SuspensionBridgePaddler

Menai Challenge:
Menai Mini - All Times

This short course time-trial is a 30 min loop that starts and finishes in Menai Bridge.
The course involves lapping 3 islands of the Swellies.
The challenge is to synch your route direction, island order and tide all together for that optimal time.
Can you do it?




Course:

  • Start and Finish
    • As you pass beneath the white girder bridge to St George's Pier (Pier San Siôr)
  • Route:
    • Start at the girder bridge.
    • Paddle into the Swellies and lap each of the 3 islands: Ynys Benlas, Ynys Welltog and Gored Goch.
    • Return to the start.
    • Islands can be lapped in any order and any direction.
  • Timing:
    • Time yourself.
    • Clock starts/stops as you pass beneath the white girder bridge.
  • Each island is to be circumnavigated with a distinct full-lap (cross-over the GPS tracks) before starting the next island.
  • Beware figure of 8 loops may not complete a full island lap!
  • Note:
    • At High Water Springs Ynys Benlas may be covered. No Benlas, no time!
    • At Low Water it may not be possible to paddle between Ynys Benlas and Ynys Welltog.
    • At Low Water, Ynys Welltog may dry completely too i.e. it's no longer an island.
  • This is a self-timed TT. Record it on GPS and send us the .gpx or .tcx file. Please no screen grabs.
  • The Menai Challenge is open to any craft suitable and safe to paddle through the Swellies.
  • Be aware the Menai Strait, and especially the Swellies, is an area of fast moving and shallow water at times, with numerous rocks.
  • Avoid disturbance to any wildlife. Birds may roost and seals may haul out on the islands at times.
  • Note: We consider the Menai Challenge series of TT courses as moving water sea paddling: treat any attempt as a sea paddling trip - choose your craft, prepare and paddle accordingly.
  • Read and apply the safety notes at the bottom of the page.
  • Details below

Course design by John Willacy. Contact PSK for further details.


The Menai Mini is an Unsupervised Standing Challenge




Menai Challenge: Menai Mini - All Times

Route Distance: ~2.5 nm / 4.6 km
Prevailing direction: N/A

Click column header to sort.
Posn.K1WCatPaddlerElapsedDateBoatTideNoteLink1
1K1M_SkiJohn Willacy00:22:0017-Sep-23Epic V11
9.1
2K1MJohn Willacy00:23:4211-Feb-23Rockpool Taran 18
8.7
3K1MJohn Willacy00:24:2830-Mar-23Rockpool Taran 18
6.7
4K1MJohn Willacy00:25:3411-Feb-23Rockpool Taran 18
8.7
5K1MJohn Willacy00:26:1604-Apr-24Rockpool Taran 18
7.5
6K1M_SkiPaul Gallagher00:26:1815-Sep-23Stellar SR G2
9.0
7K1MJohn Willacy00:26:2723-Jan-24Rockpool Taran 16
8.3Jocelyn
8(1)K1WPascale Eichenmuller00:26:4017-Sep-23Rockpool Taran 18
9.1
9K1M_SkiPaul Gallagher00:26:4204-Apr-23Stellar SR G2
8.7facebook
10K1MJohn Willacy00:26:5627-Jan-24Rockpool Taran 18
9.1
11K1MJohn Willacy00:27:1513-May-23Rockpool Taran 18
7.7
12K1M_SkiPaul Gallagher00:27:5918-Jan-24Stellar SR G2
8.7
13K1M_SkiPaul Gallagher00:28:1426-Aug-23Stellar SR G2
7.5
14K1MBryan Dickinson00:28:2218-Jan-24Rockpool Taran 16
8.7
15K1M_SkiPaul Gallagher00:28:5426-Apr-23Stellar SR G2
7.8
15K1MBryan Dickinson00:28:5412-Oct-23Rockpool Taran 16
8.5
17K1MBryan Dickinson00:29:2528-Oct-23Rockpool Taran 16
9.6
18K1MBryan Dickinson00:29:4714-Sep-23Rockpool Taran 16
8.8
19K1MPascale Eichenmuller00:30:3708-Apr-23Rockpool Taran 18
9.2
19K1MBryan Dickinson00:30:3730-Aug-23Rockpool Taran 16
9.6
21K1MBryan Dickinson00:30:3801-Sep-23Rockpool Taran 16
9.8
22K1MPascale Eichenmuller00:31:0730-Mar-23Rockpool Taran 18
7.0
23(2)K1WJenny Wong00:31:3330-Aug-23Rockpool Taran 16
9.6
24(3)K1WJenny Wong00:31:3918-Jan-24Rockpool Tarantella
8.7
25K1MPascale Eichenmuller00:31:4211-Feb-23Rockpool Taran 18
8.7
26(4)K1WJenny Wong00:31:5028-Oct-23Rockpool Tarantella
9.6
27K1MDilwyn Powell-Jones00:32:1215-Apr-23SKUK Romany Surf
7.7
28K1MJames Bradley00:32:5914-Apr-23SKUK Romany Surf
7.6
29K1M_SkiPaul Gallagher00:34:0913-Oct-23Stellar SR G2
8.8
30K1M_SkiPaul Gallagher00:34:4028-Jul-23Stellar SR G2
7.6
31K1MDilwyn Powell-Jones00:35:1101-Apr-23SKUK Romany Surf
7.3facebook

Summary:

Menai Challenge: Menai Mini
Route Distance: ~2.5 nm / 4.6 km
Prevailing direction: N/A

Total runs: 0

Menai Challenge: Menai Mini Time Trial - Information

Format

  • Start and Finish
    • At the white girder bridge to St George's Pier (Pier San Siôr)
  • Route:
    • Start at the girder bridge.
    • Paddle into the Swellies and lap each of the 3 islands: Ynys Benlas, Ynys Welltog and Gored Goch.
    • Return to the start.
    • Islands can be lapped in any order and any direction.
  • Timing:
    • Time yourself.
    • Clock starts/stops as your body passes beneath the white girder bridge.

  • Each island is to be circumnavigated with a distinct full-lap (think: cross-over the GPS tracks) before starting the next island.
  • An island is not lapped until the GPS tracks overlapped.
  • Beware figure of 8 loops may not complete a full island lap!
  • Note: At High Water Springs Ynys Benlas may be covered.
  • At Low Water it may not be possible to paddle between Ynys Benlas and Ynys Welltog.
  • At Low Water, Ynys Welltog may dry completely too i.e. it's no longer an island.
  • This is a self-timed TT. Record it on GPS and send us the .gpx or .tcx file. Please no screen grabs.
  • Avoid disturbance to any wildlife. Birds may roost on Ynys Welltog and seals may haul out on Ynys Benlas at times.
  • Be aware the Menai Strait, and especially the Swellies, is an area of fast moving and shallow water at times, with numerous rocks.

Submit a lap

Craft

  • Kayak, Ski, SUP or Canoe - Any craft you choose must be designed for and suitable for dynamic open water conditions. It must be rendered unsinkable, and in a seaworthy and safe condition.
  • All paddlers should be capable of paddling their chosen craft safely in all possible conditions for the chosen location.
  • All craft are to be rendered unsinkable, either by manufacturer design (bulkheads etc.) or via extra buoyancy devices (fitted airbags etc.)
  • You must be able to self-rescue / re-enter your chosen craft in open water.

  • Skis: The Menai Strait can be shallow and rocky in places, especially in The Swellies. Bear this in mind if you are paddling with an understern rudder!
  • Leashes: If you use a leash be aware that the Menai Strait has numerous fixed obstacles and fast moving water at times. You MUST be able to release your leash in a moving water entrapment situation.
  • We do not consider inflatable kayaks/canoes as suitable for this challenge.

Assistance

  • No sails, motors, support craft etc. - human paddle power only.

Safety

  • Note: We consider the Menai Challenge series of TT courses as moving water sea paddling: treat any attempt as a sea paddling trip - choose your craft, prepare and paddle accordingly.
  • All paddlers must undertake an assessment of risk - for their chosen route, venue, activity, craft, personal ability and conditions.
  • Ensure you and your group are capable of handling any conditions or hazards possible on your chosen route.
  • The management of any risk is entirely the responsibility of the paddler(s).
  • Avoid boat/shipping channels where possible and follow all local/national regulations as applicable.
  • Paddlers are to wear a PFD (Personal Flotation Device) at all times whilst on the water.
  • PFDs should meet ISO 12402 or be CE approved, and must be in good condition.
  • Helmets and quick-release leashes should be worn where applicable as deemed necessary by the paddler's own risk assessment.
  • ALL paddlers (inc. SUPS) are strongly advised to wear a helmet. This course is likely to involve shallow and moving water.
  • All craft are to be rendered unsinkable, either by manufacturer design (bulkheads etc.) or via extra buoyancy devices (fitted airbags etc.)
  • Safety equipment such as VHF radio, PLB, flares, mobile phone, map, compass, shelter etc. should be carried as deemed appropriate in your risk assesment.
  • Leave details of your route and time of return with a shore party and inform HM Coastguard as necessary.
  • We make no claim or assurance that any of the islands listed are fully navigable. YOU need to research and plan to ensure they are a safe and realistic proposition.
  • If you choose to paddle solo be aware of the significant extra risks involved.
  • If you have any doubts - THEN DO NOT GO!

3_distinct_laps

3 distinct island laps.

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How To Submit A Time/Paddle.

SAFETY