Author: Kate Duffus

 Here paddlers are assembling before the start. I’m the one in the dark boat in the far background. Conditions are about perfect and the seals and terns are ready and waiting to ambush us in the vicinity of the island.

 This is where we went.

 I couldn’t take pictures during the event, but this is the prizegiving afterwards. I won the women’s prize paddling my lovely lightweight carbon kevlar Cetus LV but I think I’m going to have to do a bit more training before next time as there wasn’t much gap between first and second.

Last weekend saw around 250 paddlers descend on the Sleat peninsula of Skye for the Scottish Sea Kayak Symposium. The weather was kind to us and it was good to see so many folks enjoying the sunshine, the coaching, guided trips and just general banter.

The first session I attended was on forward paddling technique.

Next was a session all about balance. Gordon Brown led us in a range of crazy stunts that had us soaking wet, but by the end of the session, very much more balanced in our boats. Here I am proving how stable a Cetus LV is.

And here’s Kevin trying out a Cetus HV.

And here’s me again, paddling SOT style.

Greenland rolling was a popular session with many people wanting to explore traditional skills.

This was a session on self rescues.

More rolling practice.

 After the main event, there were four days of guided journeys. Rowland and I led this group on an otter spotting journey from Kyleakin towards Plockton and back. Sadly we didn’t see any otters but had fantastic views across to the distant Cuillin.

 Found an adder lurking in the grass of an abandonned village.

Always a magic moment when an otter sits still long enough to take a photo.

 On Thursday, Rob and I led a group on a journey from Elgol into Coruisk and then round the island of Soay before returning to Elgol. The scenary was stunning and the weather couldn’t have been better.

 This was a great chance to put my new Cetus LV through its paces and I’m pleased to say it paddles just as well as it looks.

The route is a circumnavigation of the island of Kererra

I was the first woman to finish in a time of 2hrs 20mins. Previous women’s winning times have been in excess of 2hrs 30mins so I was pretty pleased with my time. Now of course I will have to go back next year and see if I can do better.

The event was very well run, and well supported locally. Local sponsors had covered the running costs so that race entry fees and raffle takings were donated to the Oban lifeboat, about £1500 I believe.

As well as coaching, I took a selection of P&H demo boats for participants to try out, the most popular being the Cetus LV and MV. These were liked by all who tried them.