Where to go ?

[Jussy]

Just picked up my 1st kayak and taking it out a wee run this afternoon. I am headed for the Quoile in Downpatrick.
Can anyone suggest any other places suitable for beginners that wont be too difficult or dangerous?
Thanks
Mark

[RedLeader]

The Quoile form Janes Shore to Inch Abbey is a good one but quite remote if you're out on your own so be careful. The Lagan at Shaws Bridge is good if you go upstream from Minnowburn but the banks are quite steep if you fell in and needed to climb out.

Shame I didn't know sooner or I would have come too and brought the Canadian.

[Jussy]

to be honest i only thought about going when i saw the rain disappearing. Thankfully today ill not be on my own. another friend of mine is coming too so itll be safe that way.
We will organise to meet up and get out for a float sometime.
thank you
mark

[Damp Colin]

First safety rule of kayaking is go in three's cos when something does happen you need one to stay with the injured person and the other to get help. Was at Shaws bridge this morning water level was very high and very fast flowing but plenty of volume and good waves for a bit of surfing not for the beginner mind you had to roll a couple of times when i got it wrong but my trustied drysuit kept me dry 

[Jussy]

Unfortunatly the other fella couldnt go with us today so it was only the 2 of us. The Quoile was very calm and didnt take too much out of us.
Only problem is the Kayak i got is definatly too small for me and my legs so i was squashed like a prune!! (ive bad ankles so im in agony now) so i think its back to the drawing board for me. Think i will look at the sit-on tops now!!
cheers

[Damp Colin]

The one thing you need is a boat that fits you you wont enjoy it to the fullest other wise as i think you found out, have a look around, join a club and try a few different boats out before deciding on anything

[Jussy]

Well i know a few folk with sit ins and a couple with sit ons. i will have to organise a go on all of them before i spend money on anything else. But you ar right i need something that fits me or i wont enjoy it and it will feel more of a task than fun !!!

[Damp Colin]

If you can wait to this coming March you should head down to Shaws bridge on a saturday afternoon,  Mobile Team Adventure will let you go out in their kayaks and you get professional coaching for two hours for the very good price of £15.
Plenty of opportunity to try out a few different kayaks and get advice on which one suits you for what you want it for.

[pablo]

...........told ya 

check out kayakanglingireland.com for an insight into sit on tops.

[Jussy]

...........told ya 

check out kayakanglingireland.com for an insight into sit on tops.

You sound like my ma Pablo

[b0ogaloo]

Be gratefull he's not 


Andy

[indianian]

Hi Jussy,  what is the boat you have??

[Jussy]

Hello
Its a real old thing that i think Noah learnt to sail in. Its fibreglass and 13ft long. It isnt gonna do me (but i got it for nothing) so i am on the look out for something else. I am thinking now along the lines of a sit-on instead of a sit-in because im not the smallest in the world  and im not sure if i could get a sit-in that i would find comfy.
Mark

[pablo]

pity the weather isnt the greatest or id be out on my prowler elite.you could have tried it out or even came out with me on my spare,a liquid logic manta-ray.

the only plus point i can see that a sit in has over a sit on is that you can do eskimo rolls in a sit in. though you could probably do it on a sit on if you used thigh straps.

just what exactly do you want this boat for mate? exactly?

[Jussy]

All i want it for is a bit of touring up the odd river and probably on Strangford Lough with a bit of camping here and there too. Nothing too extreme just a bit of craic really.
Mark