Hi Pam,

It is not so much drought that has stopped fresh water flow into the Coorong as decades of misuse by humans upstream. Successive governments (voted in by the Australian public) in Queensland, NSW and Victoria have over allocated water from the Murray River to irrigators and interrupted flow with barrages. The icing on the cake is that cotton and rice irrigation has been allowed in the Murray Darling Basin. These are massive properties, some with fresh water storage capacity equal to Sydney Harbour. The result? A highly saline Coorong (salt levels four times that of the ocean), a RAMSAR site lost, and the death of countless local and migratory birds, fish and turtles.

But for paddling, I assume Freya is on the Southern side of the dune system not in the Coorong proper. The problem is landing on that exposed beach as it has such a sharp drop off hence the dumping waves and there are many rips. As it is now Sunday here, I am thinking she’ll be safely through it by now anyway.

From what I can peek from Google Earth, the biggest issue with the Coorong is getting on and off the beaches. It’s a long stretch of beach with 5-10 lines of swell, waves, or breakers, depending on weather, running parallel to it. So let hope Freya can avoid another “washing machine” experience and safely get on and off the beach.
Well done for crossing the last gulfs of open sea and good luck for the home run now. just don’t get complacent. Oh, and welcome back Greg!
Hope you all have fun

Pam, behind the long beach of the Coorong is a long wetland, which unfortunately is at present suffering badly from seriously reduced water flow. In places it has dried up completely. At its best the Coorong is a superb tidal wetland, home to millions of birds…a very beautiful and unusual ecosystem, and when filled with water, a splendid place to paddle, on flat water, parallel to the beaches. The beaches can be reached by simply walking over the dunes.

As for paddling hazards, the beaches along there are very exposed, no cliffs or other sheltering features, and wind and waves can be a difficulty. So can the mosquitoes, but apart from their overly friendly presence, the beaches and dunes are splendid for camping.

That’s the short description, to try to describe the area better would require far too many words, but perhaps this will give you a picture…

I will add our thanks to Christina’s, Freya. Everyone who attended Thursday night’s talk would have been conscious of the effort that it took after such an arduous last 3 days, with so little sleep. Despite that your talk was informative, honest and funny – and there are 70 South Australian sea kayakers who will always remember that we saw Freya on her epic voyage around Australia. Knowing our coastline as we do, your daily objectives and distances covered since leaving Marion Bay are just astounding. We all hope you gather strength with every kilometre closer to Queenscliff.

Cheers
Mark & Lyn Deuter

Dear Freya,

Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to South Australian sea paddlers in Victor Harbor last night. To say you have inspired me is somewhat of an understatement. I hope you realise just how much hope and energy you give to others by telling your story, especially to women sea paddlers. I am less scared, about many things, since meeting you. And I will remember the ‘survival mode’ mantra! Safe paddling along our beloved Coorong. It will look after you. We know you are tired, but you are almost there! Enjoy the last days of this extraordinary achievement. Very many thanks again,
Christina Jarvis