Canoeing in the wind: Paddling and Sailing in very strong winds

Рет қаралды 14,189

2 жыл бұрын

A day on Llyn Tegid, Bala, North Wales. Paddling in strong winds and also some sailing in powerful conditions. A look at not only technique but how the decisions are made.
Open water can be a serious/deadly environment and this was toward the limit of what I would be out in. Even then it is a relatively small lake and so the waves have only 4 to 5 kilometres to build in. I certainly would not be making that crossing whilst deep in wilderness.
Checking wind speed observations afterwards the general speed was Force 5 with gusts of Force 6 and occasionally 7.
If you enjoyed this then consider supporting the channel by making a small donation at: www.buymeacoffee.com/RayGoodwin
My sailing technique video is • Canoe Sailing: rig and...
Paddling the Afon from www.venturekayaks.com
Paddle is the WW Big Dipper by freebirdpaddles.co.uk
Drysuit, PFD and Gear by www.nrs.com
Sail is by www.EndlessRiver.co.uk
Side airbags are by Tribal Bags (they make top quality end bags as well): / tribalairbags
My website: www.RayGoodwin.com
Signed copies of my illustrated book 'Canoeing', are available direct from me or from Amazon. It covers far more than my KZfaq channel.
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Пікірлер: 77

@kelplicker76 51 минут бұрын

Mild day 😊 Bang a skek under fore and aft to improve tracking. Clip in ones are good but you have to adhere the clip to your keel. They're priceless when sailing canoes and kayaks.👍

@KartsHuseonica 2 жыл бұрын

I loved the integration of map points and your related explanations.

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Karts. Yep that worked in my head

@bobv8219 2 ай бұрын

Fantastic now join the two together and get a bigger sail. I like your idea and style. Thanks

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 ай бұрын

Awesome, thank you!

@kevinbungles 2 жыл бұрын

A great watch

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, appreciated

@brittlanders351 6 ай бұрын

Very nicely done

@RayGoodwinCanoe 6 ай бұрын

Thank you very much! Appreciated

@Canyakcoaching 2 жыл бұрын

Nice one again. Spicy conditions. Like the camera angle as I don't have to look at your Mug. LOL

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks again! Cheeky b....... Anyway memories of so many paddles we have had out there including night nav. Good times.

@ptrckmuir Жыл бұрын

Fantastic as always.

@RayGoodwinCanoe Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Cheers!

@catha8465 2 жыл бұрын

Looks like loads of fun!

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

It was tremendous fun. I had a grin all evening after that. Mind there was not much of a margin.

@JackdEmilia 2 жыл бұрын

Great! Thanks, Ray

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

Appreciated, thanks

@jonwhiteley1352 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent video Ray that shows the possibilities but mainly about knowing your limits.

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. Yep I agree totally with the limits and where to draw the line.

@sumnerbrent Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing! Your video inspired me to consider canoe camping. I'm 57 and no athlete, just average. I appreciate that you make this all seem doable. I hope you continue to produce this content. Cheers!

@RayGoodwinCanoe Жыл бұрын

That is awesome! Glad to hear that you are considering canoe camping. At 70 it is still a great pleasure to put all the gear in a canoe and set off down lake or river. Have fun.

@kristaps2010 Жыл бұрын

That’s fast on unpowered canoe, really fast! Lucky dog experiencing all these adventures! Thanks for sharing.

@RayGoodwinCanoe Жыл бұрын

Yes it was! Even I was impressed by that wake as I headed down the side of the lake. Yep Billie really seems to enjoy it.

@wayfarerchris.4116 2 жыл бұрын

Wow! Loved that Ray what an exciting trip. Those gusts coming through looked pretty scary to me but you and Martin handled it with easy👍. Thanks for sharing 🙂👍.

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it. Yep there was not much of a margin left there and we were both keeping a careful eye out for gusts and a general increase in wind, hence the handshake after the crossing. It was on the limit of where I was prepared to be when out from a landing. I have been out in stronger but only when the shore was within swimming distance, certainly not out in the middle of a lake. cheers

@wayfarerchris.4116 2 жыл бұрын

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Great to watch from the safety of my lounge 🤣. Well done to you both 👍.

@nigelgregory4777 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome day Ray, I'm only on the baby conditions at the moment but it showed what conditions are possible with experience, great to see you on the water again 👍👍☕

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

Yep and it was a couple of interesting days working 1:1 with Martin. It was about the limit of what I want to do on open water but that means under more normal conditions I have plenty of slack in the system. Thanks for commenting. Keep well and have fun

@MrMjt888 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ray My main takeaway from this is strategy and tactics. Having and communicating a plan. Great vid.

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mike. Yep all in the plan and options that way decision making can be quick.

@welshpaddler 2 жыл бұрын

That brought back some brown trouser moments on Loch Awe when my brother-in-law and I were paddling tandem with a fully loaded boat! Yours and other coaches' lessons helped us through.

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

Yep it can get pretty mean out there. Been scared a few times myself😬

@AdrianOceanus 2 жыл бұрын

stellar, Ray! greetings from Maine

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

Greeting to Maine! Thanks for your kind comment. Appreciated.

@madaprak 2 жыл бұрын

This looks like a lot of fun

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

It was. But we were close to the limit of what I like to do in a canoe, not much room for error.

@madaprak 2 жыл бұрын

@@RayGoodwinCanoe You were just skimming that headland there at one point... scary stuff. What canoe were you in on that particular video?

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

@@madaprak It would have been ok more embarrassing than dangerous. Bigger waves and yep it would have been a real risk. Getting it wrong out in the middle of the lake would be dangerous. The canoe is a Venture Afon.

@madaprak 2 жыл бұрын

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Thanks a bunch for your response and top notch videos

@alexedinborough8040 3 ай бұрын

I'm planning on consolidating my force 3 paddling and step into force 4 this summer to branch into consolidating force 4 and step into force 5 over the winter so i can do my open water canoe leader next springish time 😉

@RayGoodwinCanoe 3 ай бұрын

i hope some of my stuff is helpful to you then. It is all down to fetch and decision making. In canoe I have been in force 6 but really chose my place and didn't stray far from shore (within swimming distance). But a force 4 on the length of Loch Ness is impressive by the end. Choose well and stay safe.

@tapaolo 2 жыл бұрын

Thank You Ray for this amazing and instructive video Unfortunately in Italy I can't find such a rig, no one import from Endless River UK

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

Sorry to hear that. I am sure Endless River would post one. The critical bit is the sail and the mast foot. I am sure you could access some metal tubing for the mast and boom. Trouble as ever is the cost. But thank you for your kind comments.

@twostroke350 2 жыл бұрын

I've learned to appreciate a bit of a blowy day, paddling on a flat calm lake can start to get monotonous and if it starts to get a bit too hairy, when there's two of you you can always quickly raft up. The hardest part I find in these conditions is getting the boat on and off the roofrack!

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

Ah we made good decisions that day and both the unload and loading up were done in sheltered locations but that I remember days of trying to load kayaks at the beach after surf sessions. A very major task.

@tom.2900 2 жыл бұрын

Hey Ray! Are you going to upload more of your Alaska big expedition? That first video is excellent.

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

I have had a bit of a nightmare with the editing. I have promised myself to get back to it and make a finish. Sorry about that. I learnt some valuable lessons on how I record and section such a large body of video and won't be making that mistake again.

@tom.2900 2 жыл бұрын

@@RayGoodwinCanoe I did wonder if that was an issue! I've done some editing in the past, and have ended up leaving it years before editing things due to a mental block. No pressure, but if you do manage it, it would be a pleasure to watch!

@lucassmith2332 2 жыл бұрын

I like you rig there.Have been thinking of trying to make my own since a sailing rig is expensive and hard to find.

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

All my earlier ones were home made. You should have enough information from my various videos i have on my channel.

@user-yf6nd4sn3k 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing this, it's a rush sailing in wind like that but it does begin to feel pretty sketchy, more the chop than anything. Any thoughts on outriggers?

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

On Facebook is the Open Canoe Sailing Group and a lot of them are using far bigger rigs than me and some choose to use outriggers. Not something for me as I like to go from no sail to sailing in the simplest way possible out outriggers don't fit that model for me. But a lot of folk do use them and do it very effectively but they are aiming for sailing and not paddling. So very much a personal choice but they do give that critical stability.

@scotttaggart71 Жыл бұрын

I remember our dog would go insane, if we did not take him in the Canoe, up ta camp, Sebago Lake, Maine.

@RayGoodwinCanoe Жыл бұрын

Trouble is that Billie is a fidget and often bounces from gunwale to gunwale. I had to keep him under manners in these conditions. I didn’t want him over the side or capsizing us! But yep I like having Billie out with me

@john3Lee 2 жыл бұрын

I have always been interested in the possibilities of sailing a canoe... Have you ever tried a box kite for downwind sailing, or even a steerable kite for more scope for sailing different points of the compass ? Thanks in advance...

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

Yes I have but it was many years ago before kites were as effective as they are now and we weren't very successful. If I get the opportunity I will give it another go but my feeling is that it would work best in a tandem canoe where one of you could concentrate on the kite and one on the steering.

@john3Lee 2 жыл бұрын

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Thanks for the prompt reply - This sounds interesting.. I hope you get the opportunity to try it out.. I see some kite boarders are using a smallish inflatable kite, which looks like a very simple aircraft shape with a keel... That might be worth a try... Thanks again for the reply...

@Tim8o1 2 жыл бұрын

Interesting, and another great video Ray. I run my sheet to the rear of the canoe, thinking that is the optimal place. Down side is when I tack, I have to duck under it, its not elegant. Your sheet looks like it is tied off near to your side. Is this better all round or just for down wind? I have only sailed in strong wind once, that whilst on a camping trip. I could feel the rush of water under my knees was exhilarating to say the least.

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

Yep I did, for a time, use a tight cord across the canoe at the rear of the seat and then using a krab, ran the sheet through to that. I had the same problem flicking the sheet over my back. I was dropping the sheet through the seat to my side and then running it forward to the jam cleat on the carrying thwart. I did not have my normal sail, needs a repair, and so used another and just stuck a cord on as a sheet at the last minute. Because of this the sheet was too long and slowed down the change over, you can see me coiling/gathering in the sheet during changes. Often I stick krabs through the cord along the canoe side so it saves me delving for the gap in the seat. Anyway thanks for commenting. Keep well.

@electrichospital 2 жыл бұрын

Looks like fun. I did notice you were not trying to surf the swell. Was that because you were bow light?

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

Just couldn’t pick up enough acceleration. The Afon is a relatively slow boat. In a sea kayak I would have been storming it

@kawonnajculkeram 2 жыл бұрын

Is your sail an older and smaller version than the newer ones? I bought on two years ago and I think it's bigger than yours. or is it just the go pro?

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

I think it is just the GoPro but I will check.

@mentallychallenging Жыл бұрын

i think you mentioned it in another video but where did you get your sail? thats exactly what im lookin to set up for mine

@RayGoodwinCanoe Жыл бұрын

It is an Endless River sail. There is a link to the company in the description below the video. Hope that sorts it.

@BuckMckawtheotherone 2 жыл бұрын

Is it high water for the fence to be submerged? Or it was just overflowed in time?

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

The level is controlled by large sluices just after the Afon Dyfrdwy (Dee) leaves the lake. So for a lot of the winter the level is a lot lower so that they have the capacity to hold back flood water in the lake. When it is low the fence has to go much further out. The level shown is what is known as summer recreational level so a lot of the fence is underwater. In a big flood in can be a couple of metres higher. Hope that explains. In late September the lake will be lowered and the whole fence comes into use.

@BuckMckawtheotherone 2 жыл бұрын

@@RayGoodwinCanoe O. Alright then. Better that than flooded homes below, eh. So, it's good to know that lake. I probably would have fenced myself in wondering who the heck has cows this far in the bloomin' lake? Thanks.

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

@@BuckMckawtheotherone It leads to some interesting flows/height on the Afon Dyfrdwy (Dee) downstream. In heavy rain the river rises what appears to be a normal bell curve and then peaks and starts to drop (remembering a lot of water is held back in the lake). The drop starts as the down slope of the bell curve but then levels out for maybe 3 to 5 days before dropping quickly as they get down to the low level on the lake again. It is interesting working with this as I ponder where to take customers to paddle.

@robnbecnal 2 жыл бұрын

Do you use aluminium , fibreglass or carbon Poles?

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

Normally I use fibreglass poles but it really depends on what comes to hand when I leave home. More than happy to use aluminium or carbon. Probably more flex with the fibreglass poles but they are light.

@robnbecnal 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your reply. I am about to buy a rig like yours. Do any of the Poles break? Would you recommend I buy fibreglass ones? Or would the aluminium ones suffice. I canoe on Windermere

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

@@robnbecnal Aluminium would be absolutely fine.

@robnbecnal 2 жыл бұрын

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Thanks for the advice Ray. Let me know if you come canoe sailing on Windermere.