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At one with the sea: Imagine yourself gliding
along the surface of the sea close to a
rocky shoreline. As you pass the headland of a small island, you come across a
group of seals just a few kayak lengths away. Cormorants are diving and
feeding around
you. Away to the west, you can see the silhouette of the mountains of Mull. The
late afternoon sun paints patterns on the water as gannets wheel above you
Sea Kayaking is one of the fastest growing water sports. It particularly appeals to people who like to get out into wild and beautiful places without the
artificiality, smell and noise of an engine. In a sea kayak, you can explore
fascinating islands, coastlines and sea lochs with the freedom to go where no
other form of transport can take you. Kayaking can be serene, a peaceful
way of moving through the marine landscape. But if you like excitement, Atlantic
waves and the wild tide races of Argyll will provide plenty of challenge for your skill and taste for adventure.
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Wildlife friendly
Kayaks are almost silent, create no fumes and leave no trace.
Wildlife will often tolerate the close presence of kayaks, when they would
flee from anything else. Some seabirds seem to be completely unafraid of
kayaks, though we will still take care not to disturb then. Seals and dolphins
often swim nearer to
get a better look. In some places, grey seals will even come and nuzzle your
kayak! Despite their
shyness and relative scarcity, we have had over 30 otter sightings in the
last year on Seafreedom trips. But, we believe that it is vital to avoid
disturbance of wildlife. We are visitors in their environment. We hold WiSe
accreditation and have been trained in "Leave no trace"
practices. We are constantly seeking ways to give our clients a good
wildlife experience without causing disturbance. Please have a look at the
notes at the bottom of this page and visit the
Scottish
Canoe Association's guide to good environmental practice. |
| What's different about
sea kayaks? Sea kayaks differ from other kayaks in that they are generally longer
(usually about 5 to 6 meters) They are sleek and fast with hatches and water
tight compartments for storing camping equipment and supplies. If you have
paddled general purpose kayaks before, you will be amazed by how smoothly a sea
kayak cuts through the water. They have lower "initial stability"
than general purpose and most white water kayaks. Paradoxically, this
makes them more stable in a rough sea. It is important to match the client
to the appropriate design of kayak. If the kayak hull has the right volume
for you, it will feel more stable and easier to control in more
challenging conditions. We have a wide range of sea kayaks so that you can
paddle something that is right for you. |
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The Rough and the Smooth: Of course, it isn't always calm.
It wouldn't be as much fun if it was. Because of the hull shape, the
compartments and
because of the spray decks that we wear to seal the cockpit opening, sea kayaks
are amazingly seaworthy. Assuming of course that the paddler has developed
the skill required to handle the conditions. An experienced paddler who has
taken the time to learn appropriate techniques can handle
remarkably rough conditions and strong winds. Once the Eskimo roll has been
mastered (a technique for righting the kayak after a capsize without getting out
of the kayak) we can go and play in the tide races, surfing the waves and riding
the currents. |
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Weather conditions: Rain is no problem at all. Once you have got your gear
on and you are in your kayak, it can rain all it likes and it won't make any
difference. In light rain, we find that clients often don't even notice.
Paddling a kayak in heavy rain is a unique and enjoyable experience - no really,
it is! Of course it is important to keep warm. A couple of layers of fleece
under your paddling jacket usually does the trick in all but the coldest
conditions. We provide dry suits* when appropriate, so that you can keep
dry even if you manage to fall in. We also have "pogies" to keep
your hands warm in the winter.
*to be more accurate and to manage customer
expectations.... they are "Kayaking specific surface immersion
semi-dry suits" and they don't really keep you totally dry For normal
paddling they will keep you mostly dry. If you do go for a swim in them or
if we paddle in very rough water, you might get a bit damp. But they are a
lot better than just wearing a jacket
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craft for great journeys: Some astonishing feats have been achieved in se kayaks, for example, there have been
a number of circumnavigations of the UK, Australia, South Island of New
Zealand, Cape Horn and crossings of the North Sea, the Irish Sea, Tasman sea. Unbelievably,
in 2001, Peter Bray paddled
the North Atlantic. In 2006, Patrick Winterton paddled to Mingulay, St Kilda,
The Flannans, Butt of Lewis, Cape Wrath, the Orkneys, Fair Isle and the
Shetlands all in one Trip! In 2010 he paddled from the outer Hebrides to the
Faroe islands. Seafreedom staff have crossed the Minch to the outer Heb's
several times. Carol has paddled right round Corsica. But most people are very happy to use their kayaks for coastal rambles. In kayaks,
we can paddle between the sea stacks of Anglesey, visit otherwise inaccessible islands in the
Hebrides and penetrate the deep sea lochs of the west coast of
Scotland. |
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World class
training: Learning to paddle a sea kayak is not difficult, but it's not obvious. Some of the correct techniques are contra-intuitive, so it pays to get
proper tuition so that you don't acquire bad habits. And of course, safety is extremely
important. Sea kayaking in the UK has an excellent safety record, largely due to the well thought out and carefully structured coaching scheme
operated by the British Canoe Union. The BCU has established exacting standards
for kayak instructors and controls the award of qualifications. The BCU system
is arguably the best in the world and it's qualifications are accepted almost
everywhere. The sea is a serious place to be. There are risks and traps for the
unwary. A novice setting off from a holiday beach on a seemingly calm day can
find himself in big trouble when the tide turns and takes him into the overalls or clapotis ( rough water created by waves reflecting from cliffs). But a
paddler who has learned with a BCU coach will be aware of the risks and have the
skills and techniques that turn a threat into a bit of fun.
We are all enthusiastic exponents of
"individualized coaching" and take pride in finding coaching
techniques that are just right for you.
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| Kayaking
and Fitness: You don't need to be super fit or made of India rubber to enjoy sea kayaking.
Even relatively unfit people can usually manage 5 or 6 miles paddling after
a couple of days. Stamina and flexibility are more useful than strength as good technique takes
care of the effort. An experienced and reasonably fit paddler will comfortably
manage 15 to 20 miles a day and experts frequently paddle 30 or more. Being
seriously overweight can create a few challenges but isn't an insupperable
problem. If you would like to know more about this (or anything else)
please give us a call. |
| Finding
your way: Sea kayak navigation is an art in itself. At the simple end of the spectrum,
the ability to use an OS 1:50,000 map and a compass, together with an
appreciation of tides and their effects would be adequate. A paddler undertaking
advanced trips will need an intimate knowledge of the ways of flowing water, the
ability to read charts and plot a course, asses conditions and use a GPS. Night
paddling is fun! |
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| Kayakers should be careful not to cause stress to wildlife.
They live there. We are the visitors. We must treat wildife with
consideration and respect. Never chase
or paddle an interception course with an
animal. If you happen to get close, back off if the animal shows any sign of
agitation. You will get a better view if you just sit quietly in your
kayak. Better still, keep your distance and use water proof binoculars (we
can provide them). Whatever you are watching, even if it doesn't seem
aware of you, limit your time and let them be. |
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Seals (in the water) and dolphins are curious and if they don't feel threatened they
will probably come to you. Seals, when they are hauled out on rocks, are very
nervous of kayaks . If they stare at you - back off, you are too close. If they feel threatened and
get into the water you are at least inconveniencing them and possibly harming
them by reducing their recuperation time.
Dolphins and Porpoises are
well aware of your prescence. If you try and go to them you may disturb or
distress them. Be patient and they may come closer to you. But be very
circumspect. You don't get any idea of how big Dolphins are until they jump out
of the water right beside you. You really wouldn't want to be in the way when
they land.
Birds. Before landing on small islands between May and
August, check that there are no nesting seabirds or chicks. If you find
Otters Take delight in
seeing them but limit the time that you watch them and don't keep coming back as they may feel pressured and abandon
their territory.
Basking Sharks. Are quite
tolerant of kayaks and unlike boats with propellers, we don't represent a
danger to them. But avoid paddling on an interception course or following them.
And don't touch them. They don't have teeth, but a flick of their tail if they
are upset could be a seriously unpleasant experience.
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| Please be responsible and protect our wild environment. |
| Take only pictures and leave
nothing more than footprints. |
