Getting ready for a winter paddleA few people have paddled in the winter before but today our group was made up of 10 and that must be a record for the largest group yet to paddle on a Newfoundland winter's day. At this time last year it would have been just Stan and myself. We're pleased to have more people take advantage of winter's paddling opportunities.
Winter paddling means picking your day because its not prudent to paddle on some days we would if it was summer. Wind is the main concern because if there's a swimmer this time of year, a strong wind will bring hypothermia faster than you can say "roll". The wind cooperated but the sun didn't come out. That didn't dampen spirits.
We paddled from Conception Harbour to Colliers Point and stopped at Bacon Cove for a snack. The snack break didn't last long as some cooled down pretty fast and wanted to get going again. Back at Conception Harbour 3 of us did our obligatory rolls to cap the day with an exclamation mark.
Following are individual pictures, in alphabetical order, of each of todays hardy paddlers.
Clyde Clyde gets the dedicated paddler of the day award. Our start this morning was too early and we didn't think we'd see him on this day. He put in almost an hour after us and met us on our way back in.
Dean Dean paddling back to Conception Harbour in a bit of a breeze. This time last year he would have been home with his feet up wishing for spring paddling to start. Not so this year, now he's one of the hardcore winter paddlers.
Gerard Gerard making tracks for the soup zone behind the offshore rocks. Gerard, shouldn't you have been at work? *lol*
Neville Neville out for his first paddle of the new year. Neville also got a new waterproof camera from Santa so maybe he'll start a blog too?
Ralph That's a sweat looking boat you have there Ralph.
Robert Robert was in the shortest and widest boat on the water today but still did a great job to keep up with the rest of us.
Sean Sean trying out his new Greenland paddle. He's carved a couple and this one is a beaut. A cedar stick, sanded smooth and oiled to show the natural grain of the wood.
StanStan paddles along the cliffs made of slabs of rock tilted as if they were going to fall into the ocean.
Tobias Tobias enjoying Gerry's Tempest that he bought last fall.
An impressive turn out!
ReplyDelete10 certainly is a good turnout but that's about as high as I'd want to see a group this time of year. Resources could be stretched if there's more than 1 paddler needing assistance.
ReplyDeleteTony:-)
I agree with you there Tony. Considering I had the only "hypothermia kit" it certainly would be wise to have one other at least with that many, especially if groups get seperated. Better to err on the side of overkill than under especially in the winter. We had a great paddle and played it safe regardless. Nice shots.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that Tony. I would also like to add that other members of the group collectively had items such as a sleeping bag, tarp, rope, plastic cooking equipment etc. that would have worked just fine should we have been in a position to dry someone out. Most of us also carry spare dry clothes. Just makes the paddling a bit better and I am sure you agree.
ReplyDeleteStan
I agree with you completely Stan. I'm certainly guilty of being lax in this area but I'll be taking measures to get myself up to snuff. You set a good example.
ReplyDeleteTony :-)
A little UFI for you guys,A good thing for your pumps in graphite powder.used it up in NWT and nothing froze up on the equip I "lubricated" with it.
ReplyDelete