With the first anniversary of my wife’s mother’s passing approaching, my wife felt it was time to scatter her mum’s ashes, along with those of her stepdad, "Six-Foot-Ten Ken." They had both loved Whitby, so we decided to hold the scattering at sea, just outside the harbour. The plan was for my wife to paddleboard while I accompanied her in my sea kayak.
It was a typically overcast Yorkshire day, but Whitby’s charm shone through the grey. As always, paddling through the harbour was a sensory experience—the boats, the bustling people, the vibrant shops, and the ever-present activity made it a special place to be.
As we neared the harbour entrance, the swell became noticeably rougher, enough that even the tourist boats were docked for the day. I paddled ahead to assess the conditions at the harbour mouth and found intense clapotis—chaotic wave reflections—that didn’t make for ideal paddleboarding. The cut-through at East Pier was no better; it was simply too rough. I caught a wave back to where I’d left my wife and suggested we hold the scattering there, where the waters were calmer. It felt fitting, too; they would be laid to rest within full view of the town they had cherished.
With the scatterings complete, we headed back to the car park, where a friend was looking after our dog. The tide had receded, making for a slightly muddy exit, but it didn’t dampen the moment.
Though it wasn’t the longest paddle, it was meaningful—a peaceful journey through Whitby, with a poignant farewell in the town they both loved.
Distance 2.2 nm Time: 1.0 hours
GPS track
