Further thoughts on family kayaking - in no particular order.
· Wetsuits. We started by wearing shorties wetsuits, but
as we became more adventurous we switched to full wetsuits – particularly good
when kayaking in the spring and autumn months, and when surf kayaking in the
summer. That said, if paddling a dry trip, I roll the upper part of my wetsuit
down and wear a ‘skin’ under a drycag. Otherwise I get far too hot!
A beautiful morning at at Michael's Mount, Cornwall.
· Drycags. My boys have been happy to paddle for hours, as
long as they’ve been warm. Windproof drycags have done the trick.
· Drybags and bungee cords. Very useful for carrying all
things! Warm clothes for those onshore drinks/food stops. Small one are good
for carkeys/cameras/phones et al! Ortlieb make great drybags. It’s possible to bungees the
bags in various places on the kayak without compromising its integrity.
· Trangia stove. We wouldn’t be without ours.
probably the single most useful item in our outdoor store! That said, we have
strapped a grill to the back of the kayak in order to grill sausages in the
past.
· Mackerel lines. There is no greater fun to be
had than to be gently paddling 200m
offshore towing a mackerel line. Not the cleverest of fish they seem to love
being caught! Once we have enough for a meal we stop – and onto the beach for
filleting and frying – on the Trangia. So .... a sharp filleting knife too.
· Hats and suncream. Essential for a long day on
the water - my hat's a Tilley, a long term favourite. Sunglasses too -
at sea I take mine off and put them in the drybag when I’m launching and landing - just in case.
· Paddle leash – essential, particularly when surfing. Buy the
best ones possible – I bought a useless one once, got flipped in a big surf, the
leash snapped, the kayak tumbled into the beach and I spent the next ten
minutes being beaten black and blue by the waves trying to get back to the
beach – scary. The Ocean Kayak paddle leash seems virtually indestructable and has kept
me in firm contact with my boat whenever I’ve been wiped out in the surf - often!
· Ocean Kayaks. We’ve loved
ours. The Malibu 2 XL is highly recommended for paddling with a child up front,
and the sleeker fishing kayaks are fantastic for longer paddles and trips down
the river.
· Knowledge – I have been fortunate enough
to attend a Plas Y Brenin Sea Kayaking course, and this has stood me in good
stead for all the years I have been out on the sea with my family. Paddling out
with the tide and timing the journey to return with the tide has given us some great
trips out. The first thing we do when we arrive at the coast is buy the tide
tables and start planning!
· The River Wye – Fairly local
and a great venue for many family paddles, our favourite being an April
two day journey with a camp in the middle – at the most basic of campsites at Hoarwithy, with a tremendous public house next door - The New Harp Inn. Drinks and a cardgame followed by a campfire, marshmallows and a toasty sleeping bag.
Jo and the River Wye swans.
Finally - One great day Trip. Paddling from the Isle of Purbeck ferry terminal circumnavigating Brownsea Island
in the middle of Poole Harbour. Landing on the far side of the island and then
strolling down through the woods to the National Trust Cafe for Earl Grey tea and Carrot
cake. Back through the woods, looking out for the giant ants nests, before
paddling back to the ferry terminal. Then off to the Scott Arms in nearby
Kingston for a well earned cider and a great meal – their cooking is
outstanding!
