St Brides Bay and Jack Sound. Aug 12-13, 2006

My First Sea Trip

What an amazing 2 days I’ve had in the reassuring company of Jo, Martin and Dave.

This was a perfect activity and location for a heat wave. Day one we set off from Martin’s Haven following the coastline of St Brides Bay towards St Brides. The colours of the spectacular geological formations were mesmerising and expertly explained by our resident Geologist Jo. Shortly after Musslewick sands we took off to sea to explore an island (probably a little test for me). The weather was perfect for this small adventure and we were well rewarded with sitings of several grey seals basking in the sun. I didn’t realise they were so big. We went close enough not to disturb them and managed to get some photos.

I was still wobbling at this stage and was slightly surprised that the wobbles increased as we went round the island and both the wind and the swell changed. I was given some reassuring advice – “head in the direction which is most stable for you and we’ll follow”. Fortunately that was straight back to the mainland and then to Musslewick Sands for a big lunch. I couldn’t believe how different the rock formations looked from the other direction and in differing light.

I’m not used to paddling for so long and, although I was starving by the time we got back, we decided to head up to the top of the Deer Park to watch the Eclipse before dinner. What a great decision that was. We had no problem sharing 2 pairs of Solar Eclipse glasses between us to watch the whole event without a cloud in sight. We even felt a chill for about 5 minutes at it’s peak.

Dinner, wine, good company and I couldn’t wait for the next day’s adventure.

Tony

2nd day of a 2 day paddling trip to Pembrokeshire.

Getting the timing right for many sea paddling trips is a priority, and never more so than for the trip from Martin's Haven to Dale. It also needs the right sea-state and weather which fortunately we had. This trip took us down through Jack Sound, (which is the narrow gap between Skomer and the mainland), where the tidal stream can reach 6 knots, and make for a rough ride. Secondly, we needed to make sure the tide was running into Milford Haven when we reached it for the same reasons as running Jack sound. 

With the weather being hot and sunny, this allowed for a prolonged stay and leisurely lunch on a sandy beach, a swim for some and a snooze for others, whilst we waited for the tides to be in our favour. Following the safety rule of " less than three, there never should be" we formed a small happy band of four.

The trip was a genuine test piece for Tony who coped really well with this new experience. Although he's no stranger to paddling, this was only his 2nd trip out on the sea and a genuinely committing trip! As anyone who's ever paddled rivers, and the sea will tell you, it all feels quite different, and on the 2 days out, we also had to deal with surf landings and launches. So a bit of everything you might expect out of a sea trip. All went well for us, and we each had a great time, paddling in superb and impressive surroundings, and of course finishing the route at a lovely village pub right next to the harbour  for a cool pint of beer. It never tastes better!

Martin