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

Mullion to Loe Bar

Grey sky, moderate swell and spring tides were not encouraging, but this turned into a good day on the water. Jan came along with us with a borrowed P&H Vela and both were good company! We could not land at Loe Bar as there was a line of rock exposed on the low water mark and enough swell to make landing tricky, so we made this a round trip with no stops. Lots of reefs to avoid or enjoy depending on your mood and a couple of coves with good surf if you wanted to test yourself (we didn't).

Spectacular cliffs particularly around the harbour entrance to observe and a lot of damage to the harbour walls from the recent storms. Not much wildlife apart from a solitary seal near Gunwalloe Cove and a small assortment of birds. When we left in Mullion it was in calm water and little wind but on our return journey it was blowing an upper end of a force four and against us but as this was just a short paddle it was not a problem.

There were a few sit-on kayakers paddling around Mullion Island,  like us they also enjoyed the day and it was a simple pleasure to chat to them on our return.

Note: There is a launching fee for this harbour usually paid at the cafe or honesty box.

Wildlife Observed: Fulmar (5+), Curlew (5+), Oystercatcher (1), Kestrel (1), Rock pipit and Grey seal (1)

Look For:
Mullion Harbour storm damage

Mullion Island

Polurrian Cove

Marconi Memorial
Poldhu Cove

Church Cove
St Winwaloe Church

Dollar Cove

Gunwalloe Fishing Cove

Loe Bar

Hazards:
Steep slipway at Mullion
Working harbour with many holiday users
Many rock reefs and ledges
Dangerous to land/launch at Loe Bar and Gunwalloe even in small waves
All beaches and coves pick up surf with even with small swell
Not many get-out points unless sea is smooth
Many rocks and boulders on this coast

Details:
Paddle No: 25
Date: 30/3/2014
Wind: Force 1- 4 ESE
Temperature: 9 degrees
Weather: Cloud
Distance Covered: 6.75 miles
Duration: 3.5 hrs
Access: Easy launch from Mullion Harbour Slip
Sea state: Smooth to Chop - Small to Moderate Swell
Kayaks: Nigel Dennis Romany, P&H Scorpio and P&H Vela

   Mullion to
   Loe Bar

Click map to enlarge

Fowey to Looe via Polperro

What a great piece of coastline and a kayak trip well worth considering when in Cornwall. Kevin and I were joined by Guy, now fully fit and very active after a three months recovery from having a knee replacement (oh the joy of getting old). So much to see with sandy beaches scenic cliffs, an island and three classic Cornish towns. We had the wind behind us a lot of the time and the tide was also in our favour so the travelling was easy sometimes exciting as the wind accelerated us around the headlands. Care has to be taken when close inshore as the rocks are particularly sharp and pointy for most of the coast.

There are logistics to consider on this trip if you do it one way as we did. You will need to take two vehicles on the Fowey ferry and drive up the coast to Looe and park one either at the beach or the river car park if landing at high tide. This adds to the cost and time of this journey but it remains a highly recommended trip.

The wildlife was a bit thin on the ground and sea! Not much considering the amount of cliff's we went past, Kevin suggests that diversity was low as it is early in the season.

Wildlife Observed: Fulmar, Grey heron, Oystercatcher, Grey wagtail (1), Rock pipit, Raven

Look For:
Bodinnick Car Ferry
Polruan
Lantic Bay
Pencarrow Head
Lantivet Bay
Polperro
Talland Bay
Hore Stone
Looe Island
Hannfore Point
Banjo Pier (Looe)

Hazards: 
Fowey Ferry
Many sharp rock reefs and pinnacles.
Busy harbour area around Fowey, Looe and Polperro
Check that the tide is flowing in your direction if on one way trip
No landing on Looe Island (Hmm Guy)
River currents at Fowey and Looe

Details: 

Paddle No: 24
Date: 15/3/2014
Wind: Force 2 - 4 North Westerly
Temperature: 11 degrees
Weather: Sunny and clear
Distance Covered: 12.9 miles
Duration: 4.5 hrs
Access: Easy launch and land from Fowey Polperro and Looe
Sea state: Smooth to small chop
Kayaks: Nigel Dennis Romany, P&H Scorpio and North Shore Atlantic

    Fowey to Looe
    via Polperro

Click map to enlarge