From Treaddur Bay to Penrhyn Mawr.

Being relatively new to the world of kayaking I’d never ventured beyond Porth Dafarch when out paddling this lovely stretch of coastline. From Trearddur Bay via Porth y Post and onto Porth Dafarch is a pleasure to paddle and explore, but to travel beyond this point was always full of mystery and foreboding.
I’ve also seen what Penrhyn Mawr can do to both kayak and paddler. (Some of the most wild and dangerous overfalls and tidal races you could ever wish to meet, should you be so inclined.) Having seen the film and read the book I knew this was one piece of water that fell well outside my comfort zone. However, with plenty of local knowledge and a little encouragement, our paddle buddy Terry took me and fellow sea novice Philip around to Penrhyn Mawr to say hi to this infamous stretch of sea. With a friendly easterly wind and slack water he quietly introduced us to her while she slept.
We crept along the shoreline from Porth Ruffydd to Penrhyn Mawr as if not to wake her. And then with a flick of the paddle we rode over her while she slept. (Even with her fast asleep it was still a bumpy ride.) I can now lay claim that I’ve paddled Penrhyn Mawr and survived to tell the tale. Then a straight-line paddle back to Trearrddur Bay with the turning tide helping us along the way, and with a nice cup of tea in hand we watched as the sun set over one of the most beautiful islands in the world.
Don’t take my word for it; just ask Terry and Philip and all the other kayakers who have ever paddled these fantastic waters.

Paul Mattock