Sea kayaking is increasingly popular and the longer, slender sea-kayaks make it easy to explore the coast, dramatic coves and inlets and access remote beaches.
In a kayak, you are very much 'at one' with the sea and you will be able to experience the extraordinary marine and bird life of the South West. The mild waters of the region support a number of rare corals and seaweeds that are more typical of the Mediterranean waters further south. Small numbers of grey seals breed in caves, on islands and on beaches in undisturbed areas. The waters off the north coast of Devon and Cornwall are the richest area in southern Britain for whales, dolphins, porpoises and basking sharks and there are frequent sightings of marine turtles off Land’s End. And from your kayak, look up to the cliffs and see choughs and peregrine falcons.
For beginners wishing to get started, book yourself on a course where you will be given instruction on how to get the best out of your sea-kayak as well as important navigation skills. For those that are more experienced, there are a number of centres around the region which can hire out all the equipment and give you guidance about the best places to go.
Wild water racing in the south west
Canoe England
BCU British Canoe Union
British Canoe Union South West
Canoeing in Cornwall
Kayaking in Cornwall
Canoe Kayak Shop
Canoeing in Devon
Kayaking in Devon
Founded in 1970 by Frank Goodman, Valley’s history very quickly became entwined with the infant sport of sea kayaking. Although kayaking on the sea can be traced back several thousand years through various indigenous populations, it was the introduction of the fibreglass sea kayak that led to the activity gaining popularity as a recreational pastime. Valley became one of the very first companies to commercially produce a specialist sea kayak when it launched the Anas Acuta in 1972. This kayak was developed from a native Greenland kayak brought back from the Western region. So successful was this kayak that it is still in production today.
1988, Isle of Skye, Scotland left - Frank Goodman, Valley’s founder right - Stan Chladek, GRO’s founder, kayaks - Nordkapp Classics.
As the early pioneers pushed the boundaries, their needs changed. The desire to go greater distances, unsupported, led to the development of models designed to accommodate the required equipment without sacrificing performance, the most famous of these being the Valley Nordkapp, designed for the British Norway expedition in 1975 but most famously used for the first rounding of Cape Horn by kayak. The design principles adopted in this kayak i.e. moderately V’d keel, softer chines and the distinct Greenland side profile (although with increased freeboard to accommodate the increased loadings) become so widespread in other kayaks that these characteristics became known worldwide as “The British Style”. This style of kayak has such a reputation for sea worthiness that it is now the benchmark by which other sea kayaks are compared.
It isn’t just how people use kayaks that has changed; materials too have progressed from those first glass-fibre kayaks. Improvements in the reinforcements and resins have led to tougher, lighter products. Now glass fibre is only one of several reinforcements used in the kayak’s shell, other materials being: E Glass in cloth forms, polyester “Diolen”, Kevlar and Carbon fibre all when used correctly improve the performance of the laminate. However probably the biggest improvements have been in the resin matrixes; polyester resins are now significantly tougher and for higher performance or lighter laminates Vinalesters and epoxies are now used. Away from composites the 1980’s saw the biggest changes in the kayak industry with the development of roto-moulded polyethylene. Although first utilised in white water kayaks for its impact resistant properties Valley was one of the first companies to see its potential to make a tough keenly priced sea kayak and introduced the Skerray. This kayak pioneered many features now taken for granted: moulded in skeg box, welded in bulkheads and hard rubber hatch covers. Many of our competitors still haven’t caught up yet!
The kayak’s construction and design are only two areas where Valley has been instrumental in the evolution of the species. Our respect for the sea has led us to develop several features directly related to kayak safety. We were the first company to develop a watertight hatch system specifically designed for kayaks and we developed recessed deck fittings to ensure safety lines remained in place. It is testimony to the value of these innovations that many of our competitors still purchase these products direct from us.
It is very hard to write a piece on Valley’s history without appearing to brag, such has been the company’s influence over modern sea kayak development. However true it might be to say “yesterday is history and today is what counts” it is likewise true that we are where we are today because of everything we have done along the way. This is certainly true at Valley, we still strive to produce the best kayaks for the sea and this year, like all of the 35 before, sees new developments at Valley.
Greenland
LENGTH
17'2"
(523cm) WIDTH 20"
(51cm) DEPTH
11.5"
(29cm) WEIGHT*
49lbs
(22.5kg)
The closest descendant to the original skin boat and the closest experience to paddling a genuine Greenland kayak. Several thousand years of evolution led to this design of kayak: narrow, low, hard chined with graceful bow and stern profi les. When people say traditional sea kayak, this is what most people think of. *Weight as for standard Diolen construction, weighed without hatches.
Greenland
LENGTH
18'
(548cm) WIDTH 21"
(53cm) DEPTH
13" (33cm)
WEIGHT*
50lbs
(23kg)
Its full title is the Qajariaq but its more generally referred to as the ‘Q-boat’. Launched in 2005 this kayak answered calls for a larger Greenland-form kayak. Ideal for larger paddlers or those wishing to take part in extended trips. *Weight as for standard Diolen construction, weighed without hatches.
Heritage
LENGTH 17'2" (523cm) WIDTH 21" (53cm) DEPTH 12" (30cm) WEIGHT* 49lbs (22.53kg)
The
original ocean play boat. Lively and of low volume, the Pintail is most at home
surfi ng or playing in overfalls. Although superseded by the Avocet, the Pintail
is still
available in ocean and keyhole-cockpit versions.
*Weight as for standard Diolen construction, weighed without hatches.
Heritage
LENGTH
17'2"
(523cm) WIDTH 21"
(53cm) DEPTH
12" (30cm)
WEIGHT*
49lbs
(22.53kg)
Over the years there have been many version of the Nordkapp. The kayak we now refer to as the ‘Classic’ features the ocean cockpit and a round front hatch. Two options are available: standard hulled (the old HS) and the integral skegged/hard sterned model (HM). Both are cult classics. *Weight as for standard Diolen construction, weighed without hatches.
Double
LENGTH
22'
(670cm) WIDTH 26"
(66cm) DEPTH
14" (36cm)
WEIGHT*
90lbs
(41kg)
Designed by Howard Jeffs this kayak is regarded as one of the best ever rough-water-capable expedition doubles. The combination of speed, secure handling and ample storage capacity make it suitable for almost any purpose. *Weight as for standard Diolen construction, weighed without hatches.