Sea Kayaking Grey Dogs Tidal Races - A Day At The Races December 2022
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- čas přidán 4. 01. 2023
- Sea Kayaking Grey Dogs Tidal Races - A Day At The Races December 2022
A Cold December Oban meet for the group and on Day 2 we decided we'd have some fun in "Grey Dogs" tidal races in Maximum Tidal Flow on Springs.
My intention was to enjoy the fun on the races but also capture the complex tidal flows within the Grey Dogs channels using the GoPro together with the drone to show a greater understanding of the flows from the air.
Paddling South from our start point Ellenabeich (Easdale) down through the Slate Isles to the Southern point of Lunga where the strong tidal races of Grey Dogs flow between Lunga and the North end of Scarba. We'd planned to arrive in the first hour of the Flood (East to West) Stream and play in races to record the action and changes in the flow throughout the full Flood cycle. Finally returning to to Ellenabeich via Lunga, Rubha Fiola, Fladda and Belnahua. - Sport
Wonderful footage, thankyou. Was there as an Army Instructor in '82. Less is known about the Dogs than it's cousin Corryvreckan to the south of Scarba, which is a pity.
The real challenge is in October and the gales.
Happy days.....
Hi Bob and thanks so much for your comments.
Yes both are amazing stretches of water with their strong tidal flows and races. You mention Corryvreckan, which is another favourite place for me to kayak for the very same reasons. If you haven't seen my video already take a look at Part 2:
m.czcams.com/video/Uco1BduMfC0/video.html (at around 8mins in)
of a 3 Part Series where we're kayaking for 4 days in loaded kayaks in extreme conditions. In part 2: I explain with aerial footage again, the unpredictability of turbulence etc of Corryvreckan's tidal flow. As a side to all this I have good friend and diving buddy that actually dives the Pinnacle in Corryvreckan, filming the impressive wildlife that actually thrives on the pinnacle within its extreme tidal flows...truly incredible!
I'd be interested in your comments have a watch of all 3 in the series as it tells quite a story about the area.
I hope you like what you see. Best Regards and keep in touch, Geoff
Tarka it was great seeing you again❤️
Hi Dave, it was great seeing you again too, it's been far to long!! Are you on Facebook or WhatsApp?
That looks like an awesome day's paddling
Thanks so much Edward, It's always a really great trip with loads of tidal races to enjoy. The area is "top draw" for multi day kayak camping expeditions. More videos in this area for you to enjoy on the channel . Cheers Geoff
I _love_ paddling tidal features. Thanks for a well narrated, capturing video! I didn't originally think I was going to watch the full 23 minutes. But I did and may watch it again!
Hi Jay Dee, so pleased you enjoyed the video and thanks for your comments, if you feel appropriate please share with your group. I too love paddling tidal areas and when I combine them with mutiday expeditioning really gives me a buzz, particularly Corryvreckan which is in the next sound south of Grey Dogs between Scarba and Jura which reportedly produces the second largest whirlpool in the world and crazy overfalls, the area commands huge respect and tidal planning.
There's loads of trip content on the channel and you will probs like The Shetland Series with loads of deep caves with tides pushing through and beautiful coastal formations. Still more to edit from that trip and others so keep watching.
I've just watched a few of your fun video's and they reminded me of crazy stunts we get up to and a couple of short early video's right at the end of the list...Surfing in Cornwall and Rock Dodging down there, sorry about the old camcorder video quality recorded about 30 years ago & uploaded about 11 years ago. Stay safe Jay Dee....cheers! 🍻
Sorry about the walls on Fladda, just repairing them has been a big job as the currents around the island have changed a lot and undercut the walls, covid didn't help either. Painting them is on my to do list for this summer. The NLB haven't painted the walls since the 50's, its been me!
Hi Mike, thanks for watching and hope you enjoyed it. I have some aerial footage of Fladda you may be interested in. It features in episodes 1 and 3 of my Sea Kayaking video's of Scarba, Corryvreckan & Jura trip 2021, both on my Channel Let me know what you think? Do you get many sea kayakers camping on Fladda? We usually stop on Belnahua as you can see in episode 3
It must be a massive undertaking, trying to keep on top of all the repairs to the walls and buildings with them taking the full brunt of any adverse weather as there is no shelter from the wind and waves opposing the strong/fast tidal streams around the island. How many months do you spend on the island?
Hi Geoff, Yes, I always enjoy video of that area, I have spent a lifetime in those currents and am still learning. I would be interested in any aerial footage you have. I do get a lot of kayakers who call in on Fladda and give them a mug of tea if I am there but its a bit small to camp on. Most people camp on Belnahua as its much bigger and more interesting. Do call in next time you are out there.
@@mikepl5926 Mike, that's very kind, and yes it would be great to meet you next time I'm up. Yea as I say we usually stay on Belnahua and the drone footage was shot from there, see links as follows
Episode 1 czcams.com/video/Tchhlxgslgw/video.html
Episode 3 czcams.com/video/KIlVyFWXjZk/video.html
I hope you enjoy, there's also footage of Scarba and Corryvreckan on there.
Catch up with you this year hopefully 👍👍 take care!
Very interesting tide race, very confused, tough to get a clean ride most of the time I assume (1st tide race featured)! Very intriguing area to paddle in! Nicely done video!
Hi and thanks for all your kind comments. The whole area around North and East of Jura and the sound of Luing are flushed by strong tide races that also run East & West through the notorious Gulf of Corryvreckan, Grey Dogs, Dorus Mor, Cuan Sound that also squeeze through and over the shallow seabed surrounding the Slate Islands further North.
The area has always been an absolute favourite of mine over many years for multi day Sea Kayaking trips using the fast tidal streams as a 'bus service' to navigate the many uninhabited islands.
I'm currently working on a series of video's from our 5 day trip in March, paddling in F7 gusting 8 and wind & tide giving recorded GPS speeds over 10mph in fully loaded kayaks...crazy !! Be sure to subscribe and Watch This Space for more adventures! Thanks 👍 😊
@@geoffburke subscribed, looking forward!
@@juhtuhb1Thanks, 👍 I'll try not to disappoint 😀
Very thrilling ride. It was as if I had been in a kayak.
🤗
Thanks 😊 👍pleased you enjoyed it and nice to have you along for the ride 😀 👍
Fabulous stretch of water and beautifully filmed
Thanks again for your comments David. That whole area off the West of Scotland is excellent with fast tide races giving rise to fantastic kayaking conditions, beautiful sceneryand outstanding wildlife. It my absolute favourite place for multi day trips.
Check out my Corryvreckan, Scarba and Jura Sea Kayaking Trip Video's (x3 parts) Part 1 is: czcams.com/video/Tchhlxgslgw/video.html
If you're not familiar with Corryvreckan it's quite a notorious phenomenon with loads written about it and loads of videos too.
Enjoy and comments please. 👍
Wow...what a day, (and early evening). Another great video Geoff. Perfect spot to tighten up those skills for later use. The drone footage was very interesting. The waves and swirls created by the flow made for a kayaking fun park. I am certain that everybody on the trip got a skills confidence boost. Certainly looked like a place where a moments inattention could have consequences. Did anyone need to roll or end up swimming??....Peter
Thanks Peter, I'm pleased to see you're still coming back for more 😀 👍 Yes, it an area I love and enjoy every time, the entire group are very experienced and they had a ball, no capsizes or swims. It can catch you out though, with the usual sitting in a back eddy chatting and unsuspectingly being pulled into the interface and caught by a boil or whirlpool 😂😂 happy days!
Grey Dogs is just as much fun on the Ebb but with less consequences runningWest to East into more sheltered water, take a look at around 2mins 15sec of czcams.com/video/YfrILHUohHE/video.html First day of our West Coast of jura trip, so with loaded boats we couldn't really play. I chose to take this route through from the West then down the East of Scarba to allow time for Corryvreckan to subside to get to the cave on Scarba before crossing to Jura with the surprise in the cave unless you've already seen it 😂😂😂
I love it! I really enjoy watching Kayaking videos from the Kayakers perspective! Can i please request maybe in the next video not to put any music when you are kayaking, I really do like the natural sounds, and I am sure most people do too! :)
Hi Arahh, and thanks again for your feedback its greatly appreciated. I can understand your comments and try to select music appropriate to match the changing mood during my kayaking, however, it's necessary, as often when there's very little wave or background noise it becomes boring and you loose the audience. I realise its a fine line as everyone's choice of music differs greatly and trying to find suitable material is a nightmare, very time consuming and sometimes I get it wrong.
I have taken your comments seriously and will try harder, being mindful to get it right in future.
Many Thanks 😊 👍👍👍
Loved the video. On my to do list. Ticked off Dorus Mor last year and nipped of the buttons on my seat!
Hi Colin, thanks for your comment & pleased you enjoyed it, and loads more on the channel as you know with lots more still to edit...watch this space!
Yes, Dorus Mor can be livey in the right conditions. I've really loved paddling that entire area for so many years and can't wait to get back each time. The tidal streams can be used like a bus service if planned correctly, such a scenic area and always something new to see!
Feel free to share anything of interest with friends.
Thanks for this, a really cracking video & help. I live in Kilmartin, nearby. My son & I want to visit Lunga for the birds. Your explaination about the Gray Dogs will be helpful, but we will probably pick a day closer to neaps as we'll fish off the kayak in various places & it is a pain if you're being carried at speed.
Thanks for your kind comments Patrick, absolutely, if you are primarily fishing stay with neaps but you'll still need to plan tides to cross. West of Lunga there is less tidal influence and deeper water.
Get in touch if you need any help. 👍👍
@@geoffburke Thanks for your advice. I think the paddle & wildlife will be my primary reason for the trip, but we'll sustain ourselves with fish. We will be paddling fishing kayaks so it's easy to carry the rods & tackle. Fishing kayaks aren't as swift or easy to paddle as a sea kayak & we've not been out there before so easing ourselves in with easy tides will be prudent. I'll get in touch when I'm getting closer to going, thanks.
@@patrickcavanaghkilmartin Wise move Patrick, far be it for me, telling people what to do, rather I try and give sound advice. Fishing kayaks would very no match for some of the 7 and 8knot plus tide races. See my latest video Scarba, Jura Corryvreckan Part 3, we managed 10mph up the middle of the of the Sound of Luing, clip of GPS speed on video. You have loads of races to cross depending on launch site Dorus Mor at Craignish, Cuan Sound North Loch Mefort, Belnahua, Fladda, Ormsa, Black Isle, to name a few, so to get to Lunga you have to cross something of significance and need to be clued up for location and timings.
Always avilable for info if required. 👍👍
I'd rather give advise than put folk at risk after watching my videos. Cheers
@@geoffburke thanks. My fishing kayak is still quick. It's designed to be fast enough to hook pelagic fish in South Africa. The surfski is as rapid as a sea kayak.
I used to use the tides in Suffolk where I grew up paddling a PBK13. We only had 5 or 6 knots there but my canvas kayak wasn't very quick & as a youngster, I'd tire quickly.
Here I've paddled & fished the Doris Mor and I fish the Golan rock on the northern end of Mhic Phadean near Craignish which is a minor race. I'm just starting part 3 of the trilogy. We may launch from Arduane again as it makes for easy passage to Luing, then keep close to the island & not venture further towards Lunga until next year. That's enough excitement for the moment.
@@patrickcavanaghkilmartin @patrickcavanaghkilmartin Yes, South African surfski's are very quick a friend of mine has one but doesn't do much with it, he finds it quite tippy. I've used Arduain loads in the past to launch our dive boat when the campsite was there years ago, fabulous diving around the Slate Isles and Scarba. Sounds like you're committed to your fishing and have a good grasp of the sea 👍 and its moods. Keep enjoying and stay safe 👍👍
Tides are obviously very complex up there but you seem to have very good knowledge of it. I paddle in Pembrokeshire which is wonderful but when I get a chance I would love to paddle on Scotlands West Coast, I go there every year but so far haven't been able to paddle
Thanks Charles, yes the whole area is swept by strong tidal streams, the deeper/wider area of sea West of Kintyre to Islay & Jura scoops up the flood stream squeezing it tighter as travels North into the shallower seabed and its many islands South of Oban, producing 'Nature's Playground' in the many races between the islands. You must take your kayak next time and do your homework or hook up with another group.
You must be well experienced living and paddling around Pembrokeshire...wonderful area too.
Cheers & thanks for watching. If you need any info, just get in touch!
Please tell the guy who lives in Easdale that I have a bad case of geographical envy.
Thanks for your comments, its appreciated. Grahame has already heard that from loads of people inc my kayaking buddies but most of all from me 😂😂
If you've enjoyed watching please browse my video's for more adventures, share them with friends and consider subscribing if you're not already as I'm always busy editing new footage from regular kayaking trips. Regards Geoff
I know it wasn't you Geoff but can I take this opportunity to ask people not to build those stupid cairns, leave no trace means leave no trace, not build piles of rocks. For the people who say they are leading marks the site of that bay is blindingly obvious at any state of the tide and if you don't know where it is then you should be with a local guide. That area is not for the inexperienced or unprepared, a pile of rocks isn't going to help you out there.