Day 245, Saturday, 19.09.2009

 

It looked like a calm, quiet day inside the shelter of Geographe Bay…for sure I knew getting around Cape Naturaliste would be a different sort of game!

Wind forecast was low, under 10kn out of various directions, but still a 5m swell. It was ok and not too scary, as the ocean on top was calm(ish). The wind actually turned out to be around 15kn sw, headwinds for sure, and nothing about a very calm windless day…but it was not too bad. I made good progress, and as soon as the ugly rebound of the rocky Cape Naturaliste was gone, the approach to Canal Rocks sheltered bay was in sight already.

Canal Rocks, with the swell coming in fron the south western side

same rocks, minutes later

and another half minute later…

 

The swell flattened out in the bay, but as there was only a rocky beach and the concrete launching ramp was the only spot to land on, it was still a bit ugly in lowish waves with a loaded boat being by myself. I probably left a bit of white gelcoat on the ramp…

Canal Rocks is quite a touristical spot, with a wide parking lot, but no hidden campsite! I eventually found an almost levelled spot on the cobbles of the beach to the eastern side, even a bit sheltered from the view of the weekend tourists.

But not hidden enough to be found later by Laurie and Sonia and their three kids, my Busselton contact! Nice to see them again! They have been camping one night out there to celebrate their son’s birthday.

I felt a bit guilty about not have kept on going on that low wind day, but locals didn’t recommend to land at Gracetown, the next sheltered landing spot on swell higher than 4m. I can’t tell if this was really right on that day. What I saw coming through the canals of Canal Rocks on 5m swell was actually quite some water force…

 

Text message from Freya:

33.40 114.59, Canal Rocks. 25 km, 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. An easy paddle on flatish seas on top of big swell. Some rainsqualls with stronger SW headwinds. Tempted to keep on going, but no recommended landing at Gracetown in 5-meter SW swell. Landed on concrete launching ramp, campsite on cobblestones. Canal Rocks in 5-meter swell very impressive! (from the dry top…)

6 comments on “Day 245, Saturday, 19.09.2009

Shorty

Freya, i am the same as Narelle,,go outside and its blowing a gale ,cold and wet etc,,i just can’t imagine being out in a kayak in this weather let alone some of the most dangerous coastline in the world and knowing the toughest part of the journey is coming up i think i better stop whingeing and put up with it.

Take care,,

Philou

Bonjour Freya, mon anglais est trop pauvre pour vous dire mon respect devant votre navigation. Votre Navigation va marquer l’histoire du kayak de mer, il reste encore des km avant l’arrivée mais vous avez déjà remporté de grandes victoires.
Bon courage pour la suite, et un grand merci pour cette fenêtre ouverte dans notre quotidien, si vous avez des difficultés, n’oubliez pas que beaucoup aimeraient être à votre place, pour vivre aussi intensément que vous.
Bien cordialement
Philou

traduit avec reverso ne pas rire svp :
Hello Freya, my English is so broken to say to you my respect in front of your navigation.
Your Navigation is going to mark the history(story) of the sea kayak, he(it) still stays km before the arrival but you have already taken away(already gained) big victories.
Good luck (courage) for the continuation(suite), and thank’s you for this window opened in our everyday life(daily paper), if you have difficulties, do not forget that many people would like to be on your place(square), to live so intensely as you.
Very cordially Philou

Narelle

Hi Freya,
I hope you are doing well and are feeling good.You’ve made great progress considering this nasty weather.
I was complaining today as this rainy windy weather in Perth is giving me the shits, but I remembered your fantastic odyssey and I reprimanded myself for being such a wuss. You go girl!
from one very inspired fan, lots of luck and wishes, Narelle.

5 Metre swell too big to mess with says I.
Imagine the surf it could generate.
Keep slogging the blog it will be a memory aid when it comes to reprising your travels.

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