Sennen Cove to Porthchapel Beach via the Longships

There are some kayak trips that words or even video cannot capture. This was one of them! Near perfect conditions with full sun, no waves and little swell. We had a number of friends join us for this trip including Linda, Sam and Paul. Leaving Sennen Cove and paddling out to the Longships lighthouse with slack water approaching we neared the reef but the tidal flow could be felt and the small waves were being generated. We had an entourage of about 30 seals following us as we circumnavigated the lighthouse, only leaving us when we finally left the reef.

We had planned to stop for lunch at Porthgwarras but that was curtailed as they were shooting an episode of the TV series Poldark, so continued to Porthchapel but not before Scott also joined our happy band. The return trip was also highly successful as we managed to paddle through every cave along that coast including a huge cavern complete with its own beach south of Gwennap Head, Nanjizal cave and Lands End cave. Our final visitor attraction was the wreck of the Mulheim between Lands End and Sennen Cove.

Wildlife Observed: Gannet (lots), Fulmar (lots), Razorbill (20+), Guillemot (lots), Raven (1), Rock pipit (5+) Grey seal (30+)

Look For:
Sennen Lifeboat Station
Cowloe Rocks
Longships Reef and Lighthouse
Wolf Rock Lighthouse
Old Coastguard Lookout
60m Cliffs
Rock Climbers
The Wreck of the Mulheim
The First and Last House
The Armed Knight Rock
Enys Dodnan Arch
Mill Bay / Nanjizel
Pendower Coves
Folly Cove
Porth Loe
Gwennap Head
The Runnel Stone
Porthgwarra Cove
Porthchapel Cove

Hazards:
Avoid paddling here in strong winds or anything more than small swell
Many rock reefs and ledges
Not many get-out points unless sea is smooth
Many rocks and boulders on this coast
Strong tidal currents (get your tides right for this trip) at the Longships, Lands End and Porthgwarra
Overfalls

Details:
Paddle No: 27
Date: 22/6/2014
Wind: Force 1-2 NE
Temperature: 14 degrees
Weather: Full sun
Distance Covered: 13 miles
Duration: 5 hrs
Access: Easy launch from Sennen Cove Slip
Sea state: Smooth to Chop - Tiny Swell
Kayaks: Nigel Dennis Romany, P&H Scorpio x2, Tiderace Xcite, Current Design, Dagger Charleston 15

   Sennen Cove to
   Porthchapel Beach
   via the Longships













Click map to enlarge

Sennen Cove to Porthgwarra Cove via Lands End

This is my 6th trip around Lands End and it never fails to impress. It is a special place with towering cliffs, reefs, caves and tidal races. We left Sennen Cove in a small swell and a choppy sea but after we were under the cliffs protection, only had to deal with the swell and clapotis (backwash from the cliffs and rocks). The tide was still ebbing and there was a fair tidal stream to paddle against but the sun was shining and the scenery epic. We did not get a chance to go into the caves as it was too dangerous and had to avoid some short-cuts through the rocks but the simple pleasure of being there was enough. At the half way mark we saw and spoke to four other kayakers travelling to Sennen.

At the entrance to Porthgwarra Cove there is a large rock lying just offshore, I have noticed in previous trips that the water can get very turbulent in that area when the tide is on full ebb or flow probably accelerated by the Runnel Stone reef not far away. On entering the gap, I spun around followed by a wet exit. Kevin, who had sensibly held back came to the rescue and had me back in my boat within minutes. A good example of why we should all practice rescue and recovery on a regular basis.

The final 500mtrs were the most difficult with the tide running very fast on the outside of the aforementioned rock. Paddling at maximum speed we were only just inching ahead and riding down the swell was the only real way of making forward progress. As we were eating lunch at Porthgwarra, Richard Uren and friend paddled into the cove as a warm up to a five star leader coaching course they were running over the weekend.

This is one of my favorite paddles in Cornwall, but it can be unpredictable and downright dangerous in anything but a small swell.

Wildlife Observed: Fulmar (lots), Guillemot (lots), Razorbill (lots), Kestrel (1), Oystercatcher, Grey seal (3) Lion’s mane jellyfish (1)

Look For:
Sennen Lifeboat Station
Cowloe Rocks
Longships Reef and Lighthouse
Wolf Rock Lighthouse
Old Coastguard Lookout
60m Cliffs
Rock Climbers
The Wreck of the Mulheim
The First and Last House
The Armed Knight Rock
Mill Bay / Nanjizel
Pendower Coves
Folly Cove
Porth Loe
Gwennap Head
The Runnel Stone
Porthgwarra Cove

Hazards:
Avoid paddling here in strong winds or anything more than small swell

Many rock reefs and ledges

Not many get-out points unless sea is smooth
Many rocks and boulders on this coast
Strong tidal currents (get your tides right for this trip)
Overfalls

Details:
Paddle No: 26
Date: 18/4/2014
Wind: Force 2- 4 NE
Temperature: 11 degrees
Weather: Sun with some cloud
Distance Covered: 10.3 miles
Duration: 4.5 hrs
Access: Easy launch from Sennen Cove Slip
Sea state: Smooth to Chop - Small Swell
Kayaks: Nigel Dennis Romany, P&H Scorpio

   Sennen Cove to
   Porthgwarra Cove
   via Lands End

Click map to enlarge