Monday Morning Wave

Photographer: Tom Carey

The perfect frame, the perfect framing - this must be the definitive window on the Samoan archipelago. Zahn Foxton confidently anticipates the upper reaches of a reeling half-pipe.

Sea Kayak Trip Planning – Overview

Choose a paddling area
- Consider sea and land features, exposure to tidal streams, no landing zones, busy harbours

Obtain a weather forecast

- Choose a suitable source, using the most recent issue
- Consider the weather patterns of the previous 48 hours

Look at the tidal picture
- Interpret the sources of information to gain an impression of the likely conditions

Consider the day’s objectives
- Time available, distance to travel (journeying v exploration), type of trip – A to B or return

Work out a detailed paddling plan
- Start/ finish points, emergency bays
- Alternative routes or paddling activities
- Expected tidal stream, slack water times, existence of tidal gates
- Distances, expected times of departure and arrival
- Compass bearings

Prepare a list of personal/ group equipment

- Always take warm clothing, food and a hot drink, survival bag
- Along with first aid kit, repair kit, flares, towline and spare paddles

Notify a shore contact of intended trip
- Include details of route card, numbers in group (people/ boats), ETD and ETA
- Notify shore contact again at the end of the day

- Consider when you might want to contact HM Coastguard

Double-check everything!

Enjoy the day :o)

Words of Wisdom

In the end we only regret the chances we didn't take, the relationships we were scared to have, the decisions we waited too long to make. There comes a time in your life when you realise who matters, who doesn't, who never did and who always will. So don`t worry about the people from your past there`s a reason they didn`t make it to your future.