A 60k Day

May 16,17 2020

After being stuck in the house for the past two months, I have become highly motivated to get out and do some paddling. However, when the opportunity arrives, I have yet to commit.
Finally I rang Malcolm to see if he could assist in a car shuttle, which he was able to do, so a date was set and that was that. I guess that is part of goal setting, is to just lock a date in and to have someone else affected by your plans so that you cannot bail on them as easily.
I wanted to use the time to push a distance that I had never reached before, around 60k’s. Mostly because to cross the gulf St. Vincent it is roughly 60k’s.
But I thought it smart to firstly know what it feels like to reach that mark with the safety of a coastline nearby. So Aldinga to Blowhole Beach was chosen: 55-60km, and then if suitable on to Victor Harbor the next day (50km).

I have created a film that describes the paddle so I will skip ahead now to the end of the first day.
The film is here

Well, I’ve just completed my biggest paddle yet, 60km. It started lovely, but I grew to hate it more and more. It is satisfying to have that distance under my belt. I’m sure I’ll feel better in the morning. If there is one thing I have learned about being out by my self is to never trust the emotions that come on the first night, they always call me to quit and go home.
Straight away I am missing being home with Dayna; I guess these trips help you appreciate home more.

I am so very sore! It is amazing what a struggle it is to walk in the first half hour.
I find it hilarious how satisfying it s to sit in my chair, after sitting all day. I cramp in my hips when I try to get up!
I intend to go on to Victor and complete this thing. I have certainly earned my sleep tonight.
I have a trip planned in a fortnight to the Eyre Peninsular, and interestingly right now I could not care less for it!
Let’s see how I feel in the morning. In bed by 7:15pm

18^th
I set off for Victor with an afternoon forecast of 10knts NE winds (headwinds) looming in the back of my mind. There were pockets of small headwinds as I went whittling my confidence down. I decided to paddle 1hr and see what my average speed was looking like.
After 1hr I had done 5.5km. hmmmmm. Maybe lets do 1 more hour.
I made it just past Deep Creek Cove, having completed just over another 5k’s.
Already feeling sore and tired and doing the maths in my head: 9:15am – 40km to go – 5kph – 8hrs – 5pm. Last time I paddled this leg to Victor alone I was managing 7-8kph.
There was the very real risk that the afternoon headwind could add 2-3hours as well as feeling totally exhausted, and for what? Did I need/have to? No, I’ve already done that stretch of coast twice before. Would I enjoy getting in after dark? Nope. With a 3m swell hitting the Waitpinga coast, it meant the only place to extract my kayak was either Victor or Fishery Beach.
So with that I turned around and headed towards Fishery, about 16km away.
(When I departed for the trip on the 17^th, these NE winds were not forecasted)

It felt good to turn around. Heading for certainty, instead of uncertainty. I was satisfied that I had tried, and that I was also able to make a decision that changed the plan for the better.
On my way back I was able to enjoy the rugged coastline. It became recreational.
Finishing up I did 85km in 13hrs 50m.

1. 6.8
2. 14
3. 21.4
4. 27.7
5. 36
6. 42.6
7. 48.2
8. 54.7
9. 58.9
10. 64.5
11. 69.8
12. 74.7
13. 80
14. 85

That is another take away. It is good to have 60km under my belt. Most Island crossings in SA only require up to 40km. It is good to know it can be done, but not to go planning 60k days for fun, unless the wind and tide are with you.
Design trips to have time to explore; Islands and coastlines, because as David W once said replying to a comment that he must love paddling, “No, it’s the worst part!”
It is everything that comes as a result of the hard work paddling that makes us choose Sea Kayaking:
The pristine beaches, cliffs, remote islands, crystal clear waters, marine life, adventure, personal growth and satisfaction, open horizons with sunsets and sunrises over the water, and a sense of accomplishment. And the catalyst required to make all these things so satisfying is the hard work of paddling, of placing yourself in a small vessel into the mercy of the elements, and thanking the ocean that it let you pass that day.

So now my attention shifts to the Eyre Peninsular. Whatever doubts I have I must suppress, and simply just go and undertake this adventure. Accept that at times I may feel like I regret it, that I just want to be home. If I accept and expect that, then I won’t be ambushed by it, I’ll be ready and press on. Though it is easy to dream up trips from the comfort of home.
I’m both excited and nervous, I hope I simply find a rhythm of life out there and enjoy the opportunity.