It’s been a busy few weeks. I attended a sea kayaking festival in Southern Norway, Bølgefestivalen, organised by Kajakkentusiesten.

As well as nice paddling amongst islands, we had a great outside BBQ.

I attended the Dijon Adventure Film Festival where “Tierra Del Fuego” was a finalist. I really enjoyed my first visit to Dijon, which is a charming little town. I was staying in a hotel right next to the train station, and across the road from the town’s 2 cinemas. Trams and stylish people cruised by. The organisers and other film makers were really friendly. The festival format was great. All the films were 52 minutes long and they invited the film makers and/ or stars onto the stage for 10 minutes afterwards to answer questions. Thanks to Paul Evrard for the photos.

“Tierra Del Fuego” is also a finalist at the 25th International Graz Mountain & Adventure Film Festival between November 12-16, in Austria. My “Sarah Outen” film is a finalist at the Kendal Mountain Film Festival the same weekend from 14-17 November. I think the film will play 4 times although the programme is still being finalised. Both Sarah and I will be there to introduce the film.

I worked at the Anglesey sea kayaking festival which was great fun despite too much wind to be useful! This photo is from the “Open crossings” day! It was far too windy to go to the Skerries so we crossed to the island of Anglesey many times… across the Menai Straits

There’s been less time than normal for getting out paddling just for fun.. but we’ve managed to few outings. These photos were taken by John Willacy on the Swellies wave – thanks John

And yesterday Barry and I went on a fun downwind run in a 35 knot blast down the Menai Straits.

Bande-Annonce Ecrans de l’Aventure de Dijon 2013 by guilde_e

Today I fly to France to attend the 2013 Dijon International Adventure Film Festival. I’m excited that “Tierra Del Fuego” is a finalist and I’ll be introducing the film on Thursday morning. It’s nice that Yves & Gianfranco worked so hard to make French subtitles for the film as it means people will be able to enjoy it in their first language.

I’m only there until Friday as I head to southern Norway for the Bølgefestivalen arranged by Anita Henriksen from Kajakkentusiastene.  I’ll be on the water on Saturday and giving a presentation on Saturday evening.

Time to pack!

Oops, it’s been a while since my last blog. I haven’t shared how much fun I had in Nova Scotia a few weeks back  which was amazing. I arrived early and spend a few days being shown around by Chris Lockyer, chief honcho at “Committed to the Core” sea kayaking. First stop was a great tidal race off the end of Brier Island at the entrance to the Bay of Fundy. There was a long line of juicy waves as the flood tide swept over a shallow reef, and dozens of seals kept popping their heads out of the water to look on.  Day 2 saw an ultimate whale watching trip. Chris’s parents-in-law took us out on their lobster fishing boat. Once we spotted 2 humbpack whales, we slid the kayaks into the water and waited for the whales to come to us. They were even curious enough to take a look at us above the water and roll on their bellies under the kayaks. It was an incredible experience.

The next 3 days saw us run the Shubie river – this muddy watercourse runs upstream when the flood tide sweeps up the drainage. As the water level rises over sand banks, it forms temporary delicious chocolately waves if you are in the right place at the right time. By day 3, I had either learnt something about the waves, or I was lucky, as I had some amazing rides.

The final afternoon in that area, Chris took us to a ‘play spot’ that he’s only recently discovered – the Walton Whoppa. This works on the ebb as water rushes back out to sea under a narrow bridge. It starts off as a nice wave and ends up as a nasty hole. It was hard to maintain control on the fast flowing wave and by the time the hole formed, it was a like a rodeo ride which made for some exciting cartwheels and pirouettes for those brave enough to venture onto it. I’ll be making a film of all these events…. the film below is made by Chris and is the first of a series of films he’s making about the tidal races in the Bay of Fundy.

My last stop was the first Bay of Fundy sea kayak symposium in the Argyle region of Nova Scotia. We stayed at the fantastic ‘Ye Olde Argyler Lodge‘ which was beautifully situated right on the water with dozens of tree-covered islands making up the view. Events ranged from surfing, tidal race paddling, rescues, paddling in style and guided trips. The 100+ participants seemed to enjoy it. If you missed it – or want some more – dates for next year are September 12-15th 2014.

I’m in the Bay of Fundy – more of that later….

Meanwhile my good friend, the slightly nutty and totally inspirational Sarah Outen is nearing landfall after her row of the North Pacific Ocean. If you’ve been following her, you’ll know that she was aiming to row from Japan to Vancouver, but after 4 months at sea she wasn’t even half way, due to a predominance of unusual Easterly and Southerly winds blowing her backwards and north.

I’d been teasing her to change her plan and head north to the beautiful wild Aleutian Island chain. “Off you go”, I said, “I’ll meet you there with Nelson, your kayak and we can paddle along the Aleutian islands to Alaska”. That’s a trip I’d love to do so I was delighted a month ago when I had a phone call from the middle of the Pacific ocean and Sarah’s chirpy voice said ‘Will you kayak from the Aleutian island chain to the mainland with me next Spring?”

So the short story is that that’s our plan. Sarah is hoping to land on Adak island, about 50 miles to the NE of her position now – probably Monday afternoon her time. You can follow her progress here – her little blue dot is updated every 6 hours. And wish her luck for a safe landing – I know I am.