PADDLER 94
PADDLER 94
BARRA
Outer Hebrides sea kayaking adventure
I ’ m on Vatersay , Outer Hebrides , reflecting on what makes a great sea kayaking expedition . My tent doorway frames a beautiful pale sandy beach and azure sea . The blue sky has been replaced by cloud and wind , remnants of a cold front neatly bisecting our week . Our team members chat under the neighbouring tent ’ s extended tarpaulin porch , planning the next days following this timely wind-enforced rest day .
OUR AIMS
We are on this long-anticipated holiday to unwind and have fun . Living ‘ feral ’ and simply under canvas in the wilderness is high on our agenda , as sharing the experience with good company and finding time to think and mindfully absorb our surroundings .
From a kayaking perspective , we want to explore , paddle far and wide , develop boat handling skills in our loaded boats on the Atlantic swell , and better understand expedition paddling decision-making .
THE JOURNEY
So far , we have explored Barra Sound ’ s archipelago of intricate islands . This was followed by traversing Barra ’ s eastern coastline on our way south to Vatersay , the most southerly inhabited island of the Outer Hebrides . We are thriving on our simple nomadic lifestyle . The wellbeing benefits have already been substantial to us all . So what factors are contributing to our successful expedition ?