Sea Kayaking Shetland: Vassa Voe to Billister Day 8: Aug 2022

Magnificent Shetland just keeps on giving so much great Sea Kayaking !!
Vassa Voe to Billister on the East of Mainland Shetland, a stunning trip with beautiful scenery, tiny islands, reefs and skerries to kayak around in enjoyable, active conditions as you'd expect from Shetland.
From Vassa Voe we head South and around the East of Gletness before heading out into the North Sea across to the Moul of Eswick, meanwhile Iain and Geoff headed out to the tiny island of Hoo Stack with its lighthouse perched on top while we explored closer to the coast enjoying the active conditions rebounding over the reefs and skerries. The guys caught up with us at Fru Stack and Hevda Skerry before before we all rounded into the rocky beach at Eswick for lunch.
Heading out once again, we passed Climnie reefs heading North across South Nesting Bay, to regain the coast near Kirkibister to round the peninsula of Hill of Neap passing Stanny Hog and Hog Island, working further North past Wick of Neap, Valla Ness, exploring Self Geo and Teistie Geo and The Root before reaching Stava Ness. We continued, rounding Tarri Ness across Bight of Stavaness and Collifield Ness, Height of Bellister finally rounding Muckle Head to finish at Bellister.
An absolute stunning trip in amazing light and great sea conditions enjoyed by everyone !!
Music Courtesy of Pixabay
'Draonquest' By: Nakaradaalexander.
'The Enchantress' Dark - Celtic Background Music By: OB-LIX.
'Skjaldmaer Norse'. By: OB-LIX.
'The Great Battle' By Nakaradaalexander.
'The Crying Princess' By: OB-LIX.

[@calatoruldac]

Hello my friend! I like very much your trip! 👍Super! 👍 Have a beautiful weekend! 💖🤗

[@geoffburke]

Thanks Viorel 👍 😊 Great to see you are still enjoying my trips with me. You are most welcome along with me on my adventures 👍👍

[@pamfreeman5197]

Much enjoyed Geoff. An interesting paddle once more. Thank you. Best wishes, Pam

[@geoffburke]

As always Pam, thanks so much for your comments ❤ You must have been waiting for me to post this one as you replied almost instantly after watching!! So nice to have an appreciative audience 👏 😀 Thank you

[@adrianleigh9408]

Robust padding Geoff and gang...Bravo. Could you paddle closer together sometimes...it would be interesting visually to see the comportment of the other kayaks particularly in rough conditions.

[@geoffburke]

@@adrianleigh9408 Many thanks for your kind comments Adrian, yes it was lovely conditions with a little of everything for everyone to enjoy, hence very difficult to expect folk to paddle close especially a very large group in stronger winds where more space and distance is required. I always recommend viewing my videos on a large smart screen TV to enhance the detail that's captured in 4K, that may help you see the relationships of the other kayaks better top. Lots more adventures to enjoy on the channel and mountains of footage I'm busy editing from the many trips so far this year!! Keep checking back for new content or Subscribe to be notified when new videos are uploaded. Many thanks Geoff

[@SouthpawUpstate]

Magical! Thanks for sharing

[@geoffburke]

Awe thanks Southpaw, so pleased you keep on enjoying these little adventures 😊 👍

[@gadgetman_nz4092]

And I'm very glad you disposed of the forgotten footage responsibly too. I know I'm wishing my life away, but I'm looking forward to our sea kayaking program kicking into action in a month or so. A bit of a newb to sea kayaking but really enjoying it.

[@geoffburke]

Hi Gadget, I'm a bit of a hoarder when it comes to video footage, even if it wasn't used in a particular video, it still gets saved in a folder with the rest from that day and saved on an external drive. The disgarded plastic milk carton from the lunchtime target practice however, did go for recycling ♻️ 😂 We all started our kayaking in a small way at first them the enthusiasm builds and so does the need to practice and experience more. I hope these video's go some way towards improving your journey, they certainly seem to be whetting your appetite 😊 😂 Enjoy my friend, what is your actual name? I can't just keep calling you Gadget 😃

[@gadgetman_nz4092]

@@geoffburke I started paddling about 50 years ago. Though gave it away when I hit high school and took up rowing for a couple of years till I injured myself. Got back into the kayak at university till I injured myself again. Gave my kayak to a young fella that was just getting into it. A few years ago I bought a fishing kayak and have progressed since then, picking up a sea kayak about 9 months ago along with a little (2.2m) play boat. Have filled in a few gaps in between over the last 9 months (now up to 11 kayaks and a surfski) and since Christmas have been aiming for at least 2 sessions a week to get this broken body working a bit better. I can now sit in the kayaks and lean forward a bit and paddle for many hours. The nerves in my back are starting to heal and allow me to feel the boat, previously my left side was just numb. Really enjoying it and your videos are a great help and inspiration. I've come a long way from barely being able to walk three years ago. My name is Brian, but honestly most people who know me call me Gadget from my handle on a number of forums. I'm a youth group leader so all the kayaks get a lot of use. Keep up the good work. I always look forward to your videos.

[@geoffburke]

@@gadgetman_nz4092 Wow Brian that sounds like a bit of a horror story with your back...I feel a bit of a whimp now with my mine being no where near as severe 😳 😳 Great that you haven't lost that drive and determination!! as our sport has so many excellent qualities, both mentally and physically beneficial. Yup we've both been at it for 50+ years and still enjoying all of it. Even the videos are rewarding with all of the great comments I get and if people are taking just a little bit of enjoyment, information and or advise away from watching them, then it has been so worthwhile, it also provides me with many happy memories 😊 😀 😉 I sincerely hope your recovery and improvement continues, enabling you to achieve your aspirations and enjoyment. Stay safe and well mate!! Thanks again for your comments there always most welcome

[@gadgetman_nz4092]

@@geoffburke Had three operations on the back ('84, '89, '94) and got carted to hospital in 2000 where they decided I needed an operation. Unfortunately the weekend came and 'Rugby injuries take precedence' I was told and got bumped back. Then they decided it was too late to operate so I was left with a prolapsed disc and told "Your left leg will be partly paralysed, you'll ne in a lot of pain and it will get worse." Then I was shown the door. The leg would frequently give out causing me to fall and mess up both shoulders. Kayaking has not been easy. Lack of control, feeling and muscle spasm has made balance tricky in the tippy yaks. Hammering the body on the water has brought back feeling in the left and helping to rehabilitate the shoulders. Things are looking a lot better. I don't use the injuries as an excuse not to, more a reason to dig in and do what I'm told not to. Born of stubborn Scottish stock. 😎

[@OB-Lixoriginalmusic]

Great video, tks for sharing!!

[@geoffburke]

It's you I have to thank for your exceptional music and vocals, it captures the magic of Shetland Kayaking so well. Thanks for allowing me to use your wonderful content 💕

[@AirOnTheWater]

Beautiful footage and great edit. Now subscribing! Music is also perfect as a backdrop in this one. May I ask what music service you're using? Epidemic sound?

[@geoffburke]

Hi, I'm not sure what to call you?? But thanks for your comments and subscribing to join me on my Sea Kayaking Adventures 😃👍. I use a "royalty free" service with "Pixabay" but I have had concerns with KZbin's copyright detection system, on checking this doesn't constitute a 'copyright strike' so no issues so far. I've even had comments from the artist thanking me for sharing their content as I always credit them in the description. Please feel free to browse my content and share anything with friends. Thanks again for your comments. New content being added regularly and presently editing new content from a couple of recent trips. Enjoy 😉

[@AirOnTheWater]

@@geoffburke Thanks for the info! Name's Patrik - I'm based in Stockholm, Sweden, and enjoy kayaking in all kinds of waters, sometimes in a sea kayak, often in inflatable kayaks, ranging to high-performance fast sea-kayak-ish crafts to ultraportable ones. I've had awesome experiences both in quality sea kayaks and "mini kayaks" that I've brought traveling to other countries, as I have a "paddling in 100 cities" project. Will keep an eye on the channel. As I usually say, stay safe and happy paddles! /Patrik🙂

[@geoffburke]

@@AirOnTheWater Thanks again for your comments Patrik. You seem to have an interesting mix of craft which you enjoy and sounds like fun. My favourite aspect of sea kayaking is multiday trips to remote, uninhabited locations and where possible, with fast tidal waters to test my planning/navigation skills. Yes, absolutely 💯 stay safe and happy kayaking!!

[@AirOnTheWater]

@@geoffburke Yes, that can be an amazing experience and clearly as can be seen on your channel, you have access to some amazing locations. Great footage as well - I see some of it is in 4K60 even. All the best!

[@paulmartin5889]

Geoff are you paddling a Romany or Explorer?

[@geoffburke]

Hi Paul and thanks for watching. No, it's a North Shore Sea Kayaks 'Atlantic' a great kayak, ideal for multi-day trips, that feels part of me when paddling it...I love it!

[@davidpoots8362]

Brilliant, there is no greater pleasure than playing around the reefs 🛶🛶

[@geoffburke]

Thanks David, absolutely 💯 👍 I just get drawn into them and its so great testing your timing or dealing with the consequences 🤣🤣🤣👍

[@divum]

Dear Geoff, Can you recommend a VHF radio for sea kayaking? You look like a man that can advise me! Thanks - I'm loving the channel

[@geoffburke]

Many thanks Divum, I use a Cobra HH500 handheld with Bluetooth, lightweight, waterproof, floats and can be paired to your mobile phone. I've had mine around 7 - 8 years without any issues and only just replaced the lithium Iron battery around £34, can also be used with a AA battery pack and loose batteries for long expeditions without charge facilities. It does what it says on the tin 😃👍 marinestore.co.uk/cobra-hh500-vhf-floating-waterproof-handheld-marine-radio-bluetooth.html?gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwlJimBhAsEiwA1hrp5gWYl0Oi06uaKMxCTioX79aEGeFs5hxy8idgF24H43rlW8nXKBVDpxoC7mwQAvD_BwE

[@divum]

@@geoffburke Thanks so much.

[@geoffburke]

@@divum No problem, I hope you get something that suites your needs.