#137 - Exploring the Waters of Cornwall by Sea Kayak with James Roberts

WEBVTT

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Welcome to Paddling the Blue. With each episode, we talk with guests from the

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Great Lakes and around the globe who are doing cool things related to sea kayaking.

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I'm your host, my name is John Chase, and let's get started paddling the blue.

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Welcome to today's episode of Paddling the Blue.

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If you're a long-time listener, welcome back. And if this is your first time, thanks for joining us.

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Today's guest is James Roberts, and James is a co-owner of Sea Kayak Cornwall,

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where he's found his niche in paddle sports coaching.

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And today we'll talk about some of his favorite must-do places in Cornwall,

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if you're ever going to have the opportunity to visit.

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We'll talk about old mining caves, paddling through tide races in the dark to

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Lundy, crossing from Land's End to the Isles of Scilly, and more.

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Before we get to today's conversation with James, James Stevenson and Simon

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evolve as a paddler and as a coach.

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Surfing, coaching, documentaries, expedition skills, and incident management, and more.

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Enjoy today's episode with James Roberts.

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Hello, James. Welcome to Paddling the Blue.

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Hello, John. Thanks for having me, and thanks to Joe for the invite. Yes, yes.

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So I've got a first question for you. Your profile on Sea Kayaking Cornwall

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labels you as the new school trickster. So how did you get that name?

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I guess that's my willingness or keenness to play in a sea kayak.

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I started with a bit of a background at university doing lots of whitewater

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kayaking and freestyle kayaking.

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And I like to try and take that into the surf environment, into sea kayak.

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So surfing, pirouettes, rock hopping, that's my, my bag.

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All right. All right. Yeah. I read that one of your, uh, one of your favorite

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things is performing freestyle tricks in a sea kayak in the surf.

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Yeah. I mean, pop outs, pirouettes in the surf, really good fun and,

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uh, such a great environment to hone your skills.

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Very cool. That sounds like a good time. So now you you're with Sea Kayak in

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Cornwall. So tell us a little bit about your history leading up to that.

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Great. So I started kayaking in Cornwall.

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I'm Cornish. When I started kayaking with my family, we bought us kids some

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general purpose fiberglass shells.

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I had a 90 degree left-handed wooden paddle and I'm definitely right-handed.

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So it's quite an awkward start into kayaking.

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And we had great opportunities at school. I was part of a local comprehensive

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sports college and as part of PE lessons we got to go kayaking, sailing, climbing.

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Didn't really know anything different but that opportunity was amazing at a young age.

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Following that at the age of 18 I undertook a watersports apprenticeship at

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a local watersports centre called Elemental and worked there for five years

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progressing kayaking skills and sailing and coasteering and other activities in Cornwall.

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And after five years there, I was ready for the next step.

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So I applied for a job at Sea Kayak in Cornwall and it was the right place, right time.

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They were looking for somebody to join the team.

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And I got to work for Simon Osborne,

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Jeff Allen and Sean Rogers and really just absorb loads of information about

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coaching and sea kayaking in the local area and progress that.

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Got taken under their wing, found myself in 2023 in the position to become a

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co-owner and director of Seek Ike in Cornwall as various people left to move

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on to different projects.

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And I'm now running coaching sessions and Paddle UK and...

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Providership awards, as well as our fleet of expeditions.

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That's fantastic. Those are some strong wings to learn under.

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Yeah, it was a really good opportunity. They've got a really different style.

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But great range of experience and just being able to work under them and absorb

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a load of information was really useful in my early career.

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Absolutely. Absolutely. Now, how would you say that that shaped your career?

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Oh i still like to stay true to

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my individual style yeah and try

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to focus on who i am and not copy

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their coaching techniques or tactics

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but just being able to learn from

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them allowed me to gain my

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own coaching voice and build some

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confidence in different conditions working with

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them but also hearing different feedback and

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being observed from them and being challenged by them was something

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that was really important in my development so what

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was that progression like from from just kind

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of starting in the in as a paddler and then

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growing through the coaching scheme it takes

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a long time john uh it's to

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get to make a career in paddle sports it's

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quite a challenging thing working for five

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years in multi-activity in cornwall isn't paid terribly well

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so to do it as a career is is pretty

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challenging and it's very seasonal here in Cornwall so lots of people will just

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work for the summer season and then you have to find other things to do for

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the winter and perhaps as a result lots of people will lose interest in the

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coaching early on unless they're surrounded by good mentors.

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But I'm fortunate to be in a position where I could balance that with university

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and other projects in the winter and slowly make it more of a year round job,

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which is really nice.

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It takes a long time to forge a career in the outdoors and get the experience

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for the various qualifications, but it's been really worthwhile and really rewarding to be where I am now.

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Absolutely absolutely now what

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is the what is the primary season there and the summer

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season i'm guessing so our main season or

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seacock and cornwall's main season of operation would be march until november

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which is quite a long season i know elsewhere in the uk they're able to operate

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year round but cornwall's local catchment area is quite small and we're quite

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far south in the uk It's a long drive down.

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Our busiest season, I would suppose, would be from March until October.

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So there's some quieter months either side of that.

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And in the winter, there's loads of time to work on personal projects,

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develop the business and the website, and also have a little bit of time to

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give the body a rest. Sure.

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Yeah. Although you mentioned it's not a terribly long season.

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It's in March to November, certainly a good amount of time.

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And to be able to spend a consistent time on the water throughout that entire

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season, it does wear on you. That's certainly true.

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Yeah. It's pretty full on and you notice it towards the end of the season on the body.

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It's just, you're building strength throughout the year and you get a mid-season

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fitness level, which is really good.

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But towards the end, you get various repetitive strain injuries that are important

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to watch out for and just that feeling of fatigue, not being able to recharge

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is quite important to monitor.

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Sure. What's the range of the types of programs that you might run throughout the season?

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It's huge, John. We have introduction courses, intermediate courses,

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intermediate, advanced, advanced plus.

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They align with the Paddle UK courses, but they are very much our own courses,

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Monday to Friday or a weekend two-day course.

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And then we have specific clinics.

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So there's surf clinics, rescue clinics, our expeditions.

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Expeditions we run expeditions in greece in scotland in the isles of scilly and on top of that.

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It's offering the paddle uk awards so the ck

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leader training ck leader

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assessments part of

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the work we offer and of course

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the symposium in october yeah yeah it's

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quite a range as you mentioned it's all over the from beginning

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to end effectively yeah and the symposium

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is always a nice event in october it kind

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of marks the end of our main season and it's

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a massive gathering of paddlers we've got

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quite a good international following and in

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the last few years there's there's been huge demand from german

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paddlers so it's almost a sea kayaking

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germany cornwall symposium which is

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is really nice to have that mix in clients

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and just work together with

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loads of coaches during the symposium there's about 13

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different options to choose from and that's offers a range from advanced surf

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to intermediate journeys sea kayak fishing or on medical planning So there's

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really something for everyone at all levels. And we have a barbecue.

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We have pizza rods come down and sell pizzas during the event.

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And we organize some talks in the evening.

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For me, that end of the season is a really nice way to wrap things up.

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Certainly. Sounds like a great time. How many people do you draw for the symposium?

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It's about 120 clients or paddlers.

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And then there's about 12 to 13, maybe 15 coaches and some volunteer coaches

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on top of that. Good time. How long has it been running?

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Long before I was part of the company. That would have been set up by Jeff Allen.

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I think we're in the 18th year this year.

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That's a good run. It's a lot of chaos, a lot to organize.

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And you get to do that in a great playground. So tell us about Cornwall.

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Yeah, so Cornwall to me is maybe a little bit biased coming from Cornwall,

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but Cornwall is a World Cup class paddling destination.

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We're stuck out on the the southwestern end

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of the uk we have tide races

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we have rock hopping we have

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surf of course which is a big part of coming to cornwall typically

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there's a range of locations within

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an hour's drive of our base so it might

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be up into the north coast it might be down

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to the lizard or land's end and then you've got

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a variety of estuaries as well where if it's windy like

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it is today you can find some shelter and create

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a level of challenge that's safe and beneficial for

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the clients so with all those uh

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all those all those different venues you know you mentioned tide races

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rock hopping surfing estuaries everything in

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between why would you go anywhere else well yes

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it's a great great point john i i

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love it and there's so much to discover there's places

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for sure that i haven't paddled i'm not in a big rush

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to cross off everything i've got a

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lifetime to do that but there's so much

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to explore that's great so what are some of those

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must-do paddles in the area oh well i think lots of people associate the big

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paddles as being land's end and lizard point at some of the more advanced paddles

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and on the right day You can take intermediate paddler.

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Intermediate paddler to these locations, but they're typically more advanced

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paddlers because of the exposure to the tides and the exposure to conditions.

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It's almost 360 degree cover.

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Land's end and lizard point

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really sticks out there to the south so the exposure

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to swell and wind is pretty prevalent

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pretty consistent through the year but taking

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opportunities to get people down there and experience the

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most southerly tip of the uk and just

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to go to land's end as a namesake is pretty

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pretty epic yeah the geology in cornwall

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changes so much and that creates a

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level of interest too so land's end

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has these great granite stacks and when

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it's sunny down there i was there earlier this week they just

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get bathed in sunlight it's a gorgeous view the lizard is devonian a type of

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devonian rock that's much darker and just creates a totally different playground

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for rock hopping and that's variety makes it really interesting in cornwall

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that you've got that massive change in geology.

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It feels at times like you're paddling in a different place in another part

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of the world almost with every paddle.

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That sounds fantastic. I mean, I'm looking at Land's End on a map and you mentioned

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it's the, so I guess it's the most southwestern point?

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Yeah, Lizard Point would be the most southwestern point. Okay.

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Ah. And then Land's End there. You've got the Cape at Land's End.

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So the area where two oceans meet or divide and doing that trip,

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you get all of the Cornish mining heritage.

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You've got engine houses on the cliff line and it gives you a real sense of

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perspective of what the miners would have been exposed to working out there

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on those conditions, on those cliff face.

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You can almost see where these stacks have been mined straight through to the cliff line.

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And I can imagine mining through, seeing daylight and feeling very exposed there

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at the edge of a cliff. Yeah.

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Yeah. So tell us a little bit about that mining history in the area.

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Yeah. So Cornwall's known for mining and fishing, historically being two big industries here.

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It's less common now, although fishing is still a big heritage.

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And lots of the mines are open as tourist attractions and then we've got the

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new lithium mine projects that are going on.

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Gormall's mining history has just blown worldwide so.

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During the closure of the mines, lots of Cornish people would have traveled elsewhere for work.

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That could be South America, Australia, South Africa.

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And you can meet Cornish people all over the world that have perhaps moved or

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their family were miners that moved to Australia, as an example.

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And it's really nice meeting someone that's Cornish, I don't know,

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New Zealand, for example, that's really excited to see you and talk about pasties.

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So a pasty, common food up in the upper peninsula of Michigan.

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Perhaps that had some mining history there. There was, in fact, mining history there.

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So now I've heard Land's End in reference to a, I guess, a famous route,

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Land's End to John O'Groats.

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Oh yeah so it's it's the end as a low point at some point in the uk that people start a common.

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Cycling challenge i suppose and people have recreated

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that in kayaks covering the same distance journey.

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But predominantly done by

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cyclists and that's a south to.

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North or north to south uh tip to

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tail kind of uh route yeah i think it's done

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on the prevailing conditions south to north would be common

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but people create their own challenge how about

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some of the other must do panels i've got

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so many that i love and part of my

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joy at the work i do as a coach is that i

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get to experience these different places based on the weather and

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the people that i'm with so the north

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coast of cornwall has some incredible caves there's an

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amazing one near saint agnes called the prison

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again it's a miner's cave and the colors

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of copper bleed out of the rocks there and create

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this rainbow of color it's it's pretty

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rare to be able to paddle into there but there's some small tunnels

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to get through just because of the prevailing swell direction

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it's usually a bit too big to go in there but

00:17:21.458 --> 00:17:24.318
if you can find it and it's the right day it's it's

00:17:24.318 --> 00:17:27.458
an amazing place to explore also like our

00:17:27.458 --> 00:17:30.358
local stretch swanpool to main

00:17:30.358 --> 00:17:33.698
porth and that area around falmouth have some

00:17:33.698 --> 00:17:37.138
great paddling on our doorstep this stretch

00:17:37.138 --> 00:17:42.498
from swanpool to main porth isn't long it's a few kilometers but within that

00:17:42.498 --> 00:17:47.538
stretch you have shipwrecks you have secluded isolated beaches where you can

00:17:47.538 --> 00:17:54.358
escape the chaos of summer and the tourists you've got great wildlife so We'll

00:17:54.358 --> 00:17:55.898
see dolphins in that area.

00:17:56.298 --> 00:18:02.198
I've seen whales in that area and seabirds and loads of rock hopping to do.

00:18:03.227 --> 00:18:05.587
Well, you've just added more to it. So now you've got beaches,

00:18:05.847 --> 00:18:09.367
shipwrecks and wildlife in addition to the tide races, rock hopping and surfing.

00:18:09.927 --> 00:18:12.127
Again, it just sounds like the perfect destination.

00:18:13.907 --> 00:18:19.527
Yeah, I think so. I think so, John. It's definitely one to experience I have on your list.

00:18:20.247 --> 00:18:26.427
Another must-do paddle or bucket list paddle almost is the journey from Land's

00:18:26.427 --> 00:18:27.507
End to the Isles of Scilly.

00:18:28.147 --> 00:18:32.007
It's a 50-kilometer open water crossing. that's

00:18:32.007 --> 00:18:34.767
pretty significant undertaking both from a

00:18:34.767 --> 00:18:38.727
navigation point of view and just the journey itself cross

00:18:38.727 --> 00:18:41.827
through land's end and to get out the land's end

00:18:41.827 --> 00:18:46.667
you go through the tide races there at longship's lighthouse and then off into

00:18:46.667 --> 00:18:51.847
the blue and when you arrive on the islands it feels like you're arriving in

00:18:51.847 --> 00:18:57.507
this tropical paradise archipelago that's almost appearing out of nowhere You

00:18:57.507 --> 00:19:01.527
can get regular flights or the ferry to the Isles of Scillies,

00:19:01.687 --> 00:19:06.007
but to paddle there is such a unique experience.

00:19:06.647 --> 00:19:11.307
And you said the crossing is about 50k? That's correct, yeah, 50k, open water.

00:19:11.987 --> 00:19:18.467
I'm from a sea kayak, I've done it in 2023. It's about a six and a half hour

00:19:18.467 --> 00:19:22.467
paddle, and you can't see the islands until the final two hours.

00:19:22.467 --> 00:19:26.967
So you're really just paddling on your compass bearing and making sure that

00:19:26.967 --> 00:19:31.747
all your planning's right or following a track on the gps but arriving there

00:19:31.747 --> 00:19:37.307
and seeing the islands in in nice weather it's just like this tropical paradise

00:19:37.307 --> 00:19:41.927
there's there's a great bar i'll forever be in my heart that.

00:19:42.928 --> 00:19:47.628
Great Ganili Sandbar, and that was the first area I could get out and stretch my legs.

00:19:47.988 --> 00:19:53.868
But it's this golden sand bar that just appears at low water.

00:19:54.248 --> 00:19:59.288
And to get out there and have the azure blue water is a real privilege. Yeah.

00:19:59.688 --> 00:20:06.508
Yeah. So how does the landscape and the area there differ from Cornwall?

00:20:06.508 --> 00:20:10.228
So the isles of cilly are very low-lying

00:20:10.228 --> 00:20:13.008
a cluster an archipelago of

00:20:13.008 --> 00:20:15.768
small islands whereas cornwall itself can have

00:20:15.768 --> 00:20:19.388
the dramatic cliff line and broiling farmland

00:20:19.388 --> 00:20:24.928
cornwall itself would be very built up but there's lots of the isles of cilly

00:20:24.928 --> 00:20:31.328
that it's a little bit more left to its own devices so there's areas for bird

00:20:31.328 --> 00:20:36.668
habitat there's areas for seals and it's totally unique.

00:20:36.988 --> 00:20:42.128
Although Cornwall and the Isle Sicily are linked, it's a very different place.

00:20:42.668 --> 00:20:47.088
Yeah. And again, looking at the map, it looks quite a bit different.

00:20:47.228 --> 00:20:49.228
It looks a lot more beach.

00:20:49.408 --> 00:20:53.328
And as you mentioned, you know, azure blue waters and it's a beautiful area.

00:20:53.848 --> 00:20:58.668
Yeah. Amazing area. It feels again, like you're in a tropical paradise.

00:20:59.108 --> 00:21:05.068
We go out there for six to eight weeks in the summer. Okay. and run a variety of week-long trips.

00:21:05.848 --> 00:21:10.448
And on the right day, you could be anywhere in the world.

00:21:10.588 --> 00:21:15.028
But it's also a small archipelago in the Atlantic, and it can be exposed to

00:21:15.028 --> 00:21:19.868
big swells and quite dramatic conditions out there, which is good fun with the

00:21:19.868 --> 00:21:24.588
right group, or the islands can suddenly become very small. Okay.

00:21:27.208 --> 00:21:30.028
So is that a popular vacation area?

00:21:30.848 --> 00:21:37.228
Yeah, the Isles of Scillies might not be hugely well known as a holiday destination.

00:21:37.588 --> 00:21:41.448
And tickets for the ferries are getting a little bit more expensive.

00:21:42.428 --> 00:21:44.628
But in the summer, it really comes

00:21:44.628 --> 00:21:48.708
alive. And it's a great place to experience both in kayak or on foot.

00:21:49.148 --> 00:21:51.968
It feels almost like you're stepping back in time.

00:21:53.100 --> 00:21:57.500
There's limited car travel on the island and you can't bring your own car.

00:21:57.640 --> 00:22:00.840
So you're getting around the islands on foot and via boat.

00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:08.380
There's prehistoric villages, but there's local amenities and pubs and supermarkets.

00:22:08.680 --> 00:22:15.260
There's areas to camp or there's areas to stay in hotels. So each island is pretty unique.

00:22:15.880 --> 00:22:21.380
So back in the Cornwall area, if you could only paddle one place, what would it be?

00:22:21.380 --> 00:22:30.200
Oh that's tough john always a tough question that all depends on who i'm with and the conditions,

00:22:30.880 --> 00:22:34.100
land's end does always feel like a treat just to

00:22:34.100 --> 00:22:38.280
get down there when you get the conditions right it's a beautiful place to be

00:22:38.280 --> 00:22:44.200
and because of its reputation it always feels like a treat to go down there

00:22:44.200 --> 00:22:46.460
i think one of my favorite launch

00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:50.960
locations on the north coast would be port reef If I could pick one,

00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:54.280
Porter Eef has exposure to surf swell,

00:22:54.940 --> 00:23:01.020
again, private beaches, some great rock hopping and similar mines along the

00:23:01.020 --> 00:23:03.200
coast and offers a bit of everything.

00:23:03.380 --> 00:23:05.960
But the luxury is I don't have to pick, John.

00:23:09.160 --> 00:23:13.340
Favourite personal projects that you've done? Crossing to the Isles of Scilly

00:23:13.340 --> 00:23:15.380
was a pretty significant project.

00:23:15.380 --> 00:23:18.360
Project and the following year after that that sorry that

00:23:18.360 --> 00:23:22.060
project crossing to the Isles of Silly I did solo okay

00:23:22.060 --> 00:23:25.680
that's my first major open water crossing that's

00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:28.380
actually mid-season I was feeling good in the

00:23:28.380 --> 00:23:31.660
boat I saw the weather window towards the

00:23:31.660 --> 00:23:35.520
end of the week and thought oh that looks good for a crossing and I'd

00:23:35.520 --> 00:23:39.560
done that previously but by the time you move a few days the weather changes

00:23:39.560 --> 00:23:43.660
quite quickly in Cornwall and the weather window would disappear and there would

00:23:43.660 --> 00:23:48.320
be a storm blowing in so I'd write off that idea but at the time I crossed that

00:23:48.320 --> 00:23:53.400
was the weather'd stayed the same all week so I could plan prepare I crossed over.

00:23:54.568 --> 00:23:58.948
On the Saturday. Got to do a little bit of paddling, but I got the ferry back

00:23:58.948 --> 00:24:01.728
on the Sunday evening and back to work on Monday.

00:24:01.988 --> 00:24:04.828
So just a bit of a one and done mission.

00:24:05.968 --> 00:24:11.488
The following year, we were looking at doing a similar crossing and the weather

00:24:11.488 --> 00:24:14.688
didn't really play ball throughout the season.

00:24:15.148 --> 00:24:18.328
The weather can be up and down in Cornwall. It's quite exposed.

00:24:18.668 --> 00:24:21.868
So you've got to take those opportunities to do those more

00:24:21.868 --> 00:24:24.768
significant crossings when you can and I

00:24:24.768 --> 00:24:27.668
was looking at crossing to Lundy the following year

00:24:27.668 --> 00:24:30.488
and the weather window didn't appear where I was

00:24:30.488 --> 00:24:34.488
free or able to do such a thing until December and

00:24:34.488 --> 00:24:37.928
that's a 60k or 30k

00:24:37.928 --> 00:24:41.168
each way from Lee Bay to Lundy Island you're in

00:24:41.168 --> 00:24:44.968
the Bristol Channel which is quite exposed to significant

00:24:44.968 --> 00:24:47.748
tidal strength we drove up the night

00:24:47.748 --> 00:24:50.708
before i did this with one of our team

00:24:50.708 --> 00:24:53.788
ben and we set off at 5

00:24:53.788 --> 00:24:56.588
a.m in the dark after camping in the

00:24:56.588 --> 00:25:00.008
van in the car park and launched into

00:25:00.008 --> 00:25:02.908
the dark paddled through mortpoint tide race

00:25:02.908 --> 00:25:05.888
in the dark and the sun came up and it was beautiful

00:25:05.888 --> 00:25:09.328
we arrived at the islands or londy

00:25:09.328 --> 00:25:12.388
island around midday pretty cold

00:25:12.388 --> 00:25:15.168
it was a settled period of weather

00:25:15.168 --> 00:25:19.268
but it was december so we're around zero degrees celsius

00:25:19.268 --> 00:25:22.508
ben's shoulders started hurting

00:25:22.508 --> 00:25:25.468
a little bit so we just had some lunch a bit of a rest

00:25:25.468 --> 00:25:31.908
and we turned around and headed straight back to complete the 60k day as our

00:25:31.908 --> 00:25:37.848
pace slowed down on the way back we received less tidal assistance and just

00:25:37.848 --> 00:25:41.708
to slow down to protect Ben's shoulder and so we were paddling back through

00:25:41.708 --> 00:25:44.348
Mort Point Tide Race in the dark which was.

00:25:45.988 --> 00:25:48.828
Pretty it wasn't really part of the plan we were hoping

00:25:48.828 --> 00:25:54.208
that we would launch into the dark in the morning to return with some daylight

00:25:54.208 --> 00:25:59.308
but fortunately it was pretty friendly there was a nice big moon that was lighting

00:25:59.308 --> 00:26:04.388
up the rocks and we could get back and pretty cold after spending the day outside

00:26:04.388 --> 00:26:06.128
I'd get changed and get warmed up.

00:26:06.588 --> 00:26:10.908
It was a great trip to do and a great challenge. Looking back on it,

00:26:11.108 --> 00:26:14.008
a pretty serious undertaking at that time of year.

00:26:14.228 --> 00:26:16.768
And I'm not sure I'd be in a rush to do it again.

00:26:18.055 --> 00:26:22.315
It was type two fun. We can look back at that and, uh, really smile about completing

00:26:22.315 --> 00:26:26.015
that challenge and having some, some great experiences on the way too.

00:26:26.215 --> 00:26:31.275
So when we arrived at Lundy, there was a pod of 30 dolphins that just swam amongst

00:26:31.275 --> 00:26:35.295
the kayaks and was a real motivator before lunch.

00:26:35.995 --> 00:26:39.715
That sounds cool. It looks like a spectacular location. It looks like a very

00:26:39.715 --> 00:26:43.575
rugged location with a, a lot of neat things to, uh, to visit there.

00:26:44.115 --> 00:26:47.775
Yeah. I still need to go back and complete the circumnavigation.

00:26:48.055 --> 00:26:52.675
It wasn't on the cards, unfortunately, at that time, it was a bit of a one and

00:26:52.675 --> 00:26:54.155
done mission at that time of year.

00:26:54.335 --> 00:26:57.835
So we didn't get called out by any weather, but I'd love to go back.

00:26:57.955 --> 00:27:03.755
It looks like a great area to explore and to complete the crossing is a significant paddling goal.

00:27:04.215 --> 00:27:06.835
So it sounds like crossings are a favorite of yours.

00:27:07.315 --> 00:27:12.935
I like the crossings. I like seeing how you can push yourself within a 24-hour window.

00:27:12.935 --> 00:27:20.875
So I enjoy expeditions, but sometimes expeditions, you can suffer for multiple

00:27:20.875 --> 00:27:25.315
days, especially up in Scotland, if the weather doesn't play ball and it's raining

00:27:25.315 --> 00:27:26.695
for the week you're there.

00:27:27.075 --> 00:27:31.475
Whereas to push yourself for 24 hours and really try and get the most out of

00:27:31.475 --> 00:27:34.375
the day is quite rewarding. Yeah.

00:27:35.015 --> 00:27:37.515
So some like to go around things, some like to go to things.

00:27:37.855 --> 00:27:42.035
So tell us about some of those favorite crossings other than Silly and Lundy.

00:27:42.935 --> 00:27:47.455
Those are the significant two however crossing

00:27:47.455 --> 00:27:54.535
in in scotland is is also amazing so away from cornwall we run expeditions in

00:27:54.535 --> 00:27:59.875
scotland in the small isles and sky and to complete those crossings again is

00:27:59.875 --> 00:28:06.395
is really rewarding especially on expedition you feel like you're moving and arriving in a new place.

00:28:07.235 --> 00:28:15.215
Yeah, it feels like a mission in an area that might have a supermarket nearby, unfortunately.

00:28:15.575 --> 00:28:22.295
But to be able to set up camp in Scotland and move around under your own steam is really nice.

00:28:22.755 --> 00:28:25.295
Definitely. What's the longest crossing you've done?

00:28:26.675 --> 00:28:29.675
It could be Lundy at 60 kilometers. Okay.

00:28:30.235 --> 00:28:36.395
Yeah, that's 30k each way, but the Isles of Sillies is around 50k one way.

00:28:36.715 --> 00:28:42.055
So as a one-way crossing time in the boat, I'd have to say Isles of Sillie,

00:28:42.235 --> 00:28:45.195
but as a full day, Lundy at 60k.

00:28:46.367 --> 00:28:49.907
So you mentioned Scotland. So tell us a little bit about some of the paddling in Scotland you do.

00:28:50.667 --> 00:28:54.747
So we've run a variety of trips up there, depending on the year.

00:28:55.527 --> 00:28:59.967
The most consistent is the small isles. And the small isles are just wonderful.

00:29:00.527 --> 00:29:05.767
We set up and launch from Glennewig. But to be able to explore that coastline,

00:29:05.967 --> 00:29:08.407
first of all, is really remote.

00:29:08.467 --> 00:29:10.607
And there's some great places to camp.

00:29:10.907 --> 00:29:13.447
And of course, in Scotland, you're allowed to wild camp.

00:29:14.027 --> 00:29:18.807
We're limited in that respect in Cornwall. that you're not allowed to wild camp.

00:29:18.967 --> 00:29:22.767
So we try not to do that too much commercially or at all anymore.

00:29:23.267 --> 00:29:27.567
So the small isles, I'm not familiar with that. So give our listeners an idea

00:29:27.567 --> 00:29:30.507
of where are the small isles relative to other things?

00:29:30.567 --> 00:29:35.227
So the small isles are south of Skye on the west coast of Scotland.

00:29:35.827 --> 00:29:39.267
You've got Egg, Muck, Rum, and Canna.

00:29:39.767 --> 00:29:45.867
Four very different islands seen as the jewels of the Inner Hebrides, really.

00:29:46.367 --> 00:29:49.367
Or the Hebedees, they all offer something different.

00:29:49.587 --> 00:29:54.527
The communities on these islands where people are living full-time is just incredible.

00:29:54.787 --> 00:29:59.147
And to be able to talk to these people that are living out there and making

00:29:59.147 --> 00:30:07.407
some great choices for the environment, such as egg being totally run-off renewable energy.

00:30:08.247 --> 00:30:11.127
It's just great to connect with these people.

00:30:11.367 --> 00:30:17.367
And again, they're living a really remote life in an area where most of us are

00:30:17.367 --> 00:30:23.447
pretty well connected and they can be really limited by whether the ferry can

00:30:23.447 --> 00:30:27.467
get over just as in the Isles of Scillies whether it can make that supply run

00:30:27.467 --> 00:30:30.407
or how well their cupboards are stocked up.

00:30:31.147 --> 00:30:36.627
So there is some habitation on the islands but not much. Yeah there's significant

00:30:36.627 --> 00:30:38.807
habitation on on the egg.

00:30:40.039 --> 00:30:45.379
Muck has a great community with houses, but there's areas where you feel you're

00:30:45.379 --> 00:30:48.359
in your own area or help isn't nearby.

00:30:49.239 --> 00:30:52.379
Now, I'm looking at the maps here, and you mentioned, you know,

00:30:52.379 --> 00:30:56.239
there might be a supermarket or something like that. There's not much there.

00:30:57.379 --> 00:31:03.939
That's it. And you can take the opportunity to shower if you can find it on the harbour at Egg.

00:31:04.299 --> 00:31:07.919
But yeah, it's true expedition paddling up in that area.

00:31:07.919 --> 00:31:12.819
And it's great for a variety of different levels, whether you can get on the

00:31:12.819 --> 00:31:18.939
boat and explore islands individually with your kayak or making the crossing

00:31:18.939 --> 00:31:22.139
to the various islands is a great undertaking.

00:31:22.579 --> 00:31:27.179
Now, when you do those trips with a group, will you paddle out from the mainland

00:31:27.179 --> 00:31:33.119
and then paddle? Yeah, so our trips are run from Glen Inuig,

00:31:33.259 --> 00:31:37.199
so you're making the crossings to the islands and crossing to each island.

00:31:37.399 --> 00:31:41.859
We try not to use the ferry unless there was an emergency, really. Okay.

00:31:42.179 --> 00:31:47.579
But that's not part of our plan. And if the weather's bad, then there's some

00:31:47.579 --> 00:31:51.899
great areas to explore along the coast until you're able to make a crossing.

00:31:52.359 --> 00:31:54.939
That's the last time I was up there. I'm going again this year.

00:31:55.079 --> 00:32:00.039
It was in June 2023 or May, June, just before the midgees come in.

00:32:00.459 --> 00:32:04.539
And there was a pretty big storm hitting the outer Heberides,

00:32:04.799 --> 00:32:08.179
which meant we had two meters swell where we were in Glenuig.

00:32:08.339 --> 00:32:14.579
And we made some campsites and some good journeys along the coast before being

00:32:14.579 --> 00:32:20.099
able to jump across to Egg and circumnavigate Egg and mark and then cross back

00:32:20.099 --> 00:32:24.219
to the Ardemircan Peninsula at the final part of the trip.

00:32:24.879 --> 00:32:29.279
Will you generally stay out on the islands for a trip with a group?

00:32:30.344 --> 00:32:36.164
Yeah, so we'll camp out there. I mean, our expeditions are camping, so we'll wild camp.

00:32:36.724 --> 00:32:42.044
Find our way along the coast unless we need to set up a base camp where we're

00:32:42.044 --> 00:32:45.804
going off for day trips from one point. But it changes every year with the weather.

00:32:46.184 --> 00:32:52.144
So even with all the world-class paddling in Cornwall, there's still other opportunities

00:32:52.144 --> 00:32:54.004
and other places to go. Yeah, for sure.

00:32:54.164 --> 00:32:58.404
So outside of your home waters,

00:32:58.504 --> 00:33:01.364
I guess I'll say, where else in the world have you most

00:33:01.364 --> 00:33:05.684
enjoyed that's a great question quite a

00:33:05.684 --> 00:33:08.824
few years ago now i got to do some whitewater kayaking

00:33:08.824 --> 00:33:11.784
in chile and that was unreal i did

00:33:11.784 --> 00:33:14.944
a bit of whitewater kayaking whilst i

00:33:14.944 --> 00:33:18.124
was at university and i was

00:33:18.124 --> 00:33:22.244
at university in plymouth and plymouth's near dartmoor that has an abundance

00:33:22.244 --> 00:33:28.504
of great some of the uk's best whitewater rivers so i got to hone my skills

00:33:28.504 --> 00:33:33.564
on the rivers and I took that to South America with some friends and was able

00:33:33.564 --> 00:33:37.464
to do a little bit of paddling and it was a totally different level.

00:33:37.684 --> 00:33:40.444
The volume of rivers that they have

00:33:40.444 --> 00:33:45.764
in South America are just insane for the grade in comparison to the ditches

00:33:45.764 --> 00:33:52.044
we run in the UK and the river we were running was clean enough to drink from

00:33:52.044 --> 00:33:55.844
so you could sit in the eddy and drink some of the river water and then peel

00:33:55.844 --> 00:33:58.244
out and just go down this big volume,

00:33:58.544 --> 00:34:02.684
warm white water, which again was another nice tea.

00:34:03.796 --> 00:34:09.196
In the UK, we're often paddling in the winter season for white water based on rainfall.

00:34:09.436 --> 00:34:12.956
So being able to paddle in warm water was a real treat.

00:34:13.416 --> 00:34:15.956
From the sea kayaking side, I

00:34:15.956 --> 00:34:20.136
recently, or two years ago, had a great opportunity to go to New Zealand.

00:34:20.536 --> 00:34:26.156
And there's some great paddling to do there as well. That's another ace destination.

00:34:26.896 --> 00:34:31.456
As well as Kefalonia in Greece, being able to move around the islands and just

00:34:31.456 --> 00:34:33.616
experience different paddling areas.

00:34:34.256 --> 00:34:39.116
Yeah tell us about kephalonia kephalonia is

00:34:39.116 --> 00:34:42.916
so i have a business partner sean he

00:34:42.916 --> 00:34:47.996
he largely runs the kephalonia trips before he joined sea kite in cornwall he

00:34:47.996 --> 00:34:53.596
had a business in kephalonia so he noticed the islands really well it's a great

00:34:53.596 --> 00:34:58.796
paddling warm weather paddling destination there's depending on the time of

00:34:58.796 --> 00:35:02.016
year you go we go in the spring and the autumn when it's a little bit quieter.

00:35:02.816 --> 00:35:10.116
There's tavernas and great seafood to eat but there's also isolated beaches and quiet areas to find.

00:35:10.456 --> 00:35:15.296
There's some significant crossings out there to various islands so you can cross

00:35:15.296 --> 00:35:20.676
from Caffelonia to Ithaca and the conditions despite it being in the med and

00:35:20.676 --> 00:35:24.156
a lack of tidal movement can be pretty epic out there.

00:35:24.316 --> 00:35:27.136
There's some strong wind and weather and you get wind blowing

00:35:27.136 --> 00:35:30.596
off the mountains there so you have to know what you're doing or get

00:35:30.596 --> 00:35:34.816
lucky with the weather but it's it's a great paddling destination that offers

00:35:34.816 --> 00:35:42.336
expedition in warm weather that's nice as well yeah it's totally different to

00:35:42.336 --> 00:35:46.996
scotland where you're wrapping up warm to do an expedition in shorts and t-shirts

00:35:46.996 --> 00:35:48.876
feels like a real treat after,

00:35:49.716 --> 00:35:54.096
perhaps hiding in a down jacket in scotland Yeah.

00:35:55.532 --> 00:35:59.672
So we were talking earlier about Sea Kayak in Cornwall and about your progression as a coach.

00:36:00.152 --> 00:36:03.932
And one of the things that you'd mentioned was your coaching voice.

00:36:04.132 --> 00:36:08.672
And so tell us a little bit about your coaching voice and how you found that style.

00:36:09.272 --> 00:36:14.852
I guess I was exposed to, as previous, exposed to lots of different people.

00:36:15.132 --> 00:36:18.632
And you can pick up little tips. But it's always trying to stay.

00:36:18.812 --> 00:36:22.552
I'm not a super dictatorial leader or coach.

00:36:22.852 --> 00:36:26.932
And we all have our own style. I suppose mine might be a little bit softer at

00:36:26.932 --> 00:36:31.972
times, but I've been working through multiple awards over the last few years,

00:36:32.132 --> 00:36:36.632
such as the Performance Coach Award with Paddle UK,

00:36:37.092 --> 00:36:39.032
the Advanced Sea Kayak Coach Award.

00:36:39.032 --> 00:36:41.752
And through that you you get to spend a

00:36:41.752 --> 00:36:44.872
lot of time working on developing your

00:36:44.872 --> 00:36:49.092
own I suppose reflective practice or and

00:36:49.092 --> 00:36:54.072
through the performance coaching process you get to really think about your

00:36:54.072 --> 00:36:59.712
coaching philosophy why you coach or what inspires you to coach and what you

00:36:59.712 --> 00:37:06.592
hope to to either how you hope to progress people or support them in their development

00:37:06.592 --> 00:37:07.732
and I'll see you next time.

00:37:08.838 --> 00:37:14.278
We've got a great classroom in Cornwall. Each course I start with a focus on

00:37:14.278 --> 00:37:17.458
the learners and what their outcomes are for the week.

00:37:17.558 --> 00:37:20.618
And these outcomes can shift and change.

00:37:20.798 --> 00:37:25.158
We shouldn't be seen as crossing anything off this list, that we're always making

00:37:25.158 --> 00:37:30.098
developmental steps towards our outcomes through the week, provided that we

00:37:30.098 --> 00:37:31.838
can get the right conditions with the weather.

00:37:32.058 --> 00:37:35.818
And supporting paddlers in their next journey and then seeing what they're able

00:37:35.818 --> 00:37:40.378
to go on to or progress or seeing photos or stories of their development.

00:37:40.878 --> 00:37:47.918
It's such a motivator for me for doing what I do and helping people just feel

00:37:47.918 --> 00:37:51.738
more confident in the boat is a big aspect of my work.

00:37:51.998 --> 00:37:54.578
What type of paddler would you say you work with best?

00:37:55.158 --> 00:37:58.598
Like when someone comes and they've got a type of goal?

00:37:59.138 --> 00:38:02.278
Yeah, I'd hope I'd give everyone a great experience.

00:38:02.518 --> 00:38:05.958
Some of the best coaching can be one-to-one where

00:38:05.958 --> 00:38:09.418
you're really working on someone's personal goals but for

00:38:09.418 --> 00:38:12.478
our group sessions i get a lot of enjoyment around

00:38:12.478 --> 00:38:15.998
that intermediate stage at the intermediate stage

00:38:15.998 --> 00:38:21.578
the learner is developing the most that there's paddle skills we're building

00:38:21.578 --> 00:38:25.958
finesse we're building technique and efficiency and we're also taking people

00:38:25.958 --> 00:38:32.158
into the surf environment into rock hopping perhaps for the first time and working

00:38:32.158 --> 00:38:35.918
on tactical and technical skills within those environments.

00:38:36.238 --> 00:38:39.098
And that's certainly where we see the most development with paddlers.

00:38:39.258 --> 00:38:41.158
So that's really nice as a coach.

00:38:41.338 --> 00:38:46.418
It's also, of course, really rewarding to work with advanced paddlers in advanced

00:38:46.418 --> 00:38:51.118
environments and be in those conditions and push people out there.

00:38:51.398 --> 00:38:55.798
Working on leadership or rescues is great fun.

00:38:56.038 --> 00:39:01.798
There's also something special about taking someone who's ready for an environment and has the skills,

00:39:01.958 --> 00:39:03.998
knowledge, and abilities to be able to support that environment,

00:39:04.038 --> 00:39:08.838
but they're moving to a new environment that they didn't think they were ready

00:39:08.838 --> 00:39:11.378
for and being able to see them flourish in that.

00:39:12.358 --> 00:39:18.258
Yeah, matching the environment to the learner is the goal that we're trying to get all the time.

00:39:18.538 --> 00:39:22.338
And when it's working and you've just found the right environment,

00:39:22.638 --> 00:39:25.858
it's almost self-learning, which is really nice.

00:39:28.258 --> 00:39:33.958
There's a great few venues that aren't commonly used as coaching spots that

00:39:33.958 --> 00:39:35.938
I've been trying to dial in in my own practice.

00:39:35.938 --> 00:39:39.038
And there's an area on the southeast

00:39:39.038 --> 00:39:42.378
coast of the lizard called the manacles and

00:39:42.378 --> 00:39:45.098
the tide runs out there and taking people out

00:39:45.098 --> 00:39:48.298
there is a small open water crossing to look

00:39:48.298 --> 00:39:51.418
at but then you've also got tidal flow and challenges

00:39:51.418 --> 00:39:54.738
in amongst the rocks with uh maybe a

00:39:54.738 --> 00:39:57.998
small tide race nothing nothing too significant but the

00:39:57.998 --> 00:40:01.198
water's certainly moving out there so creating games

00:40:01.198 --> 00:40:04.118
games of aims and challenges to help

00:40:04.118 --> 00:40:06.818
the paddlers progress and just feel more comfortable and when you can

00:40:06.818 --> 00:40:10.058
see them working together or coaching each

00:40:10.058 --> 00:40:13.098
other it almost becomes autonomous in

00:40:13.098 --> 00:40:16.778
a way that you've just put people into the right environment and they're

00:40:16.778 --> 00:40:19.798
able to progress without knowing

00:40:19.798 --> 00:40:23.518
that they're being coached super so

00:40:23.518 --> 00:40:27.338
you mentioned personal your personal practice with with

00:40:27.338 --> 00:40:30.718
a season as long as march to november and coaching

00:40:30.718 --> 00:40:35.258
throughout that entire time where do you find time and then what do you do to

00:40:35.258 --> 00:40:40.598
develop your own personal practice another great question john and it's a challenge

00:40:40.598 --> 00:40:48.098
especially as lots of the best paddling conditions slash weather is in that summer period i've got.

00:40:52.049 --> 00:40:56.129
I'm not in a rush to set and tick off certain paddles or certain trips,

00:40:56.429 --> 00:41:02.349
but if I find an opportunity to do them, then it's really rewarding to have

00:41:02.349 --> 00:41:06.249
that list just in the background, finding the time in the season.

00:41:06.449 --> 00:41:11.029
But I'll try and use different disciplines as well to support my practice.

00:41:11.029 --> 00:41:16.589
So I've been doing a bit of surf kayaking, get out on surf skis and it just

00:41:16.589 --> 00:41:22.069
helps to balance the abundance of sea kayaking which is obviously my main focus

00:41:22.069 --> 00:41:27.749
and main interest but just to keep skills fresh or to change and jump out of

00:41:27.749 --> 00:41:30.969
the boat that I've perhaps been working in all week,

00:41:31.629 --> 00:41:34.929
allows for some progression and some transferable skills.

00:41:35.309 --> 00:41:40.229
I've got some opportunities as well in the year so this year it's quite busy

00:41:40.229 --> 00:41:42.369
I get to pick my own schedule.

00:41:42.669 --> 00:41:46.369
And there's loads of interesting projects to work on. But later in June,

00:41:46.389 --> 00:41:49.289
I'll be heading to Norway with a friend, Rasmus.

00:41:49.749 --> 00:41:54.609
And we're going to go on a personal expedition in the Helgand area,

00:41:55.169 --> 00:42:00.409
perhaps set up a trip in 2026, but we'll get the personal one done first of all.

00:42:01.389 --> 00:42:04.829
Excellent. So what else is on that list for you? What's next?

00:42:05.269 --> 00:42:08.429
A circumnavigation of Cornwall as an expedition,

00:42:08.649 --> 00:42:11.969
a personal expedition has been on the list for many years

00:42:11.969 --> 00:42:15.349
it's quite difficult really to tick

00:42:15.349 --> 00:42:19.309
that one off or to have the opportunity because you need the daylight hours

00:42:19.309 --> 00:42:25.169
to get the distance in Cornwall can be quite exposed to the Atlantic swells

00:42:25.169 --> 00:42:31.249
and wind so finding conditions or a weather window especially for the the amount

00:42:31.249 --> 00:42:33.189
of time it may or may not take.

00:42:34.189 --> 00:42:37.729
Can be quite a challenge, but that's on the list as something I'd really like to do.

00:42:38.209 --> 00:42:43.229
I don't know if I could paddle something like Britain, but certainly paddling

00:42:43.229 --> 00:42:47.389
around Cornwall and trying to paddle some of that inner stretch would be a big

00:42:47.389 --> 00:42:48.829
one for me, big milestone.

00:42:49.249 --> 00:42:53.849
So when you say a circumnavigation of Cornwall, is there a river that would

00:42:53.849 --> 00:42:57.289
cut through or are you talking just like end-to-end coast?

00:42:57.949 --> 00:43:02.329
Yeah, you can't cut it all the way through, but there is the River Tamar that

00:43:02.329 --> 00:43:06.389
cuts it almost all the way up to the north.

00:43:06.589 --> 00:43:09.569
And some people have tried to close that loop through the river,

00:43:09.729 --> 00:43:14.309
but there'll be some walking or quite a significant portage involved to get

00:43:14.309 --> 00:43:15.649
to the paddleable stretch.

00:43:16.009 --> 00:43:20.949
So that's a definite interest to try and close that loop as much as possible. Interesting.

00:43:21.889 --> 00:43:26.409
And as we start to wrap up here, I'm going to go all the way back to the beginning.

00:43:26.529 --> 00:43:30.509
We talked about that new school trickster, and you mentioned some of those favorite

00:43:30.509 --> 00:43:34.869
tricks. So what are some of your favorite tricks and what tricks and tips can

00:43:34.869 --> 00:43:37.449
you give listeners to help develop their own?

00:43:38.389 --> 00:43:44.469
My big thing, I guess, is play in the kayak and all practices should be playful,

00:43:44.789 --> 00:43:49.889
whether that's the more advanced moves in the surf, like pop outs and pirouettes

00:43:49.889 --> 00:43:53.009
or perhaps even in flat water,

00:43:53.349 --> 00:43:58.049
trying to stand up in the kayak or trying inventive ways for self-rescue.

00:43:58.889 --> 00:44:04.049
That aspect of play is really important to me and it's a big theme in my sessions

00:44:04.049 --> 00:44:10.289
to keep keep it fun and not too serious it could be pop outs and periods in

00:44:10.289 --> 00:44:15.969
the surf but trying balancing games in your kayak and flat water is is just as important.

00:44:17.220 --> 00:44:21.360
Yeah, we're all just kids, right? And if we're not having fun,

00:44:21.620 --> 00:44:23.020
then we should do something different.

00:44:23.580 --> 00:44:29.220
For sure, for sure. At that minute for a long time, I hope to keep my passion

00:44:29.220 --> 00:44:34.880
for sea kayaking and kayaking and the career and for the business that I'm in for a long time.

00:44:35.280 --> 00:44:39.720
So that's really important to me. Good, well, keep bringing in that fun attitude

00:44:39.720 --> 00:44:41.220
because that's what it's all about.

00:44:41.520 --> 00:44:45.200
So James, this has been fantastic having the opportunity to talk to you and

00:44:45.200 --> 00:44:48.940
learn from you. How can listeners reach you if they've got additional questions

00:44:48.940 --> 00:44:51.100
or if they wanted to come out and paddle with you?

00:44:52.000 --> 00:44:57.680
So you can find me on our website, www.seacayacandcornwall.com.

00:44:58.220 --> 00:45:04.580
You can contact me on email, james at seacayacandcornwall.com or find me on

00:45:04.580 --> 00:45:09.120
Instagram at james underscore seacayacandcornwall. All right. Right.

00:45:09.440 --> 00:45:14.640
And then, of course, if folks want to explore some trip possibilities and do

00:45:14.640 --> 00:45:17.160
some guided adventures, you'll offer those as well.

00:45:17.720 --> 00:45:21.160
Yeah, yeah, for sure. Get involved. Join in.

00:45:21.680 --> 00:45:25.000
Super. All right. James, I've got one final question for you,

00:45:25.020 --> 00:45:27.340
and it's a question that we ask all of our guests here on the show,

00:45:27.360 --> 00:45:30.840
and that is, who else would you like to hear as a future guest on Paddling the Blue?

00:45:32.140 --> 00:45:34.940
I'd love to recommend the guys

00:45:34.940 --> 00:45:38.200
at midlife kayak jeff cater and andy

00:45:38.200 --> 00:45:41.140
mullins have gone off to complete some amazing

00:45:41.140 --> 00:45:45.380
things they've completed circumnavigations of great britain they've completed

00:45:45.380 --> 00:45:51.420
circumnavigations of ireland and last year crossed the irish sea i think on

00:45:51.420 --> 00:45:55.140
top of that they're just really nice guys that have an interesting background

00:45:55.140 --> 00:45:59.200
in different careers and getting them onto the show to talk about their trips

00:45:59.200 --> 00:46:00.640
and their experiences would

00:46:00.840 --> 00:46:03.920
be really good that that sounds great i love the name mid-left

00:46:03.920 --> 00:46:07.380
kayak yeah yes they both

00:46:07.380 --> 00:46:11.060
have careers or jeff's retired now but that

00:46:11.060 --> 00:46:14.420
was a turning point for their first trip as a retiring fireman

00:46:14.420 --> 00:46:20.360
to move on and tackle something new super well we'll connect with you and get

00:46:20.360 --> 00:46:24.580
information for jeff and andy and be able to get them on the show so again james

00:46:24.580 --> 00:46:27.600
thank you very much for the opportunity it's been wonderful talking to you and

00:46:27.600 --> 00:46:32.200
learning more about the the joys of paddling Cornwall and elsewhere and hopefully

00:46:32.200 --> 00:46:34.400
we'll all get a chance to get out and try Cornwall.

00:46:34.960 --> 00:46:39.860
Thanks John yeah please come and join us. Alright thank you. Cheers. Bye. Cheers.

00:46:41.445 --> 00:46:44.885
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And who wouldn't mind that? So visit paddlingexercises.com to get the book and companion DVD.

00:47:26.865 --> 00:47:30.765
Thank you to James for joining us to share his experiences. When you have tide

00:47:30.765 --> 00:47:36.125
races, rock hopping, surf spots, beaches, shipwrecks, and amazing wildlife all

00:47:36.125 --> 00:47:39.085
in your own backyard, how can you not enjoy your time on the water?

00:47:39.285 --> 00:47:43.045
If you'd like to learn more about James and Sea Kayaking in Cornwall.

00:47:43.165 --> 00:47:44.805
I'll add links in the show notes.

00:47:45.025 --> 00:47:48.785
Thanks again to our partners at Online Sea Kayaking and now Online Whitewater

00:47:48.785 --> 00:47:50.385
for extending a special offer to you.

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Visit OnlineSeaKayaking.com or OnlineWhitewater.com and to the coupon code PTBpodcast

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to check out and get 10% off just for being a member of the Paddling the Blue community.

00:48:01.165 --> 00:48:04.545
Until next time, thanks again for listening and I look forward to bringing you

00:48:04.545 --> 00:48:06.865
the next episode of Paddling the Blue.

00:48:07.825 --> 00:48:11.365
Thank you for listening to Paddling the Blue. You can subscribe to Paddling

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the Blue on Apple Music, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

00:48:16.865 --> 00:48:19.825
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00:48:20.025 --> 00:48:24.105
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00:48:24.105 --> 00:48:28.365
and other episodes, along with replays of past episodes, contact information,

00:48:28.365 --> 00:48:30.885
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00:48:31.045 --> 00:48:34.165
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