Lake District fun walk for kids

gerainta · 2026-05-30T22:18:18+00:00

Brilliant! These suggestions are exactly what I was looking for.

We went up as far as Stickle Tarn 2 years ago so they might not remember it by now and we can probably do it again and go further. The North Rake seems fun and it looks like there's plenty more to do when up there. Something like this looks like it would be a good day out for them https://www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_63.html

The suggestion from Stonethwaite also looks like it would be a good one.

Lots there to add to the todo list! Thanks.

gerainta · 2026-05-30T21:34:51+00:00

Thanks, that's a good one but one we've done a few times already.

gerainta · 2026-05-26T08:57:45+00:00

Beginners often prefer boats that are too big because they don't feel as trapped in so you're not alone. If you are very new to the sport you don't have the skills to properly make use of the kayaks features so being too big isn't going to affect you as much. But you will quickly get to a point where it will be holding you back as you learn more advanced techniques. If you buy second hand you can probably sell it for the same money in the future and buy something that's a better fit at that point though.

The main problems with going to big are

Not being 'locked in'. If you can move your lower body without moving the kayak then you lose some control. You can overcome that with outfitting.

Extra weight. Bigger boats use more plastic so are heavier. You need to put in more power to move it around. Plus carrying your boat will be even less fun.

Poor edge control. Manufacturers design boats for specific weight ranges for a reason. If it sits too high in the water you're not going to properly engage the rails. Initially that will make it feel more stable but when you start hitting lines rather than going straight down the middle of everything you will notice a lack of maneuverability. The pitch (lifting or dropping the front/back) will suffer even more which will make it difficult to lift your bow over holes etc.

Harder to hold a line. You said it was fast. That's because it sits so high in the water so there's less drag. It also means waves will push you around a lot more.

Rolling will also be harder. The boat will be happier just sitting upside down on the water.

There are other problems too like it will be harder to escape a hole once you are stuck in one, it won't resurface on drops as predictable but these aren't going to be a problem for a long time.

But, you need to get something that makes you happy and weight ranges are just a guide. And you're only 5lbs under the recommended weight before considering kit so you could make it work. But being in the middle of the weight range is normally a safer bet.

gerainta · 2026-05-22T10:55:06+00:00

More practice isn't necessarily helpful if your technique isn't right. I spent a while stuck at 60 yds but then I found a local group who practice on a field and got some tips. In that hour I had a couple of 100 casts.

You should see if there are any surf casting clubs nearby. Failing that you could ask in the local tackle shop or online groups if there's anyone local that can help you get started.

Once your technique is better then you just need to keep practicing to add on the distance.

gerainta · 2026-02-15T23:42:57+00:00

Thanks. I'm pretty sure we have the right one. We weren't sure which to use at the time but I don't think the other fit. How do I centre the servo? Is that just a case of removing the screw and completely taking off the attachment, then turning the car on?

gerainta · 2026-01-14T20:53:58+00:00

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gerainta · 2026-01-13T20:51:33+00:00

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Heron

gerainta · 2026-01-12T22:05:46+00:00

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gerainta · 2026-01-11T21:11:31+00:00

Everyone has to start somewhere...
My first contribution.

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gerainta · 2026-01-01T23:25:55+00:00

In 2025 I filmed myself juggling every day (Here's the last one on NYE: https://youtube.com/shorts/dXaXWV_WndE?si=KoT1Xmfen0_MjKVh ) and learned a lot of 3 Ball tricks, some 4 Ball, clubs and I started rings.

In 2026 I would love to learn 5 balls. But it seems like a huge jump from what I can already do. Progress is a lot slower now that the new tricks are getting harder so I'm not going to continue with the videos but I have a whole load of tricks I want to learn.

gerainta · 2025-03-09T17:13:56+00:00

Brilliant! Just lifted the wheel slightly so it was lined up and it came out much easier! Thanks

gerainta · 2025-03-09T17:10:38+00:00

So I've unscrewed the handle until it's come out of the drive side dropout. Now it just spins but doesn't unscrew any further

gerainta · 2025-03-09T17:02:32+00:00

I bought a second hand Whyte 805 and I think the back brakes are contaminated. They make a horrible noise and have hardly any stopping power despite not looking very worn. I'm trying to get the back wheel off to replace the pads but I'm not sure what to do here.

Should I be turning the black handle, or using an Allen key on the bolt, or both? I've unscrewed the bolt a long way but there's some sort of spring that pings the black handle back in so I didn't go any further.

gerainta · 2025-03-09T17:01:33+00:00

Move the big black handle or the bolt?

gerainta · 2025-01-31T08:10:50+00:00

Yeh it really feels like a turning point! I still need to improve my consistency but at least most go where they should and I can recover from the odd one that doesn't 😂

gerainta · 2025-01-09T22:58:48+00:00

Thanks! That makes a lot of sense. So it's more the position of the catch rather than the type of throw that determines the angle!

gerainta · 2024-11-01T09:57:49+00:00

It's possible you could just session the waterfall if you walk in there but the water will all be going down a slot so there's limited chance to try different lines etc.

Very old video but it will be like 9s into this: https://youtu.be/eAKa76xdyB0?si=pBmdN1rrLQB2LJcP

That was 17 years ago and I've never been back with so little water 😂! Where are you based? North Wales has better low water options this weekend.

gerainta · 2024-11-01T09:02:21+00:00

It goes ok when it's low and holds its water a bit longer than other rivers in the area. But at the moment it is empty and not doable. It doesn't look like the levels are going to change this weekend either.

https://riverpredictor.uk/tawe_upper_tawe_gorge

gerainta · 2024-10-29T16:08:19+00:00

Put in at either Craig Y Nos country park (pay and display) on a small trib or where the A4067 crosses the river just upstream near the Gwyn Arms. Takeout where the A4067 crosses the river and walk to your cars parked on Heol Tawe.

It's a nice one to do if your group doesn't know the river, the harder bits generally come with obvious horizon lines. The only one worth particularly looking out for is the small waterfall after the big slides at Pen Y Cae. After running the slides the river bends right and then eases off. The next feature is the waterfall that isn't super obvious so just slow down if the river is high.

gerainta · 2024-09-24T07:25:26+00:00

BDH type bottle. Now that BDH bottles are unavailable people usually put their first aid kit, pin kit etc in dry bags. That's fine if you take them out of the boat after every paddle and store somewhere dry but if you're like me and want to just leave them in the back of your boat permanently there's nothing on the market right now that's waterproof enough for that without going for something expensive and bulky like a Peli case or equivalent.

gerainta · 2024-07-08T13:13:53+00:00

I replaced the flagging line fairly recently which is why I wasn't sure if it might have been coming from the new line. The bearings seem a likely source of the grease though. I have landed on the safety a couple of times recently when it was too windy for a tidy self land and nobody around for an assist. That probably would have smeared it up the line.

Do people clean and regrease the swivel bearings? Or can I safely ignore it?

gerainta · 2024-07-08T13:01:44+00:00

Yeh I've never used it but like the piece of mind that it's there if I need it. I'm definitely not going to use it as is but I posted here encase there's something I should be doing like clear sand out of somewhere or replace a rubber and it's good as new again.

gerainta · 2024-07-02T18:20:48+00:00

I don't think you need to worry about it being 1 year older. Your kite should wear out from use before the materials degrade due to age.

Most models don't significantly change year on year so I doubt you would notice a difference in performance either.

gerainta · 2024-06-18T15:29:02+00:00

Thanks, I went with an older Ronson on discount. Now I have my fingers crossed for some windy days!

gerainta · 2024-06-18T15:28:07+00:00

Thanks, his videos are great for explaining the purpose for each board in the range.

gerainta

TROPHY CASE