Bombproof roll

A little rock hopping

At Flatrock Point a ledge continues out past the point where the waves were breaking. The water was surging over the rocks from both directions and also pull away to expose half a metre of rock. We spent some time there riding the surge before we stopped for lunch.

Timing the run to coincide with the surge had to be perfect or there was a risk of being stranded on the rocks.

I watched Dean take a run; it was mistimed. His kayak hung up on the rock as the water sucked away. I watched as he went over. Extending his Greenland paddle he carefully set up to roll and he was up. Very impressive.

Then Gary mistimed a run. He didn't go over but saved himself with a very good brace.

It got me to thinking more seriously about my roll. In the past when I practiced I set up before going over. That's good when learning to roll but you're not going to get many chances to set up when you're actually knocked over.

OK, so I have a roll but I have to be honest with myself, I'm not sure if its bombproof. From now on I'll practice flopping over with the paddle in different positions trying to make it as realistic as possible. Only then will I know whether I have at least a reliable roll.

Car shuttle

Coming up to Flatrock Point

One thing I'm not fond of is car shuttling. It takes time and it burns extra gas.

What guy hasn't looked back at a girl after passing her (or a guy if you're a gal!) on the sidewalk to see if she (he) looks as good going as coming? So it is with the shoreline. With that thought in mind, why car shuttle?

Just before we reached Flatrock Point we paddled in a channel formed by rocks that were more resistant to erosion. Paddling north the channel is open.

Looks as good going as coming

Here's the same channel on the return leg. It looks totally different because the line of cliffs curving to the left makes it look like we're paddling into a dead end. It doesn't give the impression at all that we've retraced our steps.

Sometimes a car shuttle is necessary but seeing the other side of the coin gives new perspective to a shoreline just paddled.

Kayak police

A half blind eye

This is what you get when the lens cover doesn't completely open. Its sort of a photographic metaphor for a meeting we had with 2 new kayakers coming out of Torbay on Sunday.

We met them coming out as we paddled in. A young couple, they were in T-shirts and each had a PFD, spary skirt and paddle. That looked about it.

We were decked out with dry suits etc, etc. The couple must have thought we were over-doing it a bit.

We exchanged pleasantries. They were new to kayaking and weren't going to go far.

I thought how unpleasant things could get if one or both ended up in the water without thermal protection. The wind was blowing at 10 knots and would be against them coming back in. If the girl tired or the wind increased there was no option of a tow.

We, in effect, turned a half blind eye to their situation. We didn't ask about competencies. We didn't point out the need for thermal protection. We didn't ask if they had all the equipment required by Transport Canada. The question is should we have?

Its a delicate situation trying to show concern without coming across like the kayak police. How bad would we have felt if there had been a safety incident?

Sea World

A whale surfaces behind Sean

On Sunday we were lucky to be among whales. They were all over the bay. We could see their spray and hear their exhaust breaths. They swam within yards of us. It was thrilling.

Paddling by the steep cliffs, seagulls screamed their plaintive cries that's so characteristic of the seashore. There were white gulls and the immature grey.

Puffins floated on the waters and while we tried not to disturb them, they half ran and half flew to avoid us. They look such ungainly birds as they run and flap across the waves trying to get airborne.

We were in the world of the sea.

Then, there's the other Sea World, where sea creatures are kept in un-natural pens and tanks. I don't know, I just don't understand it.

I do know how lucky I am to live in proximity to the sea and to have the means ( the kayak) to be able to enjoy unobtrusively the ocean environment.

A yaffle of whales

Torbay Beach

The community of Torbay is located about 1o kilometres from downtown St. John's. It used to be primarily a fishing and farming community. Torbay fishermen were good oarsmen in their day but not as good as those in Outer Cove where I grew up!

Anyway, today most residents work in the big city but the sea is still there and it called us on this day. Its a spectacular paddle and so close at hand. But, it is not to be paddled on just any day. The waters of Tor Bay can get gnarly so you have to pick the right day. Clyde, Dean, Gary, Sean and I took advantage and had a very enjoyable day paddling to Flatrock and back.

Leaving Torbay

Leaving Torbay and heading for any number of coves. Any little indentation in the shoreline deserves a name and so we paddled along Gallows Cove, Cow Cove, Herring Cove. That's just the names that fit on the map. I'm sure local fishermen have many other quaint names that I'll never know.

One of many whales in the bay

Paddling north from Torbay towards Flatrock we saw 3 plumes of spray. Then, we heard more behinds us at about 4 o'clock. There were whales and plenty of them. I can't say how many in total but we were in the right place on this day.

We got relatively close in a few instances with numerous display of flukes but they weren't sociable today. They seemed intent on feeding and didn't really pay us much heed. Still, the presence of so many whales added to the anticipation and excitement. After a while we decided to let the whales be and paddled on.

Massive slabs of rock

The sedimentary rock beds are massive but persistence by the sea over eons have found a weakness to carve out a cave. Clyde provides perspective for this huge cave as he floats on turquoise waters.

The sun split the rocks

It was a cloudless day with bright sunshine. The sun behind us reflected off of the grey coloured sandstones that really made the etching in the rocks stand out.

The cliffs were imposing

The cliffs rose straight out of the water. Thousands and thousands of birds were nesting on the ledges and flying all around us overhead. Don't look up!!!

A fine layer of guano has built up on some cliff surfaces which added to the aroma of sea air.

Flatrock Point

On a map Flatrock Point is not very imposing but the cliffs were impressive. Inside lay the community of Flatrock and our lunch stop.

Going to check out another cave

I was the only one in the group who had paddled in Flatrock before (I believe) and I had seen the cave hence. That meant we had to go have a look before stopping for lunch.

Hauled out for lunch

Caving done, we opted for a take-out just outside the community where the rocks dipped gently into the sea. The rocks were covered in kelp which made for an easy run up onto the rocks even in a fibreglass boat.

After lunch Clyde and I jumped into the salt water and then went to shower in the fresh water falls in the picture.

Fed and cooled down we were ready to head back to Torbay. We did so but in a roundabout way. Trying to engage more whales, with some success.

An amazing place to paddle that's right on our doorstep but so rarely taken advantage of.

Breakin' up (is hard to do)

Taking the inside route

Sunday a group of 9 of us started a paddle in Bay Bulls. We finished as a group of 3 and a group of 6. Did we make a mistake in separating?

On our way out of Bay Bulls harbour and out into the open ocean it was apparent the swell was closer to the 2 metres in the 1 - 2 predicted range. I wasn't comfortable venturing north with all members of our party so by consensus we agreed to paddle south where we thought it was more manageable for all.

We decided on a crossing across the mouth of the bay when 3 indicated they preferred to paddle back to a narrower point in order to cross. Here the group broke up and we didn't see each other again. It became a group of 6 and 3.

Should we have all stuck together? If it had been 2 who wanted to separate I would say yes, but, 2 of the 3 were level 2 paddlers so I personally felt OK with the decision. They could take care of themselves and if need arose the third paddler could go for help. So, no, we didn't make a mistake in separating. It was unfortunate but not a mistake.

These types of decisions have to be made carefully on the water giving consideration to all safety factors.

Grey foggy day

Waiting to assemble

We had a party of 9 today for a paddle out of Bay Bulls. The slipway we use there is not very roomy so the first on the water have to wait for the others.

The forecast was for rain but light winds. Driving down to Bay Bulls it was clear but within the harbour the fog had settled on the water. It seemed to be held in place by the surrounding hills.

It didn't matter to us. It wasn't pea soup fog because we could still see the land on both sides of the harbour. Safe enough! We turned on our VHF radios and headed out of the harbour.

Just underway

Tobias and Gene just getting into their stride as we head out the foggy harbour at Bay Bulls.

Damp, but not our spirits

The fog hung over the hills on the south side and it drizzling rain but we were happy to be on the water. Every day can't be a bright sunshiny day and even a dull dreary day like we had today has its appeal. Especially if your butt is in a kayak.

Crossing in swell

There was some concern for unsafe conditions off of North Head for some of the party so we changed gears and crossed Bay Bulls harbour from the north side to the south side. We carried on to Witless Bay for lunch.

No pics from the headland for good reason. My waterproof camera sprung a leak and is in for repairs and I was carrying an older camera that just couldn't get wet. I chose the picture ops carefully. Suffice to say it was too lumpy to risk taking it out of the zip lock bag out at the headland!

Around South Head

Stan led us back from our lunch in Witless Bay. At the headland the swell was 2 metres with the rebounding waves creating clapotis. It was knarly but comfortable.

As we rounded South Head a whale tour boat was on its way out to the seabird sanctuary and we had a few anxious moments until it passed to starboard. Stan had taken the correct course.

The next level

Back on the south side of Bay Bulls harbour we were out of the swell and clapotis we paddled through from Witless Bay and around South Head. Gene said later that it was the biggest water he'd been in up to that point.

Gene's a regular at St. Philips practices and today he stepped out of his comfort zone and took it to the next level. It showed how much progress he's made by coming out on Thursday evenings. I stuck close by behind and he didn't misplace one paddle stroke. Good for you Gene!

Things got calmer

On our way back to the put-in Clyde suggested he was going to take his time because he'd be back at work tomorrow soon enough. So we took our time because it was still early. I commented that after our ride in the gnarly conditions it was like putting a piece of expensive chocolate in the mouth to just let it melt slowly.

Heading back to the end of our paddle

We were taking our time but even so, the bottom of the harbour came into view as did our day on the water in Bay Bulls.

Clyde checks out a cave

Here Clyde floats on a palate of blues and greens and savours the last part of our paddle. Where we started the day in fog, we now had some reprieve with brighter light that made the colours really stand out.

After we put away our gear Clyde, Tobias and I decided we'd stop for a coffee and debrief the days paddle. It was another memorable day in our boats. Thanks to all in the group.