The Long Day

The southerly hit just as we paddled through the gap between the Tollgate Islands. There was a slight tickle of wind, and Doug said “here comes the southerly,” next minute it was 18 to 20 knots. It was the end of our long training day. We were meant to get off the beach at 7 am but I had a terrible nights sleep and felt like the walking dead when I woke up. A couple of hits of coffee later and I suggested we go as far as Burrewarra Point and see how we felt – really how I felt as Doug felt fine. It’s always a good idea to get started, often the crux of any trip is just getting started.

PC: DB

We were at Burrewarra Point at 9.15 am so we kept paddling turning west into Barlings Beach. Region X was out with some punters in plastic kayaks heading east to Burrewarra Point but we saw them later on a beach inside the point so I don’t know if they made it. We turned around at Barlings Beach and paddled north to the little bay on the north side of Pretty Point for a break. On the long days, I like my first break to be after the half way mark. That way it all feels like a downhill glide.

PC: DB

From Pretty Point I suggested we go out to Black Rock and on to the Tollgate Islands. My watch had died because I forgot to charge the battery so I did not know how far we had paddled but heading home via Black Rock and the Tollgate Islands would add some kilometres. And here we are with a strong southerly blowing nearly four kilometres off-shore but otherwise close to the end of the days training.

PC: DB

We could see our home bay but aimed off to the south so we didn’t get blown past our destination. I was glad I had buckled my hat on before we left the Tollgate Islands as it was definitely a blow your hat off kind of day and I took a few waves across the deck. About a half a kilometre out we turned and ran with the wind into our home bay. I think we were a bit slower than normal, there is definitely a north-south current running along the coast right now, but we did 34 kilometres in just over 5 hours so that’s certainly reasonable. Especially when you wake up feeling like flattened veal. My apologies to the vegans.