High over Greenland

a

A week ago

There's a high pressure system stuck over Greenland.  Its keeping a low pressure system in place over the Avalon Peninsula.  The rotation in the high and the low is flowing cold air from a northerly direction over us.  Today, accompanied by drizzle.  As a consequence there aren't too many interested in paddling.

Days like this I sustain myself with other activities and think about other days when it was a pleasure to paddle.  Some of those days came to mind this morning when I met Stan for a coffee.  Talking kayaking with him I think has gotten his juices flowing again.  I hope so.  There's always next weekend.

Sunday drivers

A little action

Have you ever gotten behind someone out for a Sunday drive?  They are out sightseeing and you have somewhere to go.

I'm beginning to believe a lot of paddlers are just Sunday drivers.  Most are just fair weather paddlers who are only interested in sunny day, flat water kayaking.  The evidence is Thursday evening practice attendance.  We only had three.

A gentle swell from the north and high water made the rocks at the south end of the cove ideal for some washing machine practice.  The swell washed over the rocks and swirled around in the space behind and pushed us around.  An ideal spot to get used to or brush up on good boat control in agitated water.

Another spot

After a bit the three of us decided to paddle up the coast because it looked like no one else was going to show up.  There were more places where the swell crashed over the rocks and we were happy to take advantage of the conditions.

The more you do this the more adept you become.  Its not just paddling in agitated waters but also practicing to read the waves, how the water reacts in different configurations of rocks and patience to sit and evaluate before rushing in headlong.

Sean named this the G-spot *lol* ... this is where Gerard went over, wet exited and got tossed around a couple of years ago.

Far enough

At Beachy Cove we stopped for a chat and decided we'd gone far enough and retraced our steps.

A few of the regulars missed last evening but still there aren't any new paddlers coming out to these practices.  Maybe, and hopefully, they are doing their thing in their own way.  Be great to see them sometime to share in their experience.

Faster than the speed of life

Settling in

Pete was the only person to show up in Torbay for a paddle to the community of Flatrock.  That was a surprise because usually its not hard to get at least a few more people together.  Anyway, that was fine and by 10:00 Pete and I settled into our boats and headed north.

In the shade

It was tranquil when we left Torbay as we paddled under the protective cliffs that sheltered us from the NW winds.  It didn't last long as the wind turned into our faces.  We ducked into little coves to avoid the wind where possible.

The bright sunshine gave a false colour to the back slates of the St. John's Formation.

In the swell

Pete waited for his chance to bolt through the space between the cliff face and the offshore rock.  Waiting, waiting ...

And through

... and through.  I waited for my chance but I went round so as not to let too much distance get between us as Pete went on.

Sandstones

As suddenly as Pete got through the opening, the rocks changed from black slates to the reddish sandstones and conglomerates of the Signal Hill Formation.

Inside passage

Nearing Flatrock the winds dropped unexpectedly as we paddled in this protected channel.

Flatrock

The water got just a little lumpy as we rounded Flatrock Point and entered Flatrock harbour to have lunch.

 Stained

After washing down our sandwiches we were back in the boats in anticipation of the wind bowing us back to Torbay.  We got our bows pointing south with the bird dropping stained cliffs to starboard and the ride began.

Entering Torbay

We both got some nice surf rides.  When the bow digs in and water washes up the foredeck and onto the spray skirt you know you got a good ride going.  The GPS confirmed it.  Our fastest speed in front of the wind was 15.8 kms/hr (8.7 knots).  We covered the 6 kilometers in 45 minutes for a thrilling ride of 8 kms/hr average.

We had a little bit of work paddling into the wind but were rewarded on the return leg.  Excellent paddle Pete and thanks.

Reasons

On a great evening

The most regular crew was on hand again last night for our Thursday evening practice: Dean, Neville, Sean and myself.  We were joined by Hazen for a group of five, down from a usual group of 8 - 10.

It was perfect.  It was blowing hard all day as the sea was stirred up into a frenzy.  Then the wind dropped but the wave train kept on a coming.

Familiar faces and pleasant conditions, two good reasons to get out for a couple of hours.  But really, any reason or excuse will do.

Something to look forward to

Just hanging out

Tomorrow is Thursday and with that comes our weekly practice session.  I still have shoulder issues but I'm really looking forward to it.  You see, Thursday evening is not necessarily all business but it also has a social aspect.  Even if I'm limited with how much "work" I can do, I enjoy seeing the regular gang and hope to see new faces.

As stubborn as a mule

Dean catching a mini-surf

One thing I know about myself is that I'm mule headed, as stubborn as its possible to be.

My shoulder was starting to feel like it was on the mend after three weeks.  I thought I'd roll the dice and take advantage of the waves on Saturday.  Big mistake.  The effort to get onto the waves was a bit too much for the shoulder and I'm back at square one.

Looks like I'm going to be a fair weather paddler for a while.  Otherwise paddling this summer will be at risk.  It sucks but it is what it is.

When I was a boy ...

Familiar face

When I was a boy, in the winter, I spent hours walking uphill with my toboggan just so I could race it downhill.  It was great fun.

Today, many years later, it felt like nothing much has changed.  Only the ride.

The forecast for today was west winds 20 - 30 knots.  Dean and I met to spend a couple of hours paddling into the wind, out into the bigger waves and surf them back in.  It was just as much fun as those of so many years ago.

I may be more mature (though that may be questionable) but I'd be pleased if I'd be forever the boy inside the man.