Sunday 26th March - "Come & Try" session - Loch Morar

The session had a full capacity of 6 enthusiastic beginners, along with 6 willing and experienced helpers. The weather was glorious sunshine with a light northerly breeze – perfect. Having got all participants and kit to the loch-side and fitted into gear and boats we retired to a flat area, introduced ourselves briefly, then tried a few moves on dry land to get the feel of what we would be aiming for on the water. After a quick slurp of tea/coffee everyone finally launched, hip/boat wiggling was experimented with, then dynamic forward strokes were attempted. An early capsize was efficiently rescued, quickly changed into dry clothes and soon back on the water. With so many helpers the rest of the group was able to continue their trials. A few footrest issues needed sorting out along the way. One paddler had a brief sojourn on a previously unnoticed “desert island” (rock). Confidence grew and strokes improved. There was much concentration and lots of smiling faces. A quick de-brief was followed by discussions about next Sunday’s short paddle and the upcoming Wednesday evening sessions, for which there was much enthusiasm. Boats and kit were returned to base, then a few of the helpers set off onto the loch on an unsuccessful Crannog search, led by Ruth, during which the wind increased considerably and some effort was required to get back to base! A great start to the season. and hopefully six new Club members.

PADDLERS: Taz, Beth, Shannon, Clare, Chris, Karina HELPERS: Joan, Sheila, Bill, Elvire, Peter K, Ruth

2nd. April - Loch Morar - Beginners' Island and South Shore Explore

Much to our surprise and delight the weather for the follow-up paddle to the “Come and Try” day was perfect.  The sun shone and Loch Morar was almost mirror calm!  Boats were quickly offloaded from the club’s trailer and laid out on the beach at Bun an Loin bay.  After a recap of the strokes practised the previous week and a couple of circuits of the bay to make sure everyone was comfortable in their boats, the group set off to explore the islands.   The islands, which are thickly wooded with scots pines, make for an interesting paddle, with lots of nooks and crannies to explore.  Keeping a tight formation, the group of ten paddlers hugged the north shore as far as Torr na Ba before crossing behind the elephant rock to Eilean a’ Phidhir.  From there the group negotiated a narrow and shallow gap in Eilean Ghibbi before crossing to the south shore for lunch at a small beach between Rubha Garbh and Rhub’ Aird Cumnaich.  After a sociable break and suitable rest time they set off to the east shore of Eilean nam Breac and into the little secluded bay boasting a wooden jetty.  Having negotiated the narrow channels either side of the bay, the group set off towards An t-Eilean Meadhoin and on to Eilean Ban where a monastery was established in 1650.  It was burned down by the Duke of Cumberland in 1746 and nothing remains of it today. From Eilean Ban the group returned to Bun an Loin where one hardy soul chose to practise some self and peer rescues.  This paddle was a great starter trip for the group of beginners and hopefully they will continue to enjoy kayaking for many years to come!

6th. May - Loch Eil Rescue Day

The rescue day went ahead on the 6th of May and was well attended. The venue this time was on Loch Eil to escape the coronation crowds that probably thronged to any beach along the Road to the Isles. There was a great mix of new and long serving members and a range of expertise and experience. The day followed the usual pattern of dry session in the morning and getting wet in the afternoon. We teamed up appropriately so that knowledge could be passed on and it was really nice to see that working well. We started the day with towing, which in my experience is the most often used bit of rescue equipment a kayaker carries. Everyone seemed to be busy dragging people about learning new tricks or refreshing their knowledge and passing on information. We were so engrossed that lunch ended up being later than planned. We retired to the jetty at Outward Bound for lunch, once finished,  the mood was gauged, I had expected that there would be some people that wouldn't want to commit to getting wet and just observe. How wrong I was! Everyone put their hand up for being rescued, I decided that the people with drysuits should get wet first and Bill and Elvire kindly offered to demonstrate an assisted rescue. After teaming up, we all practiced rescuing, being rescued, self rescues and some people went on to practice an all in rescue. It was great to see the commitment and dedication displayed by all and also really great to see the new members throwing themselves into it. pun intended. There was talk of another session so hope to have an evening one soon. 

Paddlers: Bill, Elvire, Tony, Elizabeth, Chris Mc, Karina, Chris S, Adrian, Anja, Peter, Mike, Tom, Lucy

21st. May - Glenborrodale to Tobermory

Bill, Elvire, Peter S, Chris and I paddled over to Tobermory from Glenborrodale via Auliston Point on Sunday. Crossing the Sound of Mull was great and approaching the gap between Calve Island and Mainland Mull, we did wonder if we'd get through. We did but only just. Approaching Tob by sea is surely the best way to appreciate it. After lunch and an ice cream we headed straight back to Auliston and then on to Glenborrodale. Unexpectedly a bit of wind blew up but it was not a problem and after practicing "difficult" landings (why take the easy beach!), we headed over to our starting point. About 26k of lovely paddling.

Paddlers: Bill, Elvire, Peter S, Chris, Ruth

Saturday 16th June 2023 - Loch nan Uamh

Saturday’s paddle was sublime .....

Four people had to drop out at the last minute, leaving seven to put in at the viaduct at Loch nan Uamh and park along the roadside, as the landowner has subtly indicated he wants no-one parking in the former parking area by placing large boulders across the entrance (not impenetrable, but didn’t want trouble).  With a forecast of force 1 gusting 2 the group set off at a relaxed pace close to the shore, catching up with friends old and new.  Often rushed past in the hurry to reach a distant destination, this proved highly enjoyable.  A first stop was made at Borrodale to seek out Prince Charlie’s cave – a pretty miserable little hole in truth, and rather midgie, but a new site ticked off for most.  Samuel Johnson’s quote was brought to mind, “Worth seeing?  Yes, but not worth going to see.”  Such was the leisurely vibe that it was decided to have lunch before setting off to the anticipated lunch spot at Ghaoideil.  
After much craic the boats were re-launched and an enthusiastic greeting was received at Ghaoideil bay by the resident party at the bothy. Having established that the previously absent ropes had been replaced with nice new ones, the descent and ascent (repeat) was made.  Realising that the day was rapidly slipping by, and thinking that the possible wind gusts forecast earlier in the week for around 1.00p.m.had been and gone while we had lunch, boats were launched into a mirror-calm sea and, after sneaking through the previously inaccessible channel behind An Garbh Eilean, headed out  across to the far side of Eilean nan Cabar. Approaching the westerly end of the island, some very “interesting” skies were noted to the windward south-west over the Roshven hills – a dark grey mass of cloud with a lighter rip-curl unfolding ahead of it like a giant wave. Ooh! “I hope there’s no lightning” was mentioned as the thunder rumbled and all stayed calm ..... until very suddenly it wasn’t. Wind gusted up to probably a force 5 and rain lashed down. Making for shore being the best option, it was a half hour slog with an awkward beam/following sea to achieve land fall in two groups in adjacent bays. VHF communication re-assured that all were safe, albeit extremely wet. After waiting out the rest of the storm the groups re-united on the water and had a leisurely paddle back to the viaduct, de-briefing on the experience. On this paddle were two paddlers who are among this year’s novices. Both did fantastically well and were enthused by the learning experience.

It only goes to show how rapidly things can change on the water. Sublime until ...... you encounter Cumulonimbus.

Distance covered: 22km