The 13th annual Isle of Man Sea Kayak Symposium took place at the weekend based out of Port Erin. The training weekend aimed at improver to Advanced Sea Kayakers attracts attention from all over the world with participants this year travelling from the UK, Sweden, Netherlands, Spain and the USA, joining local sea kayakers taking advantage of the world class conditions the island provides for sea kayaking.

And the weather conditions at the weekend certainly provided appropriate levels of challenge for all with Port Erin bay being the perfect venue providing a mixture of shelter and exposure creating an excellent coaching environment.

“Magnificent sea conditions” Axel Schoevers - Netherlands

The symposium was launched by local Adventure sports coach Keirron Tastagh and supported by the network of coaches from Sea Kayaking UK, a worldwide manufacturer of sea kayaks who continues to support the event each year.

Keirron Tastagh said “Long term supporters of the symposium The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company have been fully behind the event for many years and the support they provide combined with support from Sea Kayaking UK ensures we can continue to run this great weekend”

One of the highlights of this years weekend was a demonstration in Greenland rolling techniques by Marc Martin of Spain, a gold medal winner at the Greenland Games – an event held in Greenland every July.

Next years training weekend takes place on 23rd and 24th September and is already attracting further attention from around the world. For more information visit www.facebook.com/IOMKayakSymposium 

Image: Left to right, Nigel Dennis (owner of Sea Kayaking UK) with symposium students Emelie Schroder (Sweden), Melissa Mayer (USA) and Andrew Merrick (Isle of Man)

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