Going Mobile

Premonition

We met in Bay Bulls to decide upon a place along the Southern Shore where we hoped to see whales. We decided on Mobile and put-in in drizzle and fog. Even in the inner reaches of Mobile there was a bit of swell which meant it was probably rocking and rolling in the open ocean.

The swell increased in size

As we paddle east out of Mobile and towards the open ocean the swell gradually increased and violently crashed upon the rocks.

Sizeable swell

The swell was considerable but the long wavelength caused no problems for us until we reached Tinker Point and the open ocean. There the swell was heaving up into steep waves that broke well offshore in the shallow water off the point. It felt like paddling in a washing machine.

Dean rolling

Dean couldn't resist doing a roll.

Neville and Sean at Fox Island

We paddled around Fox Island and into relative calm. Huddling up we decided to paddle a bit further south to Ship Island where we knew we could get off the water for lunch.

Tobias and Dean reach Ship Island

As we reached Ship Island the sun was winning a battle with the fog as it started to brighten up.

Sun, glorious sun

We left Ship Island, our lunch stop, and paddled the short distance to Burnt Cove where the sun had burned through the fog and we had full, bright sunshine. The heat felt good on the face and hands but best of all, I could take the wiper blades off my glasses!

The Gut

We continued south to Bauline East where we reversed course to return to Mobile. Clyde, Tobias and Dean paddle through "The Gut" at Tors Cove. Its a shallow entrance to the cove between Fox Island on starboard and the mainland opposite. It was still sunny but it would revert to fog.

Returning to Mobile

The fog came back in after leaving Tors Cove and seas were large again once outside of the protection afforded by the islands of the bird sanctuary. I was in front as we entered Mobile and periodically looked back to check everyone's position. It was impressive looking back to see them appear and disappear behind walls of water.

We saw no whales, if that makes sense, because of the fog and the 2-3 meter swell but we had a very good paddle of 21 kms in interesting conditions typical of the exposed ocean along this shore. In spite of the fog I discovered I had been sunburned when I got home, go figure.

As for whales, they'll be around for a while yet and we'll have opportunities in the weeks to come.