South Queensferry to Cramond (for some) trip Sunday 4th October 2020 – by Pamela
Having only recently taken up sea kayaking and only 3 days before this trip joined the club, this was my first club trip and first attempt at a trip report.
The original suggestion for this Grade A paddle organised by Graeme Seggie was a trip to Cove Bay from nr Skateraw but the adverse forecast led to a relocation to South Queensferry. With a forecast of easterly F4 gusting 7 around 10am dropping to F2 gusting 4 by lunch time Graeme suggested a leisurely start in the hope of easier winds. Of the original 26 paddlers expressing an interest, 11 turned up on the day (what did the others know that I didn’t, I asked myself). So, 9 new people for me to get to know and the 10th, Mark Sadler, I have known for several years. Mark introduced me to sea kayaking and has kindly lent me a boat for this and other trips. After years of running around and supporting my children in their chosen paddling discipline(s) it is now time for me to develop my paddling skills and to get out and do it for myself.
We launched at Longcraig Pier nr South Queensferry just after 11am and headed east towards Cramond. We paddled passed Whitehouse Bay and Peatdraught Bay passing around Hound Point Headland keeping away from the breaking waves above the shallow sand bar. It became clear early on I was the least experienced and slowest in the fleet and started dropping behind. As we progressed I was kept company and under the watchful eyes of David S, David G and Tim receiving gentle encouragement and valuable coaching tips from these significantly more experienced paddlers. I had done a 9 mile paddle across and around the Forth bridges the weekend before but these waves were bigger and the pace signifyingly faster than I had previously experienced. With a mixture of exhilaration and a desire to catchup with the others I focused on trying to improve my technique and speed while also trying to keep up with the banter of my attentive companions.
The water changed as we got nearer to the outflow from the River Almond with debris washed out into the sea. With the bigger waves and my lack of experience I began to tire. With choppier water ahead and still some distance to go David S paddled on ahead to assess the situation. On returning he suggested I/we don’t attempt to get to Cramond and instead head inshore for lunch. He radioed Graeme and others in the fleet to inform them of our intentions. We were now heading back towards Peatdrought Bay and downwind with the tide behind us. Having experienced paddling into oncoming waves with one or 2 crashing over the boat I now had a chance to paddle with and across the tide and swell. On guidance from Tim I tried to catch and be caried by a wave but never quite managed it.
We had lunch on the beach in Peatdrought Bay and waiting for the return of the rest of the fleet. This gave me a chance to recharge and to get to know my new acquaintances. We went up to a vantage point to track their progress then returned to our boats and paddled out to join them for the rest of the return leg.
The final leg was easier and with an incoming tide the landing and portage at Longcraig pier shorter.
The rest of the fleet had landed on Cramond for lunch but this report contains no details as I didn’t make it that far. I also didn’t have a chance to get to know others in the fleet as well as I had my companions for most of the trip. Next time.
I would like to say a special thank you to David, David and Tim for guiding me and enabling me to experience these more challenging sea conditions. My children will be proud of me!
It was an enjoyable trip but hope for a slightly less challenging grade A paddle next time 😊