P&H Custom Sea Kayaks Blog

Jimski and friends paddling from Porth Dafarch to Soldiers Point around South and North Stack on the weekend of the Anglesey Sea Symposium 2012.

This is a DVD produced by two sea kayaking experts who have organized countless pioneering expeditions worldwide. The cover boasts nearly 4 hours viewing time, which at first sounds a little overwhelming. However, the viewing is broken down into 7 chapters and the DVD’s format and clear layout make it quick and easy to access the content.

·      Intro – What Expeditioning Means to Me

·      Planning

·      Expedition Kit

·      Food, Fuel, Fluids

·      Looking After Yourself

·      Safety and Communications

·      Appendices

Each of the chapters contain a series of bite-sized articles fronted by Nige Robinson, Olly Sanders along with a whole host of other sea kayak expedition experts that make guest appearances throughout. As well as simple but detailed advice, there are excellent anecdotes and inspiring footage from recent forays to far-flung corners of the world.

The sections on kit and planning are excellent but less obvious issues such as psychology, morale and team selection (which are often forgotten) are dealt with particularly well.

It could be said that some of the filming for this DVD could have benefited form a higher level of production. However, it is important to remember that much of this was filmed ‘on the hoof’ during recent expeditions. In any case, top tips and information crucial to planning your next expedition come across well.  

Watching DVDs can never replace going on a training course or attending a symposium seminar or workshop, but this DVD brings valuable knowledge hard-won by extensive experience, into the comfort of your living room.

Copies of the Expedition Skills DVD can be bought direct from ‘Rock and Sea Productions’ or your local canoe and kayak store.

Spring tides and springtime brought the best out in Bardsey Island, north Wales last weekend. The combination of swell from the south, along with powerful tidal streams brought the surrounding waters dramatically to life all along the rocky shores.

Kev and Gill along with Matt and Chris made the crossing in canoes packed with buoyancy and supplies. The remaining four paddlers carried their cargo in sea kayaks.

Away from the rocks and reefs the sea was pleasantly calm although the booming of the waves pounding the shore was a relentless reminder of the ocean’s might. The golden hazy light and the unusually warm temperatures felt more like mid June than late March.

meadow pipit

Bird life is getting busy all over the island. The sea birds arriving in huge numbers including the Manx shearwaters. In the hedgerows, amongst the flowering gorse and along the stone walls all manner of small brown birds like wren and dunnock are enjoying rich pickings.

Having spent the night in one of the cottages there was just enough time for a short morning walk before heading back to the mainland.

P&H Team paddler Doug Cooper has recently released his new book, Rough Water Handling. Featuring stunning shots of the Expedition Cetus and the unique Delphin Sea Playboat in action Doug uses his extensive personal and coaching experience to show you how to master sea kayak handling skills and techniques in high winds, surf and tide races, and the mental and physical prep needed for open crossings.

Doug is a BCU Level 5 Sea and Inland Coach, Level 4 Surf Coach and Head of Paddlesports at Glenmore Lodge. He has been a P&H team paddler since 1997 and has coached and paddled all over the world.

If you want to take your sea kayak to the next level and really ‘Play the Sea’, this is essential reading!

Photos by Doug Cooper and Lara Tipper

This brand new DVD features clips from a wide range of locations and expeditions and advice from some of the best coaches and expedition paddlers.

http://www.rockandseaproductions.co.uk/