Rock and Roll 2016, Jimmy’s Beach

NSW Sea Kayak Club hold the most exciting Rock & Roll weekends. This year was our fifth RnR.

The amount of organisation and planning for the weekend is outstanding.

Thank you to all the hard working volunteers who make a grand RnR symposium.

For Roy and me it was a weekend of testing Expedition Kayaks, EK’s boats.

Morning launch at Jimmy’s Beach.

Saturday 12 March 2016

Dolphins, caves & runners

On Saturday we borrowed EK’s Pace 17 and 17-S. With some coaching from Mark Sundin I had the rudder almost under control.

Bron executing a cool “Telemark” turn. Port Stephens.

Port Stephens. Bron sliding in beside me.

 

Mark was the leader of our group of 6 paddlers. We were off for an adventure to Boondelbah and Cabbage Tree Islands.

On the way there was a pod of playful dolphins.

Yaccabah, dolphins every where!

Roy and I enjoyed testing the Pace 17s on the flat and turbulent water.

Perfect paddling conditions with a 5 knot head wind saw us paddling to Boondelbah.

Looking out of Boondelbah gorge.

Conference south of Boondelbah.

Now on to Cabbage Tree Island.

Most of the group bravely explored the spooky sea caves. I’m frightened of the dark and the Plesiosaurus which inhabit coastal sea caves.

I stayed outside.

South west corner of Cabbage Tree Island.

 

Cabbage tree gorge looking out to Tomaree and Yaccabah.

Cabbage tree gorge looking out to Tomaree and Yaccabah.

Cabbage tree gorge looking out to Tomaree and Yaccabah.

 

 

South west corner of Cabbage Tree Island.

Cave at south west corner of Cabbage Tree Island.

Cave at south west corner of Cabbage Tree Island.

The return trip was so much fun. On the way back to Jimmys Beach we had a tail wind and runners. I was free! Surfing down the waves I let the PACE 17-S have its head.

Tomaree and Yaccabah.

I thought Mark was matching me pace for Pace. Alas a cry went out “Bronwyn slow down!” My heart dropped. “Why?”  “Because I can’t keep up.” “I don’t want to slow down!” I wanted to paddle to the end of the sea!

 

Some years ago I was seriously injured in a pedestrian accident.   I have PTSD and thus no guide dog. I’m shackled to a human when travelling on land.

On the water it’s a different story. As long as I’m ahead of the pack there’s no boat to collide with. I try not to think of the motorised craft. I’m off the leash. Roy is my guardian angel vigilantly directing.

Mark Sundin tells the story. Read his colourful blog.

http://expeditionkayaks.blogspot.com.au/

(Page down to Wednesday 16 March 2016, “Rocks, Inspiration and Sunshine”.)

On the Sunday and Monday Roy tried out several of EK’s boats and has settled on a Pace 17. I couldn’t be left behind so I’m treating myself as well with a Pace 17-S.

Mark recommended Roy try a wing paddle. When using the Epic Mid Wing paddle Roy exclaimed “I got a fright when using the wing paddle. I shot out of the starting gate with surprising acceleration!”

Rock and Roll 2016,  Jimmy’s Beach, Boondelbah, Cabbage Tree Islands.  High resolution.  In bottom right of video screen click on “HD” (enable HD quality ).
If you find the download is too slow, try the low res version below.

 

Rock and Roll 2016,  Jimmy’s Beach, Boondelbah, Cabbage Tree Islands.  Low resolution.
If you find the quality is poor on a big screen, try the high res version above.