What happens when you a call from an old friend you haven’t spoken to in a while? Well on a recent overcast day in Yarmouth, I had the opportunity to meet up with my experienced kayaking mate and use my drone to capture the experience. The lack of wind made for calm waters and enjoyable kayaking conditions. I grabbed my kit and camera and went to meet him and his pals crossing over from the mainland to the Island.
Not managing to catch up in ages and now both working for separate companies, my friend had seen a few of the amateur videos and photos I had posted on Instagram and website. We had a good chat about opportunities to work together to get some footage of him and his crew, out on the water and so this was to be one of the first.
To be fair anything which gets my out and flying the drone recently, takes priority over other plans! Turns out my my mate also has a drone but was quite apprehensive about flying out at sea. Even though I have flown may times over water, there is always a huge feeling of anxiety incase something happens an for good reason. A pretty expensive kit which will not fair well in deep water and once it, you’re never getting it back. There is also the issue of getting the drone to return to you while moving. The drone does have the ability to return to an updated location but handling sensitive electronics while wet or out in the open water would prove risky. So, I’m a bit more of a risk taker, especially if it means I can get good photos and videos and Kayaking provides an excellent opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the Isle of Wight. As they paddled along the coastline, I was able to get up close and personal with the wildlife in the area while maintaining distance enough so not to disturb nesting birds etc.
Clearly though, whether kayaking or using a drone ensure you carry our all safety checks and consider the surrounding environment. Before launching a kayak, it’s essential to ensure you have all the necessary equipment and safety gear. Not being an experienced kayaker myself I can’t give any advice but there are plenty of good blogs and websites which can steer you in the right direction. One I have found for novices and experts is with ‘Gone Kayaking.’ They have a YouTube channel which is bright, informative and has all you need and more including some excellent locations to paddle. Link below:
Remember: Whether using a kayak or drone it’s important to check the weather conditions and any regulations on flying drones in the area before starting
The route taken by the group started near Milford on Sea, where they would paddle toward Hurst Castle, past Spithead, crossing the Solent and make their way up the Eastern Yar river from Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight.
After entering and following up the Yar river, this narrows to a point where the group then had to transit the Kayaks to Freshwater bay, a 30 min walk after setting up the wheels. They would then follow the coast around the Southern tip of the Island and head though the Needles and back along the Northern coast before crossing back to the mainland.
By the time I got to Freshwater I was just in time to see them paddle under the bridge. I got parked up and followed them up river.
The day was rather cloudy but perfect weather for Kayaking. The water was smooth and there was hardly any chop in the sea. I managed to get 10 mins flight before the tree line started to affect reception and by this time I also was considering the battery life. Typically I get 30 mins flight from each of the 3 batteries as long as I am not flying in a strong head wind, so I was hopeful of getting pretty decent footage.
The calm waters of Yarmouth provided a serene setting for the kayaking adventure. As they paddled, the drone followed from above, capturing the stunning scenery.
Typically thinking this would take them a good hour I decided to ‘chill’ in the car at Highdown before thinking I cold then dispatch the drone over the cliff but no sooner than I started getting the equipment set up, I heard that the guys were already nearing the Needles at the Westernmost tip of he Island and so it was a mad dash back to the car an on to Alum Bay.
I frantically got the drone setup again this time and at max speed shot over to the Needles just in time to seem them come through the tail end by the light house.
The DJI 3 is great for capturing aerial footage due to its compact size, lightweight design, and high-quality camera capabilities. It’s easy to transport and maneuver, making it ideal for getting shots of the kayaks on the water.
I tried to shoot from multiple angles and perspectives to add variety and interest to the footage. I captured shots of the kayaks from above, behind, and beside them to showcase different aspects of their movement and surroundings. You can see some decent detail of the cliffs around Alum Bay including the beautifully coloured sands for which they are famous for. Similarly, the Eastern Yar looked almost foreign as if in a different area on the world with the smooth green waters.
Getting back I turned my hand to editing and while I am novice at this also, the final cut didn’t seem too bad. I was even able to edit and refine the footage with a decent soundtrack which I found on a royalty free website which polished it up a little more.
I’m always interested in new music and upcoming artists and I was impressed by the EDM (Electronic Dance Music) I found: Nightlapse by Arthur Vyncke, who also can be found on Soundcloud (thanks Arthur):
Overall, kayaking on the Isle of Wight and using a drone to capture the experience is a must-try for any outdoor enthusiast. The serene waters of Yarmouth provide the perfect setting for a peaceful paddle.
Using a drone to capture the experience adds a new dimension to any outing. The drone provided an aerial perspective that would not have been possible to achieve otherwise. The shots captured by the drone were breathtaking, and they offered a unique perspective of the coastline and surrounding areas and no doubt will be used again soon to showcase new and old experiences.