Sea Kayak Scotland FAQ's

Do you have an environmental policy ?
What should I wear ?
What else should I bring ?
Will I be made to capsize ?
Is kayaking diffficult to learn ?
What happens if the weather is bad on the day I've booked ?
How can I keep stuff dry ?
Can I take photographs ?
Will I see wild life ?
Are there any dangerous animals or wildlife ?
Where can I stay ?
Can I do qualifications ?
Is there anything else to do in the oban area ?

Do you have an environmental policy?
We try to have a minimum impact in everything that we do. Sea Kayaking lends itself very well to the quiet enjoyment of nature. Please see or links page for some of the guidelines that we follow. We live,work and shop locally and keep transport to minimum we have local access agreements that help minimise parking congestion and due to being close (5mins) to the launch sites we can drop boats off at busy time. (Many launch spots provide parking for locals who leave cars on the mainland and take the ferries to the islands) We are actively involved with other agencies to develop the sea kayaking infrastructure. We follow the same principles on expedition.
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What should I wear ?
A clothing list will be sent on receipt of your booking.We can provide cags and waterproof trouser or one piece paddle suits. Fleece and polyester are good being quick to drain and dry. Wetsuits do work but can chaff and are chilly unless protected from the wind. gloves and hats can dramatically increase comfort on cold days either while paddling or at stops.
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What else should I bring ?
Sun glasses (and something to stop losing them), waterproof sun cream, and a sun hat are essential. Because of the cooling effect of the water and sea breezes it is easy to burn without realizing it, even on overcast days. The reflective nature of the water means that underneath chin, nose and ears can also burn.
A packed lunch and a water container (sports hydration systems are great) which can be fixed to the deck elastics - in all but the roughest of conditions- for on the move hydration. A flask is nice for stops.
A change of clothes including footwear and a large towel (for beach changing)
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Will I be made to capsize ?
No. Though people sometimes want to for fun or on hot days. If you are on a qualification course then there will be a gradual confidence building element that involves incidents and rescues but these are always at the pace you want.
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Do I have to be able to swim ?
No. But some degree of water confidence is essential. We provide the appropriately sized buoyancy aid and ensure it's correctly fitted. Much of our beginners areas are no more than knee deep
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Is sea kayaking difficult to learn ?
Under the guidance of our instructors you should pick up the basics very quickly. All the equipment we use is designed to make learning as easy as possible. Instructors will always structure the session with you to ensure you receive the highest quality experience.
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What happens if the weather is bad on the day I've booked ?
We will discuss your requirements at the time of booking, giving options for various weather and tide combinations. Being on a small island at the head of an archipelago we have many options for all weathers .

Also being on the coast ensures that much of the forecast rain passes over and misses us, it may be raining 10 miles inland but nice and sunny on Seil.
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How can I keep stuff dry ?
The kayaks have watertight hatches and we supply waterproof bags to go into them.
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Can I take photographs ?
Yes the area is very scenic and there is a good chance of seeing wildlife. Ken keeps a small waterproof compact in his buoyancy aid and a larger model in a waterproof case in the hatch. If your camera is not waterproof we can supply cases it may be a good idea to bring a small towel to dry your hands before using it.
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Will I see wild life ?
Almost certainly. Though we will keep our distance to avoid disturbance. If you have a camera with a long lens we can provide a case and a landing site close to the wild life so photographs can be taken without disturbance. We can also provide binoculars for a close up experience.
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Are there any dangerous animals or insects ?
We have a small biting insect called a midge which can get quite annoying but is not actually dangerous. We will issue protective nets if required, being on the water we usually have a breeze that keeps them away. Many people use insect repellant but if you do please make sure it is waterproof. Some cosmetic oils seem to work as well.

Deer tics can cause lyme's disease but it is very rare. giving the area we operate in and the clothing we wear is extremely unlikely to be a problem.

Occasionally we get lions mane jellyfish (cyanea capillata) they can give an irritating sting but are easy to spot and avoid. They are very pretty to see and are carried in on the ocean currents.
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Where can I stay ?
Check out the tourist board site and our The Local Area section of the links page .We can also send you an accommodation list for the local area.
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Can I do qualifications ?
Yes, we do training and assessment. Go to the courses page and scroll down to BCU/SCA courses section. Or call to discuss your requirements.
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Is there anything else to do in the oban area ?
Lots.This area of Argyll is a hidden gem.Go to the links page and scroll down to The Local Area section.
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Visit our sister site
Undiscovered Country Adventure