Overview

Keyhaven lies at one end of the shingle bank which leads to Hurst Castle. It is a small fishing village with a small, sheltered harbour. The Keyhaven Yacht Club is situated at the head of the harbour. To the east of Keyhaven lies the nature reserve of Keyhaven marshes.

Keyhaven is a very popular launch point for crossings to the Isle of Wight however can experience very fast tidal flows as the tide is squeezed through the narrow gap between the Island and Hurst Spit.

Facilities

• Parking – Pay & Display in Keyhaven village, free roadside further down the road.
• Toilets – In Keyhaven village carpark.
• Pub – serves food
• Slipway – part of Keyhaven Yacht Club.

Notes

The very sheltered section of paddling out of the harbour and into the shelter of the spit can be deceptive. At the end of the spit lies ‘The Trap’ – a tide race running over the shallows past Hurst Castle. Within a few paddle strokes it is possible to go from very calm to rough water depending on the wind, weather and tidal conditions.

However, this is also a draw of paddling from keyhaven providing access to a nice ‘playspot’ when conditions are right. Be aware of the fishermen using the end of the spit with lines running out a decent distance.

Possible Routes

1. Keyhaven to IOW Crossing – Various locations
2. Keyhaven to The Needles
3. Keyahven to Highcliffe/Christchurch & various locations East along coast
4. Keyahven to Lymington/Tanners Lane, Lepe or Calshot

Tides and Weather

Tide: Easytide Tidal Predictions For Hurst point
Weather: Hurst Castle Live Weather (Internet Explorer Only)
Wind: Windfinder Wind & Weather Data For Hurst Castle

Location

View Larger Map

Gallery

Overview

Calshot Spit is home to Calshot Activities Centre, Calshot Castle and the Calshot Lifeboat Station. It is also home to a large slipway utilised by the activities centre, lifeboat crew and private water users.

Owned by Hampshire County Council, the spit has ample pay and display parking and it is possible to drop boats right next to the slipway before moving the car to an empty space – often right by the slipway.

Facilities

• Pay and display parking
• Slipway (Fee payable at Activities Centre Reception)
• Toilets (in Activities Centre)
• Bar – serving food (in activities centre)
• Calshot Castle Visitors Centre (Open April – Sept)

Tides & Weather

Tide Times: Easytide Tide Times For Calshot
Weather: BrambleMet Live Weather for Calshot Area
Wind: Windfinder Wind/Weather Forecast for Calshot

Notes

Calshot sits at the entrance to Southampton Water and therefore experience very high rates of traffic at all times of the day and night, all year round. In particular larger vessels such as ferries, cruise liners, cargo ships and oil tankers making their way in and out of Southampton port. In addition the incredibly swift moving FastCats running between Cowes and Southampton run at very regular intervals. Although the shoreline opposite Calshot looks invitingly close great care should be exercised in crossing due to the volume of traffic.

Possible Routes

1. Calshot up Southampton Water to Redbridge Flyover
2. Calshot to Hamble
3. Calshot to Lee-On-Solent/Gosport/Portsmouth Harbour
4. Calshot to Lepe
5. Calshot To Ashlett Creek – Article here

Location

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Gallery

Overview

Tanners Lane is a less well known or used launch point situated about 2/3 of the way along the coast between Lepe and Lymington, and is about as rustic as they come. Driving down the very narrow lane brings you to a dead end directly on the sea front.

There is limited parking at the side of the road (be careful not to block the gate access to the house there) or alternatively it is possible to drive onto the shingle beach where there is space to park several cars. However, be very aware that vehicles of vehicles getting stuck or even partially submerged at higher tides!

At low tide, there is a bit of a carry to the water edge.

Facilities

• Free Parking – Limited

Tides & Weather

Tide Times: Easytide Tide Times For Lymington
Weather: Lymington Starting Platform Weather Station (Internet Explorer Only)
Wind: Windfinder Wind/Weather Forecast

Notes

Security of cars parked here cannot be vouched for due to the secluded nature – leave no valuables.
If parking on the beach be very aware of the tides, particularly at springs.
Be careful not to block local residents driveways.

Possible Routes

1. Solent Crossing
2. Tanners Lane to Lepe or Calshot
3. Tanners Lane to Lymington or Keyhaven

Location

View Larger Map

Gallery

Overview

Lymington Slipway provides a good starting point for a number of trips in the Western Solent. Situated next to the Royal Lymington Yacht Club there is ample parking in a large public carpark although in the height of the Summer this can get quite busy. Use of the slipway for sea kayaks is free and car parking charges are reasonable.

A section of the car park borders the beer garden on a large pub providing a nice finish point where you can enjoy a pint and/or some food whilst you kit is drip drying in full view for security.

Facilities

• Public Toilets
• Snack Kiosk
• Ample parking (machines accept change or debit/credit cards)
• Lifeboat Station with shop
• Pubs (family friendly, food available) within walking distance

Tides & Weather

Tide Times: Easytide Tide Times For Lymington
Weather: Lymington Starting Platform Weather Station (Internet Explorer Only)
Wind: Windfinder Wind/Weather Forecast

Notes

The slipway can be very busy with dinghys. The main channel out of Lymington River into the Solent is also extremely busy with dinghys, yachts, ribs and most importantly Isle of Wight Ferries which are constrained by their draught. Keeping to the side of the channel and being vigilant is recommended.

Possible Routes

1. Lymington To The Needles- Article Here
2. Lymington To Lepe

Location

View Larger Map

Gallery

A nice little video featuring Paul Kuthe paddling in some impressive tidal races. Shot and narrated by Bryan Smith and Fitz Cahall. Worth a watch.

A recent forum post on the Sea and Surf section of the UKRGB is asking for folks involved in paddlesports to answer a short questionnaire to help the originator of the post with her research for her degree.

The questionnaire is very short, it took me just a couple of minutes to complete, and is focused on gender and paddlesports participation. Thought I would share the link to the questionnaire incase any readers would be able to support Jemma in her research.

Introduction

As we learn any new technique we pass through various stages on our journey to mastering it. Depending on the difficulty of the technique, becoming ‘expert’ at it can take a significant amount of time, so the time spent at each stage of learning can vary dramatically. The ability to understand and recognise these stages allows us to select most productive approach for coaching any given student, allowing a coach to pitch tasks that are appropriate to supporting the student in progressing their knowledge, understanding and application of a skill.

There are three, commonly referred to stages of learning.

1. Cognitive

2. Associative

3. Autonomous

This article aims to provide a simple introduction to the 3 stages of learning from a paddlesport coaching perspective.

Cognitive Stage

The cognitive stage is found with novices where a student is new to a technique. It is characterised by:

1. Major errors

2. A lack of style or fluidity when performing a skill

3. The need for repeated demonstration/explanation

4. The student potentially seeking praise or positive feedback

Associative Stage

The associative stage occurs when a student has grasped the fundamentals of a technique but has yet to perfect it or master it’s use in more challenging situations. For example, they may have a reasonable low brace turn but not the ability to apply it effectively in rougher water or use it effectively when breaking in/out of currents. The associative stage is characterised by:

1. Occasional errors

2. A Hit and miss style – the technique is not repeatedly performed correctly

3. Lack of adaption – the technique is not yet performed correctly in all conditions/situations where it may be required.

Autonomous Stage

The autonomous stage occurs when the student is able to performs skills with high degree of accuracy regardless of conditions/situations. There will be an obvious confidence using the skill and the performance is ‘unconscious’ i.e. they do not have to think about performing the skill. The autonomous stage is characterised by:

1. Very few errors and those seen are normally small.

2. The use of the skill refined and where appropriate blended with other skills

3. There is a fluid performance

4. The student can transfer the skill to a range of environments or situations.

Edging Example

If we take an example of edging a sea kayak to aid directional control. Paddlers new to the concept of edging are firmly in the cognitive stage. They struggle to hold an edge, maybe apply the edge on the incorrect side or apply too little or too much edge resulting in either a lack of direction change or a capsize. Concentration on the edging will be intense and potentially have a negative impact on how they apply other skills – for example other aspects of their forward paddling technique will suffer as they concentrate fully on edging.

As the student moves into the associative stage, they may have gained reasonable control over their degree of edging. They are likely to be able to change direction of the sea kayak through edging whilst maintaining a decent forward paddling stroke. However you will still see occasional mistakes – wobbles as they over edge for example. They may also only be able to apply a limited range of edge to keep within their comfort zone. The use of edging may also be limited in terms of conditions or situations it is used in. Rougher water may reduce the quality of performance or the use of edging not yet blended with other strokes such as a stern rudder when surfing waves.

As a student enters the autonomous stage, they will no longer have to think consciously about edging but naturally begin to use it during their paddling. They are likely to apply edge effectively in a range of situations: forward, reverse paddling, surfing waves, breaking in and out. They will also combine edging with a number of other strokes effectively. They will also be able to ‘multi-task’ for example be applying effective edging, whilst paddling and chatting to other paddlers.

Adapting Coaching To Suit Learning Stage

Cognitive Stage students will require simple, focused tasks and plenty of repeated practice to help build knowledge and experience of the skill being delivered.

Students at the associative stage will benefit from activities that require them to begin using a skill in a wider range of situations or blending it with other skills.

Student at the autonomous stage will require highly specific feedback on the fine detail of their performance to iron out the minor issues. They may also look for support as they ‘self-coach’ their own performance.

Progress Through Learning Stages

The time it takes to progress through each stage depends on a number of factors:

The student – different students will learn at different paces.

The complexity of the skill – the more complex the skill the longer it may take to master.

The quality of coaching – the better quality the coaching the easier the student may find to mast the skill.

The amount of time spent practicing – the more time spent practicing the quicker a student will progress.

Conclusion

It is beyond the scope of this introductory article to delve into stages of learning at any great depth, however I hope it has provided a simple introduction to the topic. As ever, I welcome feedback and thoughts.

It was with a feeling of sadness that I read recently that Simon Willis has decided to draw to a close his series of podcasts over on Sea Kayak Podcasts.

I know that a great many people have enjoyed Simon’s series of interviews with some fascinating Sea Kayakers and covering a wide range of topics. For me personally they have had a huge impact on my life.

It was listening to one of Simon’s early podcasts that sparked a conversation with my Wife about the fact I had almost dropped out of paddling completely due to work commitments and geographical location. That conversation continued for a day or so on and off and led to us deciding to relocate to the coast. Three weeks later we had moved our, at that time, new family into a new house and I’d started the Solent Sea Kayaking website.

I dropped Simon an email to thank him for the podcasts and shared this story which prompted a swift reply of thanks and proved to be the start of a ongoing friendship.

Thankfully, Simon intends to keep the library of podcasts archived online for folks to discover and continue to enjoy.

I’d like to take the opportunity to thank Simon for all his hard work putting the podcasts together and knowing Simon, am sure there will be another project in the pipeline soon!

If anyone is in need of a first aid course, Owen Burson (Isle of Wight Sea Kayaking) and I have a few spaces left on a course in February.

Details

Dates: 18th-19th February
Location: Freshwater Bay, Isle Of Wight.
Course: REC Level 2 Emergency First Aid (16hr)
Cost: £150

Whilst the course is suitable for all forms of outdoor activities, it will have a paddlesport focus making it perfect for Sea Kayakers.

We are using Sandpipers Hotel and Isle Of Wight Sea Kayaking in Freshwater as the base for the weekend which provides a great location for land and particularly sea based scenarios throughout the course.

For folks that might need accomodation, there is camping available nearby and rooms can be booked at The Sandpipers Hotel.

Booking A Place

You can find more information and the online booking by clicking the link below:

I’m really excited to announce that the dates for the 2012 Isle of Wight Sea Kayak Symposium are now set in stone. After an extremely successful event in 2011, this years symposium will run from the 25th – 27th of August 2012.

This year the symposium is being jointly organised/publicised by Owen and Mitch Burson from Isle of Wight Sea Kayaking yours truly on behalf of Solent Sea Kayaking.

Having had an awesome time last year, predominantly as a participant (advanced First Aid and BCU 4* Sea Assessment), I’m looking forward to being involved in supporting Owen and Mitch in the organisation and running of the event.

As with last year, the Symposium is being run on a non-profit with all proceeds going to the Freshwater Independent Lifeboat, a hugely worthy cause.

Registration will be open from February via a new IOW Sea Kayak Symposium web site which is currently in production as well as being advertised on the Isle Of Wight Sea Kayaking, Liquid Logistics and Solent Sea Kayaking websites.

All sessions and courses will be led by Level 5 and Level 5 aspirant coaches or specialists in their field who have expert knowledge of the subject they are coaching.

Confirmed guest coaches so far:

• Kate Duffus
• Howard Jeffs
• Phil Hadley
• Gordon Brown
• Sid Seinfield
• Nige Robinson
• Jeff Allen
• Owen Burson
• Kim Bull
• Rich Pearsall
• Mattias Altin
• Nicole Hendriksen