[TR] Kayaking Virgins hit Mallorca

Mallorca Day Trip

We were all in the pub looking through my latest kayaking photographs from Mallorca taken the week before, when to my surprise 2 of my non boating friends, the girliest girls you could ever imagine decided they wanted to go kayaking. Whether it was sunshine, the beers on the beach or just a good excuse to get away, I don’t know but they were adamant they wanted to go. So that same evening I gave the outfitters in Mallorca a ring, then went online and booked some flights with bmi baby £48.00 return including taxes.
Two weeks later and we were there. We had a couple of days on the beach topping up our tans and enjoying the nightlife, before Pete from Tramuntana Pursuits (the outfitters) came and met us. He picked us up from the hotel and drove us to Illetas, a small sandy bay on the south side of Mallorca.
First, we all helped to get the boats off the minibus, well except for Suzie who was worried about breaking one of her newly manicured nails and knowing how much they cost, we couldn’t blame her.
We laid the boats on the sand with all the other kit and Pete gave us a run down on what everything was and what it did. The boats were virtually brand new and even though the buoyancy aides were not very flattering, they were a lovely colour of blue.
One by one Pete got us into our boats and ran through the basic strokes and safety instructions. Then off we went, 2 kayak virgins, Pete and me trailing behind trying to take some photographs. The hangovers we had gained through a wild night in Magaluf, the night before soon disappeared as we paddled out towards Cala Falco. The weather was stunning, so warm and not a cloud in the sky. We took things easy at first as Pete subtly taught us some basic skills. So it was a good few hours before we reached Cala Falco, where we stopped for a rest and a well deserved drink. In the distance we saw the Fast Cat which goes out bound for Barcelona. Pete told us how he once managed to ride the surf behind it for 500 meters. It sounds amazing fun and a great adrenalin buzz but I’d be too scared to even think about doing it myself.
It was nearly midday when we set off again for the short journey to Porta Velles. On the way we came across a fantastic cave. We all paddled into it one by one, stunned by the incredible turquoise water which shone beneath us. We spent a good ten minutes exploring and taking photographs inside. As we left the cave the heat suddenly hit us and I was totally dazzled by the sun. At this point I realized I’d left my sunglasses in the minibus which was back in Illetas. Slightly annoying but at least I wouldn’t end up with the ‘Panda Eye’ tan which I ended up with the last time I was kayaking here.
We paddled on to the pretty cove of Porta Velles where we stopped for lunch. In the cliffs are huge caverns dating from Roman times, enlarged over the centuries by lots of different people. Boats make the short excursion from the pier at Magaluf to here, so it’s not always that peaceful. We all stripped off and topped up our tans and indulged in a few small glasses of beer. Just as the heat was getting unbearable Pete appeared with Snorkels and flippers for us all. What an excellent surprise for the day, I couldn’t wait to get into the crystal clear water. Suzie had forgotten to pack her waterproof mascara so decided to have a ‘head out of the water’ swim instead. Clair and I saw some amazing fish, Pete told us the names but I can’t remember them now. Some looked liked miniature sharks with black tails and blue stripes and they were ever so tame.
Our time there seemed to fly by and it was soon mid afternoon and Pete said we had better make our way back to Illetas.
We all got back into our boats and headed off back along the coast. In the distance we could see Magaluf. The wide sandy beach was a solid block of bronzed bodies. We had spent a night in Magaluf amongst the crowds of drunken Brits. There were vast bars and discos and café’s offering full English breakfasts at 3am, with widescreen televised football playing 24 hours a day. During the day this place is tourism overkill with some of the trashiest shops imaginable but by night it’s PARTY PARTY PARTY.
We soon left Magaluf in the distance and were surrounded by beautiful yachts in what seemed to be a millionaires playground. We certainly caught the attention of a couple of passing yachts and Suzie and I were invited on board for some champagne but we declined and carried on our journey.
We finally arrived back in Illetas after having the most enjoyable time. We were all really tired but had huge smiles as we recounted the day’s events. We all gave Pete a huge hug and thanked him for an amazing day as he dropped us back at the hotel. The girls have definitely got the sea kayaking bug now but whether that will last when they try a day out off the Welsh coast, battling huge swells and freezing water I have my doubts. So I guess we’ll just have to go back to sunny old Mallorca again, I think I like that idea.

Outfitters: http://www.tramuntana-pursuits.com/ or telephone 0034 971 404 222

[TR] Sea Kayaking in Mallorca

A Weekend to remember

What a Weekend !
It all started on Friday afternoon, feeling stressed with work and needing an escape I found myself surfing the net for flights. A friend of mine had been chatting about a fantastic outfitters based in Mallorca, so with a quick phone call, it was all booked . I flew out that evening with Easyjet (£70.00 return) and was met at Palma airport by an English guy called Pete who ran Tramuntana Pursuits on the Island of Mallorca.
By 8.30am Saturday morning I was on the beach in Pollensa admiring the kit and boat I’d hired from Pete. I’m used to having to paddle boats which resemble plastic bath tubs abroad, so imagine my delight when I was given a brand new Dagger sea kayak and even a proper adjustable paddle.
Pollensa beach is large and covered in deckchairs and sun canopies. I imagine by the afternoon this now deserted beach is chockablock with people. However the resort has lots of good quality,quite up market hotels and guesthouses so was a perfect place to start my journey.
We set off at 9am and headed towards the little lighthouse on Cap del Pinar. There are a few beaches along the way but most are cordoned off as there owned by the military so you’re pretty much committed for at least an hours paddle. As we rounded the headland Pete warned me about the confused water ahead of us. Confused water!! I think that was a nice way of saying ‘very choppy, adrenalin racing,hard to paddle water. It didn’t last long though and we’d soon been paddling 2 ½ hours and approaching Cala Coll Baix our first stop. Imagine the scene from Jurrasic park as they approach the island, well this is what Cala Coll Baix looks like. A totally deserted beach with steep sides, making it difficult to reach by land. I couldn’t resist diving into the turquoise water and having a swim. After a lunch of brie and grape sandwiches which Pete had brought along, we set off on a 16.4km open water paddle, straight across to the 1000ft cliffs of Cap Ferruch. It was 23 degrees and the paddling conditions were absolute perfection. I did have a slight problem with my trim but I moved a few bottles of my red wine about and it was all fine again.
It was almost 6pm when we reached Calla Torta. A popular beach which had a small cabin selling beer and snacks. This was pure bliss after 37km of paddling.
As we sat with our beers a lovely lady called Maria came over. It was only then that I realised that most of the people on the beach were completely naked. How I hadn’t noticed everyone was starkus is beyond me, but they didn’t seem to care that I wasn’t so it was fine. Maria used to be a K1 boater and had been watching us paddle towards the beach. She looked really keen to get back in a boat again so Pete kindly offered her his kayak. The funny bit was he insisted she wore a buoyancy aide. There she was in her birthday suit having difficulty doing the zip up on his buoyancy aid and Pete in a conundrum of not knowing whether to offer to help or not. That would have made a great photo to show his wife. Anyway, off they went for a short paddle and I organised the camping gear for the night. At around 7pm the beach became deserted. Maria had gone and it was just me and Pete. Out to sea I noticed a small island and we decided to have a gentle evening paddle towards it. It took about half an hour to get there and we couldn’t land so came straight back.
Pete was chef for the night and made a lovely Spanish Risotto which complimented my red wine wonderfully. I had expected a few problems with Mosquitoes and had come prepared but there was a slight breeze and I didn’t hear or see any. We made a big camp fire in the sand and by 9pm the sun had started to go down and we were treated to a fantastic fiery sunset. We spent that night drinking wine and by 2am we decided we had to go for a swim. It was breathtaking in more ways than one. The water was a little chilly but I soon got used to it. The phosflorecent in the water was like nothing I have ever seen before. When I moved my hands, magical green sparks flew from my fingers tips. I swam on my back and watched the trail of green light follow me.
The following morning we were up early and on our way by 6.30am. There was a beautiful sunrise as we headed for the headlands of Cabo del Freu and Cabo de pere with its 200 foot cliffs.
The third headland of Punta de Amer took 4 hours to reach. The temperature was 27 degrees and Pete was telling me that during August it can reach the high 30’s. I’d be spending all my time capsizing to cool down if I was out in that. Apparently May,June, September and October are the best for the weather. Although even in December the weather would be sublime compared to the cold wet weather we’d be having in the UK.
Our next stop was Cala Petitia. A beautiful small bay with rugged cliffs and the town of Porta Crista only half hour walk away. It would be a fantastic place to camp but it was only half way along our planned days paddling so we didn’t stay long. There was a good easterly breeze that kicked in just after lunch which we definitely made the most of. Along this final stretch there are loads of beaches and bays. Cala Anguila has a beach bar and Cala Magarik has mega climbing if you fancied a break from paddling for a few hours.
We chose to carry on paddling and soon came across some amazing caves which we just had to explore. From there we paddled to Cala Mandrago, a total of 50km in one day. I was exhausted. Waiting for us on the beach was Pete’s wife and two very cold and inviting pints of lager. She’d come to do the shuttle and to give me a lift back to the airport to catch the 23:55 flight back to Manchester. The whole trip seems like a dream already but best of all, I spent less than if I’d stayed at home. Now all I have to do is decide what to do next weekend.
Handy notes: Mallorca doesn’t have a coastguard, so if you get into trouble you’re reliant on local fishermen and sailors for help.
It is also difficult to get decent weather reports so be prepared for anything.