Pétole & Paddle at Port Mer | Saint-Malo – Mont-Saint-Michel Bay

©SMBMSM - Paddle at Port Mer - Cancale (1)|©SMBSM

©SMBMSM - Paddle at Port Mer - Cancale (3)|©SMBSM

All the conditions are there!

Air temperature: 23° c
Water temperature: 19° c
Wind: 4 knots (or 8km/h for non-sailors!)

Complemented by beautiful sunshine, conditions are optimal for going out to hire paddles, heading for Port Mer!

The Centre Nautique de Cancale is hidden away to the right of the beach, as close as possible to the cliff. On site, we’re greeted by an instructor who briefs us before we get kitted out: keep our life jackets on, don’t go beyond the furthest line of anchorages (watch out for the Vieille Rivière channel and its currents!), how to handle the paddle, and that’s about it!

Paddling isn’t rocket science, at least on paper…

As for me, although I’m used to kayaking, this is only the second time I’ve climbed onto a paddle in my life.
Here it’s all about balance, and sheathing: a clever mix of bent knees, contracted abs-but not too much, and a bit of arm strength. If the first strokes of the paddle are timid and not too reassuring, the body quickly gets its bearings, and you can then enjoy the scenery!

An idyllic place

Beautiful blond sand,a peaceful, transparent sea, families playing on the beach, friends enjoying the terraces, boats floating to the rhythm of the swell, Port Mer plays with its charms, we are won over.

On the water we enjoy the moment, we go to the far left of the cove where the transparency of the water allows us to discern a few fish playing hide and seek in the seaweed before redirecting us at the end of our hour’s rental to the nautical centre. Before putting our paddles ashore to check the buoyancy of our lifejackets, we engage in a little naval battle where all blows are allowed!

The result, a good laugh and two people in the water. No winners this time, but a great afternoon on the water.