Getting the hang of seakayaking.

 As we slipped out of Dunure harbour...

...under snow capped mountains...

 ...the sun was already sinking.

Ailsa Craig slipped over the horizon behind us as we paddled...

 ...north towards...

 ...the Heads of Ayr where it was time for...

...another diversion...

...into Bracken Bay at the foot...

...of the dark volcanic cliffs for third luncheon in...

 ...the sunset.

Photo by Philip Toman.

By now Katie, our newest recruit, was beginning to get the hang of the degree of determination, stamina and sheer physical endurance required to join such a team of elite seakayaking sportspersons.

Pacing ourselves at Dunure.

 From Bracken Bay we paddled south past tumbling waterfalls then we caught...

 ...sight of Ailsa Craig.

 The sea was completely calm and we made good progress...

 ....until we caught sight of the distant Turnberry lighthouse when it was time to take a...

 ....sharp left into Dunure harbour.

 As we enjoyed our second luncheon, we watched as...

 ...first Phil then...

...David put the Taran 16 through its paces.

Then it was time to visit the pub, where we must have paced ourselves quite well...

 ...as the tide had gone out and...

...the sun had begun to set behind the ancient walls of Dunure Castle.

A nip in the air.

There was a bit of a nip in the air and...

 ...the summits of the Arran mountains were covered in snow when we left Seafield...

...bound for the Heads of Ayr.

We were joined by Katie who was on her first sea kayaking outing. We hoped that she would enjoy her introduction to this wholesome, energetic and athletic activity.

Arriving at Bracken Bay we sat on an old log amongst the frost covered marram grass. David produced a flask of hot mulled wine....

 ...quickly followed by some piping hot Christmas pudding and some Singleton malt whisky to pour over the top of the pudding.

Despite searching right to the bottom of his bag, David couldn't find the matches to light the whisky so we just had to drink it instead. As we gazed over the Clyde to the snowy Arran mountains, we hoped that Katie wasn't suffering to much hardship on her "in at the deep end" introduction to sea kayaking.

Taran 16 review update.

I have updated the Rockpool Taran 16 review after subsequent testing in flat calm to F2-3 conditions.

The power of kayak sailing.

When we finally emerged from the pub at Dunure, the sun had finally put in an appearance and the strong May light was quite dazzling.

 As the coast veered round to the NE, we entered the lee of the land and...

 ...the seas flattened off allowing...

 ...us to press on...

 ...at maximum speed.

 We took a break to pump out our bladd... I mean cockpits under...

 ...the appropriately named Heads of Ayr.

We literally touched down at Seafield having completed the 19km from Maidens 90 minutes faster than our best paddling only time. Such is the power and fun of kayak sailing.

Intercourse at Dunure.

It was back in May and the Firth of Clyde forecast was for full sun and F3-4 W winds. This sounded great for a blast from Maidens to Seafield. However, Maidens was rather more grey than sunny and there were some big lumpy bits of water rapidly approaching from the horizon.

The water was surprisingly unflat, even while we were still in the shelter of the Maidens reefs. No sooner had we launched than Clyde coastguard issued a new gale warning. "Malin F8-9 imminent" and the inshore Clyde forecast had changed to "F5-7 SW".

For some reason, I didn't take any photos on the incredible downwind blast across Culzean Bay and round Carnage Corner, off the headland at Dunure Point. My GPS showed that we were regularly hitting 17km/hr as we surfed down breaking waves. David had even put his spray deck on, which was just as well as several times waves broke over our decks and threatened to broach us. Fortunately the sails are very good at keeping a kayak driving downwind and resisting broaching in these conditions.

Later, I asked David about his rather optional attitude to spraydecks. I said "Doesn't it make rolling a bit difficult if you have no spray deck?"

"Rolling?...." he replied somewhat scornfully (as if I had mentioned the unmentionable) "....I've rolled more cars than kayaks!"

At our age, kayak sailing in these conditions can be quite exhausting, so we decided to run into the shelter of Dunure, where it was a relief to get into the lee of the land. This is looking beyond Carnage Corner back towards Ailsa Craig and the way we had just come.

 The Dunure Inn beckoned but it was some distance away as it was low tide. So it was time for...

 ...first luncheon on the beach. Phil was enjoying his sandwiches when David offered him some strawberries. At first Phil refused... "No thanks David, I'm still on my first course."

"Go on" said David, "treat it as an intercourse."

After first luncheon we made our way up to the Dunure Inn for second luncheon. The sea food bisque was delicious... there were bits of lobster floating about in my soup. It went terribly well with the Guinness. Our bodies are athletic temples after all.

Fourth element Arctic under suit long term test and review..

Although the west coast of Scotland sea temperature is still a balmy 11 degrees Celsius in mid December (due to the Gulf stream) the air temperature is not so warm. It was minus 5C when we set off the other day but the wind chill of a brisk north wind cut that down to -12C. Keeping warm in these conditions is vital.

My trusty Kokatat dry sit is now in its 4th winter and is still bone dry but what do I wear underneath?

I started using the fourth element Arctic two piece 4 years ago. It is composed of a double layer. The inner is a warm fleece with remarkable wicking properties. I usually just wear a pair of cotton pants (shorts) under the trousers and they stay bone dry. The Arctic outer layer is a closely woven water repellent and wind resistant layer. I never get too hot with the Arctic suit, neither do I get too cold. Importantly when I am sitting on an exposed beach for lunch and a cold wind is blowing, I still stay warm while others round about are shivering. I pair it with long Arctic socks and even my toes remain warm. The lower legs of the suit are a single layer so that the overlapping socks do not make them too bulky when putting your dry suit on and off. When I take my dry suit off at the end of the day I usually don't bother changing out of the Arctic suit. It feels nice and dry and remains warm even in a chill wind. (I could not do that in a previous huggy bear suit). I usually drive home in my Arctic suit. 

A great advantage of the Arctic suit is that it remains warm if it gets wet, for example if you puncture your dry suit or have a less than waterproof two piece and go for a swim. I tested this 3 years ago on a 37km mid winter paddle. At 10km we stopped for first luncheon and a pee break. My friend's kayak drifted off in the offshore wind. I waded in up to my waist and caught it but I had not done up the comfort zip. The Arctic trousers were soaked but I did not get cold. I continued on for the rest of the paddle feeling perfectly warm, if a little moist! After three winters and cold washing and drip drying after every outing there is no sign of wear or shrinkage. I tend to get arm pit rash with most under suits but I have never had a rash with the Arctic. I think that this is due to the layer next to the skin remaining so dry. I do have a friend with particularly sensitive skin who has suffered underarm abrasion with this suit. He solved this by wearing a lycra rash vest underneath. My only criticism of this combination suit is that the waist of the trousers is cut rather low for the kayaking sitting position and sometimes I get a cold gap at the back. Conversely there are four layers of overlapping cloth over your belly, which can be restrictive.

This criticism has been resolved since last winter, when fourth element introduced the Arctic one piece.  I am now using this in its second winter season. It is just as warm as the two piece but with no gaps and is much less restrictive round the waist. Compared to my old cheap huggy bear suit, it is much warmer, wicks better, is less bulky, is less restrictive, is wind proof and remains warm when wet.

The zip is double ended so males can still use the convenience zip on the dry suit. My one minor criticism on this suit is that as supplied, the alloy crimps at the top of the zip were razor sharp and cut my neck first time out. Two minutes with a nail file rounded the sharp edges. The Arctic one piece is not cheap at £189 but I think it is worth every penny.

My overall verdict is that the fourth element Arctic one piece is essential wear both for comfort and safety when sea kayaking in the Scottish winter.