Family

Gelly Paddle

The sun was back when the Gelly family met me at Tollie Bay for a fun mornings paddling. We started the session canoeing, with Keith and young Jamie in one boat and Alison and even younger Ciaran in the other. Both boats managed to paddle around despite the wind blowing up the loch. After a good game of ‘Piranhas’ and testing our balance in the boats we headed to shore for a hot chocolate and swap of boats.

After another paddling briefing on shore we soon took to the water and tested the boats out. Just as we did in the canoes we practised some paddling strokes in preparation for a game or two. Keith was good enough to show his lads how easy it was to fall out of a kayak and how there is no need to worry if you do!

With everyone paddling well we got on with the important stuff – some games! We played the tails game, Ciaran managing to grab my tail in the very end but not without getting very wet! To end the session we tested Jamie and Ciaran’s balancing skills, making them do lots of rafted challenges.

Hartree Kayak

Another Monday morning and a fantastic start to the week, the sun shone down warmly as the Hartree joined me in Badachro for a mornings paddling. They where staying on the other side of the little bay in one of Sue and Tom’s Ceomara Cottages.

We headed out in kayaks to paddle around and hopefully cool down with a bit of splashing around. We saw a number of seals, they followed us for a while but didn’t join in on our games sadly. Finley nearly got stranded on a buoy – he hopped up onto one, easy to get on but tricky to get back into your boat without falling in!

Galvin Canoe

Another sunny morning at Tollie Bay, this time I was joined by the Galvin family – Grace, Daniel, Emmet and Helen. We set off in the canoes initially, heading across the bay. Manoeuvring skills where picked up well, enabling a good game of ‘Piranhas’ to be had.

After a short break we swapped over to the kayaks, it was such a hot sunny day no one minded splashing around in the water at all. Grace and Daniel both performed well in the kayaks, being only 8 means it’s hard work for them.

Cumming Canoe & Kayak

This sunny afternoon was spent with the Cummings from Laide. Iain is a teacher at the local High School, he had won a half price voucher for a family paddle with me from the school’s S7 year fundraising event in aid of them going on an adventurous activities week.

To get the most out of this beautiful afternoon we set off initially in canoes. Soon everyone picked up the canoeing skills and after a few games we nipped back to the beach for hot chocolate, biscuits and to swap boats.

It wasn’t long before we where back out on the water, all in individual kayaks. The skills that had been learnt in the canoes where put to good use in the kayaks, with everyone zipping around like natural paddlers. By the end of the session everyone was fairly damp from the energetic splashing and games.

Fisher Canoe

The Fisher family where back in the area, so of course they wanted to get out canoeing again. Last year we had canoed over at Tollie Bay, so this year Mellon Charles seemed like a good place to paddle. We set off from the little beach, just down the road from my house.

Letty, Erin, Rob and Louise seemed to remember their paddling skills well. This meant I could have an easy session, sitting back as they paddled me around the coastline! We paddled around to their cottage’s beach before it was time to head back around, through the craggy coast.

Speaking Canoe

On this fine afternoon I was joined by Glen, Alex and their tribe – Emma, Amy, Jasmine and Michaela. We all set off for a paddle in the canoes from Poolewe.

Both boats – Glen, Emma, Michaela and Alex, Amy, Jasmine – paddled well, being able to maneuver their boats where they wanted to. Some frantic fun games ensured everyone had tired arms by the end of the session.

Skilling Canoe

Another fine sunny morning meant another fine morning on the water. The Skilling family met me in Poolewe for a a fun canoeing session in the bay. We set off easily with a nice high tide and found out just how easily these large canoes can turn. It wasn’t long before the canoes where being paddled on target.

With some practice and instruction the teams found they could get the canoes where they wanted them with no problems so it was time for games in the sun. Those sneaky Loch Ewe Piranhas made an appearance, ensuring there was lots of frantic paddling.

Both boats – Sangita & Joshua and Robin & Sofia couldn’t seem to stop smiling the whole time. Everyone paddled well, with Sofia deciding part way through that it was far better to be chauffeured around, but as she’s only 6 that’s not too bad!

MacTaggart Canoe & Kayak

The MacTaggart’s came along to my local beach for a fun time in canoes and kayaks. Ross is a keen kayaker so he jumped straight into one whilst Iona and Jenny crewed one canoe and Seumas and Anne set off in the other.

After some fun and games paddling around Anne’s confidence grew and she really wanted to try out a kayak. After a quick brew break, Anne and Seumas slipped themselves into kayaks. They both did just as well in sole control of a boat as they had tandem.

Since it was such nice weather we decided to see how our balance was, Iona ended up getting very wet. Just as I had the camera out – sorry!

Pringle-MacIntyre Kayak

The Pringle-MacIntyre Family where briefly in the area on their honeymoon after getting married last weekend – Congratulations!

They couldn’t decide upon canoes or kayaks, so we all started in kayaks and later on some swapped to canoes to see the difference.

All the family, Wendy, Ross, Ross, Rory and even young Adam paddled well, picking it up right from the start.

Whitwell Canoeing

After a few days of rain and strong winds it all settled and the midges came out to play. Once on the water we escaped them till we landed back at the end.

Both pairs, Carl and William & Roz and Eleanor, got the hang of the canoes, managing to get where they wanted without turning in too many circles! Very early on the lads boat reached a wee bit too far for a pryranha and ended up swimming! After a quick break to sort out soggy clothes everyone jumped back in the boats.

The rest of the afternoon was spent paddling and playing games with everyone staying dry.

Fisher Canoe

The Fisher family came to Tollaidh Bay on a misty morning, after setting off onto the water the sun decided to burn through and make it a fantastic day.

A nice introduction to canoeing. Letty and Erin did really well, getting to grips with all the strokes. The thought of hot chocolate on the beach spured them on along the river and back into the loch. Battling against the breeze back to the start was the hardest part of the trip.

Louise then had a play around in a sea kayak, finding it’s long sleek hull and lower profile made it far easier to control in the breeze.

The whole family preformed really well, with high spirits all morning.