Bitches Weekend! (Day 1)

When was the last time you did something for the first time? (Please note, the title may be misleading to non paddlers!)

Despite being in the midst of exams - a Burners trip to Pembrokeshire to surf the tidal feature was an opportunity too god to be missed! Almost immediately after my exam, we were in the car and heading across Wales to the peninsula of St Davids (the UK's smallest city). When we arrived the wind howled, thick fog limited all vision and the light fading, so we quickly pitched the tent (which was more like a parachute at times) before retreating to Jacko's caravan. 

As we awoke on the Saturday morning, the extent of the Welsh natural beauty was evident; at the end of the camping field, the cliff dropped into a vast expanse of bold, opalescent blue, only broken by a few rocky outcrops in the distance. The whipping wind had now become more of a spring breeze, paired with some glorious sunshine - stark contrast to the usual stereotype of Wales. 

While the tide was still low in the morning, we headed round the headland to Whitesands Bay for some kayak surfing. The surf was quite random, and wasn't really coming in in sets but the 4-5ft were great to be practicing wave moves on again. Being on a sea wave, really forces you to just trust it, and as soon as you have the slightest inkling your on the wave, you just throw! I mainly tried blunts and back blunts, and loved being back on waves. 

In the afternoon, about 2 hours before high tide, we begun to head out to the Bitches on the speed boat. Located just off the coast of RSPB site Ramsay Island, the feature is approximately a mile offshore. Due to the extreme conditions we could face, Jacko and Grant had given us a safety briefing in the morning - which heightened a few nerves, but also excitement, as we bounced across the ocean, spray spitting in our faces, clinging onto boats (both the speedboat and kayaks). Now although, I never did a boda with my kayak in Uganda, catching a speedboat with my kayak seems way more fun. 

As the tide was rising, there is a hole that begins to work - and within in a matter of seconds it can go from just a ripple to a big, steep hole with every surge. The coastal feature was very different from "normal" river holes, as the water felt heavy with salt and the unpredictability of the feature made me feel like a novice again on some rides. 

When the tide began to rise, we headed over to the wave. The wind had changed direction from the morning so was now heading downstream, so the top wave was near impossible to catch from the eddy in our short boats. Therefore, a few of us clambered over the peak of a barnacle covered outcrop. Stood on top of the rock, boat in one hand, paddle in the other and the forceful wind face on, I felt a mix of vulnerability and exhilaration in the midst of the sea. The was then the even more precarious seal launch as Jacko held my boat from the surging swell, and paddling high up above the waves. Unfortunately, this time I went too far right and washed off - it all seemed like a lot of effort to miss the wave. 

As this process was quite long, we also were surfing the second wave behind which was still great. It surged similar to the hole, which could allow for good passes, and as soon as one arises, I tried to grab it with a powerful stroke and throw a move. 

Before long, high tide arrived and we headed back to the hole (which had almost doubled in size) for a few rides before mooring up on Ramsay island as Grant ferried us back to shore. While on the island, we were joined by a couple of seals who were bobbing around in the whirling water. 

In this moment, I felt very privileged to have had this experience and excited to now that we would be doing all of this again tomorrow!!