Interacting with both the Coastguard and/or National Coastwatch Institute (NCI), can be daunting, however often while the etiquette for using the radio when sailing (which we have researched thoroughly), feels natural for us now, there were still unknown issues with regard to the radio etiquette for a group of kayaks on open water, which we needed addressing.
Winter Paddle on Llyn Padarn
That was it for snow. The whole place was covered in between six and eight inches of snow., but it was enough for us to fulfil our winter paddling ambitions, whilst also completing the first step of our Harryår, or Harry Year challenge. This is a Swedish challenge, named after a Fin, who questioned why his Swedish friends, were putting away their boats in winter and not paddling all year round.
Christmas Paddling 2025
The first adventure was with four of us on Llyn Padarn. For the longest time we have been seeing other kayakers, kayaking with fairy lights on their boats in December, which looked like wonderful fun, and we wanted to have a go ourselves. So we arranged to meet at the lake one evening, an hour or two before the sun was due to set.
Canoe Club & Kayak Pool Sessions
So we met the club. Cerys and I had to go out on a couple of assessment paddles with the chair and membership secretary, so they could assess what help I might need, and see where we were in terms of paddling. We had good long chats with them, and they were all great. It was deemed that we were obviously still learning, but that we were okay to go into the pool sessions. We gained the tag ‘Improvervs’. Exciting.
A Summer of Paddling 2025
We paddled around the Rhoscolyn Beacon, which is sat upon a collection of islands off the west coast of Anglesey (Ynysoedd Gwylanod, which means Seagulls’ Islands). It has historically been used to warn ships of the rocky coastline, both above and below the waves. While I’m sure it still has this same use in today’s world, it is also now home to many, many seals.
Canoeing to Rhoscolyn Beacon
We were not surprised to find more seals on the rocks as we went around, and must have seen twenty or thirty of them in all, but a couple of encounters were a bit more exciting. As we rounded one corner of the furthest rocks, and coming a little close to rocks as we passed, we found ourselves facing a very large seal, who just barked at us, as we passed by.
SEAS All Afloat Sailability Review
The charity is fantastic. They support not just people with disabilities, but their friends, family, and of course, carers. It’s a break away from the daily grind, of pain and stress, and it gives people a real boost. All the volunteers have been wonderful, and can never do enough to support you. There’s always a panad (brew), on hand, and they often have a BBQ roaring, so you can eat after being potentially wet and tired.
Gallows Point Adventure
What an incredible day this was. A canoe trip from Gallows point in Beaumaris, through the Swellies, under both the Menai Bridge, and the Brittania Bridge, and then […]
Jacob’s First Time Kayaking
However, then something just clicked. After speaking to the people from SEAS, being shown how to move about, how stable the boat was, how to put his skeg down, and reassured that he would be rescued if the worst happened, he left the safety of the dock with us. He took to it, like a duck takes to water. He was paddling fast, turning in circles, powering past everyone, and he just looked like he belonged. It was beautiful!
Aber Falls on a Mobility Scooter
We marvelled at the hills, and the beauty of where we were. When we stopped to have lunch, we spent time laughing, joking, and messing around together. While that is our default state, it was really great to all be outside doing it. We were out as a family, enjoying each other’s company. Lovely.