End of another year: Go for a paddle

Well it's the end of another year.

I checked out my work diary and realised that I could take the day off.

The forecast for today is hot northerly winds and blue sky so it was out for an early morning paddle in the entrance of Lake Illawarra. You can often get some great little waves coming through here which are perfect for a 2-300 metre run.

Today was no exception, though they had a tendency to get steep as they stood up against an outgoing tide. Made for some fun.

Getting ready for a good time

I have not used the GoPro much lately so I decided to take it as well.

A few times I got quite a bit of air paddling out through the waves, a few times smacked in the mouth by the waves. Each time this happened I hoped the water cleared from my eyes before the next one hit!

Heading out through the waves. 

I picked up some great runners and had a ball. Most of the time I was out I was by myself, with just the fishermen on the breakwater as spectators. Eventually I was joined by a couple of SUPs but I was pretty much spent by then.




The Thursday evening paddles in the wind and waves of Botany Bay are starting to show in my confidence and skill in the bump and slop. Still a long way to go, but I'm definitely improving

Go for it. 

The paddle back (about 1.8km) was still into the outgoing tide but it was peaceful and relaxing as I just picked a rhythm and enjoyed my surrounds.

All in all a great way to finish another year. Birthday tomorrow :)

Bridge to Beach

This was my first race on Sydney Harbour and the first time paddling across the Heads to Manly. The forecast was almost perfect so it was a great day to launch into it. Registration done, stickers on the boat and I'm ready to go.

Great turnout on a great day. All types of ski, kayaks and even rowing boats lining up. These events certainly are colourful.

Under the bridge was the normal choppy conditions with bounce back everywhere. One guy was paddling a boat made out of recycled bottles he collected from the harbour. I had a feeling most of them were going to end up back in the harbour. 

I stayed out of the mix for the start and managed to miss a couple of big pile up as boats got jammed up. 

Clearly there were a range of skills out on the water, from newbies (like me) to elite. A number of people had an unplanned swim, including one SUP paddler who came across in front on me, then fell in. I just missed him.

The conditions were probably quite tame. However the swell coming from the heads still kept me focused. I made it across the worst of it, and then within sight of the finish, fell in! I had a bit of an issue getting back on the ski, constantly falling off when the swell kept coming through.

Eventually I was back on and paddling to the finish. Actually, the 100m run along the beach to finish was the hardest part with my bad knee.

This is a great event so I plan to be back next year.

No more running - taking up a new sport - paddling an Ocean Surfski

So I've been grounded from running - severe patellofemoral osteoarthritis  of my right knee. An MRI has confirmed, bone on bone, no more Ironman races. Really disappointed, I was so looking foreward to racing Ironman Melbourne this year

Still coming to terms with this - though I am hoping that I will be able to race some shorter distances

Decided to do something left field and take up ocean surfskiing. Thought about an sea kayak, but ended up with a surfski

I went for a test paddle a couple of weeks ago with Mark from Expedition Kayaks on Botany Bay with a good NE'er blowing. Touchy craft. This is a great service they offer. Basically an hour and a half lesson in a couple of different skis, for no cost!

I tried the Think Ezy and the Epic V10 sports

Then I went for another test paddle with Owen as well on a perfectly still day

Short version of a long story - went with the V10 sport. It will stretch me to start, but then should be ok (I hope)

Today is my first solo paddle. On the Pittwater. Somewhere I am not familiar with, and of course I turned up with flat batteries in my camera.  There's lesson number 1

It was a great paddle, loved it, though whenever a boat passed, I was very unstable.

Finished with a smile on my face :)