Kayak Journal - Stokes Bay to Ryde & Wootton Creek

Tuesday 22nd April 2008

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With Griff, Gav and unusually Joe with his Robson Waikiki, today would see a long awaited trip over to the island. Having planned the trip, we congregated at 0800 in the car park at Gosport & Fareham Inshore Rescue in Stokes Bay. It was a clear day, light northerly winds forecast, with the liklihood of a sea breeze in the afternoon. A slight haze shrouded the island coast, just out of sight.

Our destination was the sands just west of Ryde Pier, but to arrive there, we would follow a compass bearing of 255M to allow for the set of the tide. Within seconds of being afloat, Griff's kayak suffered a minor breakage to the seat back, but this was quickly repaired with a few wire ties from the repair kit.

Departing Stokes Bay, the conditions were ideal; very few waves and not a lot of shipping traffic. Paddling steadily with the sun climbing to our left, we trusted the compasses and after fifteen minutes, the end of Ryde Pier became identifiable. Pausing for photos briefly allowed a short rest and it became apparent that Joe was not finding this trip as easy as the rest of us in sea kayaks. Pressing on, it became apparent that the photo stop had carried us off course so we set to making good the lost ground, negotiating the car ferry, a smaller coaster and a trawler. After fifty minutes, we were slipping through the shallows until we nudged the sand.

Breakfast this morning was an extraordinary feat of culinary genius - tinned all-day-breakfast washed down with coffee. The company and laughter always make up for the limited cuisine. The sound of yodelling wafting down to us on the breeze had us in repeated fits of the giggles. Two builders working on a house above the beach clearly needed help with their musical taste. We were in no rush and after photos and admiring the view back across to the main land, we set off again.

Heading westwards following the coast to Wootton Creek only 1.5 miles away,the adjacent beach was sandy, tree lined and inviting, but ominous signs suggested it was probably private. Within half an hour we followed a Wight Link car ferry into Wootton Creek and quickly leaving the ferry port behind we drifted on the tide slowly up the creek towards the village of Wootton. More photos and chatting followed but with prospect of having to work in the afternoon, we had to press on.

Once back outside the creek, a compass bearing of 060M would take us back to GAFIRs. Not that we could see it mind you. The GPS provided the heading and we followed the compasses again. The tide flow was now slack though allowing a straight line. Our route took us close to Mother Bank Buoy, but on arrival, Griff and I discovered Gav and Joe were lagging behind. We waited and set off again, now concerned about the Bro Anton - a fairly large blue hulled tanker approaching from the east. We paddled on, making a big turn eastwards to pass behind it. We had a bit of fun guessing what the ship was called and having passed behind it, paddled on. Griff and I stopped several times, not appreciating how tough it was for Joe to keep up with our leisurely pace. I hope it brought it home to Joe that the Waikiki was not suitable for these trips. The sun was now scorching us and I wished I had packed a sun hat instead of a woolly one.

By 1240, we were back on the beach and packing away. Griff and I finished off the coffee while we mulled over the journey, firmly resolving to get across as often as possible and to visit new places in the process.

Definitely the most enjoyable and technical trip to date, even if the paddling itself was not challenging. It was revealing in terms of ability, equipment reliability and the depth of our desire to go further and see more.

All photos courtesy of Griff, capturing the moment as always.