Helo or Hello in English and not Welsh! Yes our annual week long surf trip has concluded for another year, and we are pleased to report it was an awesome success with almost perfect weather, surf and even a few river trips.

So let’s begin, firstly, we’d usually post about an amazing week in Newquay, but this year as you’ll know we ventured to North Wales and took the trip to Anglesey over the cornish coast. So it might of been new territory for us but luckily our knowledge of Welsh Rivers and ‘local tour guide’ Josh provided us the basis of where to get started, plus where is the adventure if there is no exploring?

The week did not even begin in Anglesey, after a bright 6am start from Lincoln on Friday to first stop was the Tryweryn river, both upper and lower. The first more experienced members paddled the first stretch at the upper, with a busy course and plenty of rafting it provided a vibrant stretch of the National White Water Centre for those paddling, and something to watch for those who were not. After an hour the rest of the team joined on the Lower section of the river, And with around 20 of us paddling it was going great, despite the rain all day! But as always a risk in paddle sports on of our members capsized and unfortunately was involved in an accident . Quick action from the committee, the first aider and help from the experienced members from Milton Keynes CC meant the situation was quickly under control and Kirsty  was soon off the water with the rest of the team as we provided first aid and got back to the centre and then onto A&E. We are happy to say it was a nothing serious and Kirsty sustained from no injuries, the doctors were happy to release her from A&E. Kirsty was fine about the situation and the last leg from Bangor to Holyhead to the bunkhouse began! Unfortunately these are the risks we face in Kayaking and as much risk control we can asses and put in place, these accidents happen. No one was to blame and the reaction from team and Kirsty was commended by the first aiders on site and the staff at the Hospital, plus Kirsty was keen to not let this spoil her week!

We arrived at Anglesey Outdoor Centre, unloaded, cooked and slept, after all it had been a long day!

After a Easter Sunday lazy morning, it was time to explore our surroundings, this began with the short drive to the most Eastern point on the island to South Stack! Being the most Easterly point on the island and right in the direction of the Irish Sea, the wind was certainly bracing and not a place you’d open an umbrella. The rest of the day included a tour of the Northern of the island, before we stoped at Bellench Bay beach on the West of the island. Hot doughnuts are not a good idea before a game of Beach Rugby by the way!

After a morning breakfast with some rough heads from ‘Sundays Nights Antics’. The team headed to Rhosneigr beach for the first day of surf kayaking. The blue skies with the low height of waves made this a perfect beginner beach to show those who’d not surf the ropes and those who’d had a while out get back into it! Almost everyone, including all the freshers got into a boat and into the water, the surf was going strong right until 3pm in which the last few stayed on before the allure of ’99’s  or hot coffee became too strong! A quick kick about on the beach, some kite flying (with no full body impact this time) wrapped up first day of surfing!

 

The second day of surfing allowed for more exploring of the various surf bays around the island, Cable Bay just past Rhosneigr was the first port of call, and while we arrived sharp to go, sun out, 10 minutes into surfing the weather changed very sour and resulted in much harder surf to paddle, and while some tried to conquer the challenge, the energy needed to keep up was not worth it and Tuesdays surfing ended early. The team packed up out of the rain and hail and let the weather pass in a cafe back in Rhosneigr. But spoiler alert, the weather stayed poor until the early evening and any chance of paddling again had passed.  But as with any British holiday, the weather cleared enough in the evening for a late night hike up Holy Mountain, the highest peak in Anglesey!

Wednesday came, and it was a early start for the team as 9am was the start time for our non-paddling adventure; high sea traversing, or cliff walking! Splitting into 2 groups this involved climbing along high sea cliffs at the start and then eventually a zip line down a cliff to the base of another to then climb back up, relax, we were attached to ropes to stop us falling. The other group took the boats back to Cable bay for some more surfing, after lunch the 2 groups swapped and then the evening arrived, the team ditched cooking for this evening as we’re treated to a 2 course meal on the on-site bar before a holiday tradition, punch night, began!

Our last full day arrived (after the hangovers cleared) and the trips day trip was to the North Welsh harbour town of Conwy, with its famous castle and walls the town had cobbled streets, harbourside ice cream, the country’s smallest house and fish and chips! The sun was out which made exploring the castle even more enjoyable considering the lack of roofs. The day closed and the team packed and cleared the bunkhouse ready for an early leave on Friday.

Cars loaded and kayaks strapped on the 9am leave time from the bunkhouse lead us back into North Wales for the last river paddle before heading back to Lincoln. The stop at the River Dee in the Dee Valley near Llangollen is a short strip of water but with the previous rainfall during the week and storm damage during the winter altered this stretch into a more challenging than normal, with even Serpents Tail un-runable for some due to the hole and sticky landings! The river finished at an even more challenging town falls in which resulted in some swims. The rocky end placed no dampened spirits and after some dinner in Wrexham the final leg home began.

After unloading the kit at the shed at 10pm the trip was over, and the post-trip blues kicked in!

This has only been a brief summary of our week away. If you’ve ever been on a trip as a member you know it’s the people which make these trips, and the high spirit, can do attitude, and enthusiasm of members, even during the worst times of the trip is what leads to the memories and moments you look back on. From heat of the moment bursts in The Logo Board game, to the spontaneous hike up Holy Mountain, It’s not like me to get personal in these posts but since this is one of the few trips I have left as a committee member, I’m so happy to look back on this trip and smile throughout, you’ve made it one of the most enjoyable times  in L.U.C.K and at University! But don’t worry if you did not go I still like you as much ahaha.

We’ll see you all soon for the last term!