Level of Fitness
Red. Sea Kayaking is for experienced canoeists. Tidal streams off Flamborough Head are strong, and rough water can be experienced around the headland during the main tidal flow.
The Experience
The section of coast line around Flamborough Head provides some of the most spectacular canoeing on the north-east coast, with vertical chalk cliffs eroded to form natural arches and sea caves. The best time to paddle this coast is at high water as you can get in close to the cliffs as long as there is no swell. There are some amazing sea caves, some of which are so deep that a torch is required to fully explore them.
The chalk cliffs form part of the RSPB reserve at Bempton Cliffs and provide an amazing wildlife spectacle with fantastic landscapes. Bempton is home to England's largest seabird colony during the spring and summer breeding season, with an incredible 200,000 seabirds.
The seabirds include gannets, puffins, guillemots and kittiwakes, and are best seen from April to August. This is also the time when the weather is likely to be at its best. See which RSPB reserves there are across Yorkshire for your chance to enjoy other colonies in the region.
Have a go
Sea kayaking is for people with a reasonable level of experience. The skills required are not simply those of paddling the boat; you also need to understand tides, tidal streams, and the interaction between tidal streams and the weather.
A properly equipped sea kayak would be preferred but this trip is undertaken in general purpose kayaks as well.
Find out more by clicking here.
If you would like some sea kayak training cntact:
East Barnby Outdoor Education Centre
3 Wades Lane
East Barnby
WHITBY
North Yorkshire
England
YO21 3SA
Tel: (01947) 893333
www.outdoored.co.uk