Sennen Cove to Newlyn

This paddle has been waiting to go on the blog for some time and the Kevins x 2 will now be pleased that I have at last uploaded it. It’s a good paddle for anyone with a sea kayak but not really suitable for a sit-on due to the distance of over 15 miles. We left Sennen Cove in thick fog but the sea was calm with little swell. The Longships lighthouse was not visible so we kept fairly close to the shore, there was just a little current around Lands End and the light wind was in our favour but the fog hung around. Moving towards Gwennap Head, we saw three other kayakers coming towards us through the gloom. It was a friend of mine Sam with two of her buddies paddling from Porthgwarra to Sennen.

Stopping for a quick tea break at Porthgwarra we went past Porthchapel beach and on to The Minack and Porthcurno beach and past Logan Rock. Fortunately by this time the mist had cleared and the sun started to burn through at St Loye. The next port of call was Tater Du lighthouse then Lamorna Cove for a short break before heading NE towards Mousehole then on to our landing spot at Newlyn.

As usual we saw much bird life and many seals who were happy to follow us for a mile at a time.

Wildlife Observed: Gannet, Fulmar, Razorbill (40+), Grey heron, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Kittiwake, Mediterranean gull (1), Rock pipit, Grey seal (20-30)

Look For: 
Sennen Lifeboat Station
Cowloe Rocks
Longships Reef and Lighthouse
Wolf Rock Lighthouse
Old Coastguard Lookout
60m Cliffs
The Wreck of the Mulheim
The Armed Knight Rock
Enys Dodnan Arch
Mill Bay / Nanjizel
Pendower Coves
Folly Cove
Porth Loe
Gwennap Head
The Runnel Stone
Porthgwarra Cove
Porthchapel Beach
St Loy Beach
Tater Du Lighthouse
Lamorna Cove
St Clements Isle
Mousehole
Penlee Lifeboat Station

Hazards:
Not a trip to do in large swell or strong wind
Tidal flow and reefs at Lands End
Many reefs and currents around points and headlands (get your tides right)
Strong tidal flow just off Porthgwarra Cove between Runnelstone and shore on full Ebb and flow.
Fog

Details:
Paddle No: 35
Date: 21/6/2015
Wind: Force 1-2 SW
Temperature: 16 degrees
Weather: Foggy turning to sun
Distance Covered: 15.3 miles
Duration: 5hrs
Access: Easy via Sennen Cove slipway
Sea state: Smooth
Kayaks: Nigel Dennis Romany x 2, P&H Quest

   Sennen Cove
   to Newlyn

Click map to enlarge

Marazion to Mousehole

Only the second sea paddle that we have managed this year because of the storms, but what a difference from the near apocalyptic gale on St Valentines day. Warm sun, calm sea and a feeling that spring is just around the corner.

An easy launch from Marazion beach then following the shoreline past Long Rock, Penzance and Newlyn, finally reaching our destination of Mousehole but dissapointed to see that the harbour was shut with it's storm gate still firmly in place. We met some other kayaker's at Newlyn beach that informed us of a male dolphin that became very amorous with one of the kayaks on their return from Moushole about half an hour before us.

Wildlife Observed: Great northern diver (3), Fulmar (3), Guillemot (lots), Razorbill (lots), Oystercatcher (lots), Curlew (8)

Look For:
St Michaels Mount
Long Rock
Penzance Harbour
Penzance Lido
Penzance Promenade
Newlyn Habour
Penlee Point
Mousehole
St Clement's Isle

Hazards:
Rock Reefs off Marazion Beach, Long Rock, St Clements Isle and St Michaels Mount
Large swells even on a small day on outside of St Clements Isle
Boat traffic at Newlyn and Mousehole harbours.

Details:
Paddle No: 23
Date: 9/3/2014
Wind: Force 1-3 South Easterly
Temperature: 11 degrees
Weather: Sunny and clear
Distance Covered: 11.4 miles
Duration: 4.5 hrs
Access: Easy launch and land from Marazion Beach
Sea state: Smooth to small swell
Kayaks: Nigel Dennis Romany, P&H Scorpio




 


    Marazion to
    Mousehole

Click map to enlarge

Newlyn to Penberth Cove

I have paddled from Newlyn to Lamorna Cove on many occasions, but this time we decided to go a bit further to Penberth Cove, this was to be a great decision as the Lamorna to Penberth bit is a wonderful stretch of coastline with some amazing rock and cliff formations. We were lucky to have done our trip at low tide which is fast becoming my favorite condition for coastal exploration.

Little in the way of wind and waves and just a small amount of swell. The sheer beauty of the coast, particularly further west makes up for any loss of excitement that rougher sea conditions can give.

PS. Thanks to Kevin and Sian for the Après-paddle birthday cake and coffee in a lovely little cafe above the Mousehole swimming pool.

Wildlife Observed: Fulmar, Gannet, Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Curlew, Whimbrel, Common sandpiper, Kestrel, Wheatear, Rock pipit, Mediterranean gull and Grey seal

Look For:
Penlee Lifeboat Station
Mousehole
St Clements Isle
Lamorna Cove
Tater Du Lighthouse
St Loy Beach

Hazards:
Reefs and Rock Pinnacles

Details:
Paddle No: 14
Date: 8/09/2013
Wind: Force 1-2 Westerly
Temperature: 17 degrees
Weather: Sun and cloud
Distance Covered: 14.6 miles
Duration: 5.0 hrs
Access: Easy launch from shingle beach, landing and exit
Sea State: Smooth
Kayaks: P&H Scorpio,  Easky 13

   Newlyn to
   Penberth Cove

Click map to enlarge