Loe Beach to Tresillian

After listening to the weather forecast and hearing that the tail end of Hurricane Gonzalo was going to reach Cornwall by the end of the day, we thought it prudent to do another river trip. We left Loe Beach near Feock thinking that we may have to fight our way back against strong winds and mountainous sea’s, but not so! The sun shone and apart from a gentle headwind it was easy paddling all the way.

This was a record for bird spotting and no less than 7 Kingfishers were seen, along with many other airborne creatures. I am a coastal kayaker by choice but I have to admit to the joy of seeing so much wildlife around the rivers and creeks.

Once again we were joined by Kevin J and Jan, who are becoming regulars on these trips and we met John on the beach who was a welcome addition. Yet another trip that you should plan to do on an incoming tide and returning on the outgoing tide, that’s unless you want to be stuck miles from anywhere surrounded by mud. This would be a great trip to do on a sit-on kayak if you dont mind paddling some distance.

Wildlife Observed:
Little grebe (1),Grey heron, (c.10), Little egret (c.10), Mute swan (13), Canada goose (30+), Shelduck (3), Osprey (1), Buzzard (6), Curlew (c.60),Redshank (c.80), Greenshank (6), Common sandpiper (1), Kingfisher (7), Jay (2), Fallow deer (c.10)

Look For:
Birds and Wildlife
Pill Creek
Turnaware Point
Trelissick House
King Harry Ferry
Moored Ships
Smugglers Cottage
Malpas
St Clement
Tresillian & Bridge

Hazards:
Mud (lots of it at anything but high tide)
Tidal current at Turnaware Bar
Other river users
King Harry Ferry
Wind can get brisk at times in river sections
 
Details: 
Paddle No: 34
Date: 19/10/2014
Wind: Force 2 - 3 WSW
Temperature: 13 degrees
Weather: Sun, light cloud
Distance Covered: 14.4 miles
Duration: 5.5hrs
Access: Easy launch from Loe Beach
Sea state: Smooth
Kayaks: Nigel Dennis Romany x 2, P&H Quest, P&H Vela, Dagger Alchemy

   Loe Beach
   to Tresillian

Click map to enlarge

Falmouth to Porthoustock

It could have been a summers day but this was October. The sun was shining and the sea calm on this scenic stretch of coast. We left from Maenporth Beach near Falmouth, not somewhere we would normally launch from but Sea Kayaking Cornwall had their symposium over the weekend and many participants were spread far and wide (good fun they were having too).

A gentle paddle past Rosemullion Head and down to Helford River where there was some wind blowing out of the river mouth, around Nare Point and onwards passing Porthallow, Porthkerris and eventually arriving at Porthoustock where lunch was taken on the steeply sloping shingle beach.

Kevin G and I were joined by Kevin J and Jan for the trip and we had a relaxed paddle over the 12 miles covered. We saw others fishing from kayaks along the way, seals and sea birds.

Wildlife Observed: 
Gannet (5), Guillemot (7), Red-breasted merganser (2), Oystercatcher (many), Grey seal (2)

Look For:
Wreck of Ben Asdale (Maenporth Beach)
Rosemullion Head
Mawnan Church
Helford River
Gillan Creek
St. Anthony Point
Nare Point (Helford)
Porthallow
Porthkerris
Porthkerris Dive Center
Porthoustock
Dean Quarry
The Manacles

Hazards:
If there is an offshore wind, it gets brisk when paddling across the Helford River
Not much tidal movement until after Porthoustock
The Manacles Rocks. Many Currents!

Details:
Paddle No: 33
Date: 11/10/2014
Wind: Force 1 - 2 SW
Temperature: 14 degrees
Weather: Sunny.
Distance Covered: 12.2 miles
Duration: 4 hrs
Access: Easy launch from Maenporth Beach
Sea state: Smooth
Kayaks: Nigel Dennis Romany x 2, P&H Quest, P&H Vela

   Falmouth
   to Porthoustock

Click map to enlarge

Loe Beach to Ruan Lanihorne Bridge

Possibly one of the nicest river trips in Cornwall? But make sure you plan to do on an incoming tide and ride out on the outgoing tide, that’s unless you want to be stuck miles from anywhere surrounded by mud.

So much bird-life and wonderful countryside views with mile after mile of untouched woods and fields running down to the water’s edge. Much of it is owned by Lord Falmouth so no camping allowed.

A fine trip to do if a coastal paddle is too dangerous and it would be a great trip to do on a sit-on kayak, but make sure you take lunch as there are no shops. We launched at Loe Beach in the upper end of a SW force 3 but as soon as we turned the corner at Turnaware Bar it was smooth and calm. The forecast was for the wind to get stronger, and it certainly did! The last mile home was against a solid force 5 with chop and waves to match.

Wildlife Observed: Grey heron (c.10), Little egret (30+), Mute swan (c.10), Canada goose (c.80), Wigeon (c.30), Curlew (c.5), Greenshank (1), Osprey (2), Buzzard (2), Kingfisher (4) Deer (many)
 
Look For: 
Birds and Wildlife
Pill Creek
Turnaware Point
Trelissick House
King Harry Ferry
Moored Ships
Smugglers Cottage

Hazards:
Mud (lots of it at anything but high tide)
Tidal current at Turnaware Bar
Other river users
King Harry Ferry
Wind can get brisk at times in river sections

Details: 
Paddle No: 32
Date: 7/10/2014
Wind: Force 3 - 5 SW
Temperature: 14 degrees
Weather: Overcast, some sun.
Distance Covered: 11.7 miles
Duration: 4 hrs
Access: Easy launch from Loe Beach
Sea state: Smooth on river but with large chop and medium wave on return.
Kayaks: Nigel Dennis Romany, P&H Quest

    Loe Beach
    to Ruan Lanihorne

Click map to enlarge