Folkstone 2nd July 09

Took the kayak down to Folkstone as the wife and mother in law wanted to look around the shops, too good an opportunity to waste really. I just wanted a quick paddle really and thought i would sort out a spinning rod and a few lures just in case. Launched in front of the old Rotunda amusement arcade. Weather was scattered cloud and sunshine and a fairly good easterly breeze. I secured the rod to the Yak with a home made leash and I headed off straight out for about 200 yards and sorted myself out. I tried spinning on the drift for 15 minutes or so, just to see if there were any mackerel about. Nothing doing, so i cast the lure back out, put the rod back into its holder as paddled off down to Sandgate way trolling the lure behind me.
The wind was picking up a bit and i thought that i would see just how unfit i was by periodically turning into the wind and seeing how much headway i was getting. Either i am fitter than i thought or the kayak handled better than expected, for i made good ground paddling into the wind. Anyway, got down to sandgate reef and had a cast around on the drift, for half an hour, looking for Bass. Nothing was biting, so i headed back towards Folkstone, casting into likely looking spots on the way. Still nothing so one last cast, put the rod in its holder, engaged the bait runner mechanism, and trundled back to the car. Five minutes from the car park, the reel started spinning like mad. I thought i had hooked up in some weed, but i struck into it any way, just in case, and what do you know, i was into a fish. It fought well on the little 6 foot pike rod and after a short spirited fight, a little school bass was alongside the kayak. My first fish, i was really chuffed as i lifted it out of the water and unhooked it. It probably weighed around the Pound and a half mark, but it was a great moment and i put it back into the water and watched it speed off. I had another couple of casts had one more bite but no more fish and headed off back home.
Also, on the way back to the car, the wind picked up some more and started throwing up the odd "white horse". The sea swell increased also and the ocasional wave came over the bow. The Kayak was still a very stable place to be and at no time was i concerned and felt totaly happy and confident.

Prowler Trident 13

At long last, i finally got my shiny new yellow Prowler Trident 13 from Kent Canoes the day before i went for a long weekend break with my family to sandbanks, Poole. We arrived on the Friday evening and had to wait until Saturday before i could get out for a paddle. Things couldn't have worked out better. The house we were staying in was right on the sea front, so we didn't have far to carry the kayak and the weather conditions were perfect, with a shimmering, mirror flat calm sea to launch into, and a beautiful blue sky overhead.

With every one cheering me on my maiden launch, the kayak eased its way through the gentle surf easily and denied every one the expected "you've been framed" moment. First impressions were how easy it was to paddle and how fast it went across the water, and also how stable it was. After a short 5 minute paddle, i headed back into shore to where the rest of the family were eagerly waiting to have a go. After an hour or so of every one splashing around, i took it out for a good long paddle.

I was surprised how quickly i managed to paddle the kayak and how at ease and comfortable i felt on it. Not to be too cocksure i decided to try and practice the self rescue techniques i had read about on the web sites, and once again i managed it OK without too much of a problem, but it was too good an opportunity to waste in these conditions and tried a few more, just to be sure and everything seemed to go without a hitch. I then tried to sit "side saddle" both sides to see how the kayak reacted, fairly stable once again, and i also tried reaching round behind me to where the bait and storage crate will be, a little awkward to start with but i soon got used to it. Next was a look at the "rod pod". A good size storage area inside with a small movable tray for tackle items, i doubt i will use it for keeping rods in though. After around 3 hours getting used to my new toy i headed back to show my face and have a few well deserved beers.

Next day was a bit different, weather wise, overcast and bit of a breeze blowing. I also put my trolley into the bow hatch for a bit of added weight and headed out again for a few hours. Paddling into the wind was a bit tougher and there was the odd wave coming over the bow but nothing alarming. There was a lot of other craft out and about including jet skis and speed boats and i used their wake to see how it handled in really choppy weather. Once again it was very stable and i did not feel uneasy and had another good 2 hours paddling up and down, just getting used to being on a kayak, and had another go at self rescue in these different conditions, and managed without ant trouble. Reluctantly, i had to get ready for the journey home and had to paddle back to the house. Next time out, i shall take a rod with me, you never know, i might even catch a fish.