Paddle joy
Young kayakers have fun in the sun at club fun day
Arran Kayak Club held its first paddlesports day at Arran Outdoor Education Centre and Brodick Quarry.
More than 70 paddlers took part in water and land-based activities with some dipping their toes into kayaking and canoeing for the first time.
The day was funded through the Young Persons Participatory Budget with the aim of introducing new members to the club and to give children and adults on Arran a chance to get out on the water and experience the joys of kayaking and canoeing.
The paddlesports day started at Arran Outdoor Education Centre in Lamlash where some of the more experienced kayakers enjoyed a half-day or full-day paddle around Lamlash Bay and Holy Isle.
For those requiring a more sheltered environment, Craig Wood provided the use of the quarry at Brodick, which was bathed in sunshine, and where qualified teachers from Arran Outdoor Centre took the participants through a safety briefing before launching them into the water.
Back on dry land, instructor Raiyah Strachan of Arran Outdoor Centre helped a group of children build a raft which they all boarded with the aim of staying afloat and reaching the island in the middle of the quarry.
Another highlight in the eventful day was an evening barbecue when the participants, who had spent the day out on the water, enjoyed the relaxed and social aspect of the club, joined by members of the Community of Arran Seabed Trust. George Lesley hampers were raffled off.
Arran Kayak Club has more than 70 members and regularly meets for training, social events and trips throughout the year.
For more information email kayakarran@ gmail.com or visit the Facebook page.