Conor – Page 80 – Ewe Canoe – Gairloch and Loch Ewe Kayak and Canoe Adventures

Somerfield Kayak

David and Brodie had tried to come out paddling with me last year but due to the wind we had to cancel, this time we had fantastic weather. The wind was due to be a little strong in Poolewe where they stay at the Poolewe Hotel, so we nipped across to Badachro where we’d get some shelter from the wind. It worked and we had good conditions, light winds and sunshine.

They have some experience paddling around in boats, so we set off in the sea kayaks to see how we got on. Being slender long sea kayaks these boats wobbled a little more than they where used to. It didn’t take long practising some skills before we where ready to set off to see what we could find.

There where reports of up to 30 seals swimming around in a group earlier in the day, so we where sure we’d see some. We only found one, but he was a very cute baby seal who perched on a rock, posing for a picture. For the rest of the session we had a gentle relaxed paddle looking at the fantastic views. March paddling in north west Scotland can be fantastic!

Latta Paddle

Janette and Allan had their relatives staying and where keen to get out on the water. Renate, Emma and Ben live in Australia, so even though it was still our summer they probably found it a little chilli.

We set off in the canoes first, had a paddle around, played a few games, learnt a few skills and then got the kayaks out for a go in them. Whilst playing with the piranhas in the canoes Janette and Allan managed to do something I haven’t seen for a while – the boat almost capsized, tipping Allan out but Janette stayed in, nice and dry whilst Alan swam!

Gove Kayak

DSCF7012 The weather in Poolewe was a little grey, but that didn’t deter the Neil Eliot and Alexander from being keen to get wet.

I’m finding it hard to remember a session when I had more capsizes to deal with… They certainly liked swimming!

After a warming hot chocolate we marooned Alexander on a big buoy in the bay. We chose to be nice and paddle back to him, although I’m sure he wouldn’t have minded swimming to his boat.

Graham Canoe

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Gairloch was a bit damp today, but it didn’t keep their spirits down. I seem to remember last year’s weather being far better when we canoed from Poolewe. The plan was to get them all wet anyway – so it didn’t matter!

We set off to see what canoeing skills we could remember, I think some people’s memories where better than others. It wasn’t long before everyone was paddling well and had at think of more ways to get them all wet and have them capsize.

Register Paddle

This morning I met the Register family in Poolewe. David, Emma and Joanne came out in the boats with me but we couldn’t persuade Kate to join us. We started in the canoes and got to grips with what the paddles can do, afterwards we moved onto kayaks and found out what it was like paddling solo with no one else to help (or blame!) when things don’t go right.

We finished the session with a few rafted skills, basically me trying to get Emma and Joanne to fall in!

Webster Kayak

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A sunny mornings kayaking from Poolewe with the Websters. Louise, Murray and Lorn where keen to get out on the water whilst Geoffrey chose to visit the cafe.

We headed off to learn some skills and see what we could see. We found some seals playing in the water when we got up to the Inverewe bay, always a nice sight.

Van Mourik Paddle

Gairloch Harbour this afternoon as well. This time with Wico, Christine, Irene, John, Cathy and Mathew.

We spent some time learning and practising skills in the harbour before having a paddle out into the bay a little. Those piranhas joined us again for some fun splashing around.

Triffitt Kayak

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Another kayaking session from Gairloch, this time for the Triffitt family. Jonathan, Joanne, William and Molly where all keen to get out on the water, so we headed off into the harbour to see how the boats paddle. After getting the hang of the things we played some games – those piranhas came out to play again – and paddled around in search of seals.

Goodin Paddle

This morning the Goodin family – Hazel, Wayne, Séanus, Aoife, Tearghes and Sadhbh – joined me down at Tollie Bay on Loch Maree. We decided have a split session, half in canoes and half in kayaks.

We jumped in the canoes first and had a good paddle around, getting used to working in teams. After hot chocolate and biscuits we headed out in the kayaks. I tried to get everyone soaked by playing some rafted games!

Hiscock Kayak

Today Paul, Jacob and Nick joined me for a morning kayaking from Poolewe. We where lucky enough to see a good number of seals on the rocks and in the water.

Sturrock Kayak

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David and Trisha where keen to get out on the water and practice some self rescue skills for when they are out paddling. We went through ways to get a capsized paddler back into their boat with the assistance of another boat and ways of helping yourself when faced with no help.

Badachro Kayak

Friends Mathew, Cassandra, Erin and Ellie met me in Badachro for a paddle. Whilst the weather wasn’t the best we still made the most of it and enjoyed seeing lots of seals in the bay.

Rhodes Kayak

Ian, Allison and William where staying in Poolewe again, William was keen to get out kayaking. We headed out into the bay and practised some skills, looked for wildlife, played some games and had plenty of fun.

Barraclough Bradshaw Paddle

A busy day at Tollie Bay, today the Barraclough family and their American friends, the Bradshaw’s, came for a paddle.

It was a good session with lots of fun and games, young Willa did especially well – being the smallest and only 8.

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Watts Kayak

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Another session in Poolewe, this time with the Watts. Martin, Katie, Louise and Fred where keen to get out in the kayaks. We set off to improve our skills and hopefully see some wildlife.

We where lucky enough to see seals in the bay, and even a quick glimpse of an otter. Not forgetting some special Loch Ewe Piranhas!

All was going well, but I got the impression that the others ‘helped’ Fred into the water when playing some rafted games.

Waddell Kayak

A morning paddling with the Waddell’s from Poolewe. The family are regulars to the area, staying at their family holiday home in Inverasdale.

Archie, Rebecca and Angus paddled my kayaks whilst Abigail chose to paddle one of their sit on top kayaks.

After a fun session Abigail practised some self rescue skills for when they’re out by themselves.

Must be getting old…

I’m having to take a little bit of time off from paddling (hopefully not too many days), so sadly I have to disappoint a few folk who wanted to go out. A few days ago I slipped on my local beach and it appears I’ve hurt my ribs a little – yesterdays morning and afternoon of paddling didn’t do it any good (in fact it got progressively worse throughout the day).

I see little point in making it worse at the moment, so with a little relaxing and hopefully healing I plan to be back out on the water after taking it easy for a couple of days. On the plus side… It’s given me plenty of time to get on with this backlog of blog posts and paper work!

Gower Kayak

Jon, Max and Sam came down to Tollie Bay for a kayak session. They had all kayaked before so it was an easy start to the session, it just took them a short while to get used to the boats. A vicious game of ‘Piranhas’ was had, I think a few where even aimed at my head – but I suspect I got my own back!

We had a good paddle along the upper part of the river Ewe, with all their paddling skills improving as the session went on. At the end of the session we tried out a few challenges, ending with both lads in the loch!

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