Monday 21 March 2005. . .

• Isle of Wight - seems like a nice place to spend a few days - lots to see and do. Or, copy Graham Beckram and friends and do it in a day, its only 60 miles! Click the pic for his illustrated report of their Round the Isle of Wight Challenge - in 18 hours.
  
  

  ---

• From the web - working up your Rolling Technique in time for Spring? Then here's some help.
  
• The Scottish Tourist Board has been developing a site dedicated to maritime activity - visit SeaScotland.com
  
• Right - a photo from Tam and Ian Woodland, taken while paddling one Tuesday evening in Poole Harbour before camping and getting stuck in mud!! Very atmospheric. Thanks Tam & Ian.
  
• The Scottish Sea Kayaking Photo Gallery Desktop Calendar offers fantastic free calendars with beautiful images of Scottish sea paddling - well worth a visit every month!
  
• With Easter approaching, do share your pictures, reports, experiences with us - editor@ukseakayakguidebook.co.uk will get them to me. Everything welcome.
  
  I'm going up to the Skye area with some friends, so if you meet 4 singles and a double, and find cameras pointed at you, chances are you're going to be included on UKSKGB.
  
  Have a great Easter.

  
  

Friday 11 March 2005. . .

• "Luxury on Loch Leven" was how the SCA billed their February outing to the Highlands! Credit Card Kayaking at its best, 25 souls braved the rigours of Loch Leven, Glencoe, and retreated to the comfort of a local hotel afterwards. Click here to read Helen McKenna's illustrated trip report.
  
• Thanks to Richard Seaby for some new links relating to weather, wave data and some good stuff relevant to Southampton waters. Check the Almanac
  
• From the web - you've toyed with the idea of building your own boat? Maybe even considered one of those "boats in a bag"? Click here to visit Tom Yost's amazing and detailed site showing you how to build your own "boat in a bag". He's also got a superb section on making a Greenland paddle. Wonderful craftsmanship.
  
• Also from the web, Atlantic Kayak Tours, on the Atlantic coast of the US, have an excellent range of technical, safety, skill and equipment articles on their site. And if all that has whetted your appetite and you fancy an outing, click here and enjoy Chris Duff's circumnavigation of New Zealand's South Island.
  
• And finally - the new Knoydart catalogue with lots of tempting goodies is out - they have some clothing, boat and equipment bargains and also some used boats - visit their website for details.
  
  

  ---

• Upcoming events - Richard Uren mailed me with these:
  
  » The 2005 West Cornwall Sea Kayak Experience (sea kayak races) will be held at Penzance on 29 May.
  
  » The 3rd Cornish Sea Kayak Rally 22-29 August. Simple farm camping. Guiding & tuition available.
  
  Full details for both from Richard by e-mail.

Thursday 3 March 2005. . .

• Fancy Greece as a destination this year? Paul Griffiths has been, and sent me this link to his website where he wrote up the story.
  
• More warm-water paddling to be found here, this time a link sent by Manos to the Sitia-Kayak Club who paddle in eastern Cretan waters. He says " it's a club of friends-paddlers who love sea kayak and enjoy this sport- we hope one day to meet you here (in Crete) for some paddle-action and adventure". Thanks Manos.
  
• The SCA has been busy revising it's website, if you've not been, go look! Another site which has just undergone a major revamp is seapaddler.co.uk - the entire site's been overhauled and is looking good!
  
• Coming soon - pics & report from the SCA's "Luxury on Loch Leven" weekend, pics to be added to the Feathercraft article from a few weeks ago and a great illustrated trip report from Graham Beckram on paddling the Isle of Wight Challenge – a 60 mile circumnavigation in less than 18 hours.
  
  

  ---

• Upcoming Events - dates for the diary:
  
  » 23-24 Apr 2005:  Northumberland and Scottish Borders / SCA Trips, 01890 751331, Lesley@lough52.freeserve.co.uk
  
  » 30th April-6th May 2005:  Anglesey Sea Kayak Symposium 
  
  » 26th-29th May 2005: Norwegian Sea Kayak Symposium
  
  » 27th-30th May 2005:  Scottish Sea Kayak Symposium - NOW FULL
  
  » 23rd - 31st August 2005:Details of the Outer Hebrides Sea Kayak and Third Scottish Surf Kayak Symposium from Uist Outdoor Centre.
  
  » 3rd - 10th September : Dutch Kayak Union training camp at the Island of Vlieland, on the northern coast of Waddenzee and the North Sea. Lekker zeekajakvaren.
  
  Have you got an event you'd like publicised here on UKSKGB? Send me a mail with the details.