Travels with Paddles

a sea kayaking journal

Axel Schoevers (Photo: A. de Krook) Name:
Axel Schoevers
Location:
Rijswijk, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Figuring out (eight) Bardsey

Bardsey is a beautiful island off the south end of the Llynn Peninsula. The only drawback being the relative long drive from Holyhead (almost two hours) and a little more complicated (=interesting) tides.

With the weather forecast of light winds and a last day of full sunshine in the forecast it was too good of an opportunity to miss. The tide was not so perfect and I did not have the information with me for the exact timings of the ebb and flood in Bardsey Sound. How 'right' are some 'random' internet pages on Bardsey Sound?

The crossing to Bardsey was on a perfectly straight line on an increasing ebb tide; at least that part I had right. A nice long lunch and hike on Bardsey. Nagging at me when exactly the flood would start and/or when eddies would kick in... Around the top end of the Island and crossing back over to the mainland. Still ebbing, nice, but for how long?

The crossing back turned out super safe but has room for improvement. At least our route today shows a nice figure of eight on the GPS track. Adding some more information about how and where the eddies and countercurrents affected us both in direction and speed. A strong tide-race in an eddy in a smooth sea state is allways interesting to encounter and think about.


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