Cardiff International Whitewater Part 2

It was soon time to meet our guide for the day and get kitted out for the afternoon session. Having received the biggest bruise on my backside I would recommend that everyone who tries this ensures that they have a wet suit on to give some protection! Once changed we headed for the bottom of the course to receive our crafts for the session.

Boat 1 K & H

Boat 2 Em and Jim

As we paddle a double sea kayak it wasn't long before we were feeling quite comfortable! We were given instruction to ferry glide on the bottom fall getting used to the moving water.

Getting used to the water

Looking like the pros Em and Jim

It was then time to really test out the rafts and our nerves. The good thing about being a team is that you trust each other impeccably and when a command to paddle comes, that is what H did with little thought about what might happen as I steered us into the bottom fall. All the action of course was caught on camera courtesy of Cym and Auntie Di!

H and K's hand and paddle!

The only person laughing after this was me (K)! There was an unamused H climbing back into the boat still wondering what had happened! To rub salt in the wound we were then instructed to go above the fall to practice our defensive swimming!! H is still adamant that no one mentioned swimming when she signed up for this!! Unfortunately when in a boat with someone who gets bored easily and likes pushing the boundaries this practice would be needed!

Confirming all good

H taking yet another mouthful

Em looking cool and relaxed!

Jim

The course builds up your confidence slowly with defensive swimming followed by a few runs on the bottom part of the course. This was completed with no reportable incidences! It was soon time to get exited about running the whole course!

The instructors unfortunately had to take one raft at a time which meant with 6 rafts we were waiting a long time at the bottom. However it was not too long before we were on the conveyor belt heading for the top.

The course felt very different in a two man raft compared to the kayak, it felt more intimidating. The first run down went fine with no real issues to report. On the second run we had to breakout on the middle fall as we nearly collided with a raft! This had much comedy value when H was wondering why we were now sat in an eddy facing upstream!

Meanwhile in the other raft Jim and Em were coping extremely well with not one swimming experience! The last run down saw us all following down the course. As it was the last run down I decided to spin the boat on the latter section of the course which resulted in us hitting an obstacle side on and flipping the raft. H was not amused that she was once again swimming! I however forgot to lift my backside on the bottom fall and received a nice bruise for my troubles!

JIm and Em

Once back in the raft it was time to get out and put the rafts away. This was a great experience and we would recommend it to everyone! We never stopped laughing from start to finish! The centre really is a great place even just to go and watch the different activities happening on the course. However be warned once you watch you will want a go!!

Cardiff International Whitewater Part 1

Having been a slalom paddler in my youth growing up in South Wales there was little in the way of white water and slalom gates on the doorstep! However that has now since been put right with the building of the Cardiff International Whitewater Center and what a great job they have done! It was opened in 2010 and straight away my father who was the inspiration behind all the years of slalom was raving about how good it was! Therefore it was not long before we had to take a trip back home to check it out!

It was decided that K and Jim would take to the kayaks in the morning and then a spot of two man rafting for Em and H to experience as they are not quite confident enough to take the course on single handed! We were to meet up with an old friend of the family from our slalom days called Hamish. Hamish still very much into his slalom paddling paddled a slalom boat, Jim in a Dagger Axiom and K borrowed a boat from friends and was a little apprehensive about what it would handle like, especially when even though only 5ft 2 1/2 could just about get her feet in !















The first stage was to get used to the boats on the flat at the bottom of the course. Being a little apprehensive having not been on whitewater for a good 6 years it was time to test the roll and stopper surfing on the bottom fall!

Testing the roll just incase!

Stopper surfing bottom fall

All was feeling good on the bottom fall so it was time to tackle the course! The conveyor belt ride to the top is very convenient and gives you plenty of time to try and control the nerves! Having paddled many courses around the World this was something of a momentous occasion paddling on home turf!

Since paddling the course in September it has been changed. This is the advantage of moveable obstacles you can create what you want. However the top fall throws you into it straight away! The course is designed for slalom and I was beginning to feel right at home!

The middle part of the course has tight fall with great breakouts and then quite a technical section with a stopper across the middle not far after that. The first run down was used to memorise each section and to settle any nerves that were around at the start.

Jim

 The latter part of the course is mixed with stoppers waves, great breakouts and a bottom fall to finish. The second and third runs down were spent crossing from break out to break out and surfing what waves were about.

Hamish

 The course is shared access with big rafts. This is a great way of allowing all to access the thrills of the rapids! It is also good fun watching the fear turn to excitement on the faces of those in the raft!

As we were to experience a two person rafting package in the afternoon it was important not to tire ourselves out so a few more runs and it was time to head for the cafe for lunch. Cym, John and Auntie Di had since come down to watch us brave the rapids in the afternoon and also I have no doubt to enjoy the entertainment!

Isle of Arran

Lamlash Bay for Breakfast

Having found the Isle of Arran it is hard to believe that we had never visited it before! It is not too long before you arrive at Ardrossan from Cumbria and there is a 7am ferry for convenience! We decided to leave late Friday and sleep in the ferry port before catching the ferry to an island sometimes referred to as 'Scotland in miniature". We arrived in Broddick just under an hour after setting off. 

Looking a little dull on the weather front!

Cracking rainbow as we left Ardrossan

We had booked on Seal Shore Camping in Kildonan but decided to take our time cooking bacon butties overlooking Holy Island and Lamlash Bay. The weather leaving Ardrossan was very dull but it improved constantly throughout the weekend. We arrived at Kildonan which was a very short drive away from Lamlash around about midday. The view from the campsite with the Isle of Pladda and it's lighthouse for company as well as Ailsa Craig in the distance was superb!

Not a bad view from the Campsite!

Seal Shore Campsite

As the weather was still threatening with heavy showers (the campsite pictures were taken on the next day!) we decided to explore the coast line from the campsite and look for the Black cave. We purchased the cicerone guide for the island which never disappoints with great detail and insight into the surrounding area. The walk was a mix of beach, stones and the odd dodging of the tide.

The Isle of Pladda and it's lighthouse

An added bonus was the passing of the seal colony! Having sea kayaked past many on our trips I don't ever remember passing a colony on foot! They were however not phased at all! 

A very chilled out Seal posing in front of Ailsa Craig

We soon realised that we were racing the tide if we wanted to see the cave as it does get cut off! Away from the village the coast line turns to high steep cliffs and rocky shores. We soon reached the cave but had to be quick if we did not want wet feet! 

No feet were wet in this adventure 

A sea arch to add to the awe inspiring scenery

There was a little panic setting in!!

The walk back was very pleasant and we felt very relaxed in such awesome sceney. It was back to study the map and discuss tomorrows adventure.

The next day we had planned to get on the bikes over to Lamlash Bay and have some lunch before finding some off road thrills on the way back. We had looked at websites for information but with any riding locally, local knowledge is power and although not disappointed we did not find the thrilling mountain biking side of Arran! 

We left the campsite and headed North on the road. The weather was significantly better and we were enjoying the undulating roads that the island has to offer! 

On route we passed  Arran motor cross club riding on the track. This was a great facility and there seemed to be some talented riders about! What a great place to ride!

We contiued up the coast before hitting a great little climb on the road over to Lamlash Bay on a road called the 'Ross' not far past the village of Lagg. It reminded me of a lakeland climb through the valley! The descent the other side was fantastic with a great view. 

At Lamlash we ordered a lovely bar meal at the Lamlash Bay Hotel. The food and service were great! It was soon time to go in search of some off road magic! 

Lamlash Bay overlooking Holy Island

We headed back the way we had come and then turned off through the forest. The ride entailed grinding up forest roads back over the top to Kildonan. There was singletrack in the forest but with the very likely hood of getting lost we decided to have a leisurely cycle back!

The weather had been great all day with the exception of the ever present coastal wind! Our leisurely cycle had taken its toll and it was time to make the most of the sun before the next day in the hills!

A little tired after a big lunch! 

The next day the weather continued to be fantastic. We could not believe our luck! Although September normally has a period of settled weather within it!! Out of the cicerone guide we decided to walk the Corrie and Goatfell walk. 

Corrie and Goat Fell Walk (9.5 miles)

The walk leaves the village of Sannox on the north west coast of Arran. The drive was extremely pleasant and the walk was not going to disappoint! We decided to park between Corrie, the end part of the walk and Sannox village, the start of the walk, to limit the amount of road at the end. The walk into Glen Sannox is stunning. A panorama of mountains stretches as far as the eye can see! 

First Peak of the day

Admiring the view up the Glen!

The first peak was Cioch na h-Oighe. The path up was narrow on steep ground followed by a scramble! We did what most people did and climbed too high to miss the path, two locals we met at the top had explained that this was usual! What this did do was put us on some dodgy scramble which was enough to get the adrenalin going! Awesome views though!

On top of Cioch na h-Oighe

On top 661m high, we sat for quite a while admiring a fantastic view that stretched for miles around Gleb Sannox! After a quick bite to eat we made our way along what is described as a roller coaster ridge. The path leads to Mullach Buidhe a little higher at 830m.

From here there was a clear view ahead around Glen Sannox and towards Goat Fell. The ridge runs across to North Goat Fell 818m.

The path soon leaves North Goat Fell and onto the Stacach ridge. 

There are a few options for routes along this ridge. It took us quite a while to get across as the photographic opportunities were endless! The last part of the ridge takes you to the summit of the most famous peak on the island, Goat Fell. It is the mountain that greets all the tourists off the boat overlooking Broddick! The summit is a table of granite with a few large boulders, trig point and a view indicator. It is the highest mountain on Arran at 874m. 

Team Pic

Top of Goat Fell 

Overlooking Broddick with Holy Island behind

The walk off Goat Fells follows a ridge path east. The shoulder at Meall Breac is where we left the main path from Broddick. The path back to Corrie was rough but easy enough to navigate following the burn. After passing a few deer fences we soon found ourselves on a steep road down to Coire. 

The path of Goat Fell

The walk back to car was painless and gave yet more time to admire the stunning coast line of Arran. It was time to head back and discuss the days experience over a well deserved tea! 

Our lift home

The next day it was time to head back to Broddick to catch the ferry to Ardrossan. We decided to take the coast road North and drive around the whole island before heading back. The North of the island was just as stunning and we vowed that we would be back armed with sea kayaks next time!

Leaving Broddick with Goat Fell in the background