For me an expedition doesn’t really start to feel like one until I have been away for at least a couple of weeks and have had the opportunity to shake off the cobwebs left by this world of what is often termed ‘a society governed by credit cards and protected by double glazing’ So the ideal type of journey I like to embark upon is one where I know I am going to be away for at least a couple of months, if not more and needs to be conducted in

an area that is both remote and beautiful. This helps to keep me moving, exploring, asking myself the question ‘I wonder what’s around that headland?

So what finer place to go than Norway, or even better Scandinavia as a whole…

Never paddle alone! It’s sound advice. There are many ways to get into trouble at sea, andthe ocean is notoriously unforgiving. Strong rescue and towing skills allow a well-trained team of sea kayakers to carry an incapacitated team member to safety, but a solo kayaker necessarily foregoes this safety net.

classic UK paddling destinations: Isle of Man

Known by many as the home of the Isle of Man TT Motorcycle Races, the Isle of Man, slap bang in the middle of the Irish Sea, has much to offer the sea kayaker: from wild adventurous remote locations with fearsome tidal races, to gentle stretches of sheltered picturesque coastline; from its local wildlife population, such as grey seals and sea birds, to more infrequent visitors such as basking sharks, sun fish and turtles.

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The shipwreck coast by Corswall Point: Dr. Douglas Wilcox

As we had drifted down the remote Galloway beach, the small friendly surf had gradually got bigger and steeper. I was fighting my way back out when the rogue wave hit. My paddle dug deep and I leaned forward as I took the full weight of its curling lip on my chest and face. Just before I went into the white room I caught a glimpse of Tony “whoopee doing” in on the crest, but he was already leaning shoreward in a broach. Re-emerging into the blue room I blinked my eyes free of stinging salt spray and noticed one half of my split paddle had gone. I turned to look for it only to see Tony’s upturned hull proceeding shoreward at a high speed of knots. He rolled smoothly up and was soon alongside with my split under his deck elastics! That’s what paddling buddies are for!

The lower brace: Niko Hakkarainen

If you have lost your balance slightly and are about to fall over, the low brace is the way to recover without even getting wet; the prefix “low” means that you keep your paddle below your elbows during the brace. You can do the low brace by simply pushing the paddle against the surface of water or make it last a little longer by sweeping the blade against the surface.

For some reason North Shore sea kayaks have never really made an impact into our local sea kayaking scene, so we were very interested to get our hands on one to review. North Shore arranged for us to pick up one of their Polar sea kayaks from Canoexpo earlier this year, and we’ve been paddling it since.

He had a powerful way with words, old Duncan, a highland thatcher I once had the privilege to work with. “Why don’t you wear a fu**ing haat?” he would bark at me on cold mornings as I climbed the ladder onto yet another frozen roof, “You know, at least 100% of the body’s heat is lost through the head!”

That’s a phrase which has lodged in my mind ever since. Not just because of its undoubted practical sense, nor even Duncan’s distinctive accent, but because of the sheer persuasive power of its blatant inaccuracy. Clearly literal truth is not half as important as a memorable catch phrase; and as a way of making a point; you really can’t beat a short, snappy slogan.