About
I am Scottish and live “across the water” on the Cowal Peninsula in Argyll. In 2007, after many years of hillwalking, cycling and running, I took up sea kayaking – and I haven’t looked back. I am enthused and inspired by this activity – it contains everything I love about outdoor pursuits: physical challenge, peace, nature, scenery, new things to learn, new places to go, new people to meet, adrenaline (if you want it) and on and on.
I am writing this blog from the perspective of one who has had to learn sea kayaking from scratch. Despite having lived close to the sea for most of my life, I had no previous direct experience of it other than sailing as a passenger. I certainly had no credentials in hanging upside down from a small boat and have frequently found myself well out of my comfort zone as a result. But this is no bad thing. I also subscribe to the concept of mindfulness, and I am finding plenty of opportunity to apply it to my sea kayaking practice. It is definitely an enlightening experience.
It is my hope that someone out there who is also learning (or contemplating) sea kayaking might view some of my findings as useful, or at the very least might take comfort in the knowledge that not everyone is necessarily or immediately a “natural”. I am discovering that perseverance is essential.
To keep things interesting (hopefully) – I will include some other tenuously related topics that preoccupy me.
There is much to learn and practice. Thank you for allowing me to share my journey with you.
Pam
If you’d like to contact me directly, please submit the form below.
A kayaking pal was talking with enthusiasm about your site so I had a look and realised that I lived across the water from you – on Bute. Thought that your thoughts on the journey re the importance of perseverance and reaching a “mindful’ state were very thought provoking. Thanks.
Roddy
Hello Pam
Greetings from the Dorset Coast
I stumbled onto your site whilst looking for sea kayak reviews. Although I have been paddling for a long time, this was mainly on my own design of SOT; a composite sea kayak turned into a SOT many years ago so that I could get out into the wild and follow another passion of free diving and get close to wildlife such as seals and dolphins. This year, I made a decision to get into sit in sea kayaks so that I would not be seen a freak when I go on group sea kayak trips. So despite my experience, I am learning all over again from a different perspective.
I also share your views on mindfulness. I actually earn a living teaching a very old form of Tai Chi. Like you; I see a universal link in Sea Kayaking (and also free diving). Many free divers now study yoga breathing.
By the way, I went for a Quest LV. It has so far been a boat to grow with, but I am enjoying the challenge.
You mention your diagnosis with multiple sclerosis. I suffered a condition that gradually over a period of 5 years left me almost unable to walk. They still do not know what it is/was or what caused it. Having been very fit all my life, I found this extremely difficult. I was always determined to keep going no matter what. I did need medical help, but I believe that my gradual improvement to the point where I can almost do everything now without pain is down to my own mental strength and positive belief.
I wish you well in your endeavours. Stay positive and use each challenge to grow stronger.
Best Wishes
Ian
Hello Roddy and Ian – Many thanks for your kind comments.
Roddy – I’ve replied to you via email.
Ian – very interesting to hear of your paddling “evolution”, and of your Tai Chi teaching. I’m also encouraged to hear of the progress you have made with your illness. For me, MS is such a vague condition, I sometimes wonder if every case is really the same thing, or if the variations in severity, progression, symptoms etc might not suggest differing disorders. Anyway, indeed I do plan to stay positive! As my yoga teacher said, if you feel well, you are well. I hope you stay well and grow stronger too. Enjoy paddling your Quest LV. And I am quite fascinated by your free diving! That always looks so beautiful when I see it on TV. You should start a blog!
Hello Pam
I just found your blog again while looking for comparisons on the GT and Cetus kayaks. Hope you are well. I can see you are still enjoying your paddling. It looks like you went for a Rockpool.
I am still improving and getting slowly back to fitness. I have managed to paddle the North Coast of Brittany in May…stunning coastline and lots of Islands to explore. I then paddled most of the Cornish coast in June after doing a week of hardcore training with Jeff Allen and Simon Osbourne. Hoping to get up to Scotland before the Summer is out. I keep hearing so much about the West Coast.
Re: The freediving; you should give it a try. I find it is a great tool for measuring the ability to relax.
I will get round to starting a blog. It looks like a great way of recording and sharing experiences.
Best Wishes
Ian
Hi Ian – Great to hear from you, and what an inspiration to read of your adventures after all you’ve been through. I’m sure the training would stand you in good stead to deal with the type of sea/weather conditions that you must have encountered already. There’s lots of Scottish west coast to explore! It is a prime sea kayaking destination. Give us a shout if you’re in the neighbourhood. I don’t know about freediving, but I am getting into Greenland rolling. It has already taught me a great deal about relaxing when rolling – something I could never do before!
Looking forward to your blog!
All the best,
Pam
Hi Pam
How funny, I have also been trying some Greenland Rolling inspired by the Helen Wilson DVD. I love efficiency of movement and regardless of discipline either women or old men teach this best. When I started in martial arts I was told to find an old master as his body movement will be the most efficient.
Having said this, it was interesting to note that on one of the “This is the Sea” DVDs several experienced and well known paddlers went to play in a big tidal race off Scotland and the only one to struggle and fail to roll up was Greenland rolling champion Freya Hoffmeister. So maybe a roll in anger in the big stuff is not so pretty.
I will give you a shout if I can get up to Scotland this year. I am aiming at the back end of August for a couple of weeks.
Bye for now
Ian
Hi Ian – Great minds think alike! So far, I am convinced that working on Greenland technique is improving my “Euro” roll, maybe just through spending more and more time underwater, trying to figure things out and, as you say, relaxing. But you raise a great point – we shouldn’t forget to keep it real. I’ll be posting about all this soon
Pam
Hi Pam,
Just been reading through the site and have to say it’s fantastic, great content and well presented. The resources are handy and the size chart will save a bit of googling whilst on the never ending quest to find the next kayak. Looking forward to reading more, keep it coming!
John
Hi John – Thank you for the encouraging feedback! Happy paddling, Pam