Timbo paddling along the cliff at Middle Head

When Team Fat Paddler take on the Kayak for Kids event in March, the 18km route has one section that could prove tough, and that section is a rocky outcrop known as Middle Head. This spot is the junction between Middle Harbour and the main body of Sydney Harbour, and whilst inside the harbour itself, it faces directly out to sea. This means it takes the full brunt of ocean swell coming off the fabled Tasman Sea along its rocky cliff face, rebounding so that the water becomes a multi-directional lumpy zone of criss-crossing waves.

The TFP lads had once paddled out to have a look, but in some bouncy swell and without safety equipment, decided to turn back to the relative safety of Balmoral Beach. On this day, the ocean was calm and the boys decided to have a crack at paddling around the Head and back.

Alan trying to race a maxi. Neither seem to have a sail.

Grumm staring out to sea and hoping he doesn't drown today

With low swell you’d think the paddle would be easy, but as the boys found out the rebound off the cliff adds a somewhat exciting dimension to the paddle.  As Sacha exclaimed bouncing about in the rebound, “this really makes you feel alive!”, and indeed he was right. The exhilaration of taking on the challenge was firing the boys up as they passed first one way and after a quick breather, turning back for another pass past the Head again.

Sacha paddling past Middle Head (with Timbo in the background)

Caves in the cliffs of Middle Head

The TFP lads conquering Middle Head

Of course having beaten Middle Head, there was only one thing left to do – find coffee. So ducking around the head the lads paddled into Balmoral Beach for a hot coffee and a some friendly banter and bragging.

Four Tough Dudes - Grumm, FP, Sacha, Alan

Having finished, there was nothing left to do but to enjoy the cruisy paddle back to Sydney Harbour Kayaks, stopping only for a few rock gardens along the way for a bit of “manouvering excitement” and to once again put my Adanac Rock Garden Series paddles to the test! Another day of fun for TFP over for another week, cheers boys! – FP

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

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!

Kayak for Kids 2010 - 28 March, Sydney Harbour

With a new year it’s time for a new challenge and the first event of the year is Kayak for Kids, a 17.5km paddle on Sydney Harbour to raise money for special kids with developmental delays & disabilities. It’s a great cause and a great piece of water to paddle on, so I’ve signed up and am ready for the paddle (and the fund raising).

Paddle events are fun! (Hawkesbury Classic 2009)

If there was one thing I learnt during the Hawkesbury Classic last year, it’s that having great people around to share an experience is what really makes them fun. So the first thing I did was send out some hints to the original members of Team Fat Paddler for their ongoing participation – but this time on the water!

Team Fat Paddler - Official Photo

Team Fat Paddler - how they REALLY spent their day at the HCC!

Grummett jumped onboard straight away, so he’s locked in. Jody and Megan, our ring-ins from the HCC, are getting pumped about being support crew (which hopefully means Ned, my paddling partner from the HCC and Megan’s husband, will also get onboard). Darryl and Burnsie however can’t make the day.

So now I’d like to put the call out to Sydney paddlers, or even non-paddlers, who’d like to join Team Fat Paddler for this event. I’d love to get a big presence of paddlers out on the water for a bit of fun, raising money for kids that need it, so if you are interested in joining, leave a comment on this post and I’ll be in touch shortly.

Oh, and if you can’t join, feel free to make a little donation to the cause. Cheers – FP

2/3s of Team Fat Paddler with the Teabag Trophy

Last night the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic held their 2009 Presentation Dinner, which Team Fat Paddler and their poor suffering wives attended in the hope of winning something (we certainly weren’t in the running for a “Best Time” award, that’s for sure!).  And indeed it wasn’t long until the organisers were reading a long speach regarding nominations for the Landcrew Award and I started to realise by omission that either my Nomination for them had not been received, or they were actually in with a chance to take it out. And sure enough, there were awarded the 2009 Landcrew Award (the perpetual Teabag Trophy) to a standing ovation at the ceremony.

Teabag Trophy and Certificate for Darry (sic), in absentia for the ceremony

The HCC is a massive and gruelling event that would not be at all possible without the sterling efforts of those on the ground in support. To Burnsie, Grummett and Darryl – a huge thanks from me for your awesome efforts to keep me going down that dark, cold river. Cheers – FP