Welcome to my Sea Kayaking (b)log
The Rockpool Taran is a fast, sleek and confidence-inspiring sea kayak aimed at intermediate to advanced paddlers, designed to deliver high performance without sacrificing predictable handling. It is highly versatile, working equally well as a day boat, fitness trainer, touring kayak and full expedition boat.
The Taran has proven expedition and racing credentials, being used to set multiple long-distance records, including record-breaking circumnavigations of Ireland and the UK. Despite this, it is also a popular choice for everyday paddling and training, thanks to its easy cruising speed and reassuring handling in demanding conditions.
Its 18-foot hull combines speed, stability and manoeuvrability, with a high-volume, dry-riding bow, efficient hull shape and a standard SmartTrack rudder system. With the largest carrying volume in the Rockpool fleet, it offers ample storage for long expeditions while remaining responsive and enjoyable for regular coastal and fitness paddling.
Rather than head just to Kilcreggan, I decided to go a bit further – to Cove Sailing Club. The sun was out on Gare Loch, and there was next to no wind. The tide was on the flood, with high water (HW) being around 13:30. Not long after passing Rhu Narrows, I spotted some...
Mrs T was doing a SUP session with Ocean Drifters at Maidens, so I took along my Taran for a paddle. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't great, and there was a strong SW wind with a following swell. Leaving the shelter of Maidens Harbour, all seemed quite settled, but upon rounding the outer wall, the...
Another training paddle in the Taran. I didn't fancy doing a Kilcreggan run, as the wind and swell would make it hard going on the way there. So, instead, I decided to head out to the Sugarboat (MV Captayannis, which sank in 1974) in the middle of the Clyde Estuary. As I approached Rhu...
With Gare Loch looking nice and calm, I thought I might as well do another training run in the Taran to Kilcreggan. All was nice and calm until I passed Rosneath Point, at which point I was, as per usual, slap bang into the wind and swell. The nearer I came to Kilcreggan, the...
Another training run in the Taran to Kilcreggan, this time without cake and coffee! On rounding Rosneath Point, I nearly didn’t bother. The wind was blowing strongly from the west, with occasional gusts. Not only that, but the swell was rather large and, along with the wind, was coming directly at me. I decided...
I finally managed to get a lap of Bute in last Friday/Saturday, 21st/22nd August, paddling my fully laden Taran, “Disco Boy”. I also managed two laps of the Perch Beacon: one on the way to Bute and another on the return journey. For some crazy reason, I set off from the slipway near where...
It was raining when I left home to travel the 6 miles to the "A Frames Dive Site" at the now-disused Finnart Oil Terminal on Loch Long. By the time I reached the car park, the rain had eased off a bit, but it was all a bit misty. At least it was nice...
Having spent the morning with my chainsaw and chipper, chopping trees and processing the branches, I decided to take the afternoon off and head out in the Taran. It was a beautiful day, after all. With no particular plan in mind, I headed across to Clynder to gain some shelter from the wind blowing...
Russ was keen for another paddle the following evening. I nearly said no, but I was so glad I didn't! This evening we decided to head around Loch Scridain in a different direction. It was a gorgeous evening. The ever present wind was still blowing though, creating a choppy swell with hard going into...
We were having a lovely relaxing afternoon on the Port Nan Gael campsite, when I saw another camper van with a Rockpool Taran on its roof come into the campsite. This is not something you see every day, so I went to say hello to the owner, explaining I also own a Taran, but...
A flat calm and very wet training paddle out in the Taran, from the Kirk Brae slipway on Gare Loch to Helensburgh and return. 7.8nm (9.3 miles) 1 hour 46 minutes (Average speed = 5.3 mph) GPS track...
It was one of those days when you seem to be constantly battling into the wind and swell, regardless of the direction you are travelling. Setting off from the Kirk Brae slipway, I headed into the wind and swell. By the time I'd reached Rhu narrows, the wind was coming at me from 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...
I rather fancied a long'ish paddle for Saturday and decided I would paddle my Rockpool Taran "Disco Boy". With the Taran being a fast sea kayak, even with my poor forward paddle flailing technique, it is a great boat for handling distances. The weather forecast was for it to be overcast, but with light...
The 6 mile trip to Kilcreggan from Shandon is always a nice trip, with the added bonus of having a coffee and cake at the cafe. With clear blue skies and next to no wind it was certainly a lovely day. Before setting off I telephoned the Kings Harbour Master (KHM Clyde 01436 674321...
End of day 1's 16 hour Outdoor First aid training. A quick blast to Bute was in order from Toward Seasports Club. Toward Seasports Club graciously allowed me to park my camper van on their car park for a couple of nights, whilst attending the course near Dunoon. It is a lovely spot. Annoyingly,...
The weather forecast for Saturday morning was looking not too bad, despite gale force winds of 50-80mph forecast for later on Saturday evening into Sunday. Storm "Dave" would be making itself felt across much of Scotland. Looking at the various forecasts, I knew if I was going to get a paddle in, I needed...
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...
Tuesday 17th March 2026, was a very windy stormy day. Looking out at the sea from my kitchen window it seemed improbable the forecast weather of light winds, rising temperatures and sunshine for Wednesday 18th March was very likely. I dillydallied all day about paddling on Wednesday, about where I should go, and indeed...
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...
