GeoKayaking: Coastal Exploration & Interpretation “Rock-hopping” – a joint GeoMôn and B-Active Rhoscolyn project
Aim of GeoKayaking: Coastal Exploration & Interpretation:
To offer Geological Interpretation of the Anglesey coast providing unique access to the geology from the perspective of the sea through the use of kayaks.
The Guided Coastal Walk will be led by an accredited GeoMôn Guide with additional input from the GeoMon team.
The Kayaking element will be led by Andy Short who is both a GeoMôn Guide and a Qualified Kayak Instructor with an AALA license to provide kayaking activities for young people. Kayak clothing and equipment will be provided by Andy Short, with additional equipment provided by Anglesey County Council where required.
Secondary school science / geography student are offered the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the local geology through a half-day guided coastal walk in Rhoscolyn providing an outdoor classroom learning interpretation of the theoretical geology covered as part of the GCSE curriculum. Geological processes such as plate tectonics, continental drift and glaciation were explored together with coastal erosion features using evidence from the landscape.
Pupils will then be offered the unique opportunity to explore the rocks at close quarters from the perspective of the sea by kayak giving an unparalleled view of a cross section through layers of rocks and the shaping of these rocks over millennia.
Introduction
This GeoKayaking: Coastal Exploration & Interpretation project has been running now for more than 8 years. Initially funded by the Ynys Môn Council AONB Team as a pilot, the Council have found ways to continue their commitment to the project under new funding streams, currently the Sustainable Development Fund. The project has evolved a little over the years but it looks to deliver outdoor learning to the Island’s children opening their eyes to the fascinating local geology.
The project’s key aims are to:
1. To improve the understanding of the geological history of Anglesey among local secondary school pupils.!
2. To enhance classroom-based learning of core national curriculum topics in Geography and Science such as plate tectonics, glaciation, and coastal erosion.!
3. To provide an opportunity for pupils to learn outside of the classroom providing context to learning.!
4. To provide an opportunity for pupils to experience an outdoor adventurous activity meeting outdoor activity objectives in the National Curriculum at Key Stages 3 & 4.
Delivery:
Four local schools accepted the offer and took part in the project in the year before Covid cancelled all activities. . All schools were offered 30 places.
The sessions were well received by the staff and pupils.
The guided walk sessions introduced the pulls to the field study of plate tectonics exploring the evidence for deformation events including the Caledonian orogeny which can be seen in the rocks of the Rhoscolyn anticline. We also identified evidence of glaciation and identified and described key coastal erosion features. The group were introduced to the three core rock types and identified examples of each in the pebbles on Rhoscolyn beach. We also identified coastal erosion features and discussed the process which had led to them.
During the kayak sessions the pupils were able to view a cross section of the geomorphology from the perspective of the sea and were able to identify different rock types from the information from the walk. They were also able to identify a geological fault and learned about the processes that led to its formation.
We were pleased to be able to provide the kayak session for Ysgol homes Jones in Amlwch to cut down on their travel time and to provide a longer kayaking experience. The weather wasn’t great on the day and the group spent most of their session confined to the Port limiting the amount of geology we could do on the day but great fun was had by all.
Feedback:
School 1
“Thank you for providing our pupils with some amazing learning experiences this week. They said that they’d had a great day yesterday and I look forward to working with you in future”.
School 2 :
“We were met at St.Gwenfaen’s Church, Rhoscolyn by Andy Short who led us along the short road towards the coastal path. We walked along the coastal path towards Bwa Du, a sea arch formed by coastal erosion, where Andy explained the processes that had created these coastal landforms. He also explained how sedimentary rocks were formed.
From here we walked back along the coastal path to Bwa Gwyn, and were told about the reasons for the difference in colour in the rocks. We also heard the story of the nearby gravestone of a dog called Tyger.
From this point we stopped at various stages where Andy explained how igneous rocks formed in Anglesey, and how metamorphic rocks were found here also.
After walking past Rhoscolyn Head, we stopped at St. Gwenfaen’s Well, and heard about the Rhoscolyn Anticline, and the role that the ice age had on the area.
Pupils were taken to see a small version of the anticline in the rocks on the cliff, in order to be able to visualise the processes undergone to form the headland.
After a brief stop at the coastguard lookout, we walked back down to Rhoscolyn beach, to have lunch.
A small group stayed to kayak in the afternoon, whilst the rest returned to school. We spent some time getting used to the kayaks and the paddling skills needed to manouevre accurately, and then Tom took us around the coast near Borthwen and Porth y Corwgl pointing out the rock formations, and also playing some kayaking games. One or two got a little wet, but we all had a lot of fun.
The next morning, Tom took the next group out kayaking. After getting used to the kayaks and paddles, we set out on an adventure towards Ynysoedd Gwylanod where we were fortunate enough to spot three Grey Seals, one of which was a huge bull seal in the sea very close to us. Amazing!
We returned to Borthwen feeling tired but exhilarated and glad to have been lucky to spot such fantastic animals along the way. Thanks to Andy and Tom at B-Active Rhoscolyn as usual for a fantastic experience. We shall be back next year!”
