Race Reports, News and Photos
Byron Bay, November 2007
ON the 3rd November the club had a members fun day at Byron Bay. This is a great opportunity to improve our open water paddling skills, but this proved to be just the beginning. Arriving at 7am, we were greeted with the canoes already rigged thanks to those who had arrived the day before, the skies were overcast but there was a nice swell. Two crews set out under the steering of Cpt. Vernon and Sbrizzi, it was the first time many of us had attempted a beach start into breaking swells, let’s just say we had room for improvement in this department. Once behind the breaks we settled and found our rhythm. Craig spotted a turtle, it was going to be a good day!
Little did we know of the treat that lay ahead, as we negotiated around some rocks only 100m of shore, we spotted the spray of whale. Heading over to have a look we were treated to a calf slapping his tail. All thoughts of training were abandoned as we took in the awesome privilege of being so close to one of nature’s wonders. The little guy seemed unperturbed by our presence, he was gradually working his way toward us. When he was within a canoe length away, “mumma” whom we had not seen yet, decided to let us know she was watching over her calf. She calmly came up out of the water allowing us a visual of about a third of her awesome frame. WOW! We decided to give them a little room, and they then headed out to sea. How amazing was that!
Sbrizzi lined us up in front of the sets and gave us some instruction. I made the mistake of looking over my shoulder, only to see a 2m wave ready to pick us up. EYES front!! PADDLE! The nose dropped and we dug in hard, the next thing you know we were surfing faster than you could paddle, Yeeah!!! HANGING 60!! What a fantastic feeling. We went to the beach and after a rest we headed out again, each time getting better at pushing through the breakers, I & 2 perfecting their “air strokes”, as they are air born, going through the waves YAAAHOOO!!!
Two hours later, and totally famished we return to the shore for breakfast. What a blast!
That afternoon some slept, some went out for a second paddle with coach Westo, I joined Jenny and Michael for a walk to the lighthouse (843 steps, but whose counting?) That evening we all met at the hospitality of Scott and the Seeto’s for a BBQ to reminisce the days events, aching from the soles of my feet to my cheeks, from smiling so much. This is stuff memories are made of. Thanks to all, who joined us, sorry to those who couldn’t make this time. You missed out big time! Make sure you’re at the next.
Yours for the love of paddling,
Deb Gittins
Click on the above thumbnail images to enlarge.
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