Sixknots are now attempting to circumnavigation of Britain at a speed of about three knots each. Please, follow us on our homeseahome.com page to find out about our adventures, fundraising and people we meet along the way.
We will back on t his blog once back on the dry land.
Thank you
Over the years I have spent climbing I learned that there are two ways of how to take good pictures. You can enjoy yourself, climb, have lots of fun and have camera somewhere handy all the time. With some luck sooner or later there would be an opportunity to take a nice shot. Another approach is to think about the picture in advance and then prepare everything according to your idea.
There are some disadvantages with both ways. In the first case you have to carry the camera all the time with you and some of them can be pretty heavy. More importantly you may miss lots of good opportunities just because you are not ready or camera you have is not good enough. I personally think that the second approach works much better. Of course there are some drawbacks, too. There is not much fun unless you consider taking photos as fun. More importantly it is often hard work and can take several hours to gain one image.
This time we decided that we needed some good images to promote our homeSEAhome project.
Our criteria for pictures’ content were quite clear: the us two with our kayaks and paddling gear, river Thames, and somewhere within Tower Hamlets. The final photos also had to be suitable for a poster, a postcard and blog header.
Once we knew what we were aiming for, it was time to do some research. From two obvious choices of a background: Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf, we decided on the second one. So one weekend we cycled around Isle of Dogs to find the best possible viewpoint of Canary Wharf, and found two nice places which would work really well during low tide. Since we chose time close to sunrise or sunset when sky is not too clouded, we were looking for weekends when low tides coincide with the sunrise/sunset and preferably with good weather forecast. Fortunately this was easy to work out with the help of world wide web.
It was last Saturday morning when finally all aspects worked together. Now we only had to pack the camera and our boats, get to our local beach and paddle to O2 Arena, where we had to be at 6:30 am.
The photo taking itself was the easiest part. I only had to put the camera on tripod on manual setting, set up the interval shooting for 20s and place the remote flash closer to our position. There was just one challenging decision to make: the length of the exposure. Longer exposure times make water surface look very nice and smooth, but we had to stay still for the whole time during the opening of the shutter. In the end 5 second seemed as the best compromise.
To stay still proved to be difficult.
That is it really. The rest was simple. We had to move around and pose while the camera was doing all the work for us.
As members of the Tower Hamlets Canoe Club we regularly take part in the club’s Christmas paddle. A crazy affair when up to 50 boats (can’t have more, said the Harbour master) long and short are paddled by all, skilled or beginners, towards Tower Bridge. There everyone gets out on the beach, has mulled wine, mince pies and tries as best as they can to sing Christmas carols.
We have taken part in this for the last three years. Fun.
But being foreigners in this country gives us the great opportunity to celebrate Christmas differently to the norm. And so Czech Christmas being done and over with by the midnight of the 24th of December it leaves us with a day with nothing to do, no duties, no family obligations and no public transport.
This year we did not go anywhere for Christmas and could spend Christmas day doing the true Christmas paddle. The tides run favourably and we set off from Isle of Dogs at noon. We had a very leisure paddle up the river towards Westminster and the MI5 beach, where we shared some mulled wide and yummy biscuits. Then we had a very pleasant paddle back to East London, with the setting sun reflecting in London’s best sights.
The river wasn’t quiet, it was flowing fast and bouncy with wind over tide, but there was no traffic. Bliss.
It was a weekend at the end of October for which Natalie chose to do a trip to Simonds Yat with some friends from our club. I wasn’t very keen to do open boating again so soon, so I decided to rather stay in London and spend some time working on club boats. Few days before Natalie was due to leave I had a call from Alastair asking if I wanted to come along for some sea kayak surfing in Bristol Channel. Later it became clear that he actually meant North Devon and I couldn’t say no. Then Vincent and some other of Alastair’s friends were to be there, and I knew that if anything would be possible, one thing was for sure; there will be lots of fun.
Quite unexpectedly I happened to be the one who made our journey to Croyde less than ordinary. Not being familiar with Alastair’s car I was happily driving not checking the fuel indicator till the warning light came on. What was left in the tank would let us go for another 20 miles only, instead of 70 as I am used to. To make the story short, there wasn’t an open petrol station in Friday midnight, and we had to go back to M5. The last five miles the car must have gone on pure adrenaline pouring from our ears, as the car computer clearly stated “RANGE 0 MILES”. We made it in the end.
We set up in a campsite at half past two at night, to be kicked out by a security guard at 7am. Apparently we pitched our tents on a wrong field. And more was coming.
Let’s get back to the paddling. We had great conditions for the whole weekend. While I was enjoying surfing and Alastair swimming, Vincent decided it was time for some excitement, and tried to kill his friend James. Fortunately James used to fight for his live, didn’t hesitate and when he found himself upside down in the surf with the spraydeck loop tucked under, he managed to wriggle himself free sacrificing only few fingernails. Vincent called him The Hamster for rest of the weekend.
In the meantime Natalie had great time ferry gliding from eddy to eddy at Simonds Yat rapids. And we decided to produce a short paddling clip again.
On top of all this, I have a proof that it is possible to get a sea kayak flying while surfing.
More and more often we are being asked what our next paddling plans are. And so, we decided it’s time to introduce them. It is really just one paddle.
This is our fundraising website: http://www.charitygiving.co.uk/homeseahome
“Ok, the premiere has happened.” says Michal.
Over 30 people came to Cape to see our new film. If it was a success or not, we leave up to the crowd. For us it was very successful as we raised over £200 for young man called Joshua, who’s parents also came to see the film.
Thank you to all who came and all who donated.
(NAtalie)
We decided it would be shame that those, who could not come, would miss the opportunity to see it and so The Film is here.
Hi Everyone,
Michal and I are about to finish our short movie from the trip we undertook during the summer together with Alastair.
We decided to share it with all and to invite everyone to a pub, Cape, to not only see the film but also to meet others and have fun 
Meet at 26 November from 7pm, film screening at 8pm.
Here is a short trailer again
Do not hesitate and come
Natalie and Michal
In August we went to explore Cornwall. We are making a film, here is a short trailer. To find out more, read the article bellow.
By Alastair Ferrar
This was a trip planned somewhat impromptu. We were three keen kayaker/climbers ready for a nice little adventure along one of Britain’s grand coastlines, only could not decide which one. If it wasn’t for me, or rather my restrictive holiday allowance, we would have gone to the Outer Hebrides, but instead we had to settle for closer to home.
Cornwall, we all know, is a paradise for climbing the sea cliffs and sea kayaking. It did not take us long to agree that this would satisfy us.
Slowly the plan developed. We would start in the vicinity of Penzance and end in the vicinity of St Ives. A sober and realistic target that would firstly allow us plenty of time for kicking back and sipping on good double malt while watching the wide screen super high definition Atlantic sunset each evening. Secondly, to explore the coastline in a fair amount of detail using, in no particular order, paddles, kayaks, ropes and harnesses. Where we would overnight would be a decision we would make by committee each afternoon. It was an uncomplicated and flexible plan… perfect!
Day 1 – Mousehole to Porthgwarra
The charming fishing hamlet of Mousehole (‘mowzel’ in Cornish) seemed a fitting place for us to set sail. The lichen covered granite buildings lining the edge of the harbour and tightly packed together up the hillside caused our biggest challenge of the day, negotiating the steep and narrow streets with an estate car laden with long kayaks… and nowhere really to park. Natalie managed to blag the car park keeper who allowed us close to the harbour mouth to unload and pack the boats. After packing, lunching and parking the car we were waving goodbye to our new friends as we paddled out past the stone breakwaters at the mouth of the harbour.
Fully laden with supplies for a week, including camping and climbing gear made manoeuvrability our biggest constraint, what we needed was an outboard motor to get us to our over night camp. We passed some lovely landmarks, first was the actual ‘mouse hole’; a cave said to have once been a smugglers hideout on the cliffs facing the sea just south of the village. After a series of beautiful rocky cliffs and coves we paddled around a headland and were greeted by Minack, the stunning granite open air theatre, hand built by Rowena Cade over her lifetime.
We needed to find a bed for the night. We pulled our boats up at Porthgwarra a tiny cove on the protected side of the southern headland of the peninsula. Michal and I were not quite done for the day; we poked our noses around the headland to see what was happening on the western facing shores of the UK. It was like yin and yang going around that rock; the sea transformed into something a whole lot more lively. Could this be a little preview of the following morning?
Thankfully Natalie was able to sweet-talk the local harbour master and we had ourselves a 5sqm patch of grass to pitch a tent overlooking the boats in the bay. Good work!
Day 2 – Porthgwarra to Sennen
After a good hearty Czech soup for breakfast we got harnessed and helmeted and went in search of some gravity to overcome. We headed towards Chair Ladder. As a kind of warm-up, or out of sympathy for me, the novice, we took a look at the Pinnacle on the eastern side of Chair Ladder and chose a relatively easy route (HS). Terriers Tooth, up the eastern side of the Pinnacle was tough going for me but a nice warm up for my spiderlike companions.
After a quick snack and nicely in sync with the tide, we were on the water again, and heading into the belly of the dragon, across one of Britain’s most exposed coastlines in search of Longship’s Lighthouse, Land’s End to the protected waters of Sennen Cove.
Thankfully the sleeping dragon never quite woke and we passed the mainland’s most westerly point with nothing more than a gentle murmur and gurgle.
Although the sea was relatively calm around the mighty buttresses of Lands End, there was an immense power to the gentle swell. It was long and flat and slow, and clearly it had travelled far before it crunched into the rock walls.
Day 3 – Sennen Surf n’ Climb
The following morning we were greeted with a great sea view. The previous evening we had found a few square metres of relative flatness on the steep grassy slopes to the west of the town. Either we gate crashed some kind of slug convention, or they came out en masse to defend their territory. Which ever it was, I felt somewhat unwelcome on that patch of grass!
This day would be about a bit of surf in the morning followed by some exploration of the cliffs of Sennen in the afternoon. Natalie rented a young blonde bronzed chap to teach her to stand on a floating board whilst Michal and I competed with surfers for the best sets – our pointy harpoon shaped manned missiles didn’t seem to deter them much!! Being my very first surf experience, it was slightly intimidating watching the waves curl and then crash thinking what it would be if I joined that process. I swam quite a lot that morning, and drank a fair bit too… but mostly with wide eyes and a big smile!
After lunch, I was about done for the day, but no there was more coming… We thought we would start on the very rock face that Michal had to be rescued from after his fall a few years ago! This clearly filled me with glee! Thankfully we chose a far easier route than that fateful day. Natalie led us up Corner Crack (S) as a warm up and then Michal took us up Demo Route (HS), which seemed just too much for me and I cheated up an easier route to the side. The imminent rain chased us back to our tents where we enjoyed a well-earned meal under the shelter of the Madera’s canvass palace.
Day 4 – Sennen to Porthmeor Cove
A slower start saw us packed and on the water some time around midday. Our first target was the 5km bay crossing to Cape Cornwall and the Brisons Rocks (otherwise know as DeGaul in the Bathtub).The landscape north of Cape Cornwall was something to behold. There was an autumnal crispness to the air and there seemed to be a great time and depth to the landscape with visible remains from millennia of unbroken human occupation. Concentrated dramatically along the edge of the plateau above the granite cliffs are the impressive surviving remains and structures of the formerly extensive mining industry including old chimneys and ruined engine houses amidst scarred rock and open shafts.
We weaved through coves and vertical headlands in and out of caves and between frothing rocky water gardens. This was one of my most magical days ever on the water.
We arrived in Porthmeor Cove not knowing what to expect. We were not sure if we would be able to land safely or store our boats out of harms way, never mind find a place to lay our weary bones for the night! Natalie was first to land on the rocky shore and added some much needed décor to her shiny hull! We found a perfect place to set camp and decided to stay three nights alongside the resident cows on a grassy knoll overlooking the cove towards the west.
Day 5 – Commando Ridge
We had an interesting plan for the day which was briefly discussed around the gas cooker the night before. The idea was to retrace our steps and paddle south for a couple of kilometres up to the base of Commando Ridge, land on the rocky ledge, store our boats safely, change into climbing kit, and scale the ridge from the bottom to top. Hmmm! Another mad Czech idea that I hadn’t fully computed, perhaps? But it’s ok, soldiers did this for training in WW2 and they had heavy kit, guns and ammunition. We have super lightweight kit, harnesses ropes… it’ll be a doddle! So why was I feeling ambivalent?
Thankfully the swell was on our side and all we had to deal with was that long flat sturdy cliff. We weren’t going to be tossed 20foot into the air on our first attempt. Michal went first as he seemed to be the man with the plan. I attached my towline onto his boat to hold it off the rocks while he launched himself into the water and towards the frothing granite ledge. Wide eyed, I looked on, wondering if Michal would make it onto the rocks intact while Natalie nonchalantly waved a finger as if to tell her husband that he was holding up the queue for the loo.
As it turns out he did make it, dragged his boat up onto the rocks and out of harms way and before I knew it, he was shouting at me to swim in and do the same while Natalie held my boat back. Before too long we were all safely on dry land in dry clothes and harnessing up for our ascent up the ridgeline.
The granite ridge towered over us like a dragon’s back with alternating giant scales pointing skyward. Michal led the route and I took a double take when I saw him struggle on the first move, I couldn’t quite work out how I would breeze up behind him on what looked to me very much like an overhang. I was told to stop exaggerating, ‘it’s a little tummy that’s all!’ So after three failed attempts and with all my limbs shaking to pieces I felt like I had had enough for the day. Just after I had shouted to Natalie that this was a ridiculous level for someone like me and her shouting back at me to stop being a baby and try a bit harder… Grrr I thought ok ONCE MORE! And I got over the tummy.
Although it was technically relatively straight forward, I was very clearly at the edge of my abilities on some of those knife edges while M&N were clearly taking the piss hanging with one arm and one leg making me just want to hug the rock harder and never let go! Not funny! The 200m and 8 or 9 pitches (for my benefit I’m sure), was a delightful mixture of up-n-unders, traverses and exposed faces. Best climb ever!
Once we got back onto the ledges below, we had to work out how we would launch. It was simple. I would toss my kayak into the water first, and then follow it in. Then Natalie and then Michal. Then we would all self rescue and paddle off. So I went, then Nat, then Michal. Natalie battled to get in with her buoyancy aid getting in the way and Michal’s mounted camera prevented the standard self rescue on his boat so he did the ever so stylish re-entry and roll! What followed was the almightiest of Czech arguments known to mankind – many words, high volume. Michal had filmed the launch all wrong!
Back at the camp around the stove all was forgiven (I think) and we decided to stay another day and climb Bosigran’s main cliff.
Day 6 – Bosigran the wall
In the interest of mixed activities we decided to walk to our climb today, much to the horror of my non-walking companions! It wasn’t far; by 10am we were chalking up and ready to go. I mistakenly thought the plan was to take it easy with some gentle ascents but they were not getting any easier for me. It felt like a conspiracy against me, testing this sorry South African to find his limits!! Well, I found them on every bloody climb with these two!
Michal led us up Ding, a 49m VS vertical drop nicely exposed to the elements. Probably the most challenging climb of the week. We finished the day on Doorpost, slightly easier but still keeping me very much on my toes! It all seemed slightly pedestrian for my companions and hopefully they did not get too irritated with my constant complaints!
We hiked off in search of a pub for fresh water and dinner (some supplies were running low) but other than their generous offer of water from behind the bar, our custom was politely declined at the local well-to-do, I think on the basis that we had not showered for nearly a week!
Day 7 – The Big Launch
I was ominously woken by the gentle crashing waves onto our boulder beach below! I guess it’s a bit like when you set your smartphone alarm to ‘seaside’, but a bit different. We knew what we had let ourselves in for this morning. It was kind-of woven into the plan. The swell was now at least twice the size it was yesterday. Time to pack up camp, to load our boats and to bash our way through the breakers without breaking our boats.
The swell was no smaller than expected and we knew this would be our most ‘interesting’ launch. Michal and I steadied Natalie and pushed her out, then Michal kindly offered to help me out and take the punch on his own. His boat filled up before he could get in and he chose to push it through sans passenger and swim in after the boat. I helped Michal into his boat behind the breakers while Natalie kept us out of danger on tow. That was quite fun, thanks Michal!
It was a slog to St Ives, the tide was not strong but it was going the other way which was not helpful. We made steady progress and were pleased to reach the lovely sandy beach just around St Ives Head. The seafood restaurant served up a GLORIOUS meal, our first taste of civilisation in a week. I headed off on Cornish public transport in search of Mowzel whilst my dearest companions kindly carried boats and kit to a convenient location.
Day 8 – Surfing St Ives
We had not struck it lucky with last night’s camp site! It was a real family affair near the surf beaches… but we had our reasons. We were up and out of there in no time having a hearty fry up in a surf café overlooking one of Britain’s premier surf beaches. Natalie went off and hired an upgrade to her last bronzed toyboy and Michal and I wrestled the surfers for space. Michal went straight for some of the big waves and very soon was trying to loop forwards, backwards and whichever way is possible for a sea kayak to tumble. After a few hours playing in the white stuff, me unable to keep myself from swimming, Natalie unable to find a surf board that suited her and Michal unable to destroy his boat, we were satisfied and heading on our way to London; a fitting end to a glorious week leisurely exploring the Cornish headlands.
In the last week of my summer holidays and the first weekend of September we finally went on a trip where only two of us were present. This time we swapped the double blade for a single blade and shared the boat. We took part in the Drift and had a smashing time. Here is a little video.
I have spent the last two years paddling regularly onThames as a member of THCC. I realised there are several myths widely shared between sea kayakers.
The small exercise we undertook last Tuesday night, a swimmer and rescue, left me unimpressed and thinking.
It’s Autumn and we paddle mostly in the dark and will for the next six months at least. Tides are quite strong in the autumn, therefore 4knots flow or stronger won’t be unusual.
I don’t know how many of us regularly practise rescue but my impression is, that nobody really expects to perform a real one on the river. I know chances are small but, as we could see last Tuesday, when it happens, everybody is caught by surprise (especially if swimmer is somebody who should roll without any problem). As a result everything then takes much longer than it should.
Does anybody remember how long it took them to do a rescue last time they done it? Two minutes or five minutes? Was it in the safe environment of the basin or was it on moving water, in the light or in the dark?
We all know that at least half of the people going regularly on the river does not have a reliable, including some 4* trainees. Most of us can roll safely when ready to do so but not when capsizing unexpectedly. In that case it is just a matter of time when there will be a swimmer in the busiest part of the river.
Here is a scenario of possible event. A group is trying to go against strong flow underneath of Blackfriars. It is quite choppy caused by wind against tide and a clipper has just pasted by a minute ago. This is a pretty normal situation and it wouldn’t be surprising if one of the kayaker capsizes.
Now, try to imagine it is you. It is dark, flow is strong, water choppy, confused and cold. Are you happy to roll? Would you even try to roll? Or would you just go straight out of your boat without trying?
I know; nobody wants to think this can happen to him/her and if they would roll. So let’s say it is me, and now I am swimming next to my kayak. Flow is just over 4 knots and it takes 10sec till somebody/you realises what is going on. It takes another 20s to approach me. It took only half a minute but we are already swept 60m by the flow before we even have a chance to start with the rescue. As I manage to position myself on the bow of your kayak I can see Millennium Bridge passing above our heads while my boat is being emptied. Suddenly we can hear others shouting and I can see how you are letting my kayak go while trying to grab a paddle. I quickly try to turn around and last thing I can is a big buoy only meter away. I raise my right arm to protect my head and…
If we are lucky, you will be able to tell me the rest of the story the next day during a hospital visit.
And if we are not lucky you may try to explain to my wife what happened and why I couldn’t see that bloody buoy earlier.
Nice little story, isn’t it. Fortunately it hasn’t happen yet. The point is, the swimmer or the rescue party can be easily carried by a flow half a mile within 5 minutes. Do we have safe half a mile to swim close to Blackfriars? Actually does Thames offer half a mile of safe swim anywhere? I don’t think so.
So unless you are happy to helplessly watch how somebody is being swept under a barge we have to make our rescues more efficient. It is possible to have a swimmer back in the kayak in forty seconds. One minute should be pretty much a standard for everyone. Also a towline, if used correctly, is very helpful to reduce the risk of being swept under something.
I am not the one who should be telling people what to do or not to do. But I find it quite irresponsible (or naïve) from anyone to go paddle on Thames and believing one or more myths stated above.
