Broken Paddle

General Club Information

YEAR

NAME

REASON

2025

David Anderson

While attempting a high water paddle through the cave at Holburn Head, hr found himself in a challenging situateion. With swell running and a large rock obstructing the route, he was lifted by a wave and deposited onto the rock, slipping into a narrow gully and capsizing. In the process, he lost his grip of his brand new paddle - on its very first outing. A rescue kayak entereds the cave and instructed him to grab on for an extraction, but he refused to leave without his paddle. Against the odds, they retrieved it before being towed out through the swell. Once in open water, he was safely returned to his kayak. Throughout the incident, both the paddler and rescuers were buffered by the surge, making his resolve and recovery all the more impressive

2024

Brian Arrowsmith

A group were exploring the west side of Armadale Bay. A couple of the group heard a whistle and went to find out what was wrong. There was the nominee out of their kayak at the end of a narrow inlet / cave. They were pulled out and rescued.
During the year this individual has had a number of inadvertent capsizes!

2023

Gerald Urquhart

Early sea paddle of the year or thereabouts, paddling north from Lybster. The individual was looking at a largeish group of rocks to paddle/surf through. There was a straight through route, however there was a cross flow part of the way through and an overflow that could not be seen. Gerald went in close for a look, he was picked up by a wave and pushed into the through route. Unfortunately, a cross wave pushed him into the rock face, and he capsized. He rolled up but was caught in the cross flows, capsizing a further 3 or 4 times, rolling up each time, before being spat out backwards. Costing him his Shetland beanie.

2022

Iain Baikie

During a paddle, the group were exploring the cave, geos etc. Near the end of the trip, at Dunbeath, the group had looked into a geo and come out again. However, one member decided to take a route through a narrow gap, just wide enough for a kayak, to the other side. When they did not appear, some went back into the geo only to find Iain swimming out of the gap with their kayak. It is unclear what happened!

2021

Gary Youngson

For his energetic gymnastic display at Noss Head during his Advanced Sea Kayak Leader Assessment. The exact details on the acrobatic display are only known to a few who are sworn to secrecy. Maybe Gary will provide further information. However his kayak and equipment suffered - broken thigh braces; lost hatch cover and damaged paddle float. Maybe the Award should be called the “Broken Float Award.”

2020

Neil Parkin

After years of preparation and purchasing equipment Neil Parkin went for his Sea Kayak Leader assessment. During this training he had to lend equipment to those who forgot some (eg Gerald Urquhart who forgot his spraydeck for an overnight expedition on Skye). Neil arrived at the meeting point (Talmine) and went to pack his kayak and get ready. This is when he found out he forgot to take most of kit. At least he had his kayak! Neil managed to borrow sufficient kit from others (and passed the assessment.)

2019

David Shand

The Club was on a Sunday club paddle from Lybster to the waterfall south of the harbour. Some of the group went into the long cave and proceeded down a tunnel to the right on entry. As the team paddled down there was a bit of a rise from the swell and could hear the waves breaking on the boulder beach at the end of the tunnel. With this in mind they decided to turn early and not go near the beach. A member paddled to get to where the cave widened enough to turn and allow them to commence paddling back out so the others in the line could follow and turn at the wide section. Well for some reason David decided to try and turn early. At this point he was at the point of no return and before anything could be said he was now broadside in the cave with a swell rise coming in, he was wedged bow and stern and in slow motion started to tip over. Yup a splash later David was now taking a wee swim. The team got him back in his boat and a reverse paddle of some length commenced all done in torch light.

2018

Gerald Urquhart

For his capsize and swim near Dunnet Head. Details are sketchy. Gerald was rock hopping and mistimed things. He got washed into the cliffs and ended up capzing. There was then a dilemma by the rest of the group - how to rescue as he was standing on the rocks stranded. Fortunately the swell subsided and he managed to escape quickly.

2017

John Speirs

John has had a few mishaps. Including falling into the water sea kayak whilst getting out of their kayak – but that happens to paddlers anyway. However, the other events which have resulted in their nomination are:

One evening going round Clett Rock with a fair swell John (& Philip) tried going through the narrow slot in the far end of Clett Rock (eastward). Philip made it but the recipient following, timed it wrong and grounded on the rocks. With the tide on the ebb it didn’t look like he’d be washed off by another wave, he worked his way onward over the rock but then fell in, and was quickly rescued by Philip in the channel between Clett and the mainland.

Another evening when playing round the rocks in a big swell John was washed right onto the shore under the cliff. It looked like he might need a rescue but managed to get himself out again through some big breaking waves, quite impressive.

On top on this he left a lot of his paddling kit at home when he went on a paddling trip to the Isle of Lewis.

2016

Ken Nicol

The Award goes to an individual who attempted to recreate an incident and picture. If you know your kayaking books it is on Page 161 of “Sea Kayak.” The caption with the photograph states “Timing is everything – getting it wrong can leave you in a compromising position.” Unfortunately, there is no photograph for this event.

So it goes to a paddler for going through a small gap at Portskerra. As he went through on a large the bow of the kayak struck an exposed rock causing the kayak to get swept sideways and pinned. He ended up perched across the gap, clear of the water struggling (successfully) to remain upright while waiting for the next wave.

2015

Ben MacGregor

The event occurred during a trip on the East Coast. The group stopped for lunch and were enjoying the rest. Be had visited a gave for a relief stop and whilst eating his lunch remebered he left his watch. So he went back to collect it. On his return, Ben explained how on some trips he had managed to misplace equipment (some lost to Neptune). The only item which had not been lost was a kayak. A few minutes later the group heard a splash and noticed a kayak floating in the geo. The group wondered who’s kayak? Yes it was Ben’s. The kayak had managed to do a self seal launch. With a quick dash Ben waded into the deep water to save his kayak. So Ben nearly managed to complete his list of lost equipment.

2014

Thomas Robinson

After playing in amongst the rocks it was time to head back out to sea. Instead of going out through the deep water channel, as instructed, this he headed over a submerged reef – presumably looking for excitement. The problem was another novice paddler followed. A wave came in and broke on the reef. Chaos! He surfed backwards towards the other paddler and capsized, hit the other paddler causing them to also capsize. Once he was rescued the scares from the incident with blood on the face

2013

John Speirs

The Club had been requested to provide "safety" cover at the Boxing Day Dip with a Nip. The club volunteers remembered the previous event in 2011 when the only person needing assistance was "rescued" was an individual from another organisation also providing safety cover.
Of the Club rescue team went with John Speirs being one of the volunteers on the water. John decided to have a bit of a surf prior to the event and capsized a swam ashore and was "rescued" by the other members of the club safety cover team. All of this in front of over 200 people. Why did he capsize in a small wave? John had not put his paddle together and it split in 2 when trying to brace onto the wave.

2012

Stewart Coulden-Smith

The story goes that there was some big surf and an individual decided to go slightly further out then the rest something happened. Capsize and swim. People thought that the individual will be fine. Strong swimmer, water confident etc. However it became apparent that the individual needed some help. So another club member went to the rescue. So the Lifeguard had to be rescued.

2011

Stewart Coulden-Smith

This was awarded to Stewart for his first sea trip from Dunbeath to Lybster. He started the trip with a lot of wobbles, was punctuated by a lot of alleged boat malfunctions and ended with a swim in sight of Lybster harbour and a tow to avoid becoming intimately acquainted with the rocks! Thankfully he got the hang of this paddling malarkey very quickly after that and is actually quite good at it now!

2010

Ivor Muir

This was awarded to Ivor Muir for his escapade in benign conditions when he was coaching. Whilst near rocks, a freak wave (reports say 1.5m) came in and managed to wipe out him and one of his students (Mark). Of course, Ivor was not wearing a helmet. Reports suggest that the other 2 in the group did were not sure how to rescue them because of the rough conditions. Ivor might have even sustained a small injury (nose bleed) to complete the escapade and ensure the Broken Paddle Award.

2009

John Speirs

John was attempting a seal launch. As he slid down the hill the kayak capsized, he let go his paddle, hand rolled and landed in the water perfectly (without a paddle).

2008

Nancy Speirs

For her exploits at surfing in a cave near Duncansby Head and disappearing into the dark unknown.

2007

Ivor Muir

For his 2 surfing mishaps during the year:

Caught in a river whilst "swimming" his kayak ashore.
Dislocating his shoulder a few weeks later.

2006

Simon Copsey

For loosing his paddle on the River Thurso. A few days later it was found perfectly parked on a rock. The paddle was retrieved only to be broken a couple of trips later.

2005

Shona Comrie

Award for her knee injury on a hotel step at the start of the Greenland Expedition.

2004

Andy Ford

For his valiant efforts in saving a rabbit from a sea stack

2003

Simon Copsey

For his part in a new surf kayak falling off a trailer

2002

Paul Stewart

For his consistent swimming performance on a number of occasions which include:

Trying to right himself during an Eskimo rescue and getting his body stuck under the rescuers boat and "nearly drowning"
Negotiating the worst line possible on the bottom rapids of the River Findhorn and taking it sideways, dropping off the biggest rock he could find sideways but to his credit successfully landing the right way up
Getting stuck in his boat whilst upside down at the bottom of the rapids on the river Findhorn in view of a whole crowd of people and "nearly drowning";

2001

Iain Ritchie

Driving to the SCA Caithness Cruise with a trailer, Iain failed to notice roadworks at bridge. Over the large bump a bit too quickly and bang the axle of the trailer broke .

2000

Paul Stewart

Paul continues to learn to paddle. However anytime his family or friends appear to watch, he is guaranteed to capsize. His children are not impressed by his ability.

1999

Paul Stewart

During one of Pauls first sea trips (on the East Coast), he showed great courage despite his multiple capsizes

1998

Shona Comrie

During her sea expedition to Greenland, Shona was paddling through pack ice. The ice was moving quickly, and her route in front was closed off the ice closed in behind and from the side. Some quick thinking was required. She jumped out onto the ice and pulled the kayak onto the ice.

1997

Ewan Murdoch

Two events lead to Ewan's award:
his acrobatic in the Fish Ladder on the Lower Findhorn
surfing without a buoyancy aid - he thought he was wearing on and could not think what was wrong.

1996

Steve Mackay

Whilst surfing at Thurso East, Steve performed an epic roll and broke a paddle in the process

1995

Nigel Warren

During the Clubs first trip on the Dunbeath water, Nigel pinned himself on a rock in the middle of a rapid. He required an urgent rescue to save his life .... after all the water was only inches deep!

1994

Gordon Kennedy

Whilst surfing in the Home International in Cornwall, Gordon managed to dislocate his shoulder. After some time he finally attracted the beach marshalls who with the aid of many canoeists he was taken to shore. He was then taken to Truro hospital.

1993

Dougal Kennedy

Whilst surfing (posing) with Rhona Shepherd, Rhona hit Dougal in the face with a paddle. Dougal was taken to hospital to have the injury treated.

1992

Lindsey Bain & Kathryn Dunnett

Kathryn and Lindsey were canoeing across Thurso Bay. Unfortunately they forgot the St Ola left Scrabster at midday. They had to make a quick dash out of the path of the ship.

1991

Ken Nicol

During an Advanced Proficency Sea training course the group was asked to perform a re-entry and roll. During this task Ken dislocated his shoulder.

1990

Paul Doherty

Paul took group for a small trip to Holburn Head. During the trip a thick fog came in. Don’t worry, Paul as the leader was well equipped with everything but his compass. The group took the coastal route home.

1989

Crawford Gordon & Nigel Warren

Nigel and Crawford attended a basic Open canoe training course. The instructor stated that the canoes were very stable and would not capsize. The intrepid duo managed to capsize the canoe in a small rapid on the River Thurso.

1988

Ken Nicol

Whilst canoeing on the River Findhorn, ken waited in an eddy at the side of the river. Another member of the group came into the eddy and hit Ken in the chest with the bow of his kayak. Ken had a cracked rib.

1987

Paul Doherty

The Club had just taken delivery of the first plastic kayaks. During a test paddle at Dirlot, when the river was in spate, Paul capsized whilst posing. He came out of his kayak and went for a long swim down the river - without the kayak.

1986

Gary Stronach

Gary was on a trip down the River Avon in the Summer. During the trip Gary became exhausted and hyperthermic. Consequently he was towed for the majority of the trip by Paul Doherty.

1985

Steve Foster

Whilst surfing at Bettyhill in a competition he capsized. Due to the weather conditions rescues were difficult. Steve was dragged semi conscious from the water

1984

Paul Doherty

Whilst posing in a rapid on the river Conon, Paul broke his paddle and capsized. The paddle blade forms part of the Trophy