Colliers grey foggy day paddle

Today was a cool 2C day with light winds out of the north and, at times, pea soup fog.  Fog and drizzle took turns.

Four of us, Dean, Hazen, Neville and I were not deterred.  We drove to Colliers.  When we arrived the water was near low tide and a good distance from the vehicles.  The wind was blowing towards us as we quickly loaded the kayaks and prepared to head into the grey foggy day.

The plan for the day was to paddle the 12 kms north to South Point and return.  We set off with Man of War Ridge to our left.

The closer we got to Turks Head and more open waters the swell created some great paddling close to the imposing cliffs.

Marysvale is the only place to take out between Colliers and Brigus so we stopped there for a short break before carrying on.  In Bull Cove the battle between sea and land continued.  The swell would take the kayak and sweep it towards the rocks and spent, it pulled us back as it ebbed.

Sticking the bow of the kayak into some falling water drumming a beat on the empty forward hatch.  The falls ...

... behind Hazen in this little un-named cove.

Stopping to look at another cascade of water from the spring run-off.

Timing was everything today with the swell.  We were on to it though.  After three large surges it was doable.  As we paddled up to this arch Dean found it calm.  I waited for him to clear and immediately after the arch became filled with powerful surging water.  I counted to three and scooted through to ...

... wait for Neville and Hazen to also pass through.

This stretch of coast is quite scenic with offshore rocks and seastacks.

Man of War Ridge and the rocks north of Turks Gut are Harbour Main Group rocks composed mainly of Neo-Proterozoic (before proliferation of complex life) extrusive volcanic rocks.  They are predominantly grey and black.  In Woody Island Cove the rocks suddenly turned colour.  These belong to the Lower Cambrian period when complex life on earth made its appearance.  The red and green slates are interbedded with pink algal limestone.

Objective reached.  We paddled around South Point and into Brigus Harbour.  We floated for a short while before retracing our steps to ...

... Turks Gut and the community of Marysvale where we ...

... sheltered behind some trees from the northeast wind that arrived fairly much on time as forecasted.

The seven kilometers return paddle was uneventful pushed along by the strengthening wind and waves.  With the assistance of the wind we halved the time we took on the outward leg of the paddle.

It wasn't the most ideal of days weather wise but each of us enjoyed it nevertheless.  Even if we would admit we're looking forward to putting our neoprene mitts away and paddling in some warmer temperatures.