PADDLER 46
PADDLER 46
MOELFRE, BENLLECH, AND TRAETH COCH( RED WHARF BAY)
This east-facing sheltered coastline is ideal for more relaxed paddling. Offshore, numerous parked ships create a unique seascape, while the calm waters are perfect for exploring the area’ s natural beauty.
LLANDDONA BEACH AND YNYS SEIRIOL( PUFFIN ISLAND)
This stretch of coastline features dramatic limestone cliffs, an abandoned monastery, and the stunning Ynys Seiriol. Puffin Island is a haven for seals and seabirds and offers a serene and picturesque paddling experience.
MENAI STRAITS
The Menai Straits are rich in history, biodiversity, and paddling opportunities. Sheltered waters contrast with powerful tidal movements, providing a mix of calm exploration and technical challenges for all skill levels.
SOUTH WEST ANGLESEY: LLANDDWYN TO RHOSNEIGR
This area features the paradise beach of Llanddwyn, with its iconic island lighthouse and sand dunes. The surf beaches of Rhosneigr are a favourite for both relaxation and adrenaline-fuelled paddling adventures.
CYMYRAN BAY, RHOSCOLYN, AND YNYSOEDD GWYLANOD( RHOSCOLYN BEACON)
Known for its picturesque beauty, this stretch is perfect for rockhopping, surf, and tiderace challenges. The Rhoscolyn Beacon and surrounding waters offer exciting exploration and skill development opportunities. More seals and seabirds colonise these islands.
PORTHDAFARCH, TREARDDUR BAY, AND BWA GWYN( WHITE ARCH)
This rugged coastline is filled with reefs, rocky shores, and gullies. It is also a testing area in wind and swell. Porthdafarch and Trearddur Bay are popular starting points for exploring this dramatic and dynamic environment.
THE BIRTH OF ANGLESEY’ S SEA KAYAKING COMMUNITY
In 1972, the Valley Anas Acuta became the first commercially available Inuit-inspired sea kayak design. This innovation sparked the growth of a niche UK sea kayaking community, with Anglesey at its heart. By 1977, Nigel Dennis from Holyhead, Anglesey, had joined this community. In 1980, he and Paul Caffyn became the first to circumnavigate Britain by sea kayak. Nigel’ s adventurous spirit led him on numerous expeditions to places like Easter Island, Cape Horn, and South Georgia. Through his sea kayaking businesses, he has also sponsored many other expeditions.
THE ANGLESEY SEA KAYAK SYMPOSIUM AND SEA KAYAK PRODUCTION INDUSTRY
In 1983, Nigel helped establish the first Anglesey Sea Kayak Symposium, initially known as the‘ Valley Nordkapp Owners Meet.’ This annual event, now over 40 years old, has cemented Anglesey’ s reputation as a premier destination for sea kayaking enthusiasts from around the world.
By 1993, Nigel collaborated with Mike Webb and Aled Williams to design and build the Romany Sea Kayak, launching a thriving sea kayak production industry on Anglesey. Mike and Aled later developed the Alaw, and today, both brands – Sea Kayaking UK and Rockpool Sea Kayaks – continue to thrive in Holyhead. The Romany was initially created to supply Nigel’ s sea kayaking school, the Anglesey Sea and Surf Centre( ASSC).
THE EVOLUTION AND IMPACT OF THE ANGLESEY SEA AND SURF CENTRE
Nigel’ s ASSC sea kayaking school eventually expanded onto the site now known as Anglesey Outdoors, near Porth Dafarch. The original timber building of the centre was initially built as a home for Nigel’ s family, and to this day, you can still find the height growth marks of the Dennis daughters etched on a door in Ty Pen. The centre quickly became a vibrant hub where many top coaches honed their skills. Some stayed in Wales, while others went on to establish sea kayaking businesses and communities worldwide.
THE FOOT-AND-MOUTH CRISIS OF 2001
In 2001, the adventure industry faced a devastating blow with the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. From March to September, access to rural and surrounding lands was heavily restricted, bringing tourism to a standstill. Over six million cows and sheep were culled, with massive incineration pyres lighting up rural night skies. The financial toll on the UK was estimated at £ 8 billion, and for Nigel, the cost was deeply personal – the loss of the Anglesey Sea and Surf Centre( ASSC) and his family home.
Within a few years, Nigel rebounded by establishing a new coaching base at Newry Beach, Holyhead. There, he continued to develop coaches and welcome new members into the sea kayaking community, including me, in 2007.
A NEW CHAPTER: ANGLESEY OUTDOORS
Thankfully, the sea kayaking community found a silver lining in the loss of the ASSC. Penny Hurndall and Roger Lacey stepped in to purchase the site, rebranding it as Anglesey Outdoors. The site was