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
An exciting 11 mile one-way trip from the beach at Portreath via Godreavy Island to Carbis Bay. After rounding the corner at Ralph's Cupboard we saw a large Sunfish. The swell on the journey up to Godreavy made for an interesting paddle, avoiding rocks and reefs.
There was a powerful tidal race around between the shore and Godreavy Island and large swells on the outer route around the lighthouse. We saw a total of 6 Sunfish on the journey and a pod of around 20 Bottlenose dolphins.
One word of warning. If you do go on a one way trip, be sure to take the keys of the car that will get you back to the start. I did not! Duh. Fortunately one very kind person helped us out which somewhat dissipated my embarrassment. Lesson learnt!
A very interesting 12 mile kayak journey from Sennen Cove to Botallack Head via The Brisons. It was nearly high tide when we arrived at this rock island one mile off Cape Cornwall and the tidal flow was still strong. We did however manage to land and take tea.
The trip from the Brisons to Botallack Head is imposing with high cliffs and spectacular scenery. There is a particularly fine cave at Botallack which is small but perfectly formed. On the return trip we saw a sunfish (Mola mola) which again was small but perfectly formed. Strong winds blowing around the headlands and out of the valleys, clear water and much sun.
I do hope that Keven appreciates the huge effort I made in finding a suitable piece of music for this video. I think it's fab!
Wildlife Observed: Sunfish, Grey seal Sand Eels, Jellyfish
Look For:
The Brisons
Cot Valley
Cape Cornwall
The Cave at Botaliack Head
Gwenvor
Hazards:
Reefs
Strong Tidal current around the Brisons
Overfalls on the "Causeway" Between the Brisons and Cape Cornwall
Surf at Sennen Cove and Gwenvor
Details:
Paddle No: 7
Date: 19/07/2013
Wind: Force 1-4
Temperature: 24 degrees
Weather: Very hot but with cooling wind
Distance Covered: 12 miles
Duration: 5.0 hrs
Access: Easy launch, landing and exit (not on the Brisons)
Sea State: Smooth to wind blown chop
Kayaks: P&H Scorpio and Easky 13
Kevin, Guy and I kayak from Praa Sands to Gunwalloe and call in at Porthleven on the way home, where we met fellow paddler Rick Stanton and his partner.
Another hot day for kayaking with no swell and no waves but a fresh breeze blew against us on the return journey. Very clear water and one of those rare days where you could land safely on Loe Bar which usually has a killer shore-break. Amazing coastline between Praa Sands and Porthleven with much copper sulphate clearly visible on the cliff face below the mine buildings.
Details:
Paddle No: 6
Date: 13/07/2013
Wind: Force 1-3 N-NW
Temperature: 25 degrees
Weather: Very Hot
Distance Covered: 13.4 miles
Duration: 5.0 hrs
Access: Easy launch, landing and exit
Sea State: Smooth/ Wind blown chop
Kayaks: P&H Scorpio, North Shore Atlantic and Easky 13
Kevin and I are joined by Guy and Ross on a kayak paddle from Coverack to Lizard Lifeboat Station and back. A very pleasant trip in smooth sea with virtually no waves or swell.
Leaving Coverack about half an hour before high tide, the wind was blowing force 2 WNW, it picked up to a force 3 on the return trip giving us a easy ride home. We stopped in at Cadgwith Cove for lunch on the return journey and met some other kayaker's. We were on the water about five hours and saw much spectacular scenery but little in the way of wildlife however we did see some sand eels and jellyfish.
Details:
Paddle No: 4
Date: 30/06/2013
Wind: Force 2-3 WNW
Temperature: 13 degrees
Weather: Cloudy and Grey but warm
Distance Covered: 15 miles
Duration: 5 hrs
Access: Easy launch, landing and exit
Sea State: Smooth
Kayaks: P&H Scorpio, North Shore Atlantic, RTM Ysak and Easky 13
Launch at Swanpool Beach in Falmouth, calm sea with grey skies and light offshore wind. Very easy paddling all the way to Porthallow, where the skies cleared and the sun came out. Wind changed direction to SW and increased to a force 4.
Even easier paddling on the way back due to the fresh breeze and following sea. We hugged the coastline for most of the trip home and the crossing of The Helford River was quite choppy, but fun. We saw two other serious kayakers and some fishing kayaks, "summer is a coming". All in all, a very enjoyable trip!
Details:
Paddle No: 3
Date: 5/05/2013
Wind: Force 3 W veering 4 SW
Temperature: 12 degrees
Weather: Cloudy and Grey at start but sunny and warm later
Distance Covered: 12.3 miles
Duration: 5 hrs
Access: Easy launch, landing and exit
Sea State: Small swell
Kayaks: P&H Scorpio and Easky 13
What a change from our last day out on the water. Warm and sunny with a light WNW wind. Great visibility and although there was a small swell, very little in the way of waves. The majority of the bird life was sunning itself and anything up to four seals were seen fishing their way across the coast.
Between us, Kevin and I managed to sort out most of Cornwall's socio-economic and educational problems so now all we have to sort out is how to complete the second half of our kayak rolls!
Details:
Paddle No: 2
Date: 18/03/2013
Wind: Force 2 WNW
Temperature: 9 degrees
Weather: Clear and sunny
Distance Covered: 10.5 miles
Duration: 3.5 hrs
Access: Easy launch, landing and exit
Sea State: Small swell
Kayaks: P&H Scorpio and Easky 13
The very first paddle! OK it was a short paddle to get started but at least we did get started.
What a cold miserable day! Kevin and I took the outside route around St Michael’s Mount and paddled from Marazion to Perranuthnoe. It was a bumpy ride with small to moderate swell, flattening out the further we traveled towards Perranuthnoe.
Wildlife: Eider, Brent Geese, Black-throated Diver and Dunlin.
Details:
Paddle No: 1
Date: 03/03/2013
Wind: Force 4 ENE
Temperature: 3 degrees
Weather: Clear but overcast
Distance Covered: 5.78 miles
Duration: 3 hrs
Access: Easy launch, landing and exit
Sea State: Small waves, whitecaps at times and a small to moderate swell
Kayaks: P&H Scorpio and Easky 13
