BBC Countryfile Showcase North Coast Sea Kayak Trail

Posted on November 21, 2011 @ 5:57 PM in

The soon to be launched North Coast Sea Kayak Trail featured on BBC Countryfile on Sunday 27th November.  Despite some grim November weather, presenter Ellie Harrison enjoyed a great day paddling along the trail with Robin Ruddock from Ruddock Sea Kayaking and Canoeing.

As part of her trip Ellie viewed the refurbishment of a old cottage which was once the nerve centre of the Port Moon Bay Salmon fishing industry in County Antrim

The Port Moon Bothy will be officially launched in March 2012 to coincide with the launch of the North Coast Sea Kayak Trail and will offer an open fire, composting toilet, lounge area, drying room and sleeping space for eight adults.

 At CanoeNI.com we are very excited about the launch of the trail and bothy. With the opening of the new Giant’s Causeway Visitors Centre coinciding with the undoubted increase of international tourists as a result of the Titanic centenary, we are expecting a real boost in tourism numbers to County Antrim next year. The North Coast Sea Kayak Trail will offer a completely unique way to explore the Causeway Coast and the converted bothy at Port Moon is fast becoming the most talked about and indeed most spectacular accommodation in Ireland.”

The bothy will be managed and maintained by the Causeway Coast Kayak Association (CCKA).

Following a recent chat with Robin Ruddock, Secretary of the CCKA, he explained  “We are delighted to see construction start on this project which will really bring this old cottage back to life. We are expecting a real boost in trail users next year and Port Moon Bothy will enable us to host visiting kayakers as well as provide an incredible location for our own club meetings and social gatherings.”

The CCKA hope to display some of their collection of historic kayaks in the rafters and artifacts from the salmon fishery on the walls to create a truly authentic atmosphere for all who use the bothy.

Visit CanoeNI.com to find out more about the launch of the iconic North Coast Sea Kayak Trail and indeed the refurbishment project of this old cottage which is not planning on relieving its maritime heritage any time soon. 

Inspiration on Salt Island

Posted on October 13, 2011 @ 3:08 PM in

The paddling community in Northern Ireland has been a great support to CanoeNI.com in the development, maintenance and promotion of Northern Ireland’s canoe trails. However, every once in a while we hear a story of an inspirational individual who has went that extra mile to help maintain the high standard of these unique trails.

A CanoeNI.com fan, Andy recently sent us his blog on the few days he spent ‘tidying up’ Salt Island on the Strangford Lough Canoe Trail.

Andy has kindly allowed us the reproduce his blog originally posted on theNI Wild Forum

Salt Island is an excellent resource for the paddling community and it is really important that paddlers like Andy help maintain it.  If you would like to help out, why not sign up for the next Salt Island Clean Up Day! If you cant make this one, be sure to sign up for the CanoeNI.com e-newsletter or ‘like’ CanoeNI.com on Facebook to keep up to date.

Thanks again Andy – I hope the rest of you enjoy the blog.

 

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Tuesday

I was going stir crazy  stuck in the house . The bloody wind just didn't seem to be letting up - XC  Weather was forecasting a lull on Wednesday . Packed my kit into the landrover and threw the yak onto the roof on Tuesday night , sacrificed two small children to appease Poseidon and prayed XC had got it right

Wednesday

My weather station (tree outside my window) indicated that indeed they had got it right. ate a quick breakfast and drove to Killyleagh . loaded the yak and set off on the short crossing to Salt Island





Carried my kit up into the forest behind the bothy and set up camp



Since my last trip to the island . I had a few new purchases that I wanted to test , but my main reason for the trip was to do a bit of tidying up.

I camped on the island a few weeks ago for the first time in a year , a serious illness had put me out of action for ten months and I was quite shocked/annoyed at the state of the place . the island is a fantastic resource, one of the few islands on the Lough that kayakers can legitimately camp . Why people litter the place , take stones out of the perimeter walls to build fire rings, strip the bark from trees etc I have no idea ...it really really annoys me.

I had brought some bin liners, a pair of leather work gloves and a few other bits and pieces with me. I started off by  collecting most of the rubbish, beer tins/ bottles, discarded kettles, foil and the mesh from disposable BBQ's, tin foil, crisp packets etc etc .  I managed to fill two bin bags from the bothy grounds and the forest.

My kayak was fully loaded, perhaps even overloaded so I couldn't carry this rubbish back with me. So I dug a hole  and buried the rubbish. I will retrieve it the next time I'm out for a day paddle.

In the evening after my meal and a pot of coffee, I lay in the hammock read a book and caught up with the shipping forecast for the next day, by the sounds of it I wasn't going anywhere for a while

Moon rise




Thursday morning and I awoke to a fantastic sunrise



I got the stove lit and the coffee on . I cant function until at least one double espresso




The wind had swung round from the west to a southerly and the forecast had indicated it would stay that way for the next few days so I had to move my camp 90 deg to keep the wind off me



After breakfast I resumed the cleanup

There was a dead sheep at the gate of the bothy and it was rank. so i decided to leave it until my breakfast had settled a bit



First job was to repair the wall at the BBQ area , the strones from which had been used to build a fire ring


Before





After




Next up was the wall at the other side of the bothy across from the water butt, again the stones had been used to build a fire ring

Before





After





That done I removed another fire ring at the rear of the bothy and  repaired the wall at the side gate

Before





After



I was getting hungry at this stage so went back to my camp baked a fruit soda type thingy , made more coffee and mulled over the problem of the leaking waterbutt






On the previous days litter gathering exercise I noticed quite a few of the pine tress had been producing resin to cover the wounds inflicted by  the people who don't know the difference between dead wood and living wood

So I gathered some of this resin and melted it down in a Lidl's finest spam can





Removing the valve assembly from the barrel was easy enough , I cleaned the valve seating area inside and out . replaced the valve and then used the resin to seal it



I took the barrel down to the shore and filled it to check the repair was water tight  and cleaned the barrel inside and out

The resin worked a treat



Next up was the thistles ..  An improvised sickle made short work of them









The final job was the dead sheep...  not a particularly pleasant job although I did manage  to keep my lunch down , It now resides in a bed of thistles a hundred yards from the bothy

Happy with the days work I retired to camp, read a bit and carved another spoon



Packed up on Friday and paddled back to the launch spot

Good to get away for a while

Andy

North Coast Sea Kayak Trail hits the headlines

Posted on September 21, 2011 @ 9:43 AM in

The North Coast Sea Kayak Trail is anticipated to become one of the most iconic sea kayak trips in Europe. It will stretch 70 nautical miles from Magilligan to Waterfoot along the North Coast’s rugged headlands and spectacular sandy beaches encompassing the famous Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-rede rope bridge.

The travel press from Great Britain and beyond have been quick to realise the potential of the trail with several journalists queuing up to preview the route before its official launch in March 2012.

Freelance journalist Helen Ochyra enjoyed two days on the trail with local providers Simply Sea Kayak resulting in a big thumbs up in both The Independent and Easy Jet In Flight Magazine.

An excerpt from Helen’s piece highlights the majesty of the trail “Arriving from the water, I saw the 40,000 or so basalt columns of the Causeway in a way most people never do – towering above me in pillars of all sizes like some spooky stage set. Bobbing rhythmically on the vast calm of the Atlantic and detached from the visitors ashore, I felt like I had the place to myself.”

CanoeNI.com is over the moon with the coverage of the trail has received to date and is currently working with both Wanderlust Magazine and an Australian TV company to further the exposure.

The trail will not be officially launched until March 2012 with the ribbon cutting at the newly refurbished bothy at Port Moon near Dunseverick, however the information is now live on the website so you can map out your first expedition.

Elaine ' Shooter' Alexander's Gear Reviews

Posted on August 8, 2011 @ 5:00 PM in

If you are like me the first thing you will read before buying any canoeing equipment will be the gear reviews.  The opinion of fellow paddlers is much more important than any marketing spin the company can put on the item.

Having just returned from an epic 71 day solo circumnavigation of Ireland I caught up with Elaine ‘Shooter’ Alexander to find out what she though of the gear she used throughout the trip.

Elaine’s 1000 mile sea kayaking trip certainly tested all her gear to breaking point so there’s no better person to give a critical review.

The Boat  

Elaine paddled a Valley Etain LV

Good Points: Comfortable, stable, watertight, handled well and was quick in a headwind.  The layout and design of the hatches and the removable storage was great, as I said earlier no water ingress on the complete trip.  The boat was quick, responsive and a pleasure to paddle.

Negative Points: When the kayak is fully laden it will need the addition of a keel strip, as launching and landing on a solo trip means it can be prone to damage easily. 
I also had some issues with the skeg and the cable getting kinked- I am more of a rudder paddler (and this could be where the fault lies), but when the cable is damaged it can leave the skeg unusable- not great when you are on your own.

 Overall Review:  Overall the Valley Etain LV was a great addition to the trip, it was a comfortable boat that reacted well in all that was asked from it.  The negative points could perhaps be more to do with how I actually used the kayak, however I think that Valley perhaps could also consider the points I have raised and definitely look at the design of the skeg cabling and the keel strip.

I would highly recommend the kayak, and the service from Valley- any replacement parts or advice was given or sent without question and immediately.  My thanks go to them (in particular to Jason and Andy), for their support on this endeavour.

The Paddle 

Elaine used a Full Carbon Composite Lendal Touring Paddle, Kinetic Touring Small blades, Straight Shaft (smaller circumference), STD grips.

Good Points: Comfortable, durable (I think they are indestructible!), light, nice to handle, They were one piece, and this actually ensured they were stronger and lighter – something I would say anyone thinking of doing an expedition like this should consider. 

Negative Points: Hard to actually pick something, but one thing I would have loved these paddles to feature, is the rubber drip ring to stop water running up the shaft – Petty I know, but on a 1000 mile trip it is these little things start to get to you!

Overall Review:  The paddle was another great addition to the trip- there was the right level of flex to ensure that with every stroke you could feel the power transfer, it was comfortable in the hand, and thankfully as I am pretty small, I had asked for the smaller circumference shaft.  Thankfully I never had to use the splits, but on review they seem more than adequate and suitably strong.

The Waterproofs

Elaine wore a YAK Buoyancy Aid –Tahu , PEAK Storm Dry Bottoms, and YAK Conquest (Long sleeve), YAK Fusion (Short sleeve) cags.

 

                                                   

YAK Buoyancy Aid –Tahu

Good Points: Comfortable, pockets well placed and sized.  No damage after continual daily usage to zips, webbing or fabric. 

Negative Points: None

Overall Review:  A fantastic piece of kit, ideal touring buoyancy aid- would highly recommend this to any paddlers.

PEAK Storm Dry Bottoms

Good Points: Reinforced fabric socks under which I wore neoprene socks.  These were waterproof and comfortable for approx half of the trip (they were used 80% of the trip).

Negative Points: During the second half of the trip, as the bottoms were no longer fully waterproof (water ingress came from abrasion damage due to sand trapped in and around the seat), it meant that at the end of every days paddling I had to completely dry out my kit 

Overall Review:  Overall these bottoms were grand, they were used almost for the entire trip – even when there were some leaks.  The damage came about through no fault of the manufacturer, instead it came from their use in a pretty hostile environment.  I would recommend these bottoms.

YAK Conquest (Long sleeve), YAK Fusion (Short sleeve) cags

Good Points:

Conquest - comfortable, warm, durable and well designed.
Fusion - light, comfortable and well designed

Negative Points:

Conquest- Wrist seals were too loose meaning that my arms were continually getting wet, until the use of good old duct tape!
Fusion- After only two weeks of use the Cag started to fall apart under the arms, and some of the stitching on the front started to disintegrate.

Overall Review:  Over all they were totally different, the Conquest as it is designed specifically for expedition paddling was great, although the wrist seals were quite loose.

I was very disappointed with the Fusion, perhaps it was due to the level of usage or due to the salt water, but in my opinion this Cag should have stood up to the usage quite a bit better than it did.  I was again impressed with the level of service from the manufacturer-YAK, they replaced a Cag at the start of the trip immediately and without question.

The dry bags

Elaine used EXPED – Fold Dry Bags

Good Points: These dry bags stood the test fantastically well; they were used and abused on a daily basis, pulled in and out of hatches and thrown down on different surfaces

Negative Points: None with these- however I also had some Trek Mate and Decathlon dry bags, these were not as durable as the EXPED bags, in fact the Trek Mate ones totally fell apart! 

Overall Review:  As I had a range of sizes in these, I had the right size for the right use; they were hardwearing though light, tough and dependable.

The Trolley

Elaine used a RUK Kayak Trolley

 

Good Points: Paddling solo, these are an absolute necessity, unless you wish to remove all kit in total before transporting from the slipway to campsite!  Easy to assemble and disassemble ensuring easy stowage in one of the hatches, and surprisingly strong.

Negative Points: The wheels are too narrow for effective use in sand.  Also, carry spare pins as if these get dropped, damaged or lost then the wheels are useless!

Overall Review:  As stated above this is an essential piece of kit- they worked well and were dependable, my only negative point was their use in sand, however I can understand that to increase the wheel size would possibly make them hard to store in the hatches- therefore the trade off.  Also definitely carry spare pins.

The Tent

Elaine slept in a Karrimor Ultra LiteTent

Good Points: Easy to set up and take down even in poor conditions.  Good storage space inside.  This tent took a lot of abuse and didn’t let me down.

Negative Points: In a gale force wind the main pole snapped, although no tent could have stood that particular night without receiving some level of damage.  Also at the end of the trip the ground sheet was no longer waterproof, again due to continual usage and wear and tear. 

Overall Review:  A great tent, and not that expensive. 
Considering that I used this same tent on my trip around Ulster last year, I was well chuffed with the service it continued to give on this trip.  Even when the main pole snapped – it had a repair kit that included a tube that repaired the pole ensuring the tent could still be used.  Also the fact the groundsheet started to leak was due to the level of abuse this tent has received.   I would give this piece of kit full marks.

The tracker

Elaine used a SPOT messenger GPS Device

 

Good Points: Simple to use, added that bit of security and peace of mind to me (and my family).

Negative Points: Must be facing the sky to transmit so needs to be on deck of boat somewhere.

Overall Review:  A fantastic piece of kit, worked well throughout the trip.  The ease of setting up and integration within the website ensured that this became one of the most important aspects of the expedition- especially for any followers. 

This meant that they could see my location and distance traveled, also I could load up photos or video and link them to their location on the map to give followers a better feel for the expedition.  The added safety feature of the emergency button also meant that if I had got into any difficulties then up to 10 contacts would get immediate notification and start making enquiries (hopefully!)

The Radio

Elaine communicated with a VHF Radio Cobra Marine MRHH325

Good Points: Handy to have this on the trip to add that level of security, Battery life seemed to be good, and the device was easy to use. 

Negative Points: Coverage was intermittent, although I believe this can be the problem with any VHF radio.

Overall Review:  This piece of safety kit is essential to have- and to listen to the communication at ports and harbours added a new perspective and a valuable insight to the coming and going of larger vessels.  It also meant that weather forecasts were easy to receive and sometimes the banter with coastguards was good company.

 

To find out more about Elaine 'Shooter' Alexander's trip see www.canoearoundireland.com

 

Sit-On-Top Kayaks – Top Tips for Safe Paddling

Posted on July 5, 2011 @ 4:05 PM in

A mini revolution in kayaking has happened over the past few years, with the continued growth of Sit-On-Top Kayaks or SOTs.  They were perhaps frowned upon initially by the traditional canoeing fraternity but no one can deny their success in allowing a whole new wave of people enjoying paddle sports.

To get to the bottom of this we caught up with Rodger Hamilton, Participation and Club Development Officer at the Canoe Association Northern Ireland (CANI).

 

CanoeNI.com – What exactly is a sit on top kayak?

Rodger
A Sit on Top is a kayak that has no closed cockpit; you just sit on top of the hull where you will have a molded seat and footrest to get comfortable on. 

CanoeNI.com - Why have they become so popular?

Rodger
Like most good ideas they are simple and easy to use.  Some people fear getting their legs trapped inside a conventional kayak but sit on tops are really stable, even if you do fall off you can just climb back on board again.

Watersports have traditionally been quite expensive but this has changed with sit on tops, they are relatively inexpensive with a starter kit costing around £300-£350 from several major retailers.  They can easily be carried on a roof rack and their plastic structure makes them very durable.

CanoeNI.com - What are they best used for?

Rodger
Their versatility is also their strength. People use them to play in the surf, short trips along flat water rivers, and because they are so stable they have become really popular with keen fisherman.  

CanoeNI.com - What are the top five tips to paddling on safely?

Rodger
Even though the boats are very forgiving it is still important that you master the basic skills and safety procedures.

• Let people know your route plan for your paddle trip
• Paddle in a groups of 3
• Be able to self rescue
• Be able to do an assisted rescue incase a group member is tired is struggling to get back onto his craft
• Carry appropriate safety equipment

The best way to ensure you are prepared is to sign up for a free CANI Sit on Top awareness day. The aim of the course is to raise awareness and provide you with basic skills, rescue techniques and knowledge that you need for paddling in different environments.

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 Upcoming CANI Sit on Top Awareness Courses

Saturday 2nd July – Location East Coast                    

Saturday 23rd July – Location North Coast

Saturday 6th August – Location North Coast

Don’t forget to check out CanoeNI.com’s Have a go section for more have a go days, courses, guided trips etc.