Leaving Wiseman's Ferry around 3.30am - 45km to go!
(Continued from Part 2 – or start at Part 1) With bellies full of pancakes and bacon, Gelo and I felt ready to face the horrible weather and the last 45kms of the race. With rain still pouring down, we slowly paddled out into the main channel and past the main ferry crossing. The river at this point turns south to meander back down to Brooklyn, which meant turning into the building southerly wind that had been developing. The rain started to intensify and a thick fog rolled in across the river, cutting visibility down to 30 metres or so.
Our landcrew's final view of the canoe as we paddled off into the rain.
As we passed the second ferry crossing (the last sign of civilisation for many miles) the Marine Rescue lads asked us how were doing. Answering with “exhausted” was probably not wise, and the volunteers cautioned us on pushing it too much harder in such difficult conditions. We promised we’d throw in the towel if it got too tough before paddling on down the river.
The rain now was starting to really kick up and our visibility was now almost zero. We were keeping some-what close to the bank to help us navigate, which was fine until I suddenly saw a strainer (ie a tree lying across the river) a mere foot in front of Gelo’s face. I yelled out to him to watch out and he threw his arms up in front of his face, catching the tree branches across his fore-arms before they bent around him and flung back at my face. I threw myself backwards against the canoe and held my paddle in front of my face as the tree branches whipped across me and into the back of the canoe. Miraculously, we’d both avoided any injury at all, but as we discovered later our canoe number had been struck off the back of the canoe!
With a sigh of relief we continued on, drifting a little further out from the riverbank for safety, but into the growing wind and hammering rain. Then when it felt things couldn’t get any worse, we both started to get the nods as exhaustion set in. The rain was now coming in horizontally and hitting me in the eyes, forcing me to close them against the rain. As soon as my eyes closed I’d momentarily fall asleep, almost dropping my paddle before jumping up awake again. This was getting worse and with the weather now getting gnarly I was genuinely worried about out safety. So I suggested to Gelo we pull over for a quick powernap, an idea he readily jumped at.
So we found a small muddy beach and pulled in, anchoring ourselves in the mud with our paddles which we wrapped our arms around for support. Then we both lay back in the canoe, faces open to the raging rain and wind, and promptly fell asleep. Around 10-15 minutes later we awoke, drenched and getting cold, but feeling much more refreshed by the quick sleep. We had a laugh about the fact we’d both slept with our faces to the storm, but knowing we needed to warm up quickly we pushed off out of the mud and back into the river.
The storm was now absolutely raging, the rain now coming down so hard that I couldn’t even see Gelo in front of me. The wind was now gale force and driving straight into us, not only making paddling harder but also whipping up breaking waves that were slamming into the canoe. Gelo and I gritted our teeth and barely uttered a word, other than the occassional “hut!” signalling a change of paddle sides. We’d paddled in similar conditions the week before and new how precarious our position was, as the canoe jumped over waves and bobbed about in the crazed water of the river. This was a serious challenge, and it went on for what seemed like hours. The storm was so bad that as we passed a houseboat sometime after 4.30am, we could just see its inhabitants inside trying desperately to bail out water that was pouring in through its ceiling.
Then after an eternity, the winds and rain eased a little and just as we started to ease off from our exhausting pace, the sky started to lighten for sunrise. For a while the wind dropped down to a much more manageable level and we paddled down a calmer Hawkesbury in the never ending rain.
As we fought against the tide, we started to realise we were barely making headway. The incoming tide was dragging at the boat and in our weakened state it was hard for us to beat it. Gelo in particular was now starting to really struggle, as the effort required earlier when paddling into the gale and crashing waves had completely nailed him. I was finding myself needing to switch paddle sides to take a few paddles on his side of the boat before returning to my own side, as his weakened paddling was turning the boat constantly towards his side. He mumbled something about a break and I realised we really had no choice. He had had it, and I had to let him rest.
About 500 metres further down the river we found a small inlet leading into the mangroves that wasn’t affected by the incoming tide. We pulled the boat in there, anchoring it into the mud, and then lay back for a nap. I figured we were coming last anyway so what difference would a bit of a nap make. Immediately we both fell asleep.
About ten minutes later I awoke with a start, and realised an amazing thing. A couple of kayaks had just gone past us, meaning that we hadn’t actually been coming last. The competitive sportsman in me fired up and I was enthused to chase them back down and finish knowing we didn’t come last. I shook Gelo awake explaining that we had to race them to the finish, and then despite his protests freed the boat from the mud and pushed back into the river.
The paddle against the tide was brutal, but we managed to keep up with the double kayaks for the next kilometre until we came across the Low Tide Pitstop. Gelo looked at me with those big brown Greek eyes and pleaded for a break, so we pulled into the mud for a quick cup of tea and a piece of chocolate. The other kayaks continued on their way, again leaving us in last position. I quickly finished my tea and then urged Gelo to hurry, something he was clearly not going to do!
A clearly broken Gelo. The tea and chocolate helped I think!
We pushed back into the water and continued down the river. I could see one of the kayaks about 500 metres in front, the other a good kilometre or more ahead. The tide was still killing our progress but I was determined to catch them up, so I spoke to Gelo about a strategy. From now on we’d closely hug the inside turns just metres from the banks to take advantage of the slower moving water, whilst the kayaks remained out in the channel. As the river meandered we’d have to cut directly across the river to keep out of the faster moving channel as much as possible. This would increase the distance somewhat, but we figured it would give us a speed advantage.
As it turned out, we were right. We passed the first kayak within a kilometre and passed the second another kilometre beyond that. Compared to the double kayaks we were flying along, making the most of the slow water as they fought the tide. We pulled away by a good kilometre or so before we realised they’d worked out our trick. Now they were also following our exact track, and with their more streamlined boats, they were starting to close the gap.
Gelo during this time had been begging for breaks, which I had categorically refused. He was now so spent that he could barely move the muscles of his face to talk, and I was finding more and more that I was having to paddle for him. I was too excited about our own private racing finish to let him stop however, and to give him credit, he never once put the paddle down and stop. We were now just over 5kms away from Spencer, and I was determined to beat our little group of kayaks.
And then fate intervened. Bad weather had forced the event to be shortened to Spencer, and now it looked like the race organisers had decided to call time and stop the race. We knew this was a possibility as we’d been told by other checkpoints, but when we spied an official boat making its way to us, we suspected the race was finished.
With the news now confirmed, we finished our paddle at the checkpoint before Spencer where we checked in for the last time. With 93.5kms under our belt, and 17.5 hours of paddling behind us, we’d put in a massive effort that both of us were proud of, despite not making it to the end. Gelo was finally able to smile knowing the ordeal was over, and as we laughed and joked about the insane night we’d had, we got news that the Emergency Services motor boat was going to tow us across the river to a landing point where our landcrew would come to get us. This was going to be our last little bit of fun before the race ended!
When we arrived at the bank, it was mere minutes before the TFP Landcrew arrived, and in the still pouring rain we all helped to pack our gear away. Gelo and I changed into warm clothes and Burnsie brewed up some hot tea and coffee for us on the side of the road to help warm us back up. With all our gear packed away, we could only think of one thing – food. I was craving a good old Aussie meat pie, so the lads drove us to the Spencer General Store were we sat down to fresh coffee and steaming hot pies with sauce.
Hmmm, pies. Hot, steamy, saucy pies!
And with that, our stormy odyssey was done. We’d seen all levels of adversity out on the river that night and despite not finishing the full distance, had achieved plenty in our big fat slow canoe to feel good about ourselves. Then as the lads drove us all back to Sydney, Gelo and I promptly fell into a deep sleep.
An event like this cannot happen without the amazing support of lots of people. In particular I’d like to thank the following:
Grumm, Sacha and Burnsie for their incredible support in truly aweful conditions during the event. We could not have done it without your incredible support and help, not to mention the great sausages and pancakes!
Nat, the Team Fat Paddler Director of Propaganda, for his big win for us a few weeks ago. Love your work mate!
Blue-Earth in Drummoyne who got us into the little red canoe. Sydney Harbour Kayaks for their ongoing support during our training. GoPro cameras for the brilliant GoPro Hero HD video camera. Vinyl Stickers for, well, for all the stickers! And Shamrock Tshirts for the team wear.
The organisers and volunteers who make the HCC what it is. In particular, Wendy and Caroline. You guys rock!
All the volunteers from the likes of Marine Rescue, NSW Maritime, Surf Lifesavers, and all the other crews who are out there making sure that paddlers remain safe. The friendly waves and jokes from you guys really help when us paddlers are absolutely shattered. Great job!
Gelo, who picked up a canoe paddle for the first time six weeks ago when I suggested the crazy idea of entering an open canoe in the Classic. Your good grace and humour are a pleasure to be around, and I was incredibly proud of your efforts in the last few hours when you were clearly exhausted beyond anything you’d ever experienced before. The fact you didn’t simply throw down the paddle is testament to your character. I’d paddle with you again any day!
And lastly, my wife Bec and my girls Grace and Ella for putting up with my mad paddling escapades. I know you don’t really get why I do it, but I appreciate that you LET me do it!
Until next year! Cheers – FP
Tags: HCC10
Bye Bye Sackville - next stop Wisemans
(Continued from Part 1) With bellies full of hot food, Gelo and I climbed back into the canoe and set off for Wisemans Ferry, some 33km down the river. Gelo, who’d struggled with the final kms of the previous leg, was now on fire after a good feed from Burnsie. It hadn’t had the same effect on me however, and I started to feel physically sore and tired. Old injuries were now starting to ache and despite the rocking music coming from our canoe, I went silent as I worked through the pain. I also remembered I had some Panadol on board, so I popped a couple and allowed the pain to dull a little.
We worked out that the tide had changed and was now surging towards us by the fact we hadn’t seen a checkpoint for well over an hour. We had a 7km ride between checkpoints and yet, depsite an hour and a half of paddling, we still hadn’t found it. As we battled the tides, the ominous clouds above us finally opened up and started to rain. We didn’t know it, but it wouldn’t stop until well over 14 hours later.
The battle against the tide continued for hours, exhausting both Gelo and I as we fought in our bloody big canoe against the surge. At midnight, we decided to stop for water and a stretch, and pulled over to a sandy bank to do so. Gelo was looking pretty tired after the 8 hours of paddling, and I could see that the enormity of the quest was now far more clear to him.
Gelo rests for a few minutes at midnight. Feeling tired now!
FP also looking pretty exhausted by all the paddling!
As we rested it looked like the last of the other paddlers went by and we resigned ourselves to being the last boat travelling up the river. As we set off again however we caught up with one of the SUP paddlers, bent over stretching and obviously feeling as knackered as we were. We checked if he was ok before paddling on, with him staying not far behind us for the remainder of the paddle to Wisemans.
The rain was now coming down heavily and we getting pretty annoyed by it. Between the never ending rain and the brutal tide, the night stretched on and on until close to 3am when we finally saw the flashing lights of Wiseman’s Ferry in the distance. A final burst of paddling and we pulled into the boat ramp and our waiting landcrew.
Arrival at Wiseman's Ferry. Two extremely exhausted paddlers!
Burnsie was of course already busy, frying up a big plate of bacon ready for our Canadian Breakfast (pancakes, bacon and Maple syrup). As he prepared some hot drinks for us, Gelo and I wandered off to the physio tent for a quick shoulder massage.
Burnsie prepares the bacon. Hmmm, bacon!
When we got there, with me first in line, we were greeted by a tall Scandinavian bloke, and a young cute American woman who clearly had a preference on who she wanted to massage. I begrudgingly took a hit for the team and picked the bloke, leaving the young lass to Gelo. Then as I was stretched and beaten senseless, I had to listen to the sickening small-talk being made by Gelo and his little girlie.
FP seemingly having his arm torn off at the shoulder......
...meanwhile Gelo shows off with a few push-ups for his cute masseuse!
When the massage was over for us both, we wandered back out to Burnsies diner, where we were handed our Canadian brekky. It’s hard to describe the joy of being handed something quite so delicious at 3am after 11 hours of paddling. Needless to say, it was very, very good!
When we finally finished our second round of pancakes, we made our way back to the waiting canoe, ready to take on the final 45kms to the end in the still pouring rain. Our SUP mate was there packing up, having buggered his ankle and decided to pull out, and he wished us luck on the final leg of the race. With the help of the boys, we turned the music back up and climbed into the canoe.
And with a final goodbye to our team, we turned our canoe around and set off up the river, fuelled and ready for the final journey (to be continued).
Tags: Wisemans
Team Fat Paddler - Burnsie, Sacha, FP, Gelo, Grumm
The team plan was for all to meet at my place at 8.30am for a 9am departure for Windsor. That was thrown into disarray when Sacha got lost and drove up and down the M2 Freeway in both directions looking for the offramp! When he finally arrived an hour late, we took off in convoy – Grums car with the canoe, my wife and girls in my car, and Sacha bringing up the rear.
TFP Base Camp at Windsor - a low key affair
Once we arrived we busied ourselves getting ready. Sacha and Grumm put the boat through scrutineering, Gelo and I went and registered, Burnsie prepared the food and supplies, and my wife and girls got some food and played on the playground. We all then mixed with other paddlers and socialised a bit, all whilst watching the interesting change in the weather as sunshine and heat were replaced with storm clouds and wind. Then before we knew it, it was time to get ready for the start – as lightning broke over the hills to the south of us!
All set and ready to paddle. Bring on the start of HCC10!
We just managed to get the boat down to the water as the warning whistle went, so we hastily adjusted our positions in the boat before paddling up to the start line. Looking around us, it was easy to see we were in the slowest tub on the water that day – with all paddlers being equal, we were a sure bet to come last! Regardless, when the gun fired we threw ourselves into it, setting a “blistering” pace in front of the crowds. Our short fat canoe pushed a monster bow wake in front of it as we powered along amongst the motley mix of kayaks, outriggers, SUPs and other miscellaneous paddle craft.
Gelo and FP powering into the start. Look at that bow wave!
Once out of sight of the crowds we slowed our pace down a little, working out the right pace for the remainder of the race. We were hurting already from the fast start and from fighting a headwind that was racing ahead of an incoming storm, but determined to have fun we chatted to the other paddlers and pumped up our stereo, blasting out a mix of rock and old school hip hop.
At this point we thought we’d have a play with the GoPro Hero HD that we’d brought along, and somehow I convinced Gelo to become a human camera tripod. He wrapped the GoPro strap around his face to get the right angle, and then with me cracking up laughing at his gimp-like headgear, he proceeded to film the action behind him.
Gelo's new fashion accessory. S&M ball gag with GoPro Action Cam!
Footage taken with Gelo’s Ball Gag GoPro Mount. Trying to paddle through the laughter!
After a few minutes of me laughing, Gelo removed the camera mount and concentrated on the paddling. We chatted some more with passing kayaks and then settled into the paddling, fighting the wind and feeling the first few spots of rain. Before long we passed our cheering landcrew at the Cattai checkpoint (12km) and then concentrated on the remaining distance to the first stop for refuelling at Sackville.
Cattai - cheering landcrew (or is that leering landcrew??). Ned looking amused!
Over the following hour the sky darkened and we found ouselves paddling in the dark, disturbed only by the speedier kayakers zooming past in a blur of cyalume glow. Gelo was starting to find the going tough (he’d never paddled 30km without a break before) and when we finally pulled into the beach at Sackville he was more than ready for a break and a feed.
Fortunately our landcrew had arrived before us (unlike HCC 2009!), had scouted out the local food (there was none), done two trips back to the car to get gear and were busy cooking up a storm. I was handed a hot cup of tea, Gelo a hot cup of coffee, and then both of us a bowl of pasta salad as entré. With that finished Burnsie cooked up half a dozen lamb & mint sausages and with other paddlers looking on jealously, handed a plate each to Gelo and I. Sausages and sauce – the cornerstone of any elite athletes nutrition plan!
Fat Paddler - canoing Australia's best waterwa... SAUSAGES!!!!!
With bellies full of hot tea/coffee, pasta ands sausages, we were all set for the next 30km leg of our race. We pulled on our warmer thermals and then walked back down to the canoe, well fed and ready to go. Our landcrew packed the boat with new supplies of water and snacks, got us into our seats and pushed us out into the river. (To Be Continued).
Well fed and watered, the paddlers in good spirits and ready for the next leg.
Tags: HCC10
The TFP Canoe rigged for the Classic - shagadelic babee!
With the 111km Hawkesbury Canoe Classic now just two days away, we thought we should pick a team song for the event. Being that it runs overnight and ends in Brooklyn, the Beastie Boys anthem “No Sleep Til Brooklyn” seemed the obvious answer. But then I received an email from Fiona at Badger Paddles, who’d taken the time to write a special Team Fat Paddler version of the song for us. So here it is for your enjoyment!! (Huge thanks to Fiona and the Beastie Boys. If anyone wants to record it and send it to me, drop me a line – I can always add it to the iPod for race day!)
No sleep ’til Brooklyn – Team Fat Paddler Style:
Foot on the pedal – never ever false metal
Engine running hotter than a boiling kettle
My job’s ain’t a job – it’s a damn good time
Paddle to paddle – I’m running my rhymes
On location – touring around the nation
TeamFatPaddler never on vacation
Itchy trigger finger but stable on the gunnels
Do what we do best because our vision is tunnel
Ain’t no faking – your money I’m taking
Going coast to coast – Cancer will be shaking
While you’re at the job working nine to five
FatPaddler on the Hawksbury- cold paddlin’ live
(bridge) No sleep ’til -
Another place – another boat
Another message in the bottle floats
Another wave – a swell we fight
Another paddle all thru the night
Our team is crazy – we always smoke the sausage
But FatPaddler says it’s all good – not carnage!
111 km – we paddle around the clock
PFD to PFD – it’s all on the dock
We’re thrashing H2O like it’s going out of style
Getting paid along the way cause it’s worth the while
Coconut rice on the floor – Gelo’s out the door
FP is in the back because he just weighs more.
We got sheep skin seats & camo on the deck
With H2O Paddles saying what the heck?!!
(repeat bridge)
(repeat chorus)
Ain’t seen the light since we started this paddle
But our shag seats are gonna save our saddle
Born and bred Australia – we rock the boat
FatPaddler is the team that will always float
Like a lemon to a lime – a lime to a lemon
Gelo is the candy for all the fly women
Got our carbs, our gear, & our blue steel
Our mettle is metal that is hard to the feel
Step off Cancer – get out of our way
FatPaddler is the team who’s gonna end your day
We’re gonna knock you down on the super hard rocks
And maybe even strangle you with our paddle socks…
Three great looking Crystal-X paddles from H2O Performance Paddles
The good folks at H20 Paddles in Ontario Canada contacted me recently and asked if I’d like to have a play with their Crystal-X line. Better known for their performance whitewater paddles, H2O have come up with a range able to be used for all types of touring, surfing and ocean paddling. Now as my readers know, I’m a Greenland paddle man and very rarely, if ever, get my hands on Euro-style paddles, but I was intrigued when they pushed me to try them anyway. H2O had complete confidence I’d love their paddles, despite me clearly telling them I’m a stick-man to the core.
Time to get these babies wet!!
Early one Sunday morning I took my kayak and a range of Crystal-X paddles in different configurations down The Spit for a dawn session. Onboard I had three different paddles to test – a high angle straight shaft carbon fibre (in red), a high angle bent shaft carbon fibre (in yellow), and a low angle bent shaft carbon fibre (in blue). And of course I had a single GP stowed on deck in case I got withdrawal pains!
High angle blade – plenty of purchase for maximum power
To start with I went for the red one, since the last Euro paddle I used was also a straight shaft carbon fibre. After an initial period of adjustment, I started to get the feel of the bigger high-angle blade which caught a considerable amount of water. I could see clearly the acceleration advantage of the blade, although the straight shaft wasn’t exciting me too much. What was interesting however was the ability to change the angle of the feather, since the split paddles had a unique easy adjusting mechanism allowing many different feather angles. I experimented with various settings (including no angle) before settling on 30 degrees.
Easy angle adjustment and angle setting window
Next I pulled out the yellow blade (high angle bent shaft) for a trial. Now without sounding too dramatic, this is the point where I fell in love with a Euro again. To put this in perspective, I fell in love with Greenland paddles purely because of their feel. The oval cross-section of their loom fits the hand magnificently, and combined with the ease of movement through the shoulder, they are a true joy to paddle with. Well, the bent shaft Crystal-X also has an oval cross section through the shaft, which when combined with the bent angles of the hand areas, make the paddle incredibly comfortable to hold and paddle with. H2O have also added a number of striations where the hands should go, increasing the purchase of your grip and letting you feel where your hands should be.
Bent shaft, oval cross-section, striated grips. Awesome!
With this paddle in hand, I decided it was time to head off for some bumpier water, and paddled out to the cliffs north of Grotto Point. The day had provided a nice gentle 1-1.5 metre southerly swell coming through the Heads which was curling in to roll against the cliffs. This allowed me to get close to the cliff faces and bob around in the rebound, using the power of the big blade face to quickly move around as needed in the lumps.
Setting off for the cliffs on the way to Manly and enjoying the sunrise
A nice little playground to have some fun in!
The southerly swell was rolling into Dobroyd Point and working the bomborra, so I paddled over the point for a closer play in the waves jacking up there. This was much bigger lumpier water and I was getting a touch nervous, so I turned and used the high acceleration of the paddle to catch waves along the cliff line. The high angle blade feels perfect for surfing, with heaps of power and acceleration, and a good sized face for stern ruddering and bracing.
The narrower blade of the low angle Crystal-X. Plenty of power but an easy cruiser.
After some time playing in the surf and waves, I made my way back into the calmer waters of Middle Harbour. There I swapped out the yellow blade for the blue, low angle bent shaft paddle. This blade is a touch narrower and gentler on the shoulder, without losing too much acceleration. It was an absolute pleasure paddling back with this easy and gentle blade, and I couldn’t help but feel this would be great for smaller paddlers.
Once back in at The Spit I gave the paddles to a few other paddlers there to play with. The feedback was all very positive and it was fun to see others putting the paddles through their paces. Then I returned to the yellow, high angle bent shaft Crystal-X to play around with, trying out bursts of acceleration and sharp edging turns with the blade. With the comfortable shaft and big blade surface it was a heap of fun to muck around with.
Look at the purchase on that blade! Lots of power!
In order to get a second opinion, I handed a bent-shaft high-angle paddle to Sol Kamal from Sydney Harbour Kayaks, an accredited Instructor with experience both in Canada and Australia. He spent a few hours with the paddle later in the week and came back with the following feedback:
“The joint is compact and works well to adjust, lock, and split the paddle. The pronounced ovalized paddle shaft at the hand grips fit the hands grip profile well, but may be a bit chunky for small hands. The length of the hand grip portion of the bent shaft is long enough to allow for a good range of hand spacing preferences. The relief pattern on the hand grips provides positive tactile feedback to indicate hand position.
The blade provided a solid catch and powerful stroke but provided a slight cushion effect against joint strain through it’s slight amount of flex. The slight flexibility of the blade may also improve durability by allowing flexing over cracking or snapping of a stiff blade in extreme impact or leverage circumstances. An interesting result of the clear blade is that the paddler can observe how the blade surface interacts with the surface of the water, this may serve an interesting function for instructors demonstrating paddle blade / water surface interface through various strokes.
Lastly, the drip rings worked well to shed water away from the paddler.”
Are we having fun yet? Hell yes!
The Verdict
I love the feel of my GPs, but there’s no doubt the bent shaft paddles from H2O are an absolute pleasure to use. I’ve tried lots of bent shaft paddles in the past and hated them, so this was a very pleasant surprise. The oval cross section feels comfortable in the hand and with the adjustable feather angle, you can get just the right setting to match your own style. Both the low and high angle blades are nice to use. The low angle would be my choice for long distance touring, but the high angle comes into its own in surf when sudden bursts of acceleration are needed. In terms of looks (I can’t help it, I love cool looking gear!) you won’t find a paddle much prettier. The translucent coloured blades look simply sensational.
H2O Crystal-X - great looking paddles
I won’t be giving up my Greenland paddles anytime soon, but I think I’m going to surprise a few people by keeping a Crystal-X on deck as a spare for surf or anywhere I feel I’d like a bit more power. Cheers! – FP
Tags: Crystal-X, H2O Paddles, paddle review, paddle reviews, Reviews
