SKEG 2014

SEA KAYAK EXPEDITION GATHERING

 
13th – 15th June2014

This year’s SKEG is to be a gathering of people who enjoy sea kayaking in particular sea kayak journeys on the beautiful coastline of Northumberland.

Workshops will take place throughout the weekend and will be undertaken as part of a journey. The area is rich in scenic destinations, wildlife and variable water conditions. All groups will be transported from Beal by minibus and trailer.

 

The gathering is going to be based at the Barn at Beal close to Holy Island, which offers a campsite, café, bistro and bar http://www.barnatbeal.com/.
Alternatively if you do not want to camp, there are many alternative accommodation choices in the area – please see the SKEG BLOG for information on alternative accommodation in the area wwwskeg2013.wordpress.com.

 

The gathering gives people the chance to meet many likeminded people, share experiences, and become inspired for new adventures.
There will be the opportunity to try new boats, and peruse clothing and equipment from leading manufacturers.

The gathering will commence late afternoon on the Friday and close on Sunday late afternoon. Cost of the weekend is £95 which includes all on the water sessions lead by level 5 coaches, a BBQ and talk on Saturday evening. Please note that candidates must book their own accommodation.

Equipment is available to borrow from the centre if needed – please ring and check.

WORKSHOPS

The workshops offered at SKEG are summarised below. The choice will be made at the event according to demand. Each workshop will be based around a journey according to weather conditions and will be tailored to the ability level of those candidates attending – as follows:

LEVEL 1
If you’re used to paddling as a member of a led group and/or have previous
adventures to relatively calm conditions Force 2-3 (about BCU 3 Star personal skills).

LEVEL 2
If you’re an independent paddler in moderate conditions with personal skills at or around BCU 4 Star, used to paddling in force 4 Level 2 sessions are aimed for you. You’ll be used to dealing with wind and waves and will have a reasonably reliable roll.

LEVEL 3
If you’re used to paddling with independent groups in more challenging conditions force 5-6 and are confident in breaking waves, surf and stronger tidal streams, you’ll be looking for the more challenging sessions at SKEG. These are suitable for paddlers working toward the 5 Star award.

Navigation on The Move – navigate on the water as you go along

Expedition Leadership, The philosophy and psychology of performance

GPS Uncovered – learn the basics and more advanced techniques

Incident Management –develop strategies to deal with those worst case scenarios

Surf Skills – Surfing a sea kayak with style

Dynamic forward paddling – unravel your stroke and increase efficiency

Fishing & Foraging techniques and identification

Mid-Trip Repairs and Maintenance

Introduction to tide race paddling and moving water

Please see the SKEG BLOG for more details http://www.skeg2013.wordpress.com

The very long awaited photo competition !

Sorry folks for the delay – I do have some great photos from you and will endeavour to post the best for you to look at. there are 2 prizes to be spent at 1st Wet and Wild in Hull – don t worry if you can t get to Hull , Fi will be able to help !

Has anyone gone home with an extra Reed Spraydeck ?
Has anyone left a paddle ?? … please email me
angela.bullamore@northyorks.gov.uk

Sorry! I’ve been sending out the wrong email address in the last couple of emails. Anyone trying to send photos etc should email: angela.bullamore@northyorks.gov.uk

Thank you

Keep sending in your entries for this year’s SKEG photo competition to angbullamore@northyorks.gov.uk.
Here are a few that have already arrived!

From Valerie Tuff

From Ken Oliver

From Matt Hardwick

The Jurassic coast of North Yorkshire was the scene for this year’s expedition gathering at East Barnby. The weather was fine as paddlers descended from Portsmouth, Fort William and even America.
As the title suggests the emphasis is a sharing of expedition ideas, skills and practice, with the Saturday seeing groups paddling along the coastline stopping to forage for different seaweeds, shellfish and coastal plants. Simultaneously there were groups on the water learning top tips for fishing, dropping lobster pots and a group surfing the reefs in order to gain experience for surf landings with laden boats during expeditions.

Groups gathered on the beach to look at various cooking methods, spicy Pollock burgers were cooked followed by malt loaf fritters and caramelised rum plums.
The local lifeboat from Staithes joined the gathering for the afternoon and groups took to the water and took turns to call up the lifeboat with VHF and then work through a variety of scenarios such as injured paddlers, multiple capsizes, and some lucky folk got high speed rides in the RIB.
Back at the centre there was the opportunity to learn how to apply keel strips, shop for gear at Wet and Wild and Reed trade shops, before an evening of great variety; A talk from Jim about his recent trip to Greenland, cooking of foraged items and campfire goodies by Ang ……. Seaweed and mushroom risotto, limpet chowder, chocolate brownie filled oranges and strawberry with white chocolate briche rolls for the campfire (oh yes … and not forgetting the lobster!), and for some folk an exercise on the planning stages of an expedition was looked at. The evening ended as all good expeditions do with a big campfire and a tipple or three!!

Sunday saw everyone on a journey from Skinningrove heading south trying different boats provided by P&H and Rockpool with groups splitting to look at efficient forward paddling tips, navigation on the move , and “how to go in and in style” choosing the more interesting routes along the coast. Lunch was again a culinary affair on the beach at Staithes with a Pollock, chorizo and gnocchi stew cooked from fresh followed by a boozy baileys pud which undoubtably keeps well!

There was a chance to swap boats and gain further skills in the afternoon as the group headed to Runswick bay, there was an air of learning as people paddled on bearings, timed distances, checked speed and consulted charts along the way.
Runswick bay was bathed in sunshine as the groups finally arrived on the beach for a welcome cup of tea.

The gathering was a great success thanks to many people …. If you are interested in attending SKEG 2014 please email angbullamore@northyorks.gov.uk

Bring any unwanted kit this weekend … you might find a buyer !

DON T FORGET TO BRING YOUR CAMERAS FOLKS ………..