Looe to Portwrinkle

This trip was preceded by a night of camping on a beach about a mile West of Looe after Paul and I had paddled up from Fowey on the previous day. We kayaked to Marine Drive (Looe) in the morning to find Kevin who had driven 40 miles to meet us for the next stage to Portwrinkle. Unfortunately the weather had taken for the worse and although there was little wind at the start, there was a heavy mist on the coast and a force 3/4 SW forecast for later.

After leaving Looe the coast progressively got more interesting with many jagged rocks, high, sloping and wooded cliffs and Longstone stack between Downderry and Portwrinkle. The shoreline is very rocky at low tide with particularly jagged and dangerous reefs.

Portwrinkle has a tiny stone harbour and just a few houses, it does however have outstanding views across Whitsand Bay to Rame Head

I also got to use my P&H Quest sea kayak for the second time and I am pleased to report that this is a very fine boat indeed that fits me like comfy shoes and it handles in a predictable and pleasing manner. I have to remind myself that I have now got a thin skin of carbon/kevlar between me and sharp reefs and not my tough and forgiving Corelite Scorpio.

Wildlife Observed: Great northern diver (1), Gannet (5+), Peregrine (1), Mediterranean gull (4), Oystercatcher (5+), Rock pipit, Grey seal (1)

Look For:
Looe Island
Millendreath Beach
Seaton Beach
Downderry
Longstone Stack
Portwrinkle

Hazards:
Busy around harbour and entrance to river at Looe
No landing on Looe Island
Rocky but achievable launch and landing at Marine Drive (Looe) beach at low tide. (look for sand path)
Particularly sharp and hazardous rocks and reefs soon as you approach Portwrinkle
Rocky but achievable launch and landing at Portwrinkle at low tide (look for sand path)

Details:
Paddle No: 29
Date: 12/07/2014
Wind: Force 0 - 3 SW
Temperature: 19 degrees
Weather: Overcast, cloud and mist on the clifftops
Distance Covered: 13 miles
Duration: 4.5 hrs
Access: Rocky launch from Marine Drive at Looe (OK at high tide)
Sea state: Smooth to Chop - Small Swell
Kayaks: Nigel Dennis Romany, P&H Quest and P&H Scorpio







    Looe to
    Portwrinkle

Click map to enlarge

Falmouth to Portscatho

Kevin, Guy and I left Swanpool beach in Falmouth and paddled across the mouth of the Fal estuary where the wind was brisk and waves were moving seawards, continuing past St Anthony's lighthouse and around the Roseland peninsula to Portcatho. Guy ended the journey early and fell asleep on Porthbeor beach (said he had a late night!!) but we did see him again safe and sound at the end of our paddle.

This trip, although not as spectacular as some was very pleasant and we passed  a number of sandy beaches and rocky coves. The cliffs are low and mostly topped by fields. Apart from the mouth of the estuary, which can get very busy with sailing and power boats this is a relatively safe trip and particularly so with an offshore wind. Sit-on kayaks could have a very nice journey leaving from Portcatho harbour and heading in the Falmouth direction with safe beaches, coves and virtually no tidal flow.

Sea life was sparse on our journey bar one seal but we did spot an Eider duck at Zone point, other bird life as listed below but no performing dolphins this time.

Wildlife Observed: Gannet, Eider (1), Oystercatcher (4), Rock pipit, Grey seal (1),

Look For:
Black Rock
Pendennis Point
Pendennis Castle
St Mawes Castle
Falmouth Docks
St Athony's Lighthouse (Fraggle Rock)
Zone Point
Towan Beach
Porthbeor Beach
Portscatho

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: 28
Date: 1/07/2014
Wind: Force 4 NE
Temperature: 16 degrees
Weather: Sun.
Distance Covered: 14.1 miles
Duration: 5hrs
Access: Easy launch, landing and exit
Sea State: Smooth except across estuary
Kayaks: Nigel Dennis Romany, P&H Scorpio







   Falmouth to
   Portscatho

Click map to enlarge

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

Fort William to Inverness

A bit off target I admit, but a worthy mention! Sea Kayaking the Great Glen Canoe Trail, Fort William to Inverness is the classic inland trip of Scotland. Sixty miles in length and passing through the Caladonian Canal, Loch Lochy, Loch Oich and a 30 mile passage of Loch Ness.

Somebody said there were four seasons in one hour and they were not joking as we had the lot. Rain, sun, dead calm and strong winds were all part of the mix and best not to mention the midges! For us the most testing day was a 20 mile paddle against force 3/4 winds and waves on Loch Ness but we were rewarded with a good camp site and no problem getting to sleep.

I went with a different Kevin this trip who turned out to be a great paddle partner! 1320 miles of driving, 5 nights of wild camping and 60 miles of paddling turned into a pretty good adventure. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone that does not mind a bit of discomfort. Marvelous scenery, friendly locals and a real sense of camaraderie among the fellow paddlers that we met along the way. I have a feeling that it wont be too long before I will be heading to the far North again.

   Fort William
   to Inverness

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