Day 321, Friday, 04.12.2009

(Picture by Rose Fletcher)

Launching time was set for about 6am, so we had to get up at 5am to arrange the last bits and pieces I’d take with me on the boat.

The forecast was fortunately for light quartering headwinds, breezing up to under 15 kn in the afternoon. It was the same for the next three days, with a swell remaining under 2 m. This sounded like I would be able to pass the dreaded Coorong beach within three normal paddling days of 65 to 70 km each. My boat was empty again, and the surf we watched on yesterday’s strong 15-20 kn onshore winds was not too violent looking with 2 m swells. It could only be better today! I had to go through the surf, or opting for an overnight paddle which sounded not too attractive for me in any way.

 

I was launching easily, filmed by the TV crew, and escorted by Steve, a local paddler. Another paddler, Laurie, was waiting a bit offshore, and we were three boats heading out into the rising sun that morning. They left me after one hour, and I kept my bearing directly towards a point on the beach, about 60 km in distance. If all went well, I may add another 10 km or such before I had to get ready for landing through the dreaded surf lines!

I was in mobile phone contact with Greg all day. He was able to drive overland to 42 miles crossing, and then to drive on the beach towards our meeting point with not much trouble. Glad we had the 4-wheel drive van! So my landing would be monitored by my partner, and he’d be there just in case…

Paul Caffyn 27 years ago was on his own, and had trouble next day to launch again through obviously bigger surf. He eventually bailed out on three unsuccessful attempts, and had to give up tiredly for that day, his hands bloody from clinging to the deck lines.

I decided to go in, after some fat swell was through, in a diagonal line, watching over my right shoulder what was coming in behind me and where it was breaking. I was lucky with my landing, could avoid some mayor breakers, had to broach only three times in a wet high brace closer to shore, and then I was high and dry on the beach! Looking back into the surf lines, they were looking as if I could handle them on going out tomorrow morning. A good feeling…

 

Text message from Freya:

35.51  139.19 Coorong Beach, Needles Island level. 70 km, 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
I had an escort of two local paddlers out of Port Elliott for an hour, then I was on my own again. Quite boring paddling way offshore, nearing eventually the threatening surf landing. But Greg was able to drive on the beach, easing my mind via VHF radio. He has seen me landing in bigger and more messy surf, and so it was. It went actually well with three wet broaches, but no capsize. Glad to be safe on the beach!

2 comments on “Day 321, Friday, 04.12.2009

Chuck H

FP: There have been at least a couple that I can recall: One was at the end of August: see: http://qajaqunderground.com/2009/09/01/day-226-monday-31082009/
Some days later, Freya had a really rough time in surf while paddling between Wedge Island and Lancelin. Blog referrs to rolls a couple of times, though I’m not sure quite what is meant. See: http://qajaqunderground.com/2009/09/07/day-232-sunday-05092009/.
In both cases, Freya turned the experience(s) into good teaching moments for the general benefit of sea kayakers. Time spend reading these will be well spent!
Actually, as with your own blog, it’s worth going back to the beginning of Freya’s journey and methodically mining her blog for gems of wisdom and good advice. There’s plenty of both to be had.

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