The magic of the tropics
As Team Fat Paddler were training hard for the upcoming Kayak for Kids paddling event, TFP paddler Grummett decided he’d take of with his family for three weeks of tropical bliss amongst the islands of Thailand. Despite our protests that he was slack and destined to be the fattest fat paddler on his return, he took off anyway promising to “get a few training paddles in”.
What a terrible place to paddle...
Grummett contemplates "a few training paddles". Yeah right.
Of course from what I hear, his holiday mainly involved eating, drinking beer and generally having way too much fun to call any of it training. But he did book in a days paddle amongst the islands of the National Marine Park west of Koh Samui with his wife and a group of other tourists.
Paddling amongst the islands
Paddling through caves
Look at that *cough cough* rough water. NOT!
Now just quietly, I can’t exactly see evidence of any strenuous training going on here! That being said, it’s hard not to be jealous of such a magnificently beautiful place.
Grummett trying to pose like Leonardo Dicaprio. You wish mate!
A familiar logo looking very much at home in the tropics.
Not much more to say, other than lucky bastard. Of course he wont feel so lucky when he finds out I crashed his car whilst he was away – haha! Cheers, FP
Thailand, a beautiful and spiritual place
Ahhhh, serenity....
Amber sunsets... awesome.
The mighty Hawkesbury River
With my 111km paddle in the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic just weeks away, I thought I should get out and kayak up the Hawkesbury itself to get an idea of the conditions I’d be facing. On this particular day, the tide was up but starting to go out, so I was going to be paddling against the current. Of course that’s never stopped me before, so off I went.
The river itself is beautiful and awe-inspiring. Surrounded by ever-changing landscapes featuring cliffs, hills and mangroves, it is a beautiful place to paddle. Even the basketball-sized jellyfish make great viewing! Locals have built incredible houses on parts of the river bank and water-skiers, fishermen and yachts were all out enjoying the wide expanses of water.
Rolling hills and cliffs
The one thing I wasn’t enjoying however, was the current. According to the GPS I was only cruising at 6km/hr or less, and after a few hours I was down to a measley 3.5-4km/hr. At this rate I wouldn’t finish the Hawkesbury Classic within its cut-off time, and the slow speed was starting to really concern me. So I stopped to have a long drink of water and a muesli bar and noticed the GPS reading 3.7km/hr. When I looked up, I realised I was actually doing this speed, only backwards (!!), and that the outgoing tide was rushing down the river at a tremendous pace.
At this point I took off further up the river and struggled at a measley 3km/hr into a rushing current, before deciding it was time to turn around and head back (this time WITH the current). At the same time a huge electrical storm was blowing into Sydney and a good 30-40 knot headwind started blowing against me, but even with just a few cruising strokes, I was up to 11km/hr (even heading into the wind!). Of course, after 15 minutes of paddling the tide started coming back in, combining with the wind to make my final 10kms a paddling hell.
Drifting backwards at 3.7km/hr!
As I approached the end of the paddle (having done 30kms almost constantly against the current) the eletrical storm hit Sydney with enormous fury, dumping two months of rain in an hour, blacking out power on Sydney’s north shore, and attempting to drown me as I pulled the kayak out of the water and tied it down to my car. Still, a good training paddle, so I can’t complain (much). 
Tags: Hawkesbury Canoe Classic, hawkesbury river, kayak, paddle
Glassy perfection on Avoca Lake, looking towards Avoca Beach
I really can’t stop raving about this place. The whole lagoon system is about 6.5km to do a lap, so pretty small in the grand scheme of things, but every part of the lagoon system is different. Look at the glassy expanse of the main lagoon area (above), now checkout the tree’d wetland area of the harder-to-find north west lagoon (below).
Paddling through the trees at Lake Avoca
And then just to be different, the lagoon stretches right up to Avoca Beach itself, with just a sand-bank separating the lake from the sea (below).
Avoca Beach, just over the sand ahead
All in all I just love this area. An interesting paddle amongst the pelicans and herons, skipping fish jumping out the water all around you, and the friendly faces of locals also out enjoying a paddle. If you get the chance to visit, get out there!
Tags: avoca, avoca beach, avoca lake, gosford, nsw central coast, paddle
Brisbane Waters, between Woy Woy and Gosford
Over Easter I paddled over 41km in four days around waters on the NSW Central Coast. Day 1 on Lake Tuggerah (The Entrance) was forgetful at best – unless you like smelly murky shallow seaweedy choppy water! But on Day 2 I put the yak in just north of Woy Woy and paddled up the Brisbane Waters to Gosford, and this was a much nicer body of water.
Of course, the section in Gosford where punks in fast boats thought it cool to do figure eights around my kayak were not so much fun, but otherwise it was a great mix of water-front houses, yachts, and the odd piece of natural bushland.
Outrigger going through its paces on Brisbane Waters, Gosford
I also had the chance to chase an outrigger whose crew were doing some sprint training, and to be honest I was quite surprised at how well I caught them up. Of course then I could barely breath for ten minutes! All in all, a lovely paddle.
Tags: gosford, nsw central coast, paddle, woy woy
Three Fellas and a Plan.. after the pork & beer though...
It happened over Pork Maki and beer at a local Japanase restaurant. Three middle-aged blokes discussed a plan to get fit. A plan involving kayaks and a small marathon in October known as the Hawkesbury Classic. Only 111kms, at night. Too easy, pass the pork please.
The following weekend Bear (above left), Milo (above centre) and Rich (above right) met early at The Spit in Mosman. Bear with his brand new (ok, bought 2nd-hand from ebay) yellow/red plastic sit-on-top, Rich with his white kevlar Mirage sea kayak, and Milo on his hired yellow plastic sea kayak from the crew at Sydney Harbour Kayaks.
Three sleek boats - first paddle, Sydney Harbour
With a plan to paddle to Balmoral Beach and back (with a stop half way for coffee!) the boys struck out into the Harbour. Looking strong until about half way, the crew struck problems. Bear, struggling with chop and boat wash, tipped off his yak into the Harbour. Milo, who had been struggling the entire time to stay afloat, kept going for the safety of Balmoral Beach (and subsequently fell out 30 metres away), whilst Rich stayed back to help Bear try to get back on his boat.
Long story short – Bear cannot stay in his boat, and after several attempts, undergoes the embarrassment of being towed by another kayaker back to the The Spit. Rich, who has gone to help the now swearing and floundering Milo, falls out of his boat during the rescue attempt. Milo, after punching the boat in rage, abandons his hire craft and swims to shore. Rich is left to get back in his boat and tow Milos hire craft back to shore.
Needless to say not the impressive testosterone-filled start to the plan we had all expected. Still, after several shark sitings (and attacks) in recent weeks, the boys were just happy to have finished alive. Next time, we promise to be better……
The lads looking more relaxed after making it to shore.
Tags: paddle, shark, sydney harbour, the spit
