The PSK Hub – Performance Sea Paddling Stuff
This was a training session we paddled at Broadford on the Isle of Skye as we waited for a gap in the weather for my Skye Circumnav attempt in 2021. As the wind was determined not to give us a break, we thought we might as well get into the spirit of things – it …
Back on the canal today, for one of the sessions I enjoy – Bridge Fa(h)rts. This stretch of the Lancaster Canal lends itself nicely to this session – basically paddle a mixed intervals session, using the gaps between the bridges to dictate the work/rest periods. So the format here: Paddle out for an extended 30′ …
The Rhoscolyn Beacon Sess. Last night we took the weekly group session out of the Menai Strait and headed for Rhoscolyn Beacon. The Beacon sessions are always a firm favourite: a change of scenery, different flow patterns and different courses of course. A change is as good as a rest as they say. Though I …
Three? Three?? This week the group session returned to The Swellies. We had plenty of sunshine and were also joined by Mike Conroy ‘fresh’ from his Anglesey Circumnav only a few days prior. The gentle flow tempted ‘us’* into a Brittania Bridge TT sess. Easy peasy Start/finsh at Price’s Point with 2 turn points: Brittania …
Decisions, decisions… Conditions made for a few distractions tonight. The training plan was for: 5 x 8′ on – 2′ off or A bit of fun in the Wind Over tide (WOT) below the bridge. Better still, do 8′ on 2′ off in the waves, paddling hard, pushing through the waves and chasing the packets. …
This week’s group session was working down at Brittania Bridge for a bit of a change. Warm-Up Paddle down from Menai Bridge slip to Gored Goch for initial warm-up (WU) and then 2nd WU from GG to the Brittania Bridge (BB) Orange buoy (Anglesey shore) – 2 min on 1′ off at ‘fast-cruise’ pace. Any …
Frustration Loop. The session was a dozen laps of Ynys Gored Goch in the Swellies. Paddling on the flood, each lap of the island is around the 4 mins mark and means a challenging climb against the flood tide at the top of each lap. Today the stiff W wind also complicated the climbs somewhat. …
Wings The often discussed question in the sea kayaking world is whether a wing paddle improves performance. In a competition environment, there is no doubt that a wing paddle gives a performance advantage for the forward stroke over a flat paddle, and hence it is established in sprint, marathon and wild water racing as the …
The Boss and myself have an early start to make the tide for a play session in the Swellies. This time we are joined by Roger Chandler of Coastal Spirit. We start with a play on ‘Boily Wave’ for a wake-up and then move on to ‘Snowdonia Rapid’ which is running quite nicely. Then as …
Continue reading “Video – Early Doors – Surfing The Swellies”
by John Willacy Here we are having a little fun in the sun, using the friendly wind over tide conditions on the Menai Strait in Menai Bridge, UK. We are trying not to get ‘owned’ – that is when a boat glides smoothly by, leaving you in its wake… The day brought neap tides, but …
Continue reading “Video – Owned – Menai Strait Wind Over Tide”