Anglesey Club Weekend #3 The Menai Straits Five by Frankie A

Anglesey Club Weekend #3 based at Tyn Rhos Campsite from 3rd to 5th July 2026

Saturday 4th July – The Menai Straits Five by Frankie A

Frankie A, Nikki A, Brian G, Kevin C and John M

Just a few miles shy of the Britannia Bridge on a cloudy Saturday morning our phones (Nikki and I) pinged with messages about the 2 paddling options in the not so friendly weather forecast (South westerly F5 gusting F6). The Menai straits or skills in Trearddur Bay. Indicate left then to head to the meeting point at Y Felinheli after a very garbled phone conversation with Brian (yes Nikki and I were in one car, this seemed to be a point of some confusion). Arriving at the starting point to find the fair set up, a further call to Brian and the starting point moved to Moel Y Don on the opposite bank of the straits, where after a short while Brian, Kev and John arrived and we got organised and on the water.

The plan was to paddle to Gallows Point with the tide and wind. What, wait was this really a Liverpool Canoe trip, with tidal and wind assistance. So off we went, with a bit of effort to get launched without being blown over, sticking to the shore on our left to enjoy the scenery. We made our way quite easily past Plas Newydd, under the Britannia Bridge to Ynys Gored Goch, to play on the small wave, and break in and out of the flow. Spotting what looked like more fun by The Swellies Rock, Brian led the way to paddle over, alas by the time we arrived the wave was gone. We headed back over to the left hand shoreline to have a spot of lunch. Careful attention was paid to the amount and consistency of mud at the landing point, with the firmest landing spot being selected conveniently near benches. A short lunch stop, so short there was insufficient time for cake (how rude) and we headed back out to see what excitement could be found under the Menai Suspension Bridge.

There was still some moving water, but there was even more wind. Sea kayakers can find entertainment anywhere – some time was spent ferry gliding the wind under the bridge arches. Some attempted to paddle directly into both the wind and tide without using the assistance of the eddy to creep up under the arches, how to remind yourself quickly, your days of athletic prowess are over. Entertainment over we continued to meander (be blown) along paying close attention to the wildlife, there were penguins, mere cats and a rhino (or was it a hippo) a griffin and several herons. Arriving at Gallows Point we had a short carry to get the boats up onto the grass, where before doing the car shuttle we had the cake. Our boat carrying was assisted by a paddler who was waiting for his car shuttle to arrive, well possibly only my boat, as he was a fellow Atlantic boat owner, who it turns out knew Ian Bell. He enjoyed the cake.

Kevin, ran the drivers back to Moel Y Don to collect vehicles before heading off back to his climbing hut in Bethesda, whilst the now Menai four all somehow ended up in Summit to Sea, before heading to the campsite for the traditional club BBQ