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The West Coast of Scotland offers some of the most beautiful and demanding sea paddling in the world, its clear waters alive with wales and dolphins, otters and the basking shark. From relatively sheltered sea lochs to the powerful tidal steams around Scarba, or open crossings to the Small Isles or even St. Kilda, the choice is yours, and it is right on our doorstep.
The club has an enthusiastic and growing sea paddling group numbering over a dozen, and over the last couple of years we have enjoyed trips to Argyll, the Cumbraes (below), Arisiag, Knoydart and Loch Nevis (bottom), the Summer Isles, Eigg, Lismore, and St. Andrews, as well as to inland water such as Loch Lomond (right).
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We have had a number of members pass their VHF Operating Licence exam and gain the RYA Basic Navigation and Safety Certificate, and 12 members also benefited from two days sea specific coaching supported by a grant from Strathclyde Police. Other training organised by the club such as first aid and foundation safety and rescue (FSRT) has relevance for all disciplines, sea kayaking included. Quite a few of us already own sea kayaks, and the club also has a number available for members use.
We are keen to give all members a chance to try out this growing discipline, so please do let us know if you are interested in coming along. Whilst most locations offer conditions to suit many experience levels, we will be running some specific trips aimed at those new to the discipline. Many venues also have nearby white water for the river rats!
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We are very keen to build upon on what has become a very succesful club programme, and we will be exploring some exciting new locations this coming year and details can be found on the calendar. A number of pool sessions are also being focused on sea kayaking over the winter, and there are a number of sea kayak coaching sessions being delivered on the third Sunday of the month at Strathclyde Loch and in our summer programme on Friday evenings.
Trips planned for 2011 are as follows:
Jan - Loch Lomond (North)
Feb - Bass Rock
Mar - Firth of Clyde and Bute
Apr - Oban
May - Loch Etive; Arisaig
June - Loch Sween
July - Mull
Aug - Oban
Sept - Arran and Bute
Oct - Isle of May; Tide Race Weekend
Nov - Fife Coast
Dec - Loch Lomond (South)
More information can be found on the Calendar and detailed rip announcements will be posted in the members clubhouse a few weeks in advance of each trip, though in the meatime please drop me a note if you would like further information.
See you on the sea.
Steve
Sea Kayaking Co-ordinator
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