Kayak

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!

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.

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.

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!

Waddell Canoe & Kayak

Another person that has been holidaying here since he was a lad is Charles Waddell, he now brings his family up on holidays. Today we went paddling in a mixture of boats, we had Charles & Rowan in a canoe and Katie & Robbie both chose to paddle kayaks.

When they are here they stay in Inverasdale, near Firemore beach, so since the weather was with us we chose to paddle from the beach. Katie and Robbie showed off their paddling skill and we paddled around the shore line. We found a cave that I had not seen before, it kept going on and on into the darkness. All 3 kayaks and the canoe where able to fit inside with ease, there was just enough space at the end to turn the kayaks around to ease exiting.

We carried on till we reached one of the family’s favourite beach spots where we had hot chocolate and biscuits, along with a good stretch of the legs.

The journey back was just as interesting, looking up at the coastline from sea level. When we reached Firemore beach again the rain arrived and it seemed like a good time to test Katie and Robbie’s balancing skills and get them swimming!

Taylor Canoe & Kayak

The Taylor’s where staying in Loch Ewe Cottage in Mellon Charles and had seen one of my adverts and noticed my canoe trailer at home. Linda wandered across one evening to see if she could book some paddling. I was able to fit her in and we chose to paddle from the beach a few hundred metres from here and their cottage.

They all knew what they where doing, so Colin and Linda opted for a canoe whilst Alasdair and Keith chose to try something new and paddle sea kayaks. It turned out that Colin was a marine biologist, so instead of me showing them the sights he showed us what lay beneath us.

Their was one creature that I had never seen before (and promptly forgot what it is called…), anyway here’s a poor picture of it

Howat Kayak

Chris and Lynne where staying in Mellon Charles on their travels so they thought it would be good to get out paddling to see things from a different level. We paddled from my local beach, and only a few hundred metres from where they where staying at Tranquility B&B.

It turns out Chris is also a scout leader, and in fact knows Rose and Jim (scout leaders) that I took out paddling a couple of weeks ago! We paddled around the rocky shoreline, spotting lots of jelly fish.

Smith Kayak

The sun kept shining for a while, but dark clouds gathered as we got ready. Helen and Jessica wanted to come out in the kayaks for a paddle from Gairloch Harbour. Helen’s son had brought along a sit on top boat after deciding that he was too good to paddle with us.

They both picked up the skills to turn the boat left and right very quickly – but they did seem to keep practising those turns a lot during the session! Helen decided to overcome her fear of capsizing by, well… capsizing. She did it very well, and worked out how to get back into her boat without too much effort.

We went for a good long paddle, with heavy rain at times making the sea feel nice and warm. The rain made me envious of Helen and Jessica in their wetsuits – maybe I should have put one on too!

Jessica’s brother (sorry, can’t think of your name – it’s not on my piece of paper!) on the sit on top kayak joined us for a game, trying to win by jumping off his kayak – cheat! The session ended with everyone soaked – either from falling in or the rain.

Morris Paddle

Back over to Gairloch today do canoe and kayak. The Morris family had such a great report from the Wood family (all part of the same family group up here) they wanted to get out with me too. We set out initially in canoes, testing our communication and teamwork skills. After practising our skills we got straight into a good game of ‘Piranhas’, followed by some fun testing rafted games.

After that it was time to stretch the legs and swap to kayaks. We paddled about, leaning just how easy it is to turn the kayaks (often when not wanted!). We played some attack & defend games, then in my pursuit of getting them all soaked we played some rafted games where they had to swam boats along with a host of other challenges. Sadly they where all a bit too good and I had to resort to splashing them with my paddle!

Wood Kayak

Gairloch Harbour was the spot for today’s paddling. The Wood family had seen me out the day before having fun with a group on the water so they wanted to get out and splash about as well.

We headed out in the kayaks, some of the boats seemed to go in a straighter line than others – maybe some of the boats where broken? Everyone managed to get to where they wanted to, even if it did take some longer than others.

Christine took it upon herself to show everyone how easy it was to fall out of your boat when you capsize, having her shoes float away in the process. It wasn’t long before everyone else – Calum, Frazer, Cara and Iain – had a go at falling out themselves. Again and again.

This session turned out to be a very wet session! No body minded since it was another glorious day.

Petrie Paddle

The day continued to be hot and sunny, after a short break for lunch the Petrie family joined me for an afternoon canoeing and kayaking. It didn’t take long for Pete, Jo, Hamish and Kirstin to get to grips with the canoes, so we headed off for a paddle where we saw seals basking in the sunshine.

After a while we headed back to the slipway in Badachro and switched to the kayaks. With a bit of ballerina like pirouetting they got the hang of them and we tested our skills playing some games.

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!

Young Kayak

It’s been ages since I paddled from Gairloch Harbour so since we where due a nice high tide I thought it would be a great spot to take the Young family. They nearly missed out on paddling with me because they where due to be heading home today, but because the weather was just too good to be going home in they opted to hang around.

We headed off in kayaks, quickly getting used to their spinny nature. Being a hot sunny day no body minded getting sodden piranhas in the face (well, not too much). We paddled a good distance before stopping for a biscuit snack and stretch of the legs, after that it was time to paddle back into the harbour. We where able to head up the river slightly, under the new and old bridges, and alongside the Old Inn.

Jacqui, Mike, Olivia and Douglas left me after a good session to get some fish and chips and hopefully find a B&B for the night.

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.

Barnett Canoe & Kayak

Haven’t paddled from Badachro for a while, so since the Barnett family where staying in one of Sue and Tom’s cottages in Badachro I thought it would be a good spot to go.

Alan, Carol and Ross joined me for a session of canoeing and kayaking. We set off initially in two canoes to explore the area and see what we could find. Seals where spotted in the bay – a common occurrence here, and a possible otter sighting on one of the beaches.

When we had mastered the art of canoeing it was time to switch boats and jump into the kayaks. A good game of ‘Piranhas’ was had, testing everyone’s skills to the limits!

MacDonald Kayak

This morning saw a windy start to the day in Poolewe. The wind didn’t deter Grant, Connie, Katie or Rhona in the slightest and they where all keen to get onto the water. After getting going they picked up the skills despite the wind trying to push them around.

Connie reassured herself that she would simply fall out of the kayak if she capsized by trying it out. Once getting back in she kept going, not letting the fact that she was soaked get her down. The wind chose to calm it’s self towards the end of the session, giving us a nice gentle end to the paddle.

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.