====== Scotland Surfski ====== . {{randominc>start_movies:scotland&max-height:400px&nofooter&nodate&noeditbtn}} ---- Scotland is a country and part of the [[:united_kingdom|United Kingdom]] ---- ===== Safety ===== * [[:cold_water_paddling|]] locals in Scotland should be able to give good advice on water wear * [[:stories:lawler_loch_ness|Ivan Lawler's Brush with Cold Incapacitation in the Great Glen Challenge]] ---- ===== Locales ===== (From the Southeast Counter-Clockwise Around Scotland) ---- ==== Southeast ==== * **Pettico Wick Bay to Dunbar Harbour or Belhaven Bay (Smuggler's Run) **25 km [[https://downwindable.com/stabbs-run|Downwindable.com]] * …. ---- ==== Edinburgh Area (Firth of Forth) ==== === Downwinders === * **North Berwick** * **Dunbar - North Berwick ** 19 km [[https://downwindable.com/dunbar-north-berwick-run|Downwindable.]][[https://downwindable.com/dunbar-north-berwick-run|com]][[https://youtu.be/Wp2KZDvMWUw|video]] * **Spice Run (Seacliff Beach - North Berwick) **9 km [[https://downwindable.com/spice-run|Downwindable.com]], [[https://youtu.be/gq_WuzXx_fU|video]], [[https://www.downwind.fun/courses/spice-run|Downwindfun]] * **Yellowcraig Beach** * **Yellowcraig Beach - Milsey Bay Beach **4.25 km [[https://youtu.be/FMRDThypyk0|video]], [[https://youtu.be/ap9CA15gHBQ|video2]], [[https://www.downwind.fun/courses/firth-of-forth-downwind|Downwindfun]] * **Yellowcraig Beach to Seacliff Beach (Two Castles Run) ** (end just after Tantallon Castle) 10 km [[https://downwindable.com/two-castles|Downwindable.com]], [[https://youtu.be/A4e7lh28bQE?t=46|video]] On launch (opposite Castle Tarbert on Fidra) head out to clear all obstacles to the east (your right) * **Granton - Gullane ** 26 km [[https://downwindable.com/granton-gullane-run|Downwindable.]][[https://downwindable.com/granton-gullane-run|com]][[https://youtu.be/bpqWs3TkQTA|video]], [[https://www.downwind.fun/courses/granton-to-gullane-run|Downwindfun]] * **Portobello** * **Portobello - Port Seton** 10 km * **Miro Run** (**Portobello to Longniddry**) 17 km [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFrvwzNibE4|video]], [[https://www.downwind.fun/courses/miro-s-cafe-run|Downwindfun]], [[https://downwindable.com/miros-run|Downwindable.com]] * [[https://www.surfski.info/latest-news/story/1685/plb-to-the-rescue.html|PLB rescue surfski.info 3/14/2019]] * **Portobello - Gullane ** 22 km [[https://downwindable.com/porty-to-gullane|Downwindable.com]], [[https://youtu.be/HLrEf9oAIf0?t=84|video]], [[https://youtu.be/gzHFlb4ktYo|SS2 video]] * … ---- {{youtube>A9-IDI_0olE?large}} **Lizelle Kemp on Miro Run** ---- === Paddles === * **Lothian Loop - Milsey Bay **20 km [[https://downwindable.com/lothian-loop|Downwindable.com]] === Surf === * **Belhaven ** [[https://youtu.be/-xWXaxqsgw4|video]] === Conditions === * [[https://www.windfinder.com/forecast/north_berwick|Windfinder North Berwick]] === Resources === * [[https://www.portedgarwatersports.com/|Port Edgar Watersports]] * **Local Sauna Trailers ** (there are more - just 2 examples) * [[https://soulwatersauna.com/|Soul Water Sauna Trailer]] * [[https://watershedsauna.com/|Watershed Sauna Trailer]] * … ---- ==== Dundee ==== * **Broughty Ferry Beach to Arbroath ** 21 km [[https://downwindable.com/broughty-ferry-to-abroath|Downwindable.com]] * **Broughty Ferry Out and Back** 18 km [[https://downwindable.com/BroughtyFerryOutandBack|Downwindable.com]] * … ---- ==== Loch Earn ==== * **Lochearnhead, Public Car Park - St Fillans, South Loch Earn Road** 10 km [[https://downwindable.com/loch-earn-downwind|Downwindable.com]] * … ---- ==== Inverness ==== * **Moray Firth** * **[[https://www.morayfirthchallenge.com/ardersier-to-nairn|Ardersier to Nairn]]** (West wind - more commonly prevailing) 16 km, [[https://downwindable.com/moray-firth|Downwindable.com]] * **[[https://www.morayfirthchallenge.com/findhorn-to-nairn|Findhorn to Nairn]]** ( East wind) 18 km [[https://youtu.be/mXdLwN1aLCs|video]], [[https://www.downwind.fun/courses/moray-firth-downwind|Downwindfun]], [[https://downwindable.com/findhorn-to-nairn|Downwindable.com]] * **Loch Ness** * **Foyers - Dores** 17 km [[https://downwindable.com/loch-ness-run|Downwindable.com ]][[https://youtu.be/QcF1gcvFVD0|video]] * …. ---- ==== Arisaig ==== * **Laps at Traig Beach ** [[https://youtu.be/_8RafJLdjbE|SUP video]] * **Sound Crossing ** [[https://youtu.be/aP3yk-jVJhw|SUP video]] * … ---- ==== Inner Hebrides ==== A beautiful place to visit and has an exhaustive amount of downwind routes to choose from depending on your ability, weather conditions and preferences. Paddling between the islands or between bays can be very fun but it is not for the inexperienced. * **Isle of Mull** * **Loch Scridain Run **15 km [[https://downwindable.com/loch-scridain-run|Downwindable.com]] * **Isle of Skye** * **West Coast Sea Kayak Video ** [[https://youtu.be/HvapPjqBkQo|part 1]], [[https://youtu.be/grveej9Nals|part 2]] * **Raasay ** [[https://youtu.be/AMCZ51lU8T4|video sea kayak around Raasay & Rona]] ---- ==== Outer Hebrides ==== Also not for the inexperienced. Volatile weather, often with strong winds * [[https://www.paddlingtheblue.com/e/62-murty-campbell-adventures-in-scotland-s-outer-hebrides/|Podcast with Murdo (Murty) Campbell]] on kayaking and downwind runs in the Outer Hebrides * "The Outer Hebrides, also known as the Western Isles… is an island chain made up of 200 islands in a 130 mile archipelago off the north west coast of mainland Scotland. They form part of the Hebrides, separated from the Scottish mainland and from the Inner Hebrides by the waters of the Minch, the Little Minch and the Sea of the Hebrides. The Minch, also called North Minch. The Lower Minch, also known as the Little Minch, is the Minch's southern extension. * Legend also tells that the Minch is home to a clan of mythical blue men. Most of the time “The Blue Men Of Minch” swim the seas, but sometimes sleep in underwater caves. While the Blue Men slept the weather could be fine and the seas calm. However, when awake they could conjure up storms whenever they wanted. These creatures, that are the size and shape of humans, are very strong and can be seen swimming and diving with pleasure when the seas are rough. Following the boats that are navigating the waters of the area they can be friendly towards humans, but this can be dependant upon their mood and if they are treated with respect." * … ---- ==== Loch Fyne ==== * **Tarbert - Ardrishaig **17 - 20 km [[https://www.downwind.fun/courses/loch-fyne-downwinder|Downwindfun]] * … ---- ==== Loch Lomond ==== * **Balloch to ****Luss**, via Inchmurrin, Inchtavannach and Inchconnachan islands 12+ Km?? [[https://youtu.be/Nx2P2_7xFyU|SUP video]] * … ---- ===== Tidal Races ===== **[[:tidalrace:tidal_races#safety_-_learning_tidal_races|About Safety]]** * **Corryvreckan** may have decently surfable waves, avoid whirlpools? * **Cuan Sound** * **Falls of Lora ** [[https://youtu.be/_1uvqke7m6I|play kayaks video]] (tidal race with standing waves), [[https://youtu.be/bjKN8nZAF1E|sea kayak video]] * **The Gray Dogs** [[https://youtu.be/QGCLAjKmfc4|short video]], [[https://youtu.be/Kv6_AZuuKBM|long video]] * **Pentland Firth** - several tidal races but do any provide reasonably safe waves to catch? * [[https://scottishseakayaking.co.uk/top-trips/tide-races/|Scottish Sea Kayaking List]] * [[https://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3573|UK River Guide Book Discussion of Scotland West Coast Tidal Races]] * … Map: [[https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=210879681913695&set=a.106707752330889&type=3|Surfski Kayak Facebook]] - part of Dougal Glaisher's 2023 [[https://explorersweb.com/dougal-glashier-kayak-uk/|Paddle Around British Isles]] {{:tidalrace:pentlandfirth.jpg?direct&400x400|pentlandfirth.jpg}} ---- ===== Tidal Bores ===== * **River Nith ** [[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHZnXgERMLsOA8w7HpTNv1nvjejffkp-m|Nithraid tidal festival videos]], [[https://www.facebook.com/reel/848606433368675|surfing the bore]] * … ---- ===== Conditions ===== * **Water Temperatures** * **​​​​​​** ​ [[https://seatemperatures.net/europe/united-kingdom/loch-ness/|Loch Ness]] the average temps at [[https://seatemperatures.net/europe/united-kingdom/inverness/|Inverness]] and [[https://seatemperatures.net/europe/united-kingdom/edinburgh/|Edinburgh]] are similar * [[https://www.windy.com/?56.811,-3.634,6|Windy forecast map]] (we recommend using the ECMWF model) * … ---- ===== Video ===== * [[:scotland_videos|Scotland Surfski Videos]] * … ---- ===== Races ===== [[:races:race_calendars|Worldwide Race Calender Page]] * [[:races:scotland_races|Scotland Races]] * … ---- ===== Clubs ===== * [[https://nairnkayakclub.co.uk/|Nairn Kayak Club]] includes a group of surfskiers * [[http://www.rwsabc.co.uk/|Royal West of Scotland Amateur Boat Club]] * [[https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&tbm=lcl&sxsrf=ALeKk01QhO1Mrit_0G54MILpFhaDqUfkFw:1607983541544&ei=teHXX5_PIMnb-gSf6K64Cw&q=canoe+clubs+in+the+scotland&oq=canoe+clubs+in+the+scotland&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0i457i22i30k1.441277.442610.0.442830.8.8.0.0.0.0.135.764.6j2.8.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..0.8.764...0i22i30k1.0.eWvY88tJJxo#rlfi=hd:;si:;mv:[[57.73878642803798,1.42570008984376],[55.00852144559975,-8.39058408984374],null,[56.39812075102247,-3.48244199999999],8]|Scotland Canoe Clubs]] ---- ===== Dealers ===== * [[https://www.carbonologysport.co.uk/|Carbonology UK]] North Berwick, Scotland, United Kingdom Alan Hunter [[AlanHunter@carbonologysport.co.uk|AlanHunter@carbonologysport.co.uk]] * [[https://www.roguekayak.com/|Rogue Kayak]] Edinburgh, Scotland, MIcky McDonald [[micky@roguekayak.com|micky@roguekayak.com]] , design their own surfskis made at the Nelo Factory ---- ===== Resources ===== * [[https://downwindable.com/|Downwindable.com]] while this is a site containing lists of global downwinders it is maintained by LIzelle Kemp in Scotland and is a good reference for races and downwinders in Scotland * [[https://www.facebook.com/groups/626028340819652|Surfski Scotland Facebook]] * [[https://www.canoescotland.org/competition/ocean-racing#gsc.tab=0|Scottish Canoe Association Ocean Racing]] * [[AlanHunter@carbonologysport.co.uk|AlanHunter@carbonologysport.co.uk]] Alan Hunter and Lizelle Kemp ([[https://www.facebook.com/lizelle.kemp.3|facebook]] and creator of Downwindable.com) are founding parents of the Scotland downwind surfski nexus that has grown in the Edinburgh area and the Firth of Forth. ---- {{https://surfski.wiki//lib/plugins/ckgedit/fckeditor/userfiles/image/locales/scotland/scotland.jpg?direct&600x266|scotland.jpg}} Photo: Alan Hunter from [[https://youtu.be/YmUQE-_JDs4|Paddling in Scotland Video]]