RuckRaft Weekender
Exploring, that’s what the RuckRaft is all about. Since its launch we’ve been looking at new routes to try and special events to host.
We knew exactly what we wanted them to look like; rough and ready, self-supported, no egos, just a great group of people getting together to discover new terrain followed by a trip to the pub. We thought we might be asking too much, but then we gave it a go.
A picture paints a thousand words, so check out our galleries below to see our adventure in full.
The RuckRaft retreat is hosted by ex British Army Commando Nigel Jenkins, a man who knows the land and water around Dartmoor like the back of his hand. Our base was a secluded woodland campsite, completely off-grid, no phone signal - utter bliss and complete with campfire and wood fired warm showers.
On Friday evening our group met and set up camp; Nigel briefed us round the campfire on the days ahead.
DAY 1: HOPE COVE TO BURGH ISLAND
Hope Cove does what it says on the tin, the coastal path along this area of Devon runs high above the water along cliff edges before dropping down into coves and beaches - Hope Cove is one of these and where we started with a short warm up swim out through some gullies.
From Hope Cove we hiked up and round the headland to South Milton where we launched our RuckRafts into the sea for a longer swim. The water was perfect - still, clear and tepid and we were blessed with great weather too. We swam through an arch further out in the water and continued further along the coastline, taking all our gear with us thanks to the RuckRaft.
On foot we carried on along the coastal path then cut inland to the river Avon. Timed perfectly for the outgoing tide and a swim back down the famous Bantham Swoosh (one of the Outdoor Swimming Society’s signature events). Then on to Burgh Island and the iconic Pilchard Inn for a well deserved beer or two.
The evening was warm showers and a fish and chip supper round the campfire.
DAY 2: BURGH ISLAND AND NOSS MAYO
Nigel had the camp bugle out at 6.30am to make the tide for a swim around the back of Burgh Island. It was a mile or so around the island but at the back are rocks, gullies and lots to look at in the beautiful clear water. We even found a hidden arch to dive down to and swim through.
The afternoon was a surprise, and a great one at that. We headed west to the small village of Noss Mayo and hiked down a track to an estuary off the Yealm river. Jumping in, again getting the tide right (incoming), we started our swim across the estuary.
Half way across we spotted movement on the sea floor - a carpet of huge spider crabs (check out the pictures).
Scrambling up and over the land we entered the Yealm again at the ferry point (who needs a ferry when you have a RuckRaft?) We swam 3km with the incoming tide, right up to the front door of The Swan pub. They had lunch and a drink ready for us on arrival, the perfect end to a fantastic weekend.
We love it when a plan comes together.
Don’t just have to take our word it - here’s just some of the feedback from the weekend:
“The whole ethos of the weekend - the gentle, curious and playful exploring along the coast with good people was just magic. ”
“I had a fantastic weekend. A well organised but relaxed experience. The local knowledge and connections were great, as were the swimming and hiking routes. The atmosphere was always fun and inclusive to whatever your experience of outdoor swimming”
“Nigel, you were a total star - thanks for planning such great days for us. Best weekend I’ve had in a long time - finding it hard to adjust to normal life again. I can still smell wood smoke on my gear and wish I could have had a few more days.”
“Thanks to everyone but in particular for all the hard work organising it so that everything ran so seamlessly. It was all perfect. I want to do it all over again!”
“it was awesome from start to finish - a magical stolen weekend away from the chaos! Loved every second of it - dipping in the Ice-cold stream, floating in the crystal-clear sea and the impressive engineering behind those hot showers.”
“My body and mind are both craving a lot more of that - great chats, real adventure, challenges I would never do on my own and the beautiful underwater world and countryside.”