SKOMER or BUST - Part 2 Jack Sound of Ill-Gotten Gains

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20 күн бұрын

My return to Martin's Haven on the mainland was leisurely, and uneventful...at the beginning.
I was videoing the fabulous North East corner with it's myriad birds and cave that runs through to the South side of Skomer...and was not paying attention to exactly where I was, or what could happen...
I had been intending to cross in an arc to the North, avoiding the fast current - as on my outward journey. I really was confused about the times for "slackwater"!
I acknowledge that my trip to Skomer was perhaps asking for trouble, though I did as much research as possible before leaving home and asked advice of the locals with knowledge of Jack Sound.
In fact, I had been intending to spend at least a day before making the crossing - observing it, getting familiar with it, and trying to find an experienced kayaker, or kayakers, with whom to make the crossing.
The first day I was there, a very dense mist had enveloped the island and sea...you couldn't really even make out the sea at the foot of the cliff I was standing on!
Someone who professed to, and who I thought should, know, advised me strongly to do the trip the next day, and not for several days after...and in following this advice I failed to do what I had set out to do, as above.
Because of the mist that first day, I didn't get to see Jack Sound until I was crossing it!.
I take full responsibility, though...no blame.
The day after my trip, a couple of Scottish kayakers crossed (I conferred with them, having seen the [proper] sea kayaks on their van roof at the campsite). One claimed he had the highest possible certificate of sea-kayaking/safety/sea competence. I happened to be on Martin's Haven beach when they got back from their trip to Skomer...they looked somewhat shaken, and exhausted! They too had arc-ed around to the North of Jack Sound.
I was totally determined to kayak to Skomer, to video and photograph it, and the puffins, especially...nothing could have stopped me!
I don't regret it...at all!
My gratitude for the wonderful music I have been able to use on this video.

Пікірлер: 2

@TheKayakCrew 19 күн бұрын

Oh dear, I didn't realise the mishap you'd had! Wow, you were lucky. You recovered well though and kept your cool, well done. Looks like the current was streaming southwards very strong with the outdoing tide? That is what we feared about crossing Jack Sound. Our plan was to give it a wide berth on the outward crossing, go round Skomer clockwise and come back through Jack sound when the tide was coming in (running Northwards) but near to slack water so it wasn't turbulent. We need to plan it a lot more though, especially after seeing what happened to you. I'm also worried about currents on the far side of the island ('Wild Goose race'). We don't have the fall back option of using a motor either 😬. Glad you are OK anyhow, was on the edge of my seat when you capsized.

@PersistentPete52 18 күн бұрын

@TheKayakCrew. Thanks for your response! Well, you seem to have it all figured out...at least your plan seems sound and logical to me...though as I mentioned, I clearly am not qualified to give advice on Jack Sound. The current on the far (North Western) side was strong, but not as strong as that of Jack Sound, and especially not the cannel between Skomer and Middleholm which is where I got caught out. Not a lot of time had passed between experiencing them all. Yes, I was fortunate indeed...above all that someone actually spotted me in trouble and called the coastgaurd! I ended up all right after righting my kayak post capsize, but I was never going to make it back to Martin's Haven that day, if at all! And landing on a prison beach (unclimbable cliffs) was not a good option. I hope to thank this person soon...she is abroad for now.