Chichester Harbour 24th March 2002

We met at Dell Quay slipway for a 10 o'clock start. There were seven of us; (more people turned up who weren't expected than those who were!)
Mick led a chat about the intended plan for the day's paddle. We split the maps between us and checked who had 1st Aid kits, flares, towlines etc. The group had some experienced paddlers, and some novice ones, (myself included!)

We entered the calm water and started a gentle paddle on the ebb tide. It was very pleasant paddling amongst the moored boats, reading all the obscure names as we passed. At West Itchenor we stopped for a coffee break outside the Harbour Master's office, before continuing on towards the more open waters of the harbour.

Those with more experience were able to explain the buoys and markings of the shipping lanes. Although it was a fairly quiet day on the water we still needed to be vigilant as the boats creep towards you fairly quickly. We paddled along chatting, it was good to catch up with people I had paddled with before and nice to get to know new people who shared the same interest. We continued on our way across the main harbour, giving way to a fair number of boats as we did.

After navigating en masse through a gap in the many learner sailors, we pulled up for lunch on the lovely sandy beach by the Sailing Club on Hayling Island.
It was a moment of truth for the people who hadn't brought a packed lunch, would they have to starve or would they get some food? Fortunately, the sailing Club had a bar, and were serving food, so they did better than some of the rest of us!

When we had all finished feasting, Mick spoke to us about flares, the good and bad points about the many types on the market. He had brought along some spent ones for us to see and discuss and I was surprised how much pull was needed to set some of them off. He also pointed out the Cardinal Markings we could see from the beach.

(I'm personally very grateful to all the more experienced paddlers I have been out with on my 3 trips so far with SESK. They are so helpful and encouraging and always willing to give you tips. I have learnt a lot from them, and would like to thank them for giving me the opportunity to paddle with them in waters I would not have enough knowledge about to go on my own.)

After lunch we set off with the flood tide on our return journey. The sky was a bit patchy but the sun was shining and the water calm. This was a pleasant change after paddling here last October in pouring rain and choppy water! 
We arrived back at Dell Quay at ten past five. We had covered a fair distance on our first trip of the year and it had been a really enjoyable paddle.
We got changed and sorted our things out, kayaks back onto roof-racks, and had a chat before saying our farewells for now.

By Sylvia