One of my other passions. I first tried this back in the early 90’s with a conventional multi-purpose kayak. I had some great days on the Gower and at Croyde as well as in Brittany. Unfortunately I never learnt to roll so any capsize (and there were many) involved dragging the kayak onto the beach, tipping it up on its end several times to empty the water out and starting again. My interest kind of faded away and my old kayak now lives outside GMs house turning a shade a mouldy green through neglect. A few years ago the advent of the sit-on kayak solved the roll problem. If you fall off you just climb back on again – simples!
Me and GM bought ourselves a Perception 5-0 sit-on surf kayak each and the bug has been bitten again. At 3m in lschmbetagth it’s not as manouverable as the new short surf kayaks and a pain in the ar*e to carry around (a set of kayak wheels helps with the longer carrys) but it catches waves with consummate ease and once you get used to its slightly unstable “tippy” nature it’s real easy to paddle and surf. I tend to fall off more paddling out as it tends to get pushed over backwards by big waves and you just slide off the back. I’ve now fitted it out with a HD camera (see my recent “Boys and their Toys” post) so I’m hoping to get some good video shows of all the action (and my regular involuntary swims!)
Below are links to my kayaking trips since I started the blog:
Cornwall June 2011
Pembrokeshire May Half Term 2011
Porthcawl – February 2011
I’ve also added some photos of some recent excursions with locations and descriptions – quality isn’t great as they are taken from the beach with a zoom but it gives a flavour
Watergate Bay, Cornwall, October 2009
Brittany - Anse de Pen Hat - August 2008
Brittany - Anse de Pen Hat - August 2008
Brittany - Anse de Pen Hat - August 2008
Brittany - Baie de Trepasses - August 2008
Brittany - Baie de Trepasses - August 2008
Brittany - Baie de Trepasses - August 2008 (L gets a ride!)
Cornwall - Perranporth - August 2007 (GM Surfing)
Cornwall - Perranporth - August 2007 (GM Surfing)
surfnslide 
kayaking looks great fun!please can I come
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Hi Zoe
I’ll take my kayak to Wales in the summer so you can have a go and I will take some video! Have a look at my “Boys and Toys” post and have a look at the video clip!
Andy
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Andy, I must be blind but I can’t find your ‘boys & toys’ post.
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The link is here: /2011/02/13/boys-and-their-toys/
Or just click on the “Porthcawl – February 2011” link at the top of this page
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