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Contribution from Adrian Williams

Distance: 7 miles (approx)

Tide Times: High Water at 16.45

Tide Height: 7.6 metres (low)

Weather: Sunny with 3-5 (moderate breeze) N to NE winds

O.S. Map Landranger 114 - Anglesey.

Tide Directions: Pushing North for two hours before high water then South from 17.45

Useful Telephone number: Holyhead Harbourmaster: (01407) 762304

Anglesey Coastguard: (01407 762051)

This was the weekend of the Anglesey Sea Symposium and Peter and I arrived at 11.15 a.m. and went to the centre to establish what events were planned for that day. Having scrutinized the itinerary we decided to go to Port Dafarch to try some of the demo kayaks that were available. The main supplies were: Valley Canoes, P&H and Kirton. Peter and I both took out Valley Nordcap Jubilee Models and I found them comfortable, responsive and very stable especially when leaning to turn the kayak. It is certainly a kayak worth looking at again if I was considering changing my current kayak. I also took out Valley`s Cliffhanger - a dog of a kayak and I am confused what market it is aimed because it is too slow for sea trips but is maneuverable and I suppose it could be used for rock hopping and nothing else. I also took out the P&H new Kayak called the Spitzberg whose original design comes from Norway and has come with a reputation of being very fast as it has won numerous long distance sea races. It is 19 foot in length and aesthetically didn't meet with my approval. However, I took it out around the bay and this was the first kayak I have ever paddled that had a rudder which was controlled by foot controls. I was impressed with the rudder control and found the directional control easier that the conventional method of leaning to turn. It felt slightly unstable especially going at a slow pace. Again another kayak that warrants further trials if I was looking to change.

After about 1.5 hours of playing with the demos kayaks we unloaded our kayaks and headed for South Stack following the coast line. The coast line was suprisingly attractive with numerous caves and islets that you could explore. The drawback for me was the number of people on the After approximately 1.5 hours of playing with the demo kayaks we unloaded our own kayaks and headed for South Stack following the coast line. The coast coast line was suprisingly attractive with numerous caves and inlets that you can explore. The drawback is the number of people on the cliffs and water which reminded me of the M6 in the rush hour. I don't know if it is always so popular but the noisy jet skies and day trippers fishing was beginning to close in on me and I just wanted to get away from it all.

The paddling was easy until we reached Abraham`s Bosom and with the tide heading north this horseshoe bay was creating race against which leaves you with two options:- paddle in a straight line from the headland of Penryth Mawr to Pen - Las Rock OR to follow the perimeter of the bay. We decide to take the shortest and hardest route straight across the bay. It was nice to get a head of steam up as we had both started lethargically. We reached Pen - Las Rock and skipped between columns of rocks following the coast line to reach South Stack.

South Stack is very popular with climbers and there were numerous groups participating in what looked a very serious climb to me. Parties of spectators were scattered along this very attractive area and there were Guillemonts and the occasional Puffin to be seen with their low fast flights seemingly using the surface of the water to help get air bound. Arriving at South Stack we decided to paddle under the bridge and went left of the rocks with care as there was a fast race flowing south. Once we had passed under the bridge we circumnavigated the South Stack and took photographs of the well maintained lighthouse. The sea on the exposed side was fairly rough and reminded me of a larger roller coaster as it lifted us up and down to the rhythm of the swell. Once around the headland we followed the coast line in to Abraham`s Bosom and landed in the cove to get a brew and take in some food. However, when I got the kettle and water out I had forgotten to put in the cooker. As it turned out there was plenty of driftwood around which we swiftly collected and got a fire going to boil the kettle. The drinking chocolate tasted wonderful we sat and looked out the bay and savoured the isolation and quietness for the first time in the day.

After completing the break we followed the coast line entered some caves along the way back to the starting point.

In summary an easy paddle but potential problems could occur around the headland of the South Stack and the pilot states that in severe conditions the tide rip can reach 6 knots in springs and extends 1.5 miles NW.

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