subject: Nothing Quite Like Messing About in a Boat [print this page] Nothing Quite Like Messing About in a Boat
Ever since, as a young child, I found a model of a coracle bobbing on a Welsh mountain stream I have been fascinated by them and most other small river craft.
I have just spent a wonderful weekend in the company of a master craftsman making my very own coracle and paddle from scratch. At the end of the course we had the chance to paddle them on the local pond and I am now looking forward messing about on our local canals & rivers. Compared to a kayak the coracle is not an easy to handle and super manoeuvrable craft but it does allow you to drift almost silently downstream which makes either of them ideal vessels for wildlife viewing.
Many of the voyages we offer include the opportunity for kayaking, either in the cold waters of Alaska and the polar regions or the warmer climes of Baja, Panama & Costa Rica. Seeing wildlife from water level is amazing as you can approach quietly and as long as you make no sudden movements get very close. Despite their size whales are normally very gentle around boats often coming close but not quite touching just gliding through or spy-hoping to check out these strange & brightly coloured sea creatures. Penguins & seals show great curiosity some even taking the opportunity to nibble or peck the rudder and anything else left dangling in the water. Generally wildlife on land does not see you as a threat when you are on the water so will often carry on regardless of your close proximity which is a photographers dream.
The boats onboard are usually sea kayaks which offer great stability and have a rudder for steering so anyone can have a go as long as they feel confident in water. The guides will show you where to go then where safe leave you to paddle at your own pace, exploring small bays, paddling over sunken cities, watching a myriad of fish above a reef or looking up into the canopy at birds and monkeys.
So if you fancy paddling by a glacier, moseying through a rainforest, pushing through ice or surfing a reef then give me or the voyages team a call on 01285 880981
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