Advice on playspots near Baltimore

[mikemartin]

We\'re going over to Ireland in August and staying in Baltimore, West Cork for a couple of weeks. My (taller than me) son and I are keen and experienced seakayakers (BCU 4 and 3 star) and looking forward to paddling the area and the many Islands. We\'d also like to find a tiderace for a bit of surfing and playing. It looks like there could be some races between, or around islands.

Can anyone give us any advice on tiderace locations and if they work best on the ebb or flood? Or if there are any hazards we should treat with caution.

Thanks
Mike Martin
based in the middle of England!

[alandoyle]

Bantry Bay Canoes have a list of interesting sites in West Cork. Probably worth contacting them for more info.

http://www.bantry-bay-canoes.com/kayaki ... reland.htm

Jim Kennedy in Atlantic Sea Kayaking could probably advise too:

http://www.atlanticseakayaking.com/

Good luck.

[atlantic]

HI Alan ,
jim Kennedy Atlantic Sea Kayaking here ,
Give me an e mail and Ill put you in th right direction
info@atlanticseakayaking.com

[CeeGee]

Hi Mike

You won\'t find big tides/races cf. Anglsey/Bitches here, it\'s too much the open Atlantic. We only get about 2-3 knots through most of the channels in springs, but no big overfalls/standing waves. If the wind is right (wrong) it can get bumpy though. Suggestions:

Gascanane Sound between Sherkin/Cape N51 27.296 W9 26.876

Ilen River off Turk Head N51 29.658 W9 24.670

Off the Kedges N51 27.653 W9 20.931

Off the Mizen N51 26.759 W9 49.630 and 3 Castle Heads N51 28.365 W9 51.129

Lough Hyne Rapids (the only real standing waves) - there last Saurday, but still only a grade 2-3 playboat wier! N51 29.864 W9 17.720

Still, there are plenty of good trips round the islands, and fantastic sea caves, arches and wild life. Enjoy

BTW, from Baltimore it is only a short paddle (15km) NW to Schull, which opens up a bunch of further options.

Nearest surfing to be had at Barleycove N51 28.026 W9 46.556 and Long Strand N51 33.358 W8 58.599

Steve

[mikemartin]

Thanks Jim,
I sent a private email.
Mike

[mikemartin]

Thanks Steve,
That looks useful. I see the marine chart has overfalls marked just south of The Kedges, so was wondering. Thanks for all those ideas, I look forward to exploring the area. I\'m also guessing on a clear night, the stars should be pretty fantastic on an island for an overnight camp. I handn\'t thought about going as far as Schull, but now you mention it, we might do a trip over there too.
Best wishes, Mike

[EWAN]

Don\'t forget to check the \'Oileain\' link on the main menu (left), great info there.

[mikemartin]

Hey, we had a great holiday.Weather was amazing with only a couple of rainy days. Here\'s a link to some photos (which I\'ll leave as public for a few weeks) in my Facebook page, of photos by seakayak around Baltimore.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/alb ... 0362244478
Best wishes to all
Mike MartinPost edited by: mikemartin, at: 2010/09/05 11:18