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.

Into the great wide open

Split shot

Today a group of 5 of us paddled from Ferryland to Port Kerwin. It was a beautiful fall day. The road down the Southern Shore was ablaze in fall colours and I hit on the idea of taking a shot out the front windshield of the road ahead. Doing so I also caught myself in the rearview mirror which I thought gave an interesting picture. A little madcap; it was just the anticipation of a fall paddle and the hope of seeing the coast ablaze in the same colours.

Pete couldn't resist doing a bit of rock hopping

Leaving Ferryland it was calm but the marine forecast promised more. The whole coast was being hammered by the sizeable swell coming in from the North Atlantic. Pete did a bit of rock hopping before we swung to the left and further out. Sue commented she was going to tell Brenda ... no need to now Sue! Very impressive Pete. I'll wait another year before I try this with my new boat.

Brian approaching Aquaforte harbour

The slate grey rocks of the St. John's formation were our company all the way down the coast from Ferryland.

Brian and Pete with Spurwink Island in the background

We had to cross over the mouth of Aquaforte harbour on our way to Port Kerwin from Ferryland. Its not far but I was surprised how fast we had reached Aquaforte.

Sue and Dean cross the mouth of Aquaforte harbour

About a month ago we did a Kayak Newfoundland and Labrador Club paddle from the bottom of Aquaforte harbour out to and around Spurwink Island (above Dean in the yellw boat). We looked into the harbour at the falls and commented they had really swollen in the last month.

Dean, Sue and Brian looking "swell"

Paddling from Ferryland to Port Kerwin we were in the great wide open North Atlantic, to port was Ireland. The marine forecast was for swell of 2 - 3 metres and it was for the most part. Occasionally, the swell picked me up and took me to the fifth floor. I find it often difficult to capture the size of the swell in a picture.

We stayed offshore a considerable amount but the rebounding waves still reached us to make it interesting. Interesting also taking pictures while maintaining my balance.

Dean, Brian and Sue on a mountain of water

Every now and then there were times I felt like I was either on the roof of a 2 story house looking down on my paddle buddies or looking up from a deep valley. When that happenned I estimated the vertical distance to be close to 5 metres.

It was the first time Dean was out in these conditions but he was fine. He's been ever present at out St. Philips practice sessions but today he said it was a few notches up. He grows in large leaps because he's not afraid of much.

After an hour and forty minutes of swashbuckling paddling we reached Pot Kerwin and stopped for a snack break.

Here they are all together

After a snack break we paddled to the south side of Fermeuse harbour where Brain said there was a wreck. We had lots of time so we went to have a look.

Sue taking a peek

The hull here had been eaten away by the salt water but the ribs being thicker were slower to rust away. They look like teeth as Sue takes a peek at me in the mouth of the monster before the upper jaw clamps shut.

Dean with the windmills of Fermeuse

After hanging around the wreck awhile we crossed back over Fermeuse harbour to finish our paddle in Port Kerwin.