Sea Kayak

Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course

Steve delivered a Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course last week for staff from a centre in the NE. This course is a prerequisite for the Sea Kayak Leader but its content is relevant and appropriate for all those venturing out onto the sea in small craft (e.g. sea kayaks, sit on tops, paddle boards) – or even wild swimming in the sea. The single day covers causes and effects of weather on inshore areas, tides and the prediction of tidal height and current rates, planning coastal journeys using appropriate charts, maps, pilots, tide tables and other important primary information, pilotage, buoyage and much else besides.

Steve runs several of these days every year. If you venture out onto the sea for your recreation or are interested in professional Sea Kayak qualifications you will find this course very valuable. If you’d like more information get in touch with Steve for a chat: 07796 213817 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|April 27th, 2022|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Cumbrian Sea Kayak Leader training

We ran a Coastal Navigation course last Friday followed by a Sea Kayak Leader training course based at Barrow and St Bees this past weekend in excellent conditions – we actually had too much wind at Roa Island so had to move further up Walney Channel. Some challenging wind and waves on the West coast on Sunday were mitigated by warm and sunny conditions meaning everyone had a great day out.

Steve offers Sea Kayak training and assessment for British Canoeing’s awards as well as personal coaching and sea kayak trips throughout the year. Please get in touch to organise your sea kayak adventure or join in with the ones we already have planned: steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk and 07796 213817

PS If the attached YouTube video doesn’t seem crisp when played on a full screen, you can click on the settings icon and select HD for best video quality.

By Steve|March 24th, 2022|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Sea Kayak Leader training, Cumbria

Steve is running British Canoeing’s Sea Kayak Leader training course in Cumbria on the 19th & 20th March. This course is ideal for anyone wishing to venture out on the sea in kayaks either with friends or in a more formal leadership role (Sea Kayak Leader). It covers the personal skills, trip planning, group organisation and incident management skills required to safely undertake coastal journeys in sea kayaks. It also provides all the information and knowledge which will be examined for those wishing to continue to the Sea Kayak Leader assessment day.

If you’d like to know more about the course and/or enrol please contact Steve on 07796 21381 or steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|March 7th, 2022|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course, Cumbria.

We have a British Canoeing Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course running on March 18th and have some places available. This course is based indoors and covers the knowledge and information required to safely plan and undertake coastal journeys in small craft. It is a prerequisite for those wishing to gain the Sea Kayak Leader award, though is very valuable for anyone venturing out on the sea in sea kayaks, canoes, sit on tops or on paddle boards.

There is no assessment, though British Canoeing will issue a certificate (fee) on completion. If you’d like to know more about the content please get in touch with Steve who will explain the day to you.

By Steve|March 7th, 2022|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Sea Kayak Leader training, Cumbria

Come and join our Sea Kayak Leader training courses in Cumbria. Our upcoming event on the 20th & 21st November is running and still has some space. The following course is on the 4th & 5th of December and also has places available. Both Sea Kayak Leader training courses are preceded the day before by the Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course (classroom based).

Whilst many people who take these courses are intending to work towards the assessment, it’s also the case that a good number use them to enhance their own knowledge and skills so they can make more informed decsions when paddling by themselves and with friends – doing the assessment is not required! Steve can also take a view on your sea kayak competence against British Canoeing’s Personal Performance Awards in sea kayaking then issue them as appropriate if you meet the required standard over the 2 days. This would save the cost of attending a standalone course to take these awards.

Steve’s Sea Kayak Leader training is based in Cumbria where we have the full range of coastline types to provide the best possible learning and development. If you’d like to join please get in touch at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk or call on 07796 213817. We’ll be delighted to hear from you and will do our best to support your sea kayaking development.

CURRENT DATES: Please check the Sea Kayak course page for our current course dates.

By Steve|November 10th, 2021|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Advanced Sea Kayak Leader assessment

Strong NW winds provided big conditions at St Bees to complete an Advanced Sea Kayak Leader assessment. Faced with difficult launching and landing, powerful surf, a distant break and some very big waves (which had our sea kayaks airborne and pointing skywards at times!), the candidate did a great job of managing two competent paddlers and providing an intense but very positive experience. They also managed all the staged rescue situations and incidents with aplomb – very well done!

If you’re keen to develop your sea kayaking or sea kayak qualifications at any level from flat calm to as challenging as you want, Steve will be pleased to help you. Get in touch for a chat about your paddling needs on 07796 213817 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|October 22nd, 2021|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Sea Kayaking Cumbria: Barrow & St Bees

Cumbria provides some great, though perhaps less well known, venues for sea kayaking. This past weekend saw Steve taking private clients out round the North end of Walney Island following the fast flowing tide through the North channel past the nature reserve. They were surprised by its unpopulated and wild nature despite being close to a large town. Barrow provides many other excellent venues for a day out (image with Piel Castle) whilst Cumbria as a whole has plenty of good coast for sea kayaking: St Bees has the only cliff coastline between the Great Orme and the Mull of Galloway and is festooned with cliff nesting birds in spring and summer; the huge sandy expanse of Morecambe Bay and the many river estuaries on the coast provide for fast tides and several tidal bores as the incoming water is concentrated in narrow spaces; the North Solway has 6 knot currents on spring tides to carry the adventurous northwards to return on the equally brisk ebb. These and other Cumbrian paddling sites await those interested in broadening their kayaking horizons. If this appeals to you Steve will be happy to advise and provide any support you need – just call 07796 213817 or email for a chat.

By Steve|October 11th, 2021|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Orcadian adventures

Steve is just returned from running his sea kayak trip to Orkney, though the weather did encourage some significant adaptations! We did manage a paddle from Stromness to the Ring of Brodgar, a day surfing at Scapa Bay and an excellent round of Gairsay (image) where we had some great tidal conditions, archeology and a huge group of grey seals bow riding the kayaks and leaping out of the water. We also had the opportunity to explore Skara Brae, Kirkwall and the western mainland of Orkney before very strong winds dictated a change of plan.

A check of the weather across Scotland showed the Moray Firth to be the calmest and sunniest place, so we relocated to Inverness and had three further excellent days paddling from Hopeman, on the Beauly Firth and at Fortrose from Chanonry Point to Fort George in the exciting tide races. We did also manage a really enjoyable night paddle in near perfect conditions from Bunchrew.

Steve’s next sea kayak trips will be in June 2022, one week of which will be in Jersey to make up for the week lost during the first lockdown. A second, consecutive week will be in Brittany. The dates and details will be advertised on the sea kayak trips page so please get in touch if you’re interested at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk or 07796 213817.

By Steve|October 7th, 2021|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Atlantic grey seals

Last weekend saw Steve taking two private clients out sea kayaking from Roa Island with a specific request for wildlife encounters. Paddling from Roa to Piel Island and then onto Walney Island meant we came across many birds including eider, dunlin, sanderling, curlew, sandwich terns and various gulls, though the highlight of the day was being surrounded by big atlantic grey seals which came to investigate us, nudging the boats and swimming beside us.

Atlantic grey seals (halichoerus grypus) are one of the UK’s two indigenous seal species (there are 33 species worldwide divided into 3 family groups). Greys are one of 18 species of phocid seals which are often referred to as ‘true seals’ and ‘earless seals’ on account of their lack of a prominent external pinna. Phocid seals are characterised by their slug-like appearance on land and the fact they use blubber for insulation as opposed to fur. Atlantic greys are big animals with the bulls being up to 310kg, they join together on beaches in colonies and the males compete over the females. Pups tend to be born in Autumn and Winter and have the classic white, furry weaner coat which harks back to camouflage in an Arctic past. This coat prevents them swimming effectively for the first 2 to 3 weeks of life and makes them vulnerable on the beach both to external disturbance and from adult seals – particularly if they stampede for the water when spooked by humans.

It is very important with marine mammals in general to take care when approaching them so as to not disturb them or be perceived as a threat. Steve was careful to advise his clients to stay well clear of the single mother with a young pup on the beach and to then drift and allow the inquisitive animals to approach – which they did in numbers!

If you’d like more information on seals or to engage with wildlife from your sea kayak please contact us for support. Steve is both experienced and knowledgeable and will be pleased to help you.

By Steve|September 6th, 2021|Environment, Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Orkney sea kayak trip

Steve’s next sea kayak trip is to the Orkney Islands with paddling days from the 27th September to 1st October. There’s also the opportunity for some free additional days as a client on Sea Leader assessments (depending on competence) after the paddling days. The trip is definitely running, barring unforeseen issues getting in the way, there are still a couple of places available if you’re interested in joining.

As well as away trips and personal guiding and coaching days Steve is also now putting on his normal range of courses for those seeking qualifications in outdoor activities. He’s doing this whilst still being very mindful of the Covid situation. We’ll still be being vigilant to protect ourselves and clients from exposure to the virus and have no intention of letting our guard down.

By Steve|September 2nd, 2021|Sea Kayak|Comments Off