Sea Kayaking North Uist Outer Hebrides

Intermediate Sea Kayaking Kintail & Isle of Skye

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2005 | 2004 | 2002/3 | 2001

July

Sea Kayaking

North Uist Outer Hebrides

Supported by The Robertson Trust in partnership with the John Muir Award Activities Programme.

Technical support from Equal Adventure Developments.

For the second year running, an enthusiastic group of kayakers met for a week of fun on the water at North Uist Outdoor Centre in Lochmaddy. The group of nineteen had a wider range of skill levels and aspirations than last year, and the Hebrides stunning range of both exposed and sheltered water was a perfect setting to develop everybody’s skills. The group split into two for paddling trips so that we had less impact on the peaceful island environment, our awareness of which was raised by the presence of a John Muir Trust volunteer and plenty of books and information. Besides kayaking, activities included a jellyfish survey and whale spotting, though unfortunately we didn’t find any! We also spent time practicing capsizes, rescues and rolling - not always deliberately planned! For people with physical disabilities who needed support fitting out their kayaks, plenty of foam and expertise was supplied by Equal Adventure Developments, and experienced coaches came from Adventure Hebrides, Peak Wave Coaching and Simon Clooney. The diverse group included 3 coaches, 1 technical support, 3 volunteers and 11 participants, 5 of whom were wheelchair users.

IMAGES (click to enlarge)

Intermediate Sea Kayaking

Kintail & Isle of Skye

Supported by The Robertson Trust in partnership with the John Muir Award Activities Programme.

Technical support from Equal Adventure Developments.

This was the first time that a trip aimed at intermediate sea kayakers had been run. It involved a group of 13 - 3 experienced coaches (2 of whom also gave technical support to paddlers requiring additional equipment and postural support), 3 volunteers and 7 participants. Overall the group included 6 people with disabilities, 5 of whom were wheelchair users. Based at the Kintail Outdoor Centre, which sits nestled in the hills near the head of Loch Duich, the group had a range of beautiful places to paddle. Sea lochs gave everyone the opportunity to hone skills, practice rescues and enjoy the stunning surroundings - inlets on the eastern side of Skye offered more challenging tidal waters and some great surfing (even if most of the group got wet in the waves!) and longer day journeys were possible. The diverse nature of the group created challenges and getting everyone to, on and off the water was a daily puzzle. The coaches worked hard to ensure that everyone felt safe - and stretched - while improving skills, confidence and independence on the water. Highlights of the week included paddling from Plumpton to Kyle of Lochlash and under the towering Skye Bridge, finding some big waves on a couple of windy days and numerous floating picnics.

IMAGES (click to enlarge)