Paddle Report

We could see water turbulences and swirls around our little cove. The water bubbled up and moved in mysterious circles. Concerned faces peered deeply into the blue watching the water move. We looked on waiting to see a shadowy shape appear. What was lurking! Should we really be paddling here? We had only just taken to the water and the adventure of the ocean was soon upon us……………..

Most of the group arrived early. It showed their keenness or had they misjudged the driving time to get here. It wasn't long before 7 new paddlers to the ocean environment were ready to get into it. Most of the boats used were Geckos, with a Southern Aurora, a Salamander and a Storm filling in the other positions. The group consisted of all males, Tony Chounding (whitewater extraordinaire!), Brad Bell, Robyn Broomhill, Mario Tornatore, Charlie Thomas, Ron Gordon, and Steve Benson and of course Guy and myself.

Every one was familiar with their kayak, however we spent the first few minutes trying the different ways of entering the boat. There is no one way to do things in the ocean. The launching and landing locations along a coastline differ enormously. Being prepared for all eventualities is the key for safe entries and exits.

The swirls and mysterious water movements started as soon as we left the safety of shore. It was quite exciting following the disturbances and splashes around our cove, but I'm sure it was a relief when a fin and then the body of a dolphin later surfaced.

We moved on from one skill to another. The group members were at various stages of their learning but all developed quickly. Some became a little tentative when we started doing the support strokes, especially the high one. Even knowing the splashes in the water were dolphins, no one was keen to fall over.

When all the paddlers had mastered the basic skills, it was time to move to another location to practise our deep water rescue skills. As we moved towards another beach a few hundred metres further, dolphins circled us again. The group became more interested in the dolphins than the thought of capsizing but it soon became time to get wet.

The sun radiated little heat, due to the clouds hovering across the sky. I was cold, just thinking about my deep water rescue demonstration. A dip in the water with my hand verified my concern. I capsized, pulled my deck and rolled out of the cockpit and held onto my boat until Guy came to assist. A few metres away the water swirled and splashed, but I'm sure they were dolphins!

With the help of Guy, holding my boat, I leaped up and across the kayak and re entered it. With the demonstration over, it was now the groups turn to get wet.

There were some glum faces; was it the cold water or the uncertainty of the capsize?

One by one the group turned over and without the help of the shallows, they attempted to re-enter their boats with the assistance of a partner. For all but one, it was their first time at doing a deep water kayak re-entry. Safety at sea depends on being able to re-enter the boat and the sooner the paddler is out of the water, the less likely they are to suffer from hypothermia.

With this exercise team work was essential. The lack of focus on the rescuer's behalf could lead to the capsized paddler developing hypothermia and tireness. If the capsized paddler lets the boat go, he/she could be swept away. Then there's the consequence of a paddler who is unable to re-enter the boat. They may be too tired, too unfit or not flexible enough. Then what would happen? It doesn't bear thinking about, but ones thing for sure its very important that every paddler who goes to sea can perform a deep water re-entry.

The group was having fun despite the chilled water. Although most lacked elegance it didn't stop them from succeeding at their mission. When everyone completed the assisted rescues they tried self rescues. The policy of keeping a low profile to aid stability when getting back in to the boat wasn't always followed. I watched Tony attempting a self rescue with aid of a paddle float. He wrapped he wiry long legs high across the boat like a contortionist. His balance was astounding and to my surprise his unorthodox method worked. Robyn was also getting right into it. He improvised by re-entering his boat with the help of a PFD strapped to his paddle. With this exercise completed, it meant that I was now confident to take the group out into the open ocean.

It was a little early for lunch but everyone welcomed the break. The last part had been tiring and it gave us time to warm up and to fill our bellies with food.

The afternoon started with the dolphins leading us out of the harbour. They were then lost as we entered the choppy waters after the shelter of the groyne.

As Mario had to leave and go to work, we escorted him to the beach on the western side of the harbour. The water had ruffled considerably, giving the group their first taste of an uneven sea. Mario said, it was the roughest water he had ever paddled, hence his quick beeline, no holes barred approach towards beach.

We landed one by one on the small surf, all trying to do it with skill and finesse. I noticed it didn't quite work out for some, as they were pushed sideways and out of control. It looked more exciting though. We had a short stop to send the relieved Mario on his way to work, who upon landing, said he felt much happier.

As we prepared to launch, and the huge 30 cms waves crashed down, nerves were rattling. Out in the blue, dolphins returned to escort us along the coast. It was just one of those days when the dolphins were always there. You know what its like, they either startle you and make you jump, or make you feel all gooey and weak at the knees because of the beautiful sight.

The wind was increasing, but conditions were still manageable and at sometimes testing. To add some work load into the paddling I challenge the group to learn the art of towing. Again this skill will always be needed. There will be at least once in your sea kayaking career when you or you buddy will either be sick, tired or even injured.

They took on the challenge in pairs. For the tower there was an increased workload, but far less than they all expected, in fact they cruised on with little effort, however they did admit that if they had to tow for more than ten minutes they might tire a little. As every paddler got a shot, I increased the towed paddlers to two, just to add some realism. Then increased the towers to two. When using ropes with any exercise needs care to avoid snagging and to the credit of our group no one ended up in a tangled mess. I'm sure the dolphins watching had some weird thoughts though.

So by the time we paddled west to the next rocky groyne it was time to raft up again, have a briefing and then high tail it home. But before we all peeled away from our raft position, Guy said, "is that a submarine over there"? We all peered west and for a moment it looked as if there was a huge toilet cruising along the channel, but in fact it was the submarines conning tower. We looked on, its bow and stern was breaking the surface. The sight gave me the need to paddle off and chase it. Unfortunately it was going too fast to even consider it. I wonder where it was going!

With the job of 'tail end Charlie' (the person bringing up the rear) now going to Tony, as Charlie had had his turn, we made a bee line for the harbour entrance. With the wind blowing from the south west, and our route heading in a more easterly direction, it wasn't quite as easy as it looked, as Brad, who had done the least kayaking was finding out.

By this stage Guy hadn't taken to the water. By giving instructions from his boat all day had meant that he had kept him-self nice and dry, however in our group meeting near the groyne we agreed that someone should surprisingly capsize on the way home, so the group could tackle a deep water rescue when they were least expecting it. In the meantime though, Ron quietly volunteered to get wet again, which he did bravely, some ten minutes later letting Guy off the hook and loosing a spectacle lens in the process. I'm sure Guy should pay for it Ron.

The rescue was executed beautifully by the team at the back. The leaders waited for all to catch up before leading us again across a bouncy rough sea that offered us a few chances to surf back to the calm of harbour.

As we paddled those last few hundred metres, power boats and pelicans followed us in. At the jetties and close to our final beach landing, three pelicans stood on the uprights. It was a fitting finish to our paddle.

By Terry Bolland