Canoe Launch Area - No Power Boats!

With Hawkesbury Canoe Classic 2011 just four months away, it was time to test the boat I’ve been looking at using for this year’s race. Like last year I’m keen to do the Classic in a canoe, but ever since last year’s non-finish, I’ve been keen to get into a performance boat to shave a little time off the effort. To do so I looked to North America and soon found myself buried in the Wenonah website looking at their incredible array of light-weight canoes. And of course their standout performance marathon boat, the Wenonah Minnesota II.

Wenonah Minnesota II in ultra-light graphite layup - a stealthy boat for night missions

As fate would have it the Wenonah range was about to enter the Australian market via a new start-up, Paddle & Portage Canoes, and the team at Wenonah put me in touch with the canoe enthusiast behind it, Travis Frenay. I quickly ordered in my first Wenonah boat, the solo Wenonah Encounter, a sexy red canoe hotrod which I immediately fell in love with. So it was with great excitement that I organised a test paddle with Travis in the canoe that peaked my initial interest in Wenonah.

Travis surveying the water as we push off into the early morning's first light

We organised a 6am paddle in the magnificent Ku-Ring-Gai National Park to Sydney’s north. Travis arrived with the Minnesota II on the roof and his wife, baby and dingo in the car (I’m trying desperately to refrain from baby/dingo jokes!!) and we quickly got the boat ready to push off into the cold air. The test boat, a Minnesota II in ultra-light graphite & kevlar, weighs in at less than 20kgs and was ridiculously easy for us to unload from the car. The sexy black boat looked stealthy as we pushed it into the inky waters, and with a range of paddles and the “Mystery Barrel” stowed away, we pushed off into the darkness.

I'll never get sick of paddling at dawn. Simply stunning.

I wasn’t sure what to expect with the canoe. I’d read many different reviews ranging from “best canoe ever” to “ridiculously tippy, couldn’t keep it upright”, so I was curious as to its actual stability (a crucial factor for a boat in the Classic). I was pleasantly surprised to find it wasn’t remotely tippy at all, and with two of us paddling in sync the boat moved through the water without so much as a sideways wobble. I was also surprised at how smoothly it passed through the water, with only a slight ripple as a bow-wake and a glide factor that was astounding. We’d stop paddling and watch as the inertia kept the boat moving effortlessly through the water, amazing us at how low the resistance was.

A spectacular view with Travis in the bow seat and the fog in the distance...

...and of course some fat fella in the stern seat ruining the backwards view!

In terms of tracking the boat was brilliant, with it barely needing any corrective strokes at all to keep it running straight. This meant almost all of our paddling effort went into propulsion rather than steerage, keeping the momentum steady and efficient. The MNII actually steers quite well from the bow as well as from the rear, so for minor adjustments to direction Travis would control the boat with little ninja-strokes. For major turns we’d work in unison with him paddling and me stern-ruddering, quickly swinging the boat in whatever direction we wanted.

The end of the line - a deep rock pool leading to some rapids

A pleasant surprise from the Mystery Barrel at break time - real Italian-style espresso coffee!

In terms of speed the MNII is fast…. for a canoe. As a kayaker I was a fraction disappointed with it’s overall speed compared to my kayak, but in comparison to my family canoe the boat is a flyer. It’s length, sharp bow profile, stiffness and lack of any rocker means that it tracks straight and runs fast almost effortlessly, and I could see why it has such a following in North America for marathons. I suspect the boat is actually faster than it seems too, since it moves effortlessly through the water giving away few sensory clues to the real speed that it is achieving. All I did know was that when we got close to shore I was surprised at the rate at which we were speeding past.

The return paddle allowed us to finally warm up with some sunshine

Another area I was keen to test was that of the seat. Canoe paddlers often kneel in their boats and utilise a traditional webbing seat offset at a slight angle. For people like me with serious back or pelvis injuries, kneeling isn’t an option and we tend to spend the whole time sitting. Prior experience has shown me however that sitting for extended periods on webbing seats can get bloody painful as the wooden mounts dig into the underside of your thighs or buttocks, so I was curious to see what the tractor-like bucket seats would feel like. After a few hours paddling I was excited to find no discomfort at all, the seats are shaped well and I found them to be far more comfortable than the webbing seats I was used to. Furthermore the MNII had sliding seats that were supposed to be used for trimming the boat in changing conditions, but this feature could also be used to shift position a little bit when wanting to stretch your legs. All in all the bucket seat was a real winner and to my mind a real game-changer in terms of marathon paddling comfort.

The Minnesota II - efficient, comfortable, fast - a perfect marathon boat

By the end of the days paddle I was in love with the boat. Canoeing is a paddling style I’m growing to love more and more in general but in a high-performance boat the experience lifts just that little bit extra. The Wenonah Minnesota II is a magnificent example of a high quality canoe which would be just as happy tripping your family into the wilderness as it would be by being pushed by athletes. In Australia, where there are few high-end brands, this will have to be be up there as the best canoe on the water.

I must note that I’ve yet to test the MNII in rough conditions so will be keen to try that soon as well, but regardless I think I’ve found my boat for the Classic. A extra special thanks to Travis from Paddle & Portage Canoes for bringing the test boat down to Sydney for me to try out. Cheers – FP

Wenonah Minnesota II in ultra-light graphite layup - one damn sexy boat!

Adjustable sliding bucket seat - bow position

Adjustable sliding bucket seat - stern position

The sharp ended profile of the MNII for maximum efficiency

At only 19kg, it was a piece of cake for Travis to portage

Tags: Canoe Reviews, Hawkesbury Canoe Classic, HCC, Paddle & Portage Canoes, Paddle and Portage Canoes, Travis Frenay, We-no-nah, We-no-nah Minnesota II, Wenonah, Wenonah Minnesota II

Different strokes for different folks, but still all friends on the water

Last weekend in some pretty ugly conditions four of us got together for a paddle – three Team Fat Paddlers, and a new paddling friend we’d made from Facebook. We’d brought helmets and wetsuits ready for a surf and rock gardening session but one of the boys has a tippy composite boat that is far more suited to flat water, and after a discussion we decided that we’d head inland away from the lumps and go searching for waterfalls.

Swapping boats and playing in the rain on the flat waters of upper Middle Harbour

Just the week before we’d taken kayaks and canoes and done a paddling/camping trip deep into National Park territory. The week before that I got bashed senseless rock gardening in some lumps with friends. A few weeks before that some of us paddled out the Heads and down Sydney’s cliffs. Each week we work out something fun to do as a group, taking onboard the skills, boats and wants of the different people paddling when considering what our activity might be.

All paddlers are different, but shared experiences transcend differences

The end result is that Team Fat Paddler always have a brilliant time when we’re out on the water. There is always a mix of joking and serious discussion, the sharing of fun times on the water itself, and plenty of team help if a paddler falls out or runs into trouble. Many of our team are new-comers to the sport, but as a group we’re able to push limits and try different experiences. It’s a dynamic that keeps it fun and brings everyone a real sense of happiness.

One of the stunning Middle Harbour waterfalls we found that grey wet morning

To some, our attitude raises a few eyebrows. Are we sea kayakers? Are we flat water racers? Are we whitewater canoists? The answer is no, we’re none of these things, because we don’t choose to fit the moulds dictated to us. We’re just people enjoying the dynamic flow of coastal and inland waters, the sweet taste of the chilled air in our faces, and the happiness found in shared experiences with friends.

Happiness can be found in the strangest of places

The important thing to remember is that paddling is a personal thing. Do what you want to do and be who you want to be, and you’ll get infinite enjoyment from the sport. Don’t feel that you have to choose the pathways set before you, but explore the watery environs available to you and ride the waves of your own making.

Some people think the best part of paddling is what comes afterwards!

The crew of Team Fat Paddler will always be out there keeping it real, enjoying each other’s company and tasting new experiences. We love bringing new people into the fold and sharing the fun with them, and hopefully sparking the same joyous paddling addiction that each of us now have. If you see us on the water and want to join in, don’t be shy and come and introduce yourselves, I promise you we’ll welcome you to come along for the ride. Cheers – FP

Tags: happiness, paddling fun

Gelo and FP back in a canoe, in the fading light. Ahh, the memories!

It was always going to be a bittersweet moment. Our very own Gelo had announced his intention to move back to Europe and that he’d miss the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic. The impending loss of a good friend and Team Fat Paddlers’ own crash test dummy is difficult, but to celebrate we decided to take advantage of the Paddle for the Planet event by holding one last paddling bash for him before his departure. And what better way to do so than to include a paddling camp-out as part of the event.

Midshipmen Mike and Nathan on their first sanctioned mission.

The plan was simple. Get on the water somewhere on the Hawkesbury River, paddle to a pre-planned site and prepare camp before the sun was down. Plans were carefully made; an alternate site picked in case of any issues, the distance measured to make sure we’d make it, and kayaks/canoe loaded with all the necessary gear for the night. Of course a few miscalculations had been made too. Like an outgoing tide, shallow mudflats, an un-steerable untrimmedd canoe, and about an extra 5km of distance to the final stopping point. Oh, and did I mention the storm clouds on the horizon??

By the time we made it to “Camp A”, it had been dark for almost an hour and was bucketing down with rain. The new Team Fat Paddlers had been sent ahead in their faster kayaks to secure the camp in daylight, but they were still searching for it in the dark when we caught them up in our slow zig-zagging canoe. When we finally did find the campsite, we found the only part of it not under half a foot of water was already inhabited by other less-than-friendly campers.

Onto Plan B and Camp B, a few hundred metres down-stream. Except the whole area was raised a good six feet from the river by a vertical embankment. The only spot we found for a possible landing was a tiny piece of exposed mud criss-crossed by a fallen tree in front of a somewhat-stepped muddy vertical embankment, but it seemed our last chance at making camp and with the rain coming down more heavily we decided to give it a look. First we sent Midshipman Mike in to climb the bank and scope out the area, but once we got the all clear to follow I climbed up after him to see what we could see – which was a big area of tall grass and swamp! Desperate, we waded through the shallow swamp for another 20-30 metres before the water cleared and we found a raised dry clearing – perfect for our camp site. Of course, we couldn’t leave the boats below as the high tide would wash the mudflat away and strictly speaking we probably weren’t really supposed to be in this part of the wilderness. So together as a team we lifted the boats fully laden up the bank before dragging them through the swamp and into the campsite.

The boats final resting spot after being dragged through the swamp

We took advantage of a brief rain stoppage to quickly make camp, setting up tents and tarps and preparing a little mock campfire  area to do our cooking. We’d brought a few chairs in the canoe so were pretty comfortable – in so much as you can be comfortable having paddled through rain, climbed through mud, hauled boats through swamp and finally set-up a home for the night in the pouring rain! And I haven’t even mentioned the fat leech Gelo picked up in the swamp!

Tents set-up in the dark as the early fog closes in around us. Gelos was full of water!

Team Fat Paddler settle in for the night surrounded by fog

From there on it was all fun. Sausage and steak sandwiches cooked over camp stoves, heated wine and heated hands from the Trangia, and the laughter and ribbing of men living wild out under the stars – or in our case, under rain, clouds and fog! Not exactly a holiday you’d take a family on, but a great session never-the-less. Then finally we each snuck away to our own tents or tarps and enjoyed a good nights sleep rugged up in our sleeping bags – except for Gelo, who tried to sleep in a tent full of water.

Mike "Inspector Gadget" Stelzer with a water-less toothbrush and baby wipes. What the hell??

When we awoke it was freezing cold and still foggy. We huddled around the  stove as Midshipman Nathan cooked up sausages and baked beans, washed it all down with coffee and tea. Then it was time to break camp, pack everything away and lug the boats back through the swamp and down to the water to meet the rest of TFP who were joining us for “Paddle for the Planet“.

Early morning fog surrounded our campsite. Cold, but beautiful.

Tents in the morning. The silver one on the left filled with water!

Looking down on the boats from the embankment above

Midshipman Nathan keen to get back into his boat to keep warm

The rest of the crew (Grumm, Alan and Nat) had by now overshot us and paddled to the very end of the waterway we were on, but as we pushed out they  came around the corner on their return journey, ready to join us for the 17km paddle back to where we started – the paddle we were doing for Paddle for the Planet.

Captain FP in the TFP flagship Wenonah Canoe, Paddling for the Planet (Photo: Alan Jones)

Of course the return paddle just about destroyed us all, and especially for the morning paddlers who’d put in a 40km round trip. It was a tough but decent paddle and all up a great way to farewell our good friend Lt Commander Gelo an he prepares to make his European Odyssey. We’ll miss you matey, but look forward to your eventual and triumphant return! Cheers – FP

Team Fat Paddler does Paddle for the Planet and a farewell to Gelo

Tags: camping, Gelo, Paddle for the Planet

Paddle for the Planet 2011 - Uniting paddlers to raise environmental awareness

It’s cryptic, its almost mythic, but “Paddle for the Planet” is finally here this weekend. The goal is to get paddlers together all over the world to hit the water and think about one thing that’s close to us all – the state of our marine environment.

There are a range of issues and pressures to think about. Marine pollution, plastics in the gyres, over-fishing, oil spills, coral bleaching and many more. This is a day to get out with fellow paddlers all over the world and give these issues some thought. It’s also a day to take photos, get them out in the public, and help create greater awareness of the issues faced by our oceans and waterways.

Taking part is easy. Get together with some friends, print off some logos, and get on the water. Take lots of photos, post them to Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, your blog and anywhere else you see fit. Even better, send photos to the organisers for use in publicity and promotions leading up to next year’s campaign, which rumour has it will be HUGE in scale.

The type of people you might meet Paddling for the Planet

Team Fat Paddler will be out at an undisclosed location paddling through the wilderness and snapping away with the cameras, enjoying the water and shared friendship. Get together with YOUR friends and have some fun for the planet. Did I mention take pictures??

Paddle for the Planet logo - click for printable high rez version

Lastly, if you are looking for a group to paddle with, do a Google search for a group in your area. For the Aussie paddlers, the team at Blast Paddlers have organised meet-ups all over the country. Go and visit their site and find a location near you. You never know, maybe we’ll  see you on the water! Cheers – FP

Tags: Paddle for the Planet