So, here we are, day 2 of the BCU 3 *** assessment with Jersey Kayak Adventures 'Derek Hairon'. If you haven't seen part one, I'd suggest rolling down the page to see what this is all about.

So, after a de-briefing on day one we decided that because we'd learned so much in the surf session that it would make sense to repeat that and perhaps build on what we had.

The more time we spent in the surf 'zone', the better and more reactive we became.

Just following the back of the wave home to make a controlled 'non surfing 'surf' landing'.

We practiced various approaches in different area's of the beach to really get an idea of where our 'safe landing zone' was.

Then, as on day one, we let off the brakes a bit.

This was only ever going to be a short refresher session as Derek had plans for us around midday up on the North coast. Just time for a few dunkings.

So, we dried off, loaded up and headed north. The target was Bouley Bay, the surrounding coastline to the east by the fort, the cave, the boiler and then on to La Tour De Rozel 'Tidal Race'.

So, here we are, tucked really tight in, training to run the boat at about half a paddles width from the rocks. There is a point to this that Andy wasn't quite ready for but I'd been to 'La Tour' before, binned it a dozen times and we'd gone from Rozel then. That meant, as the tidal race neared 1:30 hr's up, you would experience a VERY quick ride back to Rozel bay. However, this time, Derek was testing our edging and rock hugging skills and, there is NO WAY you can go up through 'La Tour', the wrong way unless you can ferry glide, edge, hug rocks, rotate in the forward stroke etc. It becomes a real challenge the tighter the area becomes as the tide makes and some of it is running at a serious pace.

Anyway, I'm getting ahead again. The bay before you reach the race is beautiful, steep green sides that plummet into, first granite sides and then, conglomerate rock. As you head toward Rozel and the NE corner, there is a magnetic variation on the charts due to this stuff.

Derek led the paddle by the 'Boiler'.

There is a hole on the seaward side and the swell makes a noise as it bangs inside like a drum. There is a cave adjacent to this area that, guess what...

Without that surf landing and launching, you wouldn't get to see.

Derek has landed already to take this shot.

We headed in to land on a tiny, remote beach-head before climbing out to enter what what was quite a large cave that had a plethora of local sponges clinging to it's walls. This was the first time I'd seen this cave and any sponges so this was quite a reward for learning the surf stuff over the previous sessions.

Andy paddles under the fort.

It starts to get tighter as we head towards the race. The swell is clear to break in from the west and the rock has now completely changed to conglomerate type.

We are at the outer rock on the race. The swell is rolling up the back face and only 30 yards from the seaward side of Andy's kayak in this shot, the current is starting to build, build, build...

We play, getting closer and closer to the rocks letting the swell take the boat up the rocks and down again. It's quite hairy at times and all the while, the tidal currents are building making it essential that you stick like glue to the micro eddies close in to the structure or, get washed backwards at a fast rate of knots in the race.

After just a further 20 minutes, the whole shape of the same rock has changed and, the tide is building a head of steam. The eddy is now very narrow behind the rock and of course, the swell hadn't gone anywhere.

Learning to HOLD in the race head and the swell. Quite a ride actually.

Andy comes around in an anti-clockwise direction for the last time before it just gets too strong to paddle against. Time to go ferry gliding again.

Derek called us in to ask us to start to think about self-recue and assisted rescue in the bore of the race.

Binning it to order. Andy ditches it on purpose to start self-rescue procedures. We had to fall on purpose due to the fact that neither of the party had actually fallen in despite trying to push our luck. I think the surf sessions had really sharpened us up.

Now totally exposed to the force of the race, this is no time to realise you don't have a self-rescue.

We each did a number of self-rescues before switching to assisted rescue. This is harder than it looks as you ferry glide over into the race to intercept a now 'moving' target. All the while you are having to both watch your position whilst keeping your own edge out of the water so you don't capsize yourself in the race. You are the help, not a second casualty.

This is actually quite serious stuff and I think the photo here shows the reality of the rescue situation. It was a bit beastie.

We had a blast to be honest. The day drew to a conclusion as Derek talked us through some fine points at a comprehensive de-briefing at the pub in Bouley Bay. I'll tell you, a bag of peanuts never tasted so good. We were both knackered but jubilant.

The next day was to be a personal training session for me to run through alot of the stuff in my own time but, as it turned out, I joined yet another surf session with Derek and the JKA team. Was proper fun and, it didn't stop there... On the Sunday, we headed out with surf maniac Stuart McGlinchey who is in preparation for a surf kayak comp in North Carolina. Both days where learning curves that, 5 days before wouldn't have been possible unless we'd have taken those first steps out there. Each skill links to another, to another and suddenly, you find yourself taking on water conditions that you wouldn't have even considered before. I'm so pleased that I sought out proper tuition and I would urge anyone thinking about kayak fishing to consider the consequences of not seeking such guidance because, when it goes wrong out there, it goes wrong real fast and trust me, it might be too late to reconsider upon hindsight one day.

I have some video and pics from the sessions that aren't ready quite yet. As this week has turned to poo once again weather wise it has given me time for real reflection on last week and the weekend just gone by. It was so worth it because it has opened new doors to new adventures.

Until next time...