Comments on: Random thoughts whilst paddling 111km down the Hawkesbury River http://fatpaddler.com/2009/10/random-thoughts-whilst-paddling-111km-down-the-hawkesbury-river/ Kayaking Australia's best waterwa... Hey! Sausages! Mon, 21 May 2012 07:57:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Dawn Paddles, Grotto Point to North Head - Fat Paddler | A Big Man's Kayak Adventure http://fatpaddler.com/2009/10/random-thoughts-whilst-paddling-111km-down-the-hawkesbury-river/comment-page-1/#comment-3091 Dawn Paddles, Grotto Point to North Head - Fat Paddler | A Big Man's Kayak Adventure Thu, 06 May 2010 13:28:22 +0000 http://fatpaddler.com/?p=972#comment-3091 [...] Elver Tour paddle. This is the locally-made light weight Greenland paddle I used to complete the 111km Hawkesbury Classic last year, which I had unfortunately broken during rolling classes. The maker of the Elvers, Tom [...] [...] Elver Tour paddle. This is the locally-made light weight Greenland paddle I used to complete the 111km Hawkesbury Classic last year, which I had unfortunately broken during rolling classes. The maker of the Elvers, Tom [...]

]]> By: fatpaddler http://fatpaddler.com/2009/10/random-thoughts-whilst-paddling-111km-down-the-hawkesbury-river/comment-page-1/#comment-980 fatpaddler Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:20:17 +0000 http://fatpaddler.com/?p=972#comment-980 Tess, I think that's the nicest thing anyone has ever posted on this site - it made me blush! I've just read every post on your site too, love it! Fits in very well with my next goals - rolling and taking to the sea! Might even see you out there sometime - I'll bring the doughnuts. ;) Tess, I think that’s the nicest thing anyone has ever posted on this site – it made me blush! I’ve just read every post on your site too, love it! Fits in very well with my next goals – rolling and taking to the sea! Might even see you out there sometime – I’ll bring the doughnuts. ;)

]]> By: Adventuretess http://fatpaddler.com/2009/10/random-thoughts-whilst-paddling-111km-down-the-hawkesbury-river/comment-page-1/#comment-976 Adventuretess Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:26:36 +0000 http://fatpaddler.com/?p=972#comment-976 Fatpaddler I have seen you around online and admire your work. You have cemented your place on my current 'HERO list' by sharing your account of the HCC in your usual way - without bragging or beating your chest (although, you may want to but be too tired to do so!). While marathon paddling is not my scene, I admire your courage. Your writing portays a man of depth and humour and I look forward to reading more in future. Keep writing the good stuff. PS - Congratulations Anne(Mrs OwenW) Tess Fatpaddler
I have seen you around online and admire your work. You have cemented your place on my current ‘HERO list’ by sharing your account of the HCC in your usual way – without bragging or beating your chest (although, you may want to but be too tired to do so!). While marathon paddling is not my scene, I admire your courage. Your writing portays a man of depth and humour and I look forward to reading more in future. Keep writing the good stuff.
PS – Congratulations Anne(Mrs OwenW)
Tess

]]> By: fatpaddler http://fatpaddler.com/2009/10/random-thoughts-whilst-paddling-111km-down-the-hawkesbury-river/comment-page-1/#comment-953 fatpaddler Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:29:27 +0000 http://fatpaddler.com/?p=972#comment-953 Gday Owen, good to hear from you! Firstly, congrats to your wife, if the tide was turning at Wisemans for her then she was a fair way in front of me - haha! I agree though, the mental torture of dealing with no sleep, darkness, loneliness and exhaustion was the real battle. I do actually feel it got the better of me, but then I suppose I managed to finish so perhaps not. It really is a very difficult event, and much respect to everyone who attempts it. I'm not so keen to do it again at this stage, since it's now a "Milestone Achieved", and I'm keen to find a new challenge to work towards. No idea what yet, but I'll be sure to post it on site when I work it out! Thanks for reading the site and I'll be sure to see you around the (paddling) traps soon! Cheers - FP Gday Owen, good to hear from you! Firstly, congrats to your wife, if the tide was turning at Wisemans for her then she was a fair way in front of me – haha! I agree though, the mental torture of dealing with no sleep, darkness, loneliness and exhaustion was the real battle. I do actually feel it got the better of me, but then I suppose I managed to finish so perhaps not. It really is a very difficult event, and much respect to everyone who attempts it. I’m not so keen to do it again at this stage, since it’s now a “Milestone Achieved”, and I’m keen to find a new challenge to work towards. No idea what yet, but I’ll be sure to post it on site when I work it out! Thanks for reading the site and I’ll be sure to see you around the (paddling) traps soon! Cheers – FP

]]> By: Owenw http://fatpaddler.com/2009/10/random-thoughts-whilst-paddling-111km-down-the-hawkesbury-river/comment-page-1/#comment-951 Owenw Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:58:04 +0000 http://fatpaddler.com/?p=972#comment-951 I'm an admirer and a regular follower of your blog. I met you briefly at Blue Earth at the pre event briefing, then also at Windsor on the day; I was there as Landcrew for my good ladywife on her 1st attempt at the Classic. From her experience, I now have a little insight of what you (and all the other 1st timers) went through. Whilst the physical effort to finish was tough, I reckon the mental aspect was the real hurdle. To get back into the boat after the Wisemans Ferry stop, in the middle of the night, your body aching all over, your built-in timeclock telling you that you should now be in bed asleep, knowing that the tide has turned and you must now paddle into it, the moon has set and it is pitch black, etc etc, must be the toughest part. To both you, her and all the other paddlers who gave it their best, you have my greatest admiration. PS: Within 24 hours of finishing, Anne (my wife) was already talking about competing next year. I’m an admirer and a regular follower of your blog. I met you briefly at Blue Earth at the pre event briefing, then also at Windsor on the day; I was there as Landcrew for my good ladywife on her 1st attempt at the Classic. From her experience, I now have a little insight of what you (and all the other 1st timers) went through. Whilst the physical effort to finish was tough, I reckon the mental aspect was the real hurdle. To get back into the boat after the Wisemans Ferry stop, in the middle of the night, your body aching all over, your built-in timeclock telling you that you should now be in bed asleep, knowing that the tide has turned and you must now paddle into it, the moon has set and it is pitch black, etc etc, must be the toughest part. To both you, her and all the other paddlers who gave it their best, you have my greatest admiration.
PS: Within 24 hours of finishing, Anne (my wife) was already talking about competing next year.

]]> By: fatpaddler http://fatpaddler.com/2009/10/random-thoughts-whilst-paddling-111km-down-the-hawkesbury-river/comment-page-1/#comment-944 fatpaddler Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:15:00 +0000 http://fatpaddler.com/?p=972#comment-944 Gday Gnarlydog. Yes, I copped buckets from many of the racers with wing paddles. In fact it was pretty toxic, I was frankly shocked that other paddlers could be that nasty (and ignorant) and it really left a bitter after-taste. That being said, I bloody love my stick and am not afraid to be Loud and Proud about it. Because in the words of the greats, "That's how I roll!". Cheers mate! :) Gday Gnarlydog. Yes, I copped buckets from many of the racers with wing paddles. In fact it was pretty toxic, I was frankly shocked that other paddlers could be that nasty (and ignorant) and it really left a bitter after-taste. That being said, I bloody love my stick and am not afraid to be Loud and Proud about it. Because in the words of the greats, “That’s how I roll!”. Cheers mate! :)

]]> By: gnarlydog http://fatpaddler.com/2009/10/random-thoughts-whilst-paddling-111km-down-the-hawkesbury-river/comment-page-1/#comment-941 gnarlydog Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:18:32 +0000 http://fatpaddler.com/?p=972#comment-941 Fatpaddler, what were you thinking? No wonder you nearly broke down... what went through your head when you chose a "wooden stick" to paddle 111 Km... were you mad? Funny enough, I would have done the same... I mean: not paddled the 111Km but chosen the stick for an endurance paddle. I am sure that you coped a bit of abuse from other "wise" paddlers (like I do paddling a "toothpick"). Glad that you persevered and proved the naysayers that Fatpaddler ain't no bozo. Respect. Fatpaddler, what were you thinking?
No wonder you nearly broke down… what went through your head when you chose a “wooden stick” to paddle 111 Km… were you mad?
Funny enough, I would have done the same… I mean: not paddled the 111Km but chosen the stick for an endurance paddle.
I am sure that you coped a bit of abuse from other “wise” paddlers (like I do paddling a “toothpick”).
Glad that you persevered and proved the naysayers that Fatpaddler ain’t no bozo.
Respect.

]]> By: Ned http://fatpaddler.com/2009/10/random-thoughts-whilst-paddling-111km-down-the-hawkesbury-river/comment-page-1/#comment-933 Ned Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:34:46 +0000 http://fatpaddler.com/?p=972#comment-933 You definately have a way with words mate. That description is pretty much spot on! The wandering mind (caused by exhaution, pain, hours of isolation and sleep deprevation) can only be really understood by people who have experienced it before. It's easy to see how you can become hooked on this endurance stuff. The urge to just pull over and stop is probably the hardest feeling to fight, and you fought those demons and won. I've heard that even international competitive kayakers have been beaten by this marathon! You look fantastic in the finishing photos (not nearly as tired as you really were)! Only a couple of weeks ago you said that you doubted if you'd be interested in repeating this race. You said you were setting a goal, finishing it, then moving on to the next challenge. I love the way that you're already talking about next year! And that's even before the pain from this one has gone. You now know that only a part of the HCC is the paddling; the rest is hard to explain, but your description is pretty darn good. Bask in the glory, you deserve it. You definately have a way with words mate. That description is pretty much spot on! The wandering mind (caused by exhaution, pain, hours of isolation and sleep deprevation) can only be really understood by people who have experienced it before. It’s easy to see how you can become hooked on this endurance stuff.

The urge to just pull over and stop is probably the hardest feeling to fight, and you fought those demons and won. I’ve heard that even international competitive kayakers have been beaten by this marathon! You look fantastic in the finishing photos (not nearly as tired as you really were)!

Only a couple of weeks ago you said that you doubted if you’d be interested in repeating this race. You said you were setting a goal, finishing it, then moving on to the next challenge. I love the way that you’re already talking about next year! And that’s even before the pain from this one has gone. You now know that only a part of the HCC is the paddling; the rest is hard to explain, but your description is pretty darn good.

Bask in the glory, you deserve it.

]]> By: Margaret http://fatpaddler.com/2009/10/random-thoughts-whilst-paddling-111km-down-the-hawkesbury-river/comment-page-1/#comment-930 Margaret Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:33:44 +0000 http://fatpaddler.com/?p=972#comment-930 Go on, admit it, you've already thought of a couple of ways you could improve your time in another attempt, haven't you? (Same as I did after finishing my first marathon....) Go on, admit it, you’ve already thought of a couple of ways you could improve your time in another attempt, haven’t you? (Same as I did after finishing my first marathon….)

]]> By: EK http://fatpaddler.com/2009/10/random-thoughts-whilst-paddling-111km-down-the-hawkesbury-river/comment-page-1/#comment-929 EK Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:06:26 +0000 http://fatpaddler.com/?p=972#comment-929 Sean, I did my first HCC in a boat called an Old Town Nantucket, a 14ft long, 30ft wide bucket which was sold to me as a 'fast expedition sea kayak'! It took me 17hrs, 34 minutes - the time is etched on my brain - and it remains the hardest thing I've done in any outdoors pursuit. Over the subsequent two years I got that down to just over 12 hours, and decided that was enough...! I know what you went through being out on the river for that length of time, well done. A 12 hour classic is way easier than a 17 hour classic, no doubt. You'll only get faster if you stick with it! Good on you, Mark. Sean, I did my first HCC in a boat called an Old Town Nantucket, a 14ft long, 30ft wide bucket which was sold to me as a ‘fast expedition sea kayak’! It took me 17hrs, 34 minutes – the time is etched on my brain – and it remains the hardest thing I’ve done in any outdoors pursuit. Over the subsequent two years I got that down to just over 12 hours, and decided that was enough…! I know what you went through being out on the river for that length of time, well done. A 12 hour classic is way easier than a 17 hour classic, no doubt. You’ll only get faster if you stick with it!
Good on you,
Mark.

]]>