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Bardsey island is one of my favourite paddles and places and yesterday provided a chance for a very special visit. The recent incessant winds were taking a rest providing the opportunity to kayak across the fast currents and tidal races of Bardsey Sound to reach the gem on the other side.

Barry, Marcus Demuth, Roger Chandler and I dragged ourselves out of our respective beds fairly early to make the most of the visit. The paddle to the island was quite sporty, as we left from Abadaron and hugged the mainland shore to reach the more northerly headland of Braich–y-Pwll. The tide was ebbing through the sound in the opposite direction and the not entirely dormant wind was also against us. Rebounding waves meant we couldn’t tuck right into the shore, so we fought the tide at the small headlands along the way. Nothing too difficult, but exciting and fun!

The tide race at Braich-y-Pwll provided some large waves to bounce up and over as we started our ferry glide across to the island. It was a great paddle under a gradually clearing sky and a dropping wind. We passed Rachel & Jo Porter taking the chance to leave the island for a few days on their small boat. It was great to see them briefly but a shame not to sit down and chat for longer.

Once on the island, we had a cup of tea with Steve & Ben Porter – the island’s only inhabitants at the moment – and took a lovely walk up ‘the mountain’ to enjoy the views back across the Sound and down the Welsh coast.

The wind had almost died for the paddle back and we enjoyed gorgeous views of the coastline, bathed in pink and orange light from the sunset. A few glassy waves at Abadaron finished off a wonderful winters day out!

Marcus has put some great photos up here.

The wind continues to batter Anglesey so Barry and I headed for the Menai Straits again today for some windy paddling in relatively sheltered water. Another advantage of the Straits is that there are a number of excellent places where you can get out of the cold and have a warming drink!

Today we parked outside the Gazelle pub, opposite Bangor Pier, and headed into the wind and the tide towards Y Felinheli. That was Barry’s idea! Good fitness training, he told me! I didn’t really mind – we were sticking close into shore and had plenty to look at with all the houses perched above the water, and plenty of birds from oyster catchers, herons, shelducks, razorbills, redshank, swans, scoters, goosander and even a little grebe. We met some friends out on the water and felt happy to find someone else out on a windy grey day!

After lunch on the slipway of the Conwy centre and a few silly jumps to try to keep warm, we headed back north. The tide had turned and was now against us again, but we were looking forward to a down wind surf back. Unfortunately the wind had swung round to the NW and we saw very little of it behind us! More fitness training then! It was quite fun fighting against the tide to get back through the bridges.

And has become customary in this festive period – we finished with a drink — simply to justify our parking in their carpark, of course.

In amongst the paddling, I’ve been working hard to finish “This is the Roll” ( along with Turner Wilson & Cheri Perry). The finishing touches are happening over the next few days, although we can all be perfectionists so we’ve been filming new material right up until yesterday! Barry sportingly agreed to do some December rolling & to film me. The warm Reed Tuliqs make the ice cream headaches almost bearable, but we still didn’t last very long! We’re really pleased with the results of the DVD though — more news soon, once the editing is done!

The Menai Straits beckoned Roger, Sonja, Barry and I on Christmas eve.
A paddle into a Force 5 wind from Beaumaris to Y Felinheli felt like a silly idea at the start but I seemed to be the only
one winging about it so we carried on in some choppy wind against tide waves.
By Menai Bridge we were treated to the sight of hundreds of oyster catchers sheltering on the small islands there.

It was a long slog to Y Felinheli, but not so bad after all! Once there, we tentatively went into the Garddfon pub.
They welcomed us in our damp kit by putting more coal on the fire  and we had great hot chocolates and chips!
We enjoyed a downwind surf back and a long carry back to Gallows Point in increasing wind and rain.
We finished off with a drink in the newly renovated Liverpool Arms in  Menai Bridge & then had a yummy meal at Roger & Sonja’s
– big thanks to them & Merry Christmas to all!

See Roger’s blog about the day here.

Hopefully Santa was good to you, but if there is nothing you want to watch on TV, then enjoy some our digital downloads at half price over the festive period! Just enter MerryChristmas at checkout! Chose from 50 films, from just 50pence… less than $1 or 1euro.

New films.
Films from “This is the Sea 4”.
Films from “This is the Sea 3”.

Films from “This is the Sea 2”
Films from “this is the Sea”
Films from “This is Canoeing.

The Text from Will Herman read “Do you want to join us paddling one way from Trearduur Bay to Llandwen Island on Sunday?”

“Yes”, Barry and I replied!

So we met Will, Brian, Chris & Tim in a lay-by near Britannia Bridge, dropped 2 cars off at Llandwyn island and headed to Trearduur Bay. A few fun surf waves woke us up – nothing like chilly water splashing onto your face to remind you that it’s December! Will was christening his new Rockpool GT with lots of funky stars on the hull.

The wind was due to be F4-7 behind us and disappointingly it wasn’t quite that strong! We still had some fun surfs, riding the wind waves to the SE. The tide was against us and the waves in the inner race at Rhoscolyn seemed about twice the size of anything else about – a good bit of excitement before lunch.

The rain held off and the sun kept coming out to keep the temperature up – it was a gorgeous day! It’s always very satisfying to be out paddling in the cold months, especially on such a bright, dry day.

After lunch near Rhoscolyn, we headed onwards past Rhosneigr and past the lovely church on the island, until we could see Llandwyn. It was close to high tide and we wondered whether we’d be able to kayak through the gap between the ‘island’ and Anglesey. The island is actually rarely ‘an island’ and Barry thought we’d probably need to paddle round. We surfed the NW swell to the gap to take a look, but some nasty looking waves were breaking onto rocks there… so we paddled around. As we reached the beach by the car park, the sun was setting and the light was lovely. By the cars, the darkness fell and the temperature dropped quickly – but it was a great day! Thanks to the guys for inviting us along & thanks to Barry for the photos. Will will write a blog about the day here.

Meanwhile, people continue to buy DVDs for Christmas presents… if like me, you still have some presents to get, then check out our store. We have a great selection of over 10 different DVDs. If you want to spoil (and inspire!) the sea kayaker in your life then the ‘This is the Sea” box set is great value with 4 DVDs for £49.99 or US $74.95. UK/ Europe/ Australia orders received before 3.30pm will be posted first class the same day. US/ Canada orders are posted within 24 hours from Colorado. Go to the UK/ Europe/ Australasia store.

Go to the USA/Canada store.