Paddlesports (Kayaking, Canoe, Stand-Up Paddle boards)

[MM-Seat]

@MM-Seat You still interested in my Fatstick? Tried sending you a conversation but it said i couldn't start a conversation with you for some reason.

I got out the other week, definitely feel like my balance is much improved. Not sure of the reason as i've not paddled much, but i always remember the initial 30 seconds or so feeling wobbly. However the last few times i've been on the canal i've pretty much just stood on the board from the bank and set off, vs getting on on my knees and then moving to a standing position from there.

Just seen this. Probably not a good time for me to buy with various things. What a shame!

Does this mean you are moving to Spain?

 

[MM-Seat]

Yeah, realistically not for ~15 months or so, but it could possibly come a little sooner, especially with the recent news of a "Digital Nomad" visa actually becoming reality which would make things easier and allow us to move prior to my wife getting her Irish citizenship.

Not really in a rush, just the realisation that it *could* take a while to sell and so it makes sense to start advertising things now, especially those that wouldn't inconvenience us in the meantime.

Ah brilliant, hope it all goes well for you both.

 

[MM-Seat]

Looks great!

I have my paddle board coach assessment coming up in May. Time for some practice!

 

[MM-Seat]

Not quite tight together as there's a handle in the middle. More just shoulder width apart rather than reaching out to the very edges for the widest stance. That board is 32" wide (i used to own one). It's only what i found useful for me though so you might find another method which works for you.

Your friends will likely have some advice anyway.

My other advise would usually be to fall in straight away, that way you don't have the "fear". However if it's freezing then that might not be best!

I agree, doesn’t need to be more than shoulder width apart. Some bend in your knee will drop your centre of gravity and help balance as well.

Also…. You only get 70% effort from someone on a board until they are wet. Then it’s 100%!!!

 

[MM-Seat]

A friend has just got a Starboard Sprint in the carbon layup (25 inches across). Looks an absolute weapon!

 

[MM-Seat]

Fatstick board has gone, the guy also had my Black Project paddle off me which saves carrying that. I don't think i noticed a big enough improvement from 3 piece to 2 piece and the storage/space issues it through up meant i'm going to stick with a 3 piece i think.

Sensible head says to wait until i'm in Spain before buying one The one i currently have over there has a nylon blade and i'm always shocked at the weight of it.

Shame I wasn't in a position to buy!

I was all in on getting a 1 piece paddle but, perhaps not the most practical solution. Looking forward to completing my assessment in May for SUP coach so I can start paddling for me again (not to prepare for an assessment at least).

 

[MM-Seat]

How we doing people? I've been locked out of ocuk for a year or so due to 2fa shenannigangs. Still paddling?

Ahhh was wondering where you had been!

Yes, still paddling. Got my SUP coach assessment in May.

Last weekend was Llyn Tegid doing some canoe sailing. Was an epic day!

 

[MM-Seat]

Anyone been getting out?

On a related note, I’m raft building all weekend. Should be good fun and a bit of paddling as well.

Monday nights I’m back to coaching paddleboard at my local club. 3 days of back to back paddling!

 

[MM-Seat]

Finally got out yesterday. Didn’t go far though as it’d been a bit cloudy all morning. Then about 5 minutes after setting off the clouds shifted and I was aware of a good chance of returning as a lobster!

It was enjoyable enough. Although I’ve really lost the enjoyment of paddling alone. Especially on the coast where you can dona few miles and feel you’ve barely moved.
I much prefer off roading running/road cycling as they have more of a feeling of movement if that makes sense. Constantly changing scenery and more awareness needed.

Have tried looking for local groups, but can only seem to find organised tours charging for cave excursions etc rather than just a group of people getting out socialising or people who just want to splash around by the coast rather than get some long distance stuff done.

That’s a shame as it sounds like it would be perfect for a coastal club, etc.

I had no one turn up for a coached sup session today as the rain was biblical in the north west. Decided to have a play with a pop up sail which worked well on the sup.

 

[MM-Seat]

Convincing myself I want a kayak.

I went out on the SUP today and loved it for 5 minutes as it was flat until I got out of the bay and battered by wind and irratic swells. Not just nice consistent swells but waves coming at me from all directions.
The wind was bad enough that it took me 28 minutes to do one mile because at 100kg and 190cm I’m a giant sail. At one point I didn’t make any moves for what felt like 10 minutes as I was blown backwards to the point a boat stopped to ask if I needed help!

Dropped to my knees a few times and without the wind it felt more enjoyable. I’m tempted to just grab a kayak paddle and see how it feels for a bit.

However looking to spend money on toys which is always fun. I’ve a few questions.

Are inflatables any good? They look like there’s a bigger difference between an inflatable kayak and a solid one vs the difference with a sup.

Would a 2 person kayak be useable on my own?
It’d be good to get a 2 person one (a decent one with a decent weight capacity. I see a lot of cheap ones being 120kg and marketed as “2 man”) for when people visit or if my wife fancies it, but unsure of the detriment on my own.
Also if my wife didn’t paddle (doubt she’d be able to due to disability) is it manageable for one person?

Loads of questions there and sure I’ll find a way to spend excessive money!



My wife mentioned swapping my sup for a kayak without realising I meant to buy something in addition to what I already have!
We’re off to a sandy beach tomorrow where it’s usually a lot calmer so interesting to see if I enjoy it more.

I think the difference between an inflatable sup and hard board sup is much smaller than the equivalent comparison in regards to a kayak. Mainly from hearing other people who have experience compared to my own admittedly.

 

[MM-Seat]

Haha I’d love a boat but mooring costs where we want to be are crazy and I prefer being active.

We recently had the discussion that I’d rather hire a boat for 300-400euros per day a few times a year than buy one and have all the associated costs.

Yep - I've looked into what I'd need to do so that I could hire out dinghys/keelboats for a day in the Lakes, etc. One day I'll do it.

Off into Wales tomorrow to be a 'guinea pig' for another persons assessment for Open Water SUP Leader giving them a remit of up to grade 1 rivers and up to 500 meters away from shore with Force 4 winds. I fancy doing the assessment myself at some point so will see what the standard is.

We are paddling the Afon Dyfrdwy towards Porthmadog. Really looking forward to it.

 

[MM-Seat]

I’ve not really got much experience of inflatable kayaks unfortunately.

Went Kayaking yesterday for the first time in my life (I'm 46). It was me, my mate of the same age and his 18 year old son. We had two guides with us and Went from wonbridge Swimming Pool to Yalding. It was just under 9 miles and we were on the water for just under 3 and a half hours.

My wrists, forearms and shoulders have never ached as much.

Really enjoyed it and didn't capsize once, even doing the shoot things, although my mate, managed to get down the steepest one without issue and then was gliding to where his son was and just capsized (only one into the water).

Contemplating seeing what clubs I might be able to find that don't require you to have any kit to get involved.

Most canoe clubs will have kit to get you started. My local club has 200 boats to try for example.

British canoeing website has a club finder.

 

[MM-Seat]

Yeah, those were the ones based on @Dave85's post.

Might still go with a drop stitch style, or more likely neither as my want list for Spain is growing by the day and my wife is getting annoyed! I think the Kayak will generally depend on how close we are to the coast. If we're where we expect to be and it's ~40 minutes then the chances of me going are slim. Although i think i'd prefer it to my SUP for solo trips.

On your Sea Kayak, what kind of pace can you hold? I always find Kayaking to feel faster that SUP'ing, but on a canal i tend to average around 17min/miles and looking around Google, a few people suggest that's a decent pace for Kayaking. Part of the appeal for me was to be able to do longer distances over shorter time vs standing.


In other news because i've not bought anything for a while. I picked up a great deal on a 3 piece Black Project Ohana paddle complete with bag. I previously had the higher model "Lava", but didn't want a 2 piece and sold it with my board. In Spain i have a fairly cheap Nylon Aztron paddle which always feels heavy and unpleasant so wanted something a bit better.


Am off to Coniston this weekend for a final paddle with a mate before i move over there. Been ages since i've been in the Lakes so looking forward to that. Even better because i'm using his spare board and being picked up so no organisation needed. He's even bringing cake

How was coniston? I did the perimeter of it earlier in the summer.

 

[MM-Seat]

May as well update this thread now that I’m officially a SUP coach. Was assessed last week at fell foot on Windermere.

 

[MM-Seat]

As the new season approaches (well, it never really ended but paddling in the Winter is very different to Spring / Summer) I've decided its time to buy my own kayak rather than using the club gear. It would give me more flexibility for trips away or last minute paddles, and maybe find something a bit more comfortable for longer paddles.

But what a minefield trying to decide what style of boat to buy! I think I'm edging towards a crossover that has a drop down skeg for the longer / lazier paddles but still capable of doing some moving water and mild white.

On the plus side, I live so far away from the coast that I have no need to consider sea kayaking.

I’m not the biggest fan of crossovers as I find they have the potential to not keep up when you are touring and imagine for WW they can be absolutely massive.

If you can only have one boat though, it is probably the best choice.

 

[MM-Seat]

So I’m really getting into my sea kayaking after becoming a SUP coach!

I’m down on hours this year. Think I’m going to be on 80 hours paddled by the end when last year was 130 hours but, not too bad in all honesty.

Bought myself a canoe so hoping I can get out on that more frequently into 2025 with some Scottish trips being planned.