How are you preparing for your Sea Kayak Leader assessment? The assessment process can feel pretty daunting but much of this can be alleviated through good preparation, a clear understanding of what is expected at assessment and an action plan*. Familiarise yourself with the assessment It is useful to know that the award is primarily a leadership award, which means… Read more →
Category: From the waterline
Paddling through the winter? Building fitness and strength for sea kayaking
Paddling through the winter months can be wonderful way of getting some much needed daylight and nature into our lives and keeping the paddling mojo high. However let’s not kid ourselves, it can be miserable too… right? It can also be a great time to focus on building your fitness and strength for sea kayaking; the activity you love. When… Read more →

Skye: a journey south to north on the east coast July 2022
As I made final decisions for the location for a 5-6 day guided sea kayak expedition on the west coast of Scotland, the windy westerly airstream was maintaining its grip on the Scottish summer. The clients were packed and raring to go, so I weighed up all the variables: wind, temperature, camping spots, previous trips, and opted for Skye… never… Read more →

A double crossing of the Pentland Firth by sea kayak
An article by myself published in The Paddler October 2021 (SCA Magazine) Tackling the Pentland Pentagon: A DOUBLE CROSSING OF THE NOTORIOUS PENTLAND FIRTH Alice McInnes and Kate Duffus challenged themselves with a well-planned, double crossing of the Pentland Firth… The best plans in kayaking are usually nuggets of ideas that lie dormant until the alignment of several factors allow… Read more →