Cape Adventure - Advanced Kayaking

A week of sea kayaking set on the North West coast of Scotland, a remote and wild area of diverse scenic beauty. The week has been designed to meet the needs and expectations of more experienced paddlers, focusing on advanced skills, sea journeys and various sea conditions.

Saturday We will meet you at the Rhiconich Hotel at 3.00pm. Drive to our car park, unload your equipment into our vehicle, then a 10 minute walk on footpath to Cape Adventure. (Please note it is not possible to drive to our base.) Settle in, discuss the programme and meet our instructors for a cup of tea. Later an introductory walk to see the areas we will paddle during the week.

Sunday
A skills session, focusing on technique, range and efficiency of paddle strokes, group awareness, rescue & recovery techniques. Later paddle around Loch a' Chad-Fi practicing skills and becoming familiar with the kayaks.
Evening: An illustrated talk by Rebecca Ridgway about training, expedition planning and kayaking round Cape Horn 1992.

Monday
Prepare for the sea journey around Loch Laxford. Set off from Cape Adventure following the varied and broken coastline, home to a variety of bird and marine life. Camp for the night.

Tuesday
Continue on the sea journey around Loch Laxford returning to Cape Adventure in the afternoon, having completed a breathtaking sea journey.

Wednesday
Morning: Develop more advanced strokes, which will be useful in challenging weather conditions.
Afternoon: Exercise newly developed skills and strokes in a tide race or surf conditions.

Thursday
A Sea Safari: Navigate a passage through the islands off Ardmore point into Loch Dughaill and (weather permitting) up to Loch an Roin along the North West coast. Return to Cape Adventure in the afternoon finishing the week with a Cape farewell dinner.

Friday
Depart after breakfast

N.B. The programme may vary due to weather conditions

Food and Accommodation We offer delicious home cooked food (including vegetarian) and comfortable accommodation in a variety of single, twin, double, bunk or family rooms on the shores of Loch a' Chad-Fi. All rooms have wash basins and storage space for clothing. We have 8 good showers with plenty of hot water, male and female with disabled toilet facilities. We do not provide electric shaver sockets. We do not sell alcohol, however, you are welcome to bring your own. We do run a small shop selling soft drinks, snacks, sweets, insect repellent, midge head nets, outdoor clothing and maps.

"On/in the water the level of instruction was excellent; Will and Andy schooled us bobbing ducklings along on the crest of the wave!! We had ample opportunity to observe the wildlife - wet and dry - at close quarters."
Mr & Mrs D More, Balerno

Kit List In addition to the clothes you will be wearing when you arrive we suggest you bring the following as a minimum:

2 sets of paddling clothes - light thermals as a base layer, a fleece top and bottoms or track suit bottoms - we supply kayaking cagoules. Wet Suit (we supply but you may wish to bring your own if you have one) Footwear - wet shoes or wetsuit boots.
Other equipment
Waterproof jacket and trousers
Woolly hat or balaclava
1 x Trainers (for outdoor use only)
1 x Indoor shoes
Sun hat, sun screen and sunglasses (secure attachments for all glasses)
Torch and spare batteries
Pocket knife, KFS, cup, plate, bowl
First Aid Kit, Thermos flask, Water bottle
Sleeping bag
Sleeping mat (you can hire from us)
Towel and wash kit
Dry bags or strong plastic bags, e.g. rubble bags from DIY shop, for keeping kit dry
Wellington boots (optional)
July to September - Midge head net and repellent (e.g. Jungle Formula)