IOPCC Trip Report

Sandbanks to Ballard Point
15th March 2009

Pictures of the paddle are on the
Galleries Page.

 

The forecast for Sunday was for wall to wall sunshine, and it was as good as its word. Four of us launched at Sandbanks at 10.45, having first notified the Coastguard of our journey plan. Warm, calm and not too crowded. Maybe not very challenging, but enjoyable just the same. The only potentially tricky bit is crossing the shipping channels that go in and out of the harbour. (Gin palaces there are aplenty around here.)

The water was smooth and calm, the only ripples were from the occasional gust of wind or the wake from various boats. At a leisurely pace we crossed Studland Bay and stopped on a small and very narrow beach to have a coffee and some of Barbara’s delicious chocolate brownies. We moved on around Old Harry avoiding the small surf break and paddled down through or round the chalk arches and the pinnacles. The chalk looked stunningly white with the odd pieces of black stone mixed in. We reached Ballard Point and then paddled down for lunch break at the Northern end of Swanage Bay. This was pleasant and unhurried.

The return journey was made in the same balmy weather conditions, even meeting some other paddlers heading in the opposite direction, who stopped to pass the time of day. We headed towards the National Trust café at Studland only to find that it was closed for refurbishment. There was just a kiosk open with long queues. So we were forced to eat up Barbara's brownies and share the remains of our lunches between us. Then we travelled back across the bay to Sandbanks avoiding the returning gin palaces.

 

Clive heading for a comfort break! Line astern on way to Old Harrys' rocks
   
Clive at Old Harry's rocks Barbara in front of the camera for a change.
   
Old Harry's rocks A glassy calm sea
   
Clive and Ian heading back A flyby by Whisky Bravo
   
Impressive rock formation at Old Harry's.
Back to the Trip Report Index

Report: and pictures: Barbara Browning


 

 

Paddling on the Jurassic Coast