Rock hopping from Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door

It was a day that everyone enjoyed and all gained in experience and confidence. The conditions were interesting enough to challenge most. Gavin took an early dip after emerging from a cave and finding a large wave approaching, and caught hesitating between whether to duck back in or paddle out quickly, it took him 4ft up the cliff then dumped him over. Dully rescued, his kayak bore a few scars from the emery board cliffs.

Alistair was next to go, not keeping a eye out to sea for an approaching set of waves as he negotiated through a gap, one pushed him against a rock and tipped him over. Rescue practise followed but could be improved on.

On the way to Durdle Door, everyone survived the "bracing practise" as we paddled along the beach where waves were dumping on the steepish shelf line. However, on the way back, Dan was next to go and leaned the wrong way when a big wave came so took a swim. Gavin almost joined him for a second swim but managed to keep his deck on while pushing off from the bottom and after spitting out a mouthful of sand denied that counted as a second swim.

We lunched on a beach out of the wind then had a bit of skills practise in the bay with Tony and Sarah getting some tuition on turning a sea-kayak.

On the return leg, the sea had become much choppier. Our swims were put in the shade by the Jurassic Tour, which use sit-on-tops to take holiday makers along the coast to see the magificient cliffs from the sea. They were capsizing so often the guide decided to cancel and return to base after only just leaving the cove, which made us all feel a lot better.