Sea Kayaking……………part of an holistic and integrated lifestyle (Written by Nigel Lammas of Integrate Paddling)
Why do folk sea kayak?
It’s an important part of a healthy, holistic lifestyle
It’s fun.
It helps to keep the individual fit in body and mind.
There is an element of excitement.
It is challenging.
It offers a new interface, seldom experienced by most people, for viewing the stunning and varied environment and wildlife.
The waters are often clear and paddlers can see down to the marine fauna and flora.
Participants see the dynamism of the coast in a way often missed by landlubbers.
It’s better to sea kayak with a minimum-sized group of three kayaks, so inevitably it has to be a team effort. Sea kayakers are naturally very sociable creatures, and they are always looking out for the welfare and safety of the next person.
Anyone can try it and continue the pursuit, often even if they have a physical disability.
It engenders a sense of accomplishment, confidence and a huge appreciation of our coastal heritage.
What is so great about it?
Sea kayakers gives an understanding and passion for the marine and coastal environment, and enables you to see the coast in all its glory and complexity. It is ever-changing and often unpredictable.
You never know when you might encounter some sea creatures such as dolphins, whales, seals, jellyfish, seabirds and other boats.
Integrate Paddling all time favourite paddles:
- Stonehaven to Tremuda Bay
- Stonehaven to Dunnottar Castle
- Catterline to Stonehaven via Fowlsheugh RSPB sea cliff bird reserve at Crawton
- Catterline to Inverbervie via Todhead Lighthouse and Whistleberry
- Ythan estuary
- Collieston to Cruden bay
- Cruden Bay to Boddam via Slains Castle and Longhaven cliffs
- Pennan to Gardenstown via Hell’s Lum, Troup Head gannetry and Crovie
- Aberdeen to Stonehaven via Cove Bay, Portlethen, Newtonhill, Muchalls
What are you are likely to see?
Other paddlers, and even human beings!
Dolphins, Whales, Porpoises and Seals and fantastic bird life such as Puffins, Kittiwakes, Gannets, Skuas and Peregrines, as well as Jellyfish. Inaccessible rare plant species like the Dickie Bladder Fern, great ships passing by day and night, cliffs, caves (inside and out!), wonderful beaches, sand, surf and turf, natural rock sculptures and Aurora borealis on nighttime paddles, because there is often little artificial light just offshore.
The list just goes on and on.......
Good hassle-free launch points
- Aberdeen beachfront
- Nigg Bay
- Cove Bay harbour
- Portlethen beach
- Newtonhill beach
- Stonehaven harbour
- Catterline – the Integrate Paddling classic favourite
- Inverbervie beach
- River North Esk estuary near St Cyrus
- Lunan Bay
- River Don estuary
- Newburgh – dunes car park at Ythan Hotel
- Newburgh – Inch peninsular
- Collieston harbour
- Cruden Bay harbour
- Boddam harbour
- Peterhead marina
- St Combs
- Sandhaven
- Rosehearty
- Aberdour Beach
- Pennan village
- Crovie village
- Gardenstown village
Local Clubs
Stonehaven Canoe Club www.stonehavencanoeclub.co.uk
Integrate Paddling www.integratepaddling.org.uk/index.html (Aberdeenshire)
Integrate Paddling is a lively kayak club that offers sea kayaking and river canoe descents and racing opportunities and equipment to anyone interested and of any ability.
The Club is based in Aberdeenshire and has a growing selection of sea kayaks (single Capellas and Calypso doubles), and racing kayaks (Lightnings and K1/K2's) available for hire.
We meet regularly from April to October on Thursday evenings for evening paddles around the North East Coast. See our program page for further details. On selected weekends we organise paddles around other parts of Scotland such as Isle of Skye, Arisaig, Bass Rock etc.
We also meet for regular river racing training sessions on selected evenings and weekends, and participate in races around Scotland and the UK throughout the year.
Peterhead Canoe Club www.peterheadcanoeclub.co.uk
North East Sea Kayakers alan.spence@srel.co.uk