Big Sunday

Conditions were not as rough as the previous day but were still interesting. According to the weather history (Sunday 24/8/08) wind was between 15 & 31 Knots starting out from the West and then turning South. Swell was in the vicinity of between 4 & 6 metres. Two of us went for a jaunt from Watsons Bay to Coogee & back.

This is what it looked like through the little camera.

There were no boats out here today except for a single kayak heading towards us somewhere off Dover Heights - Who could this be? Non other than Stuart Trueman who had paddled from Botany Bay and was heading into the harbour. He intended to also finish at Botany Bay!!

Jervis Bay (again)

Five of us went down to Jervis Bay to paddle what some believe to be the most spectacular bit of coast in NSW - Beecroft Peninsular. This time it wasn't only the geography that caught our attention.

Whilst the pope was giving his blessing to the masses in Sydney Ian received his blessing directly

whilst Cathy visited the cathedral

Jimmy, TJ, Ian & Cathy

Tuesday Night

Some pics from our regular Tuesday afternoon club paddle. Thanks to Rob Mercer for leading this paddle week in week out rain hail or shine.

Wind

Rocks
Waves

Sea

Swell

Owen Kimberley

Rescues

Umm . . . I think I forgot something
Shaan & Adrian take Paul on board while his boat gets adjusted at sea

More Rescues

and no session is complete without rolling practice

Batemans Bay to Ulladulla

The stretch of coast between Batemans Bay and Ulladulla on The NSW South Coast is mostly within The Murramarang National Park, has lots of bays, coves and islands to explore and is within a half a days drive of Sydney. So Mark Schroeder, Mark Anderson, Terry Walsh and me went down for a bit of a look.

Reasonably calm conditions opened up lots of landing possibilities

Looking out from Oakey Beach

From dawn till dusk Terry didn't stop smiling the whole time

Slight seas didn't necessarily mean adrenalin free launches

Dark Beach is the southern most point of Sydney Basin Sandstone - the difference can be seen between the northern and the southern halves

The bush is mainly spotted gums with an understory of Burrawangs and is surprisingly open

This unnamed cove didn't look to be that good a camping spot until . . .

We went bush a bit and found a perfect hidden spot

complete with ocean views

packing the boats

Calm conditions with a following sea made for easy paddling

but things picked up a bit in the afternoon

On the inside of Crampton Island we found a bit of paradise and had a long lunch

We then headed off in search of a camp. After not finding anything suitable we headed to Ulladulla. Mark Schroeder and I went in to a break zone for a final ride. Mark Anderson and Terry then came in behind us and suddenly found themselves on a breaking wave. A collision and capsize seemed imminent but Terry braced hard and Mark maneuvered down the face and both made it through unscathed. The trip ended at Ulladulla where we set up camp in a park.

White Faced Herons

Now I know why so many paddlers go on about The South Coast - Its a great place to paddle

Calm water paddling

After the carnage at Maitland Bay it was good to do a nice quiet harbour paddle directly from home. This is becoming a regular thing and there is a smattering of paddlers putting in at various inner harbour locations and meeting at Blues Point at 7.30 every Saturday. It takes me 30 minutes to get to Blues Point from the pristine waters of Rozelle Bay where there is now a new beach and dedicated kayak launching facility. Good on Sydney City Council!

While there are no waves or bommies in this part of the harbour there are other hazards

I'd take my chances in gale force winds on the ocean over a sunny Sunday on The Harbour. At least waves and rocks are more predictable than power boats! Its usually not too bad Saturday Mornings - especially if its rainy or overcast and can be almost deserted in Winter.

We usually hit Sydney Heads by about 8.30 and depending on the group either go for coffee at Manly on the inside or round to Shelly Beach on the outside.

Thinking about a sight like this 238 years ago sent a shiver up my spine

Today we went to Shelly where we were greeted by some wonderful scenery

The Bower

Bennelong Point