Expeditionary Trips
Wales – Island of Anglesey
Inn & Expedition
Wales, United KingdomDates: September 28 – October 4, 2008
Days: 9 days, 8 nights
Price: $1699 per person
Trip Level: 4
Includes: 4 Nights of Inn Accommodations, 3 Day/2 Night Paddling Trip, SKUK Kayaks & Paddling Gear, Coaching, Camping Equipment, meals as described in the Itinerary.
Group Size: 5-8
Trip Description
Join the Geneva Kayak Center as we head to the island of Anglesey in North Wales in September of 2008! Sea cliffs, lush green landscape, castles, and snow-capped mountains just add to the spectacular paddling we’ll have in the Irish Sea. For this trip, we’re teaming up with Nigel Dennis’ SKUK Expedition Center for 7 spectacular days of paddling around waters of Anglesey. The Irish Sea’s high tidal range gives Anglesey some of the most fascinating paddling in the world. Tidal races, overfalls, surf and currents make this island one of the best sea kayak training destinations in the world.During the first four days of our trip, we’ll immerse ourselves in training, paddling the surf, tidal races and currents around Anglesey, as well as learning navigation and expedition planning from some of the best coaches in the world. We’ll visit famed tidal races such as Penryhn Mawr, North and South Stack, and Harry Furlong for some surfing, with a potential trip to the Skerries, a set of islands off the northern coast of Anglesey. We’ll also take any chances we get to surf wind driven waves in the area. While involved in the training portion of the trip, our group will stay at Nigel’s bed and breakfast in Holyhead. Our group will also have the chance to explore Northern Wales off the water with possible visits to the Caernarfon Castle and Snowdonia National Park.
Following the training days, we’ll prepare and then launch for a 3-day, 2-night paddling trip around Anglesey. Launching from Holyhead, we’ll travel counter clockwise around the island, exploring the coastline before landing for the evening near the Menai Straits. During the expedition, we plan to paddle 20+ nautical miles per day, aided by currents ranging from 2 knots to 6 knots. Along the way, scenery ranges from lush green fields dotted with sheep, to sea cliffs rising dramatically out the water, to the fascinating castles and architecture of the Menai Straits, to mountain views of Snowdonia. Day two of the expedition involves a fascinating paddle through the straits as we pass by several cities, viewing the historic buildings and structures, before rounding the easternmost tip of the island. The final leg of our trip has us paddling the northern coast of Anglesey with a possible side trip to the Skerries. Due to the possibility of rough weather during our expedition, we have an extra day planned into the itinerary, should we not be able to paddle one of the days.
Our Expeditionary Paddling Trips are for the paddler seeking to develop his or her paddling skills and seamanship while journeying on the sea by kayak. These trips combine both inn accommodations and backcountry camping as we often paddle into remote areas. The Wales – Island of Anglesey trip is rated a GKC Level 4 trip. On Level 4 trips, participants should be comfortable with Level 3 skills and be ready for Level 4 training as outlined in our description of trip ratings. Participants DO NOT need to hold their L4 or 4 Star awards to participate, but would benefit from taking our BCU or ACA Level 4 TRAININGS before the trip. Please call us for more information or with any questions.
Included in the price of the trip is lodging in Holyhead, meals as described in the itinerary, transport to and from the Manchester airport, SKUK kayaks, paddles, sprayskirts, safety kits, tents and outdoor cooking equipment. Sleeping bags and mattresses, personal clothing and paddling gear are not included. This trip is guided by one of the coaches from Nigel’s center, as well as a Geneva Kayak Center coach.
Itinerary
(subject to change due to weather & permit conditions)Day 1 (Saturday)
Meet in Manchester and transport group to Holyhead. Participants can also fly into Dublin and take the ferry (19 miles) to Holyhead. During our first four nights in Wales, we’ll be staying at the Sea Kayaking UK bed and breakfast overlooking the harbor in Holyhead.Dinner is included on Day 1
Day 2 - 4 (Sunday - Tuesday)
On-water training in surf, rough water rescues, and tidal races; Off-water training in navigation and expedition planning; Sight seeing in Snowdonia and visiting castles such as Caernerfon. All lodging is at the SKUK B&B in Holyhead.All meals are included
Day 5 (Wednesday)
Prepare for trip around Anglesey. Launch at high tide and paddle with the ebb to the mouth of the Menai Straits.All meals are included
Day 6 (Thursday)
Paddle from the mouth of the Menai Straits through the Straits and to the northeast coast of Anglesey.All meals areincluded
Day 7 (Friday)
Day seven’s paddle will take us around the northern coastline of Anglesey, with a possible side trip to the Skerries. If the trip goes does not have a layover day caused by rough weather, we’ll arrive in Holyhead on Day 7.All meals are included
Day 8 (Saturday)
We have an extra day planned into the itinerary as conditions may warrant an on-shore day because of rough weather.All meals are included
Day 9 (Sunday)
Transport to Manchester or Dublin.No meals are included