Guinea Pig Plymouth

I volunteered again to be a “Guinea Pig” on a sea kayak leader assessment for someone I’ve never met. That turns out to be relevant.

The first thing is the weather. I had been hoping to experience Salcombe, but the wind was in the wrong direction (Paddling around Torbay and Salcombe in a strong wind that is blowing you away from shore is deemed somewhat risky). So we went from Mount Batten “for a change”.

I would say we had strong winds in the morning (certainly by the time we got past Mount Batten Breakwater, with wind apparently 15 knots (maybe I misheard and it was 12 knots) gusting to 25 knots). The swell was “interesting” but I wouldn’t have said it was that big. Maybe 0.5 metres. By the time we got to Bovisand Bay I think we were looking at swell of 1.5 metres or more. However, the wind had dropped. One learning point for the day was that I am better in big slow swell than wind.

I’m sure there was a big slow swell here.

Something I learnt is that, whilst the leader has to get themself in the boat, they can use someone to help stabilise the boat during a self-rescue

As a note to myself, my towline “disintegrated”. So, first of all after lunch I put it on upside down and couldn’t figure out how to undo it left handed. Secondly, the knot securing the elastic loop / cord to the belt came undone. (I’m sure that’s happened before, I don’t know if I should melt it in place).