A dawn paddle
14th March 2022
Photographer Amy Bullock took her camera out on a paddle board to explore the Gyllyngvase coastline at dawn, with the help of the team at Wesup…
Image credit: Harvey Bentham
For Amy, capturing photographs on a familiar stretch of coast from a new perspective was something of an adventure: “Launching the boards out onto the bay as the sun was coming up, there was definitely a bit of anxiety and lots of excitement”
Meeting at Wesup HQ on Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth, just before dawn, Amy, stand-up paddle board novice Ellie, and Wesup Gylly director Harvey Bentham set out to capture on camera an exploration of Falmouth’s coastline.
“It’s always the best time to go out and get some photos,” says Amy. “The light makes everything look great, especially in Falmouth which gets such great sunrises.” Despite knowing the coastline well, seeing it from the water was a new experience:
“There’s lots of coves and little caves all around the coastline, especially as you go around to Pendennis. You can’t see any of this from up on the cliff; you wouldn’t know it was there.”
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Meet at first light and readying for launch, 06.30 Wesup, Gyllyngvase
The team warmed-up with board preparation, went through paddle techniques and how to enter the water, while watching some fellow early paddle boarders set-off across the glassy sea.
Paddles at the ready, 07.30
With fresh morning air, and the sun rising, it’s time to head into the glistening waters. A few more paddle lessons out on the water before exploring the coastline, from Gyllyngvase towards Castle Beach and beyond to the Pendennis headland.
Image credit: Harvey Bentham
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A SECRET STOP
A beach reached only from the water is perfect for a stop off, to brew a morning coffee and take a break in the sunshine. After collecting washed-up rubbish to dispose of safely and recycle, and a stone skimming competition, it’s time to paddle back to Gylly.
Return paddle, 10.00 to 11.30
With thoughts of why isn’t every morning filled with such a blissful sunrise activity, the team paddle into the headwind back to Gyllyngvase Beach, joined on the water by gig rowers and the odd inquisitive cormorant. Back at Wesup Gylly HQ, the beach is now a hive of activity as swimmers, walkers and paddle boarders make the most of the spring sunshine.
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