Re: [Paddlewise] A bit of French paddling

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> From: Larry Bliven <foxhill_at_shore.intercom.net>
> To: Derek Hairon <hairond_at_super.net.uk>
> Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] judgement
> Date: 27 April 1998 23:06
> 
> >I've just got back from
> a great weekend paddling with some French Paddlers in St Malo 
> 
> =============
> you lucky person. anything interesting to tell about the outing?
> what did you see... what were the air and water like?
> what did you eat/drink?
Larry

Well the weather was a  force 6 southerly on Sat and rain rain rain. On the
way over we expected to find the trips curtailed and had even loaded our
short Perception supersports in case we ended up surfing or rock hopping.
But it stopped raining by afternnon and the morning was spent paddling in
the lee of the coast. They certainly take no prisoners them French. Boy do
they paddle at a fast pace. I reckon I am quite quick but Christine our
host justs goes along like a rocket. After a fast lunch in the rain the
wind dropped and it ws flat calm. A chance to head out to the Isle of
Cezambre about two miles from the town. Big swell on the north side so some
great rock hopping to be had. The island was pretty well blown up by US
forces in 44 as the Nazis held out  long after the town had fallen. As the
port was one of the key ports to get for the allies the US pretty well
bombed it flat. The incrdible thing is the way so many bunkers still remain
intact. What the Nazi ear drums must have been like is another matter!
Food and booze.... Well with a bunch of French paddlers in an 85franc
restarant the food was superb and the wine was excellent. Better still it
cost 150 Francs for the lot which is no where near the price we would pay
here in Jersey channel isle.
Sunday was a 9 mile paddle along a great bit of rocky coast from Cancale "a
one mollusc town famous for its sea food. As usual it rained as soon as we
landed. But by the time we got back to St Malo is was a brilliantly hot
afternoon and we could sun oursleves in a bar overlooking the Rance river.
Sea kayaking is pretty active in Brittany France and we are going to go
over again in JUne to do Isle de Batz.
There are quite a few sea kayak manufactures in France but the designs are
not widely known outside of the country even though some are good.mPolyform
and Plasmor are two of the better known. Its possible there designs are
sold in North America but the names might be different.
Whats interesting is that though they do a lot of paddling they are very
aware of their lack of technical skills in terms of doing draw strokes etc.
Its a case of not having people willing to coach as we seem to have here.
Brittany is a very popular area for sea kayaking with some great waters and
islands. The tide streams were around 3 knots this weekend as it was a 39
foot tide. There was one great spot where the streams were running like a
river. Great for practicing your breakins and breakouts which when coupled
with a bit of a swell surging in and out made for some fun.
 The maritime authorities do have some pretty strict rules about just how
far offshore and what equipment you must carry and you are supposed to take
your kayak along to the maritimie affairs department each year to show all
the gear and get the permit renewed especially if you want to paddle more
than 500 metres offshore. I am not sure if it makes the sport any safer.
The yachtsmen also have to have set items of gear fitted to the boats and
distance off shore depends on size of craft. Most of the French yachtsmen I
have met have been superb sailors and some of their kayakers are serious
paddlers as well.
Tomorrow I hope the surf is up still for a few ours getting pummelled by
the waves before work. We have a few moves afoot to try to go up to the
isle ofSark if the  weather settles down (12 miles) and hit the Sark disco
on Saturday night. Its a "cultural experience", but then the island is
still feudal with a lord of the manor. 

> 

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