This morning we were supposed to get winds in the 15 - 20 knot range. Not all that appetizing for a day paddle so Dean and I opted for St. Philips again. Dean had suggested a paddle to Topsail Beach.
When we rounded the point we were greeted by wind waves coming from the west on top of swell running in the bay from the NW colliding with clapotis from the rebounding west waves. It was very confused. I questioned the wisdom of paddling to Topsail Beach but followed Dean down the coast. It was work and required as much mental exertion as physical exertion. Paddle strokes required a high degree of accuracy.
Near St. Thomas Cove, 3 kms later, I asked Dean if we still wanted to paddle to Topsail Beach or turn back. I suggested we could increase our sense of security by paddling side by side and continue. So, on we went and as we passed Whalen's Point the water became a bit more predictable.
We did a surf landing, snacked and got back on the water for the return.
There were times we paddled, there were times we braced to let the breaking waves roll past. It was more or less picking through the chaos with the prime directive of staying upright.
Back at St. Philips we had put in 13.5 kms in some gnarly conditions. We were happy we decided to continue on. On this day it was as much or more about the mental side than about the physical effort.
like our good buddy Clyde says "... it makes you feel alive!!"
ReplyDeleteNo question about that Dean. Today was not for the faint of heart!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see someone else was out on the Brine today...she sure was choppy out here with a running swell to add!
DeleteSeems like it was the same all over. Stay safe out there Lee.
ReplyDeleteCheer's mate...didn't make it too far out here. Merely poked outside into the bay; what a mess of muttons on the water!
DeleteDiscretion is the best part of valour!
ReplyDeleteyeah Lee, it was messy... Neither Tony or myself would have paddled the water if by ourselves, but with a good partner to depend on out there we can push things a little more... I know you do a lot of solo paddling so stay safe and only push to your own limits as a solo paddler...
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