Team Fat Paddler passing Grotto Point and heading for Middle Head

It’s incredible how much difference a week makes! On week 2 of training for TFP, we changed to composite boats from Sydney Harbour Kayaks and head off for Grotto Point in search of some lumpy water. The lads had decided they needed a little taste of rough water to prepare for passing Middle Head during the Kayak for Kids, so I decided to take them out to Grotto Point where they could get a taste as well as have the ability to duck back behind the point if the going got too much. My major concern was Grumm, who had lost his paddling cherry only the previous week, and who had not looked remotely stable nor strong enough to handle too much.

But a miracle had happened. Grumm was now racing in the lead, wielding his paddle like it was Excalibur, and looking…. well, looking pretty good!  So good in fact that, with the the other lads, they passed Grotto Point and kept paddling towards Sydney Heads, riding the choppy swell beautifully.  Of course, I had to call them back, since they were without skirts, safety gear, or training in rescues etc, but I did escort them for a quick peak around Middle Head before heading back to Grotto Point and into the calm waters beyond.

A fellow paddler... gday Mr Pelican!

Once in the calmer waters, I suggested a quick clinic in assisted rescues, to demonstrate to them how to get back in should they fall out somewhere. Pulling into the nearest beach, each of the boys had a turn at re-entering their kayaks with the assistance of the Fat Paddler, learning the basics of assisted rescues.

Team Fat Paddler comparing ugly shorts on the beach after assisted rescue clinic

With that complete, we took off for a leisurely paddle to past Clontarf Beach, under The Spit Bridge, around the marina and back, before running into our paddling mate Tim Kennings, who joined us on the beach at Sydney Harbour Kayaks for a few coffees and a few dozen funny paddling stories!

Sacha passing some slightly bigger boats

All up another beautiful day on the Harbour for TFP, some fun in the lumps, and an incredible improvement in Grumm’s performance. Nice stuff boys!  Cheers – FP

The Kayak Kowboy - Alan

The Great Improver - Grumm

The Wise-cracking Creative Type - Sacha

The Barely-Afloat - Fat Paddler

Camping bliss on the Murray River, WA (Image Credit: Paul Jarvis)

Ever since I first picked up a paddle, I’ve wanted to take off with mates for a few nights under the stars at some hidden camp-spot only accessable by kayak. It doesn’t take too long before my paddling mates admit they too have this secret desire, to get away and rough it away from the pressures of work (and occassionally, family!).

Then the sensational picture above arrived from Paul (from my birth state of Western Australia) showing a trip he’d just returned from last weekend, adding fuel to my camping desires. All week this image has been coming back to me, taunting me with its simple beauty, to the point where I’m becoming obsessed with my need to paddle off into the sunset for a few nights with nature.

But that brings me to an interesting point – I don’t have any camping gear. Somewhere between being a batchelor moving between different cities and a married man with small kids, I have over time lost, lent or given away what camping gear I had. So with this festering desire to camp building, I need to quickly start acquiring the basics to get me out there.

So what better way to find out than to seek the advice of my fellow global paddlers? I’d love to get your advice on a basic gear list (and lets keep it basic, I want to stay as light and simple as possible), lightweight gear considered necessities etc.

I’d also like to advice on places in NSW (ideally fairly close to Sydney) where I can camp remotely (ie not in a caravan park with lots of other campers). Both coastal and inland places would be great!

Ok, over to my readers now, get those comments coming in please! Cheers – FP

Team Fat Paddler - Grumm, @BigYahu, @SachaWard

The members of Team Fat paddler got together this morning, on a hot fine Australia Day, for a first paddle together. Alan and Sacha had a little experience under their belt, but Grumm was losing his paddling virginity, so it augered for a fun (but slow) morning!

We head off onto Middle Harbour, giving Grumm tips along the way before sighting the Coffee Boat chugging towards Sugar Loaf Bay, so we took of to intercept the good ship Vittorio in the search of black gold. Rafting up, we got a chance to catch our breath and savour the morning with fresh coffees in hand.

Team Fat Paddler with coffee - woohoo!

Finishing up, we took off for Bantry Bay as our final destination. By now, Grumm had worked out the kayak and was handling the boat waves well, but was also starting to whine (as only a Pom can) about his sore shoulders… and arms… and back… etc etc! So once we got close, I asked Grumm if he’d like to try my Greenland paddle, which he accepted. I switched to my spare GP, a split Mitchell Horizon, for the cruise into Bantry Bay.

Grumm with euro paddle

Grumm having taken my GP and refusing to give it back

Once there, I took off for a fast sprint, and during a particularly powerful sliding stroke, felt my paddle buckle and fold in my hands! Unbelievably, I’d just smashed my third GP (honestly, I’ve now broken them all!). To the laughter of the other lads, I now had to revert to a canoe-stroke with half of the GP!

Smashed paddle - bugger!

After realising I couldn’t keep up with the other boys (even Grumm!), I had to revert to the Euro blade, for the first time in about 6 months. Casting grumpy looks back at Grumm, by now firmly refusing to give my GP back, we limped back to The Spit. Then, after a quick roll, and a quick failed roll attempt and a swim (!!), we called the morning done and each head off for our respective Australia Day activities.

Of course, for me and Grumm (we live on the same street), that is going to involve beer, prawns and lamb on the barbie. But to start off, I found this little number at the local pub, which I thought I’d dedicate to my Kiwi mates (that means you, Darryl). Cheers and happy Australia Day everyone! – FP

Sheepshaggers Gold - Kiwis love it!

The Rock Garden series from Adanac Paddles, Canada

Despite our daily news being filled with stories of human suffering in all its forms, there are times when truly amazing things happen where incredible people give of themselves for the happiness of others. One such beautiful person is Jill Ellis of Adanac Paddles, a Canadian paddle-maker well known globally for the quality of her hand-carved Greenland paddles.  Jill has been an incredible support to me in terms of repair advice as I habitually abuse and break my Greenland paddles.

This abuse of my paddles inspired Jill to design and create a paddle-set specifically to handle such rough treatment. The set includes a full-sized Greenland paddle and a storm-paddle for in-close rock gardening, with both paddles tipped with the incredible South American hardwood, Purple Heart, for maximum tip strength.

The Rock Garden series - like twin Samurai Swords!

And then I received the following letter from Jill, asking me to test her latest creation and let her know what I think of them! To say I was shocked and surprised would be an understatement, especially since it appears there has been some collusion from my wife and paddler friends to make this happen! So now I have a week until I get to Chicago for a business meeting, and get my hands on this paddle set. It’s going to be the longest week ever! Cheers – FP

—————————————————————————————————————————–

Dear Sean,

I have gotten to know you, not only from the articles on your web sites, fatpaddler.com and greenlandpaddlers.com, but also from your tweets and the multitude of friends in common, both you and I have, on Twitter.

Through the Peeps, I have come to know that you are a very gentle, caring man, who is always paddling the extra mile to help raise money for children in need.

You also have to be the hardest person I know on paddles. Tips coming off, split blades etc due to the rock gardens you love to paddle through.

It would be my pleasure if you would test out my new line of “Rock Garden” paddles (www.rockgardenpaddles.com) and possibly write a review about them if you have the time. Both the Storm and the Regular paddles come with purple heart tips, and the complimentary paddle booties of course.

Storm paddles are also great for getting up close to rock walls, and picking your way through the rock gardens, where you don’t have the space to use your long paddle.

Through devious methods, I have been given your measurements so that these paddles are made to fit you.

When I heard on Twitter that you were going to be coming to Chicago, USA for work, I decided what an opportunity to get these paddles to you. I can say at this moment that the paddles are finished and the packing/travelling tube is almost complete.

I will be shipping the paddles out on Monday morning via courier to your head office in Chicago, where they will await your arrival.

Sean, we can’t have you out there raising money for kids, representing all of us Greenland paddlers, with bits and bobs of paddling equipment!

Just know that these paddles have a wee bit of everyone who knows you, and all us Peeps who root for you, through your ground crews’ tweets when you are out there paddling to raise money for charity.

We are all there, in these paddles you will be holding in your hands, so that you can draw strength from us to paddle your heart out.

Treat them well, keep them oiled and they will never fail you in what you do.

Have them blessed, so they can be extensions of your arms.

These paddles are to be USED, not pampered!

Enjoy, from all of us.

Jill
Adanac Paddles
www.adanacpaddles.com
Dover Centre, ON, Canada

Custom Purple Heart tips!

Grotto Point early in the morning

One of the interesting features of Sydney Harbour is that much of cuts through rock, creating intricate rock formations and cliffs. I find myself drawn to the rocky shore whenever I kayak our harbour, as the waves rushing amongst the rocks create a dynamic and exciting area to play in.

Playing amongst the rocks has taken a toll on my paddles of course, with split ends and lost end caps becoming a regular occurance. My plastic boat is scratched and in general it’s a rough place to paddle. But I just can’t help myself, I’m drawn to the ancient rock like a fat man to doughnuts.

So here are a few photos of the rocky shores of Sydney Harbour.

So there you have it. And after the paddle session, like so many times before, I needed a cold beer to quench my thirst.  I found this little number at the local, and couldn’t resist.  Cheers! – FP

Hmmmm, Holy Ale!