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.

Ocean paddling

Getting ready in Ferryland

On Sunday Des, Malcolm and I completed a 10 nautical mile open ocean paddle from Ferryland to Bauline East on the east coast of the Avalon Peninsula. The east coast has world class open ocean paddling. There is nothing but ocean east of of here all the way to Ireland; nothing to stand in the way of swell generated in the north Atlantic. The marine forecast was for 1 - 2 metre swell and 15 knot SW winds. We would be paddling north into the swell and have the wind behinds us on our left shoulder.

Leaving Ferryland

Malcolm and Des paddle out of Ferryland heading for Stone Islands in the mouth of Calvert Bay, north of Ferryland. We had prearranged to huddle up there to check if conditions were suitable to carry on with our planned paddle. The conditions there would be indicative of the rest of the paddle.

Malcolm approaching Cape Broyle Head

We were protected from the SW winds by the cliffs. Approaching Cape Broyle Head we knew that we would soon lose the protection and be fully in the wind as it blew out of Cape Broyle harbour. We crossed the mouth of Cape Broyle with the wind on our port stern quarter and some waves washing over the deck. It was a good but manageable ride.

Malcolm explained the protection afforded by cliffs. The wind shadow under cliffs extends out 30 times the height of a cliff. So, a 200 foot cliff gives protection from the full force of the wind up to just over a mile offshore.

Des and Malcolm in LaManche Bay

Last Sunday Stan and I paddled south from Tors Cove to LaManche. We had paddled along the coast.

Today we approached LaManche paddling north and much farther offshore. In the shadow of Cape Neddick we had a short respite from the wind before we crossed LaManche Bay in the open making a bee-line for Bauline Head. As the cove at LaManche opened up we could see the suspension bridge where Stan and I had been the previous week.

Des paddling into Bauline East

Des and I had slowed down to chat as we got more protection under the cliffs from the wind as we passed Bauline Head. We almost missed our take-out in Bauline East. As we paddled into the cove I suggested we tell Malcolm the reason for our tardiness was because we had paddled around the outside of Great Island.

Taking the kayaks out at Bauline East

Bauline East was the planned take-out at the end of our 10 NM paddle. Malcolm was already on the beach when Des and I paddled into the cove. He had sped ahead while Des and myself slowed down to chat. As we chatted we discovered a bit of a link - his mother and my sister were good friends in his hometown. I had heard my sister speak of her but never put two and two together. Its a small world indeed.

After our paddle we had a 30 minute run back to Ferryland to pick up the shuttled vehicle, load the boats and congratulate each other on a fine paddle.