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<\/a>\nTwo lines of footprints in the sand, leading to the brink of something we\u2019ve been planning for a long time.<\/em>
\nTrepidation and excitement play tag at the waterline.<\/em>
\nThe sea looks bleak in the moonlight and it\u2019s such a long way. I know the early<\/em>
\neuphoria will mellow to dogged grind, and that will stale into slow motion pain.<\/em><\/p>\n
This time there\u2019s an added bonus, a grown up adventure with the chubby lump I held when he was 30 seconds old. Edward is a solid partner for this one, a reassuring powerhouse.<\/p>\n
About two years ago I got interested in circumnavigating Anglesey in a light boat, which led to skin on frame, which led to the Cape Falcon F1. I didn\u2019t consider myself a fitness or powerful paddler and became interested in hull design, especially the quagmire of length v speed.<\/p>\n
For long trips I reckoned that a 14\u2019 waterline and a drag sweet spot of 7 kph was right for my abilities. The F1 delivers this with 13 kg, low wetted area, and a narrow waterline beam. It requires possibly less HP to drive at 7 than my Taran.
\nIt\u2019s also an excellent heavy weather boat, lovely to steer, neutral in wind. Perfect for an Anglesey virgin.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t be deceived by the apparent fragility, it takes a hammer claw to penetrate the ballistic nylon and two-pack coating.<\/p>\n I wrote to JW enquiring about the idea. It was refreshing to be met with open minded enthusiasm. The burner was lit.<\/p>\n I also learnt to paddle with a Greenland paddle which I made from western red cedar from Paul at Anglesey stick. Ivan Lawlor\u2019s YouTube instruction was brilliant, a lot needed to change, what with 1980s top arm punch and all that.<\/p>\n So off to the IOW for training. Endurance, confidence, offshore experience etc. I was getting the bug.<\/p>\n Motivation? Personally I like a Sunrise at Sea cocktail served with a double shot of romance, a splash of the almost unobtainable, topped off with a pithy slice of competition. Shaken, stirred and thoroughly beaten to a pulp by dusk.<\/p>\n The realisation that bits of my body were crumbling like wet cake added a certain urgency to proceedings. The team-feel from PSK was great as well, less bullshit, more \u2018Do It\u2019.<\/p>\n So there we were on the sand at Porth Dafarch, ready, about to do everything right, except for one thing, for which we were punished.<\/p>\n 0420 Depart. 0445 Penrhyn, S and N Stack fine. 0700 Carmel lovely in the first sunshine. Mice fast and playful.<\/p>\n 0850 Lynas wide and eddy avoided.<\/p>\n 1120 Puffin the expected slog. 1220 Beaumaris slack: Hope. 1400 Bridges, not much tide. 1530 Caernarfon 7kph. 17.40 Llanddwyn agony. 1910 Anglesey Circuit. Flood tide starts to give some help. 2020 Good teamwork at Rhoscolyn through the mini races. 2130 Home.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nHere\u2019s the trip:<\/h5>\n
\nLight wind, good sea state, good forecast, warm water, perfect start time.<\/p>\n
\nFerries both crossed 2 miles in front.<\/p>\n
\nBang: Adverse at Menai. Decision to head down and buck.<\/p>\n
\nMigraine, sleep on shore.<\/p>\n
\nSwellies, slower than hoped.<\/p>\n
\nAber Menai 4kph.<\/p>\n
\nEdward assessed his Dad, \u201cif we can\u2019t do more than 6 we have to go home\u201d.
\nDad found 7.5.
\nEdward still had 8.5 in him.
\nRecalibrate and accept another 30km.<\/p>\n
\nRisk assessment for final 10km in the dark, preparation, nav.<\/p>\n
\nMoral good, staying close and communicating.
\nGps nailed for Porth Dafarch, a black hole in the shore lights.<\/p>\n
\nVery tired, but feeling surprisingly resourceful, the motive power was still
\ncoming from somewhere.
\nNearly made it out of the boats without falling over.<\/p>\n