bridlington Bay

 

What was supposed to be just a simple paddle turned quite eventful. South Landing, to the Head and then back down into Bridlington for coffee and bacon butties. Amazing views of the pod of dolphins in Brid bay, 8 in total, they put on a wonderful display, some jumping clean out of the water.... Then down to see the kites at Sewerby. Finally landing in Bridlington to be interviewed by Look North regarding the discharge of sewage in our rivers and seas. Thankfully the journey back up to the Landing was less eventful.

Paddle Home from Work, Beverley to Dunswell

 

A lovely evening to paddle home from work. And unbelievably I found my water bottle that I lost a year ago 20 kms further up the river... The water in it was still clear, a good scrub and it will be as right as rain...

A Huge SUP Journey on the Humber

 

The circumnavigation of Whitton Island - Humber. We've done this journey several times in the sea kayaks but never on the SUP's. Todays settled conditions and tide timings meant we could give it a go. Launching from North Ferriby it was just over 28 kilometres in distance but with plenty of tide assist both ways we managed it all in just under 7 hours.

18kms on the Sups

 

Wilfholme Landing to Brigham and back yesterday, a distance of about 18kms. Cold and misty to begin with but it soon warmed up.

A Rather Random Day in the Sea Boats

 

An overnighter in the van with Fi and the cat at Filey last night, it really was so cool and Phoebe Cat did amazing. Then a quick little fool about in Filey Bay this morning followed by coffee and bacon sarnies at Country Park, quite a bit of surf on but launching on my own I did not venture far. Then home to dump the feline, swap boats and get in a quick 10km up the river. So nice to be able to wear shortie cag and neoprene again…

Keeping the Fitness Up

 

Back at it. Light enough for an after work evening paddle. A personal beasting up the river against flow but with a little wind assist. Beverley boatyard to Wilfholme. A not too shabby 9 kms in less that two hours.

Canoes on the River on a Very Cold Day

 

A couple of hours in the open boats. It was a bit nippy but once on the move we kept warm. Wilfholme Landing to Hempholme Lock & return, a nice easy 8kms.

Solo Run Up the River on SUP

 

A solo run up the river on the paddleboard today in cold but benign conditions. Wilfholme to Brigham and back, a distance of about 17kms.

Brigham on a Cold Day

 

It took lots of effort and motivation to get ready this morning but as usual, come post paddle, there was no regrets. It was cold and windy so we headed to one of our favourite haunts, nothing taxing, nothing too adventurous but just the best therapy as always.

Wansford to West Beck and Back

 

A journey in the canoes today. Our aim was to stay warm, enjoy the sunshine and possible fish for a pike. We achieved one and two, rest assured the pike where safe today, just one follow of my big pike fly. We put in at the Trout Inn Wansford, down passed Snakeholm lock, Brigham and on down the main river to the confluence with West Beck. The return journey against flow and wind took a little more effort.

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.