Kayak Cornwall contains information about short and medium range sea kayak trips exploring the coast of Cornwall with Paul Bennett and Kevin Gaston. Occasionally joined by other friends and always planned and paddled with care.
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Kevin, Guy and I go on a super smooth paddle from Portscatho to Portloe via Gull Rock. The water was like a millpond across Gerrans Bay and only became disturbed when we came across a gentle tidal flow between Nare Head and Gull Rock. The trip from the rock to Portloe was straightforward and Portloe is a little gem of a Cornish fishing village, with a small harbour wall and safe landing.
We had an uneventful trip back in calm waters, the coastline is pretty with many sandy beaches between Nare Head and Portscatho.
Wildlife Observed: Fulmar, Common tern, Oystercatcher, Kestrel.
Look For:
Gull Rock
Nare Head
Hazards:
Tidal flow between Gull Rock and Nare Head
Details:
Paddle No: 12
Date: 26/08/2013
Wind: Force 1 Northerly
Temperature: 16 degrees
Weather: Hot, Sun and Haze
Distance Covered: 10.2 miles
Duration: 4hrs
Access: Easy launch, landing and exit
Sea State: Smooth
Kayaks: P&H Scorpio, Easky 13 and North Shore Atlantic
Wind, waves, rain and fun were the ingredients of this kayak trip, from Loe Beach on the Truro River to Swanpool Beach in Falmouth. The wind was blowing at 20-22 mph most of the time with the occasional stronger gust to keep us on our toes. Between Pendennis Point and Black Rock was the most interesting with sizable swell helping to keep our focus.
Although not one of our longest journeys at 12.1 miles, we took four and a half hours to complete, with most of that taken by the outward journey.
Wildlife Observed: Cormorants, Herring Guls
Look For:
Black Rock
Pendennis Point
Falmouth Docks
Hazards:
Many other water users including ferries, sailing and motor boats. Also be aware of the movement of large ships around Falmouth Docks and the Carrick Roads
Details:
Paddle No: 11
Date: 17/08/2013
Wind: Force 5 SW
Temperature: 10 degrees
Weather: Cloudy, Showers.
Distance Covered: 12.1 miles
Duration: 4.5hrs
Access: Easy launch, landing and exit
Sea State: Small to moderate swell with small waves
Kayaks: P&H Scorpio, Easky 13
Today we joined some dots on our journey around Cornwall. Easy launching at Porthallow from a shingle beach, turn right and head down the coast towards Porthkerris and Porthoustock. You will see the Cornish Sea Salt Company and Porthkerris Dive Center. We kept to the inside of the Manacle Rocks (Cornish: Meyn Eglos, meaning church stones) and continued past Lowland Point. Both of which have been the end of many an unfortunate ship, and continued our journey to Coverack.
We had lunch on a boulder strew beach on the far side of Coverack Point and continued to Black Head, there we headed back to the outer Manacle Rocks where we played in the powerful tidal currents (made me happy), we then followed the reefs and currents back to Porthallow.
Wildlife Observed: Gannet, Mediterranean gull (10+), Turnstone, Oystercatcher, Common sandpiper, Raven, Rock pipit, Stonechat, Swallow (lots feeding over sea), Grey seal.
Look For:
The Manacle Rocks (best at low tide)
Cornish Sea Salt Works
Torpedo Tracking Station
Dean Quarry
Porthkerris Dive Centre
Hazards:
Reefs and Rock Pinnacles
Strong Tidal Currents
Dive and Fishing Boats
Details:
Paddle No: 10
Date: 10/08/2013
Wind: Force 2-3 SW
Temperature: 18 degrees
Weather: Sunny, Cloudy, Showers.
Distance Covered: 10.8 miles
Duration: 4.5hrs
Access: Easy launch, landing and exit
Sea State: Smooth but strong tidal flow on outer Manacles creating disturbed water
Kayaks: P&H Scorpio, Easky 13
A change from our usual coastal paddle this time as Kevin and I go with a group of friends from Kayak Kernow: https://www.facebook.com/kayakkernow on a varied 10.6 mile round trip from Padstow to Wadebridge. Loads of sunshine and great company add pleasure to a scenic and interesting journey.
Getting your tide times right is important on this one! We had a free ride all the way to our destination, a leisurely lunch and an easy paddle back at slack water. We did however have strong headwinds and windblown chop which progressively increased as we reached Padstow adding a bit of excitement on the last two miles.
Apologies for the short video. I had a lot of corrupted data on the SD card and lost the majority of my movies. Also I gave wide angle a try this week. I think I prefer it!
Wildlife Observed: Sandwich tern, Black swan, Mute swan, Canada goose, Shelduck, Curlew, Whimbrel, Black-tailed godwit, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Common sandpiper, Buzzard, Swallow, House Martin. (thanks Kevin)
Look For:
Wildlife and Estuary Birds
Marshes
Salt Flats
The Old Bridge at Wadebridge
Hazards:
Mud
Sandbanks
Strong River Current
Waterski Area
Many Other Boat Users
Details:
Paddle No: 9
Date: 3/08/2013
Wind: Force 3-4 SW
Temperature: 19 degrees
Weather: Warm, Sunny
Distance Covered: 10.6 miles
Duration: 5.0 hrs
Access: Easy launch from public slipway, landing and exit
Sea State: Smooth to wind blown chop
Kayaks: P&H Scorpio, Easky 13, Venture Flex 11, Pyranha Fusion, 2 Dagger Charleston's and a Dagger Blackwater
