3* Sea Kayak Assessment

Pure Liquid Kayaking ran a BCU Three Star Sea Kayak Assessment on Sunday 16th May, paddling along the beautiful stretch of coastline from Brixham to Kingswear.  The candidates were put through their paces in the rough and windy conditions, providing some challenging rock-hopping and open stretches of water for them to demonstrate their kayak handling skills in.  Navigation, towing, and rescues were also completed before the last rough water leg up into the Dart Estuary, where we finally had some calmer conditions and a pushing tide aiding a speedy return to the finish in Waterhead Creek.  Both candidates performed well throughout the whole assessment - fulfilling the criteria set out in the BCU syllabus, and were very pleased to receive a pass at the end of the day for all their efforts.  We all agreed that it was a great paddling trip too, and the sun finally showing its face by the end of the day, was the icing on the cake.  

Climbing Activities

Due to the superb sunny weather this month climbing has been the main focus, with plenty of bouldering on the moor going down, as well as some sea cliff lead climbing over Torquay way.  Also, some time was spent un-earthing and re-equipping some of the sport routes down in the Churston Quarries locally.  The best aspect of this was finding the route 'Monet for Old Rope', a 40 foot E2 5c that was probably last climbed over twenty years ago.  It is a fantastic route, and super varied for its length.  What a find, I love it!

Isle of Wight Circumnavigation

Over-sleeping and setting off 2hrs late was not the best start to the trip.  This meant that we had to battle the fierce tides across the entrance to the Solent and at the Needles.  However, the journey along the south coast was much easier, if a little dull on the scenery front.  We found a great little camping spot just past St. Catherine's Point for the night though.  An early start was made on the second day so as to make best use of the strong tides, helping us make a speedy leg up to Bembridge.  After a leisurely lunch and a tea from a local cafe, we hopped onto the pushing tide once more and sped our way up to Cowes.  The tides here were really fast, maybe over four knots, and after breaking out behind a port maker buoy to let a speed ferry pass, we utilised the three and a half knot tide flowing down the Solent to make an amazingly fast final leg down to Yarmouth and then across to Keyhaven - in just two and a half hours.  Our average speed worked out at eight kilometers per hour, or 4.5 knots!  Not only were the tides in our favour, but the weather during the trip was fantastic too - lovely sunshine, and not too hot.  Perfect!  

March Activities

With the mixed weather we had during March, it wasn't the best for outdoor activities.  Much of the time was spent indoor climbing at Dart Rock Climbing Centre at Buckfastleigh.  This is a fantastic venue to come and try climbing, or to train on the harder routes over the winter months, suiting both beginners and experts alike.  On the drier days some superb bouldering was had down at the local cove, as well as a fantastic sea paddle from Salcombe to Start Point and back to Lannacombe.

Sea Kayaking

February 13th saw the acquisition of a Tiderace Xcite hardcore Sea Kayak from Waterborne Porthleven in Cornwall.  That same afternoon it was put through its paces in some rough and windy conditions in Torbay, plus a half hour of surfing at Broadsands Beach.  The performance was phenomenal, and it handled the conditions superbly.

The following day it was paddled from Brixham to Kingswear in a rather speedy 2hrs 20mins, including stops for food and photos!  The Xcite covered the distance with ease, and paddled so well in the choppy and swelly conditions that control of the boat didn't need thinking about! Fantastic!  Plans for some sea kayak expeditions are now underway.  Watch this space!

White Water Course '09

The Pure Liquid Kayaking 'Introduction to WhiteWater' course went really well this winter season, with the paddlers rapidly progressing to run the 'Loop' section of the River Dart by day four out of six.  Considering some of the paddlers had never been on a river before, and had only started paddling in summer '09, that is a considerable achievement.  In fact, the two paddlers pictured here on the last day of the course, (Rob and Andy) had done so well that they were able to get their BCU Three Star Training signed off too.  Bonus!  Well done guys!  And yes, it was a bit chilly that day, but that didn't stop them running the 'Loop', including boofing the 'Washing Machine', and eddy-hopping down Triple Drop!  Awesome!

BCU 4 Star Open Canoe Leader Assessment

Most of November was spent paddling the River Dart in the Open Canoe in preparation for the Four Star Open Canoe Leader assessment on 11/12/13-12-09.  

Along side this, the Pure Liquid Kayaking 'Introduction to White Water course' was also running every Saturday, with the students rapidly progressing to paddle the 'Loop' by week four.  Result!  

Thankfully the Open Canoe 4* assessment was passed after a thoroughly enjoyable few days with Gary Peverill, Andy Davie, and the other candidates.  Fantastic weekend, thanks everyone!