The Hardy Boys

Dean cooling his heels

It was no mystery today who the Hardy Boys were.

The weekend started out as a wild and woolly weekend with little prospect of getting on the water. Awoke today to bright sunshine but cold. West winds at 20 knots gusting to 25, -5 driving the windchill down to -12. There was an opportunity after all - yahoo!

We weren't cold however as we spent an hour or so of beating into the wind and seas to catch some excellent surf rides back. My paddle shaft started to ice up so we called it a day and went for coffee. Our waitress told us we were making her cold just watching us so it was just as well we stopped.

Iced up

Ya know its cold when the salt water freezes to every surface it touches. Here the ice is stuck onto the pillars of the wharf as we finish up our bob-about in the wind and waves.

And stuck on me

Sometimes the more unpleasant it is, the more enjoyable it becomes.

SmartBay

Windy tomorrow

All the various weather forecasts report it will be an onshore day tomorrow. The source I trust most is SmartBay. They forecast 35 knot winds from the south.

The nice thing about SmartBay is that there's a wind and precipitation forecast for every three hours up to 48 hours ahead. Its a local forecast that I find very accurate and provides more detailed information than the other sources.

The forecast map looks as angry as I'm disappointed that I won't be paddling this weekend. Its just one of those things I have to accept because it can't be changed.

Brocks Pond falls

Objective reached

The objective of our paddle on Saturday was Brocks Pond falls which would give us 20 kms on a return trip. The falls are formed by water running out of, wait for it, Brocks Pond (!), tumbling over the 200 foot tall hill.

When we got there I was somewhat disappointed with the display. I was hoping for a mass of ice and icicles. Water was running and there was ice but it was all hidden under a blanket of snow.

With the water running

What a difference a year makes. This shot is from a scoot up to the falls on March 16 last year. It was still technically winter but there was a clear absence of snow and ice.

Helluland

Barren and desolate

Helluland is one of three lands discovered by Leif Eriksson and believed to be on Baffin Island or Northern Labrador. Either way, it conjures up images of a barren and desolate land. This stretch of land north of Portugal Cove, on a February day, cloaked in snow and ice, must look something like that Helluland of Leif the Lucky.

It looks like an appropriate setting for a kayak albeit a plastic one.

Saturday was gray and cloudy and with the stark black, snow covered cliffs it didn't look like much of a day to be out on the water. Not! Don't get me wrong, paddling a sit-on-top kayak in Fiji sounds like a fun thing to do on vacation but this comes closer to a true Arctic experience and I love it.

The sea, she speaks to me

... and to Stan

Sometimes the sea is calm as if asleep. She's welcoming and says to enjoy the peace and tranquility.

... and to Gerard

Sometimes the sea purrs under a gentle swell. She says she is calm but underneath she possesses pent-up energy.

... and to Tobias

Sometimes the sea looks like a tempest in a teapot and she speaks sternly. She says enjoy the ride but pay attention because waves can come out of nowhere when she rebounds off the land.

... and to Clyde and Dean

Sometimes the sea is very agitated and she speaks in a cacophony where she meets the land. Then, she speaks ill sounding as if to warn away from areas that are too dangerous for kayakers to venture.

Whatever the sea says, we are wise to pay attention and pay her the respect she is due.

Rear view mirror

Once upon a time
(fr. pic by T. Lee of www.kayaktherock.com)

This is a shot taken from one of my first few forays upon the sea, in 2005 I think. I was as green as could be with no training but all nerve. It was good fun but I relied more on my athleticism than on ability and luckily I didn't cause anyone any grief by having to fish me out of the water.

Then, three years ago, Graham organized practices at St. Philips for Level II kayakers. I wasn't near that at the time but as bold as brass, I went anyway. I was really pushing the envelope and probably imposing somewhat.

That was a turning point for me really. I still haven't taken a course but I've incrementally developed what skills I have by doing. I think that carries more credit than a piece of paper. I know lots of intelligent people that score well on exams but have no practical aptitude what-so-ever.

Looking back and thinking of the first couple of years, I hardly recognize myself today, though I still have some way to go.

Pool night is late night

Its warmer in the pool

Tuesday night's pool sessions lately have not been money makers. It takes 15 bodies to break even and last night there were only 11. Some nights of course there are more than 15 so a pot builds up to cover the lower attended nights.

It takes a bit of an effort especially this time of year. Yesterday people coming home from work would have had to shovel snow that fell during the day. There's probably not much interest in loading the boat then to go to the pool. On top of that, it'll be close to 11:30 for sack time after stowing boat and gear and those working the next day will have to get up early.

I'm retired so its relatively easy for me. That's why I applaud the "working class" *lol* when they make pool sessions.