We hope everybody had a great Easter Holiday and enjoyed the sunny weather! Cornwall did its best at providing sunshine but it was still a little chilly at times. Still, a good taste of things to come over the next few months and we can’t wait! We managed to get a few sessions out on the water during the best days and dodged the bad ones, so a huge thank you to all the people that braved the elements and came out for an adventure with us.

Check out our Facebook page (by clicking the little FB logo at the top of the website) and you can keep up to date with all out latest photos!

We are looking ahead to the summer and are so twitchy and excited at the prospect of some warmer weather and more time out on the water (you can probably tell by the lack of blogs we’re more suited to the outdoors!). Our Kayaking is a great way of getting out on the water for an adventure of even a relaxing get away. Check it out here.

Our friends over at Sitons.com did some great investigating – We recently polled 500 water sports fans asking them their dream place to kayak. Out of the top ten UK locations mentioned, Cornwall took up two of the spots.

Needless to say this is our home turf and we can’t praise it enough so please read their take on Cornwall.

Cornwall Makes The Kayaking Cut

During a poll of 500+ water sports enthusiasts, Cornwall’s magnificent beaches came out at number two in the Sitons Dream Kayak Locations feature.

Paddlers were asked to list what they’re ultimate kayaking destination(s) would be and it’s encouraging to note, among the usual suspects of exotic locations, many areas closer to home also made the cut. In a three part article (split into distinct categories based on the results – Rivers, Regions and UK) the white sandy expanses of Kernow did rather well in the UK section.

It’s hardly surprising when you consider that on a beautiful summer’s day, many beaches resemble those you will find in far flung locations. Azure coloured water lapping against picture postcard sandy coastline; many of Cornwall’s beaches could quite easily be mistaken for tropical destinations.

From a paddling point of view it’s not hard to see why Cornwall would be a draw for enthusiasts. From the sometimes pounding surf of exposed westerly facing locations – to the tranquil sheltered inlets and magnificent sea cliffs you could find – options for kayaking in the ‘first and last county of England’ are everywhere.

Cornwall offers something for every type of paddler, whatever their skill level. And what better way to round off a day’s kayaking than with a pint of good ole Kernow cider. With the counties abundance of eating and drinking establishments, a plethora of accommodation options to suit all budgets and the varied water sports offerings, Cornwall’s attraction is tangible.

For the full three part feature, head over to the sitons.com site to see where else made it onto the list.

See….Cornwall is awesome, who wouldn’t want to give kayaking a go after reading that!?

If you would like to go Kayaking in Cornwall please send me an email: ben@cornishrocktors.com or by calling 07791534884 and I can get straight back to you with further information.

See you soon!

Benny

It’s safe to say that most of the Cornish community (including myself) would have had a pasty at some point today and took a momment to admire the awesome county we’re lucky enough to live in and had a good conversation about the weather… ansum twas! Getton!

Here’s a shot from the summer. The guys had been on an Ecoasteer and came across the lesser spotted large flakey pastry steak! Beauty…

Kernow bys vyken

Benny

Climbing is one of those activities that every person should try at least once in life.  And that’s where Cornish Rock Tors Ltd can help out!

Not too long ago there was a TV programme which aimed to find ordinary people’s hidden talents.  One episode featured a lady who, having never climbed before, ended up climbing ‘The Old Man of Hoy’, an incredibly tall and technically advanced sea stack off the coast of Orkney.  It was incredible!

Every time I climb, I feel like I’m about eight years old again;  do you remember when you just wanted to climb anything and everything, with absolutely no fear, whilst eating worms and putting slugs up your nose….maybe that was just me?!

It seems though that as soon as you click over your twentieth birthday, self-preservation kicks in and you find yourself hating heights – or more specifically the idea of falling from them.

That’s the good bit about Climbing! You have incredible equipment and technology (tested to crazy limits I will add) keeping you safe, not to mention an Instructor at the bottom helping you with your technique and helping you to overcome your own limitations.  Brilliant!

The feeling of reaching the top of a climb that you were staring up at just half an hour before, wondering how on earth you might do this, is so rewarding.  Not only have you overcome testing physical and mental challenge, but you’ve earned the reward of enjoying one of the best views in Cornwall.  Not many people get to enjoy these viewpoints, and fewer who have got there under their own steam.  Cue smug face!

We can help you overcome your own limitations whilst having a great day and a great laugh. You will learn the basics about a sport which is becoming more and more accessible, and who knows, you may find that you have a natural talent for it? You should probably give us a call and check really …….

See you soon,

Benny

The rugged North Cornish Coast has some of the best rock formations, caves, beaches and wildlife you could ever ask for!

During the Summer all of our activities involve all of the above mentioned awesomeness.

I managed to snap this shot on my phone whilst putting myself through a Pre-Chirstmas run to try and burn off at least one of those mince pies that seem to haunt any Christmas gathering at this time of year!

This is The Rumps just a little further around the coast from Pentire Point (Polzeath). Easily one the most stunning bits of coastline in the world….Especially on a sunny day!!

Come down and see it in 2013!

Benny x

The Rumps North Cornwall in December

Cornish Rock Tors sells activity vouchers for coasteering, sea kayaking, rock climbing and power boat trips. These gift vouchers cost exactly the same as our activities themselves and can be purchased for 1,2 or as many people as you wish. Just tell us what you want and we will sort out the voucher, sent to you or direct to the recipient, so that your friend or loved one has something extra special to open on Christmas morning.

Imagine the look on their face when they open their Christmas present to discover a gift voucher for one of our awesome activities!

So if you’re tired of trawling the shops looking for special gifts and you’re bored with the same old selection of gifts which will get used, abused or discarded, then activity gifts may well be for you. It will give them something to look forward to and get excited about and remember for the rest of their lives, whether you choose to send them coasteering around cliffs, kayaking the coastline or climbing up Cornish granite.

A day out in Cornwall in the outdoors, it’s truly an amazing gift for anyone to receive whatever their age.

Prices:

• Coasteering – from £35pp
• Sea Kayking – from £30pp
• Rock Climbing – from £60pp
• Power boat trips – £40 for adults & £30 for children

All activity vouchers can be redeemed at any time by giving us a call or emailing us with a preferred date. We will then book them on to a session of Cornish adventure and adrenaline they will remember for the rest of their lives.

See the Cornwall activity vouchers page to order your gift vouchers >

You could:

a) sit in watching TV waiting for it to pass, b) head to the pub ready for open doors at midday and drink the day away, c) enjoy intensive quality family time playing endless cards in a leaky tent or… d) go get wet.

It is what we call ‘wetsuit weather’ whereby the only obvious response to the soggy surroundings is to put on our wetsuits and embrace the elements. And if you are going to get wet why not do it properly?

We at Cornish Rock Tors never let the rain get us down. Coasteering involves a full-on, direct exploration of our local coastline. Swimming through open water to reach our favourite spots we will show you secret caves, beaches and climbs. We scale awesome Cornish cliffs up to
a dizzying 30 feet only to leap back in. If it’s all roughed up with waves and rain all the better,

We know all the best spots to best appreciate the sea’s very own wave machine. You will be so wet you won’t know it’s raining. Even our less all-embracing water-based activities such as Kayaking and Powerboat Tours gain a thrill factor from slightly stormier conditions giving the boats some swell to play on and battle against. You will certainly have the seas to yourself with plenty of smugglers coves to pop in for an explore for some occasional respite. Suffice to say the local wildlife rarely get put off by a spot of rain.

But who knows? Maybe this year we might actually get a hot, sun filled summer. No wind breaks required and flat Mediterranean-like waters shining a turquoise blue. Enjoy your adventure at a more leisurely pace. Swimming in turquoise blue waters and leaping off into calm lagoons is a stunning way to view the coast. Kayaking on transparent seas with meters of visibility opens the activity up to all the family young and old and gives you a chance to observe the interesting marine life that resides on our shores. Out at sea calm conditions can be appreciated off our Powerboat taking in the vivid scenery and sunning yourself off the ocean’s reflection. Whatever the weather there is fun to be had. So let’s keep up this vital and legendary British tradition of enjoying ourselves whatever the weather.

See you behind the windbreak!

Cornish Rock Tors

x

I managed to get a sneaky bit of video footage. Check it out…..

The boys have also gathered some gems of information for you on both the Jellys and Sand eels below.

Common Blue jellyfish: – Cyanea lamarckii

Occuring in coastal waters all around the British Isles. It has been recorded from the Shetland
Islands, the Orkneys, along the east coast of England, Dartmouth in the south and up through the
west coasts of England and Wales.
Up to 15cms in diameter, the Blue Jellyfish is a common visitor to our coasts from May to October.
It feeds on plankton primarily but will eat anything that sticks to its long train of stinging tentacles,
including other jellyfish.

To a human, the sting is less severe than a nettle sting and does not last long but this may depend on
an individual’s sensitivity. Belying its name, the Blue Jellyfish is sometimes pure white!

Like other jellyfish, this is an annual animal that starts out life in late Winter as a tiny animal about
the size of a finger nail but as it drifts feeding in the plankton, it develops rapidly. At its peak its
tentacles are probably 1m long. Once the plankton supply diminishes in late Autumn and the seas
become very rough, the Blue Jellyfish dies.

LESSER SAND EEL – Ammodytes Tobianus

Commonly occurring on sandy shores, anywhere between mid-tide and depths of 30m. The Lesser
Sand Eel, (actually a fish) are long and thin with a pointed jaw, silver under belly, and an array of
colours from yellowish green on their back with a bluish tint. On a clear day you can see this fish in
abundance, helping to distinguish them is their forked shaped tail.

They tend to eat predominately zooplankton, but also larger individuals such as worms, small
crustaceans and small fish

They travel together in large shoals and when confronted by a predatory fish or imminent danger
will proceed to bury themselves in the sand until the danger has been averted. This act of burying
themselves is also used through the winter months when they will retreat up to 30cm below the
seabed.

Sand Eel is also regarded amongst anglers as one of the best baits to catch the elusive Bass around
the Cornish coastline.

Fathers are notoriously difficult to buy for at any time of the year. Whilst on Mothers’ Day most of us simply lavish attention, flowers, chocolates and homemade cards on our Mums, somehow the same simple, winning strategy doesn’t seem to suit a Dad celebration quite so well. Even if you outright ask for gift ideas the common response is often so wholly practical and unimaginative that it pales in the shadow of Mumsy’s bountiful bouquet. But Dads deserve their due and Cornish Rock Tors is here to help.

Bringing to you, a Cornish Rock Tors adventure voucher.

The ultimate Dad gift seamlessly mixes excitement, surprise factor, something to look forward to with simple slip into card practicality (Dads love practicality!). Personalise it further by picking an activity that you know your Dad will love. For the adrenalin junkie/slightly mad, why not set your Dad up for Coasteering; climbing along the cliffs, swimming through white water and leaping off progressively higher jumps. By completing the ultimate goal of the 30ft jump he can retain his status of all out awesome, to be respected patriarch of the family.

For active Dads who would dig more relaxed adventuring send him Kayaking. He’ll gain stories for the grandkids exploring the stunning Cornish coastline from below, paddling secret coves, delving into caves and seeing beaches totally inaccessible by land. Plus he’ll get to learn interesting titbits about the local geology, history and ecology that he can proudly bore the family with to his heart’s content for the days/months/years following.

Or exciting option number 3 a Powerboat Tour is sure to satisfy. Sensitive, nature loving Dads will get enjoyment out of the stunning sea scenery, puffin sightings and dolphin stroking. And if all else fails whose Dad won’t be loving simply cruising around in a really fast boat. Everyone’s happy. Dad celebrated done.

Vouchers are available for all our activities and can be booked through the lucky recipient at a time of their convenience. Vouchers cost the same as the stated activity, can be emailed to you within hours or posted out on our pretty voucher card to your preferred address. If you want to really ‘push the boat out’ why not scrap the meal out for the family idea and have an en masse family adventure.

If all this wasn’t enough Cornish Rock Tors are offering a special father’s day 20% discount on all vouchers purchased between 10th-17th June.

Big love to all our legendary Dads!

Please get in contact with us by either phone call or email and quote ‘legendary dad’ to get underway in getting the best dad gift ever!

Many Thanks! See you soon!

Cornish Rock Tors Team.

x

This has been my little project for a while now and I am so happy to have it live and ready for the upcoming 2012 season.  It turns out we are all really geeky when it comes to the ocean and its weird and wonderful ways (we’d rather sit in and watch blue planet on a Saturday night than go out!). We want to pass some of that enthusiasm on and introduce people to some awesome creatures and places.

We spend most of our lives in the sea whether it be working or in our free time. You pick up little gems of knowledge each time you go in, sometimes you learn the hard way (stepping on a weaver fish for example) and sometimes the nice way by seeing something interesting and new.

We have started Ecoasteering to offer something interesting and new. It combines the challenges of a normal Cornwall Coasteering session but with more of an emphasis on finding weird and wonderful wildlife and learning about our coastal environment. All of our guides have a very good knowledge of the local area and are always keen to pass that information on.

This activity will introduce people to the awesome wildlife that perhaps they wouldn’t have ever seen or noticed before. Everybody should walk away with a few gem bits of information or a cool fact about a species of sea life they previously didn’t know anything about!

If you have any questions on our new Ecoasteering sessions check out the page on the website and please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us! Kat (new admin ninja) has now started in the office and she is super clued up on all of our activities and very chatty. Plus she puts up with constant tea and cake breaks and dubstep on a daily basis…hero!

Also a massive thank you to ‘Be A Tiger‘ web design for being massive legends and organising the new webpage for Ecoasteering.

Summers here!! Yewwww See you soon!

Benny

x

We have been nice and busy in the office over the last few weeks with bookings coming in on a daily basis! Some days are almost fully booked, so if you’re wondering what to do over the Easter holidays give us a shout as we can offer you; Coasteering, Sea Kayaking, Climbing and Powerboat Tours. I guarantee that if you get a day of sunshine any of the above will be a highlight of the year! We are working on some new things this year so keep a close eye on our website to stay up to date with what’s going on with CRT!

I’ve noticed that more and more people are starting to come out of their winter hibernation around Polzeath and on the sunny days the beach is full of happy smiley faces! It’s got to the stage again now that just nipping to the shop to grab some milk ends up taking an hour or so! It’s brilliant how everybody bumps into each other and has a good chat be it about the weather, surf or misbehaving dogs (mainly the CRT mascot Isaac).

It’s safe to say that Polzeath is well underway in getting ready for the 2012 season and so are we! Give us a ring and we look forward to getting you out on your Easter Adventure!

See you soon!

Benny x