Welcome to my Sea Kayaking (b)log
Peer paddle with Pete from Kilcreggan via the peer group paddlers message group. I met Pete at Kilcreggan, who was sat all ready to go, on a bench over looking the sea. It was fairly near low tide so it was a bit of a longer carry down to the seashore. At Kilcreggan the...
Another training paddle out in the Taran. it was a lovely sunny morning for it. I had the wind, tide and swell, all the way to Helensburgh, which made for quick progress. Met the lifeboat setting off for a training exercise. They were being reprimanded on channel 73 by KHM for exceeding the speed...
The first "official" Helensburgh Canoe Club trip of 2026, paddling on Loch Lomond from Luss. The trip was led by Gordon, who had postponed the previous weeks trip due to appalling weather. This week's forecast was better at F4 WNW, however the conditions on the loch were much better than expected with us only...
A sneaky training paddle out in the Taran, seeing as the weather was so nice and Mrs T had gone paddle boarding on Loch Lomond. Bumped into the Rosneath Castle Bay Coastal Rowers rowing their St Ayles skiff. A good bit of exercise against the wind and tide on the way out and positively...
RNLI exercise with Helensburgh Lifeboat. Photos say it all... 6.5 nm 5 hours (Mostly sitting around) GPS track...
Peer paddle trip from Helensburgh out to Kilcreggan and return. Paddlers were Finn, Gordon, Geoff, Martin and me. It was slow going from the off... Weather was great with sunshine and flat calm seas. Stopped for a leg stretch at Kilcreggan, where both Finn and I raided the cafe for coffees and cakes. It...
Another training paddle out in the Taran seeing as the weather was chucking it down! I love paddling in heavy rain when the water droplets are plopping all around you. A good bit of exercise on an otherwise wet drab Saturday afternoon. 6.2 nm 1 hour 35 minutes GPS track...
Training paddle out in the Taran. Taking a break from chopping down the jungle and taming hedges with my chainsaw. I hadn't really decided on where I was heading and let the wind and swell decide. With the wind blowing from the SE it made sense to plod down to Helensburgh. Fab 7.5 nm...
Training paddle out in the Taran. Started off looking pretty miserable but turned out to be a really nice enjoyable paddle. Out and about in Gare loch Fab! 6.5 nm 1 hour 36 minutes GPS track...
A nice between Christmas and New Year paddle with Helensburgh Canoe Club - Gordon, Steve and Stuart. Not only was it my first trip with the club, it was my first time on Loch Lomond and my first trip on fresh water in my NDK Romany Surf. We paddled across to Balmaha for coffee,...
First trip out in my new boat “Irn-Bru”. A Romany Surf with an orange deck and blue trim, as per the IRN-BRU colours. I have to say I am quite pleased with it. Especially seeing as I have never paddled one of these boats before, even before buying it! Thankfully, and as expected it’s...
My plan was to paddle across Gareloch to the house, opposite my house, and then head south towards Rhu Narrows, around to Kilcreggan, across to Helensburgh and return. Except, once on the loch I realised the wind was somewhat stronger than forecast and heading south for me was not going to be a good...
A week on from moving into my new house, I finally managed to get out on the water. It was most odd kitting up in my driveway, before walking with my trolley a few meters to the slipway to get access to the loch. I guess I am so used to packing the car...
Friday 6th June A quick paddle from Helensburgh Leisure centre. At first, I didn't have any plans on where I would head too. But on getting into my boat, I decided to head into the wind and against the ebbing tide. Low Water wouldn't be for a few hours so at least I would...
Monday 6th May I was up in Whitby visiting an old friend, with also the cheeky intension of getting a sea paddle in. Having looked at the forecast before setting off, I decided to take my surf boat along, as well as Tiderace Pace Tour 17, AKA "the Carrot", just in case the conditions...
We decided on a late-autumn getaway to Dubrovnik, perfect for exploring the iconic old town and unwinding a bit. For those who love Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik’s old town is a must-see, and October turned out to be an ideal time to visit, with temperatures still comfortably in the mid-20s Celsius. We spent three...
The sea was pretty rough and the sky overcast with rain at times, windy too! Quite a big back eddy had formed which meant I was against the tide coming back, hence why I stuck so close inshore on my return (see my gps track), using the groynes as much as possible to stay...
The photos and video captured the day really well Distance: 9.2 Nm Time: 4h 41m Paddles: Ali Andy Bill Ian Si and Si. What a fab paddle...
Having left the Mull of Kintyre behind us, we ended up just north of Oban, near the airport. The weather was not looking great, with stronger winds and heavier rain forecast well into next week. If I was going to get a final Scottish paddle in, this holiday, I had to make the most...
Having left Arran via the Lochranza ferry, we headed down the single track road on the Mull of Kintyre to Carradale. The first night we were there there was an almighty storm, but the following morning the winds eased and I was able to get out in my boat. It was still fairly windy,...
