Yorkshire East coast sea kayaking weekend

Our first Cumbria canoeists sea kayak event for 2021 - the Yorkshire East Coast - A successful and mythical weekend..

Perfect weather and sea conditions, with a team of 11 sea kayakers, lead by Mac and Mike.
 
We camped midway between Saltburn and Bridlington and paddled:
Sat 24 K from Filey to South Landing Flamborough Head
Sun 20K from Saltburn to Runswick Bay, via Staithes (ice cream) nand Port Mulgrave (fossils, iron ore port and a shanty village)
 
We are now masters of the sea kayak shuttle!
 
Thanks to all for your company.

A few pictures and a video below!

---

---

The first Sea Kayak evetn of the season, on the Yorkshire coast – June 2021
 
Filey- Bempton sea bird colony, Flamborough Head, Runswick Bay, Port Mulgrave, Staithes and Saltburn  All in a weekend!
​

Paddling in a different country…is what it felt like last weekend on the Yorkshire trip, and not just because of the local accent! The blue skies and millpond sea were amazing and were a beautiful setting as we paddled alongside the huge white chalky cliffs of Flamborough Head.
 
The trip was really well organised and the leaders Mike and Mac made us feel all part of the team as we gathered each evening in the local pub (which does indeed do Stella, Mac!) to spend about 5 mins discussing what route to paddle the next day, and about an hour planning the shuttle! Seriously though, it was a really friendly group and we all had an input to ensure everyone felt comfortable with the paddling routes suggested.
 
The campsite was located half way between the two routes and the first day we went south to Filey and paddled 25k down to Flamborough Head. Mac and Mike split us into two groups, each with a leader and backstop, so that we were well looked after, and we got lots of feedback and tips on paddling techniques as we paddled and chatted along the cliffs surrounded by thousands of seabirds, through arches, and in and out of caves.
 
The second day, not too early, we went north bound and paddled from Saltburn down to Runswick Bay, not quite so hot this day but loads of things to see and do; rock hopping, boat grounding, fossil hunting, ice creams with squirty stuff..  We mixed the groups up a bit to get to know each other more and see new styles and techniques. At the end of the day I was really quite sad to land my boat for the last time.
Mike, like my dad after a summer holiday when I was younger, asked us what our best bits were…mine were:

• The first push off of the day when that feeling of escape and relaxation comes over you
• Seeing Mike paddle from shade to sun amongst hundreds of razorbills belly flopping into the water and sending up shiny spray
• The sounds of water sucking and gurgling in the caves
• Practicing my bow rudder when rock hopping
• And watching a grown man in a baby grow (dry suit liner) with yellow marigolds trying to open a trangier heater.
• All of it really

 
The only thing I would have changed would be snorers should be banned from campsites. And I’ll paddle with a paddle and not a spade next time.
 
Am really looking forward to doing longer and more challenging paddles very soon.
 
By Natalie Thorpe
​