2012: Post 3 – One hundred percent GP

The plan was to head to Cape Broyle today to have a look at those frozen waterfalls and big icicles that Stan and Gerard had the pleasure of seeing last Saturday.  But it was not to be for me; as the weekend drew nearer I realized that I would not be able to devote the full day to paddling (same thing happened last Saturday).  I was thinking I might be alone Saturday morning somewhere.  But then Tobias e-mailed that he could only do a short, close to home paddle in the morning and then Sean was up for this as well… So we three paddled from St. Philips to Portugal Cove this morning.

This is always a fun paddle to do; it’s close to home, there are a couple little rivers along the way, and a bunch of places to play around the rocks.  Sometimes we will see a little bit of wildlife along the way, but we only seen an eagle today.  Now and then someone might make things a little interesting, but both Clyde and Gerard went to Cape Broyle so we had to make do…

Of his own free will (honest folks, there was no coercion from myself or Sean) Tobias requested the use of a Greenland paddle for today. The only Euro paddle in site was a spare that sat on the deck of Tobias’ kayak.  I think the conversion is slowly, but surely, coming along!!  I am thinking perhaps Clyde may be the next one… but I think Tony may be the most problematic but I do have proof of his foray into GPdom….

Anyway, here are a few pics of this morning’s paddle to share….

Getting ready

Don't think I have seen Tobias as happy with one of those
other paddles...  he is using one of Sean's creations...

Sean

Follow the leader...

Sean

I was trying to get a shot of the waves coming in
between the rocks and did not know the Bell Island ferry
made it into the picture until I got home....

Sean

Some play time

We had a lot of rain a few days ago but the little
 river at Beachy Cove was still flowing very nicely

The river at St. Philips had a good flow as well...

Thanks guys for another memorable paddle....  Good stick-work this morning Tobias... just remind one of us to bring one along again the next time we paddle together...

2012: Post 2 – Finally got my kayak fix

Tony’s first offering for a paddle today was to go to Cape Broyle, but there was not a lot of interest from the invited.  Also, I could not devote more than my morning to a paddle today.  So instead the plan was changed to familiar St. Philips for a morning paddle.  Clyde showed up unexpectedly as we were getting on the water and we became a party of three.

Neither of us had paddled since we paddled together in Bay Bulls (see previous post).  So we all shared the same excitement to be getting back on the water today…

Clyde and I have plastic boats so we decided to seal launch down the snow and ice covered slipway.  Tony sat in his kayak with camera in hand waiting for us.  We think he was wishing to catch an incident on film… but we both stayed upright as we entered the water.  It was a fun start to the morning. 

On the slipway

Clyde seal launching...

... and Tony watching with camera ready

We took our time, rock-hopping, and chatting as we paddled almost to topsail beach.  With our plastic kayaks Clyde and I spent some time getting in close and we bottomed out a few times and ended up stranded on top of a rock or two along the way.  Tony’s kayak is FG so he tends to be a little more careful when in close, but I think he still may have scrapped her a couple times…

We turned around after about five kilometers and headed back, again taking our time... 

We washed up in the river at St Philips and went for a coffee afterwards...

It was just a short, relaxed morning paddle but the sea state allowed for some great fun.  Thanks guys for another enjoyable paddle.