Paddlers: Darren Sherwood, David Cotgrove, Dan Moss, Jack
Moss, Ian Hackworthy,
Barbara Browning.
On Saturday 12th November the Club had a very successful
paddle from Ringstead to Lulworth and back in sporty
conditions with full on man swell carnage at that well known
play spot, Durdle Door. There had also been 6 members out
kayak surfing in North Devon.
The weather forecast for the advertised Sandbanks to Swanage
paddle was for Force 5 -6 with a five foot swell so Plan B
was brought forward Lake Pier and Poole Harbour. There was
a significant drop in interest overnight so it was just 6 of
us who met at Lake Pier on a dry but blustery morning.
Initially 5 of us went for a dibble up to Rockley to kill a
bit of time while waiting for David who had got well on his
way to Poole before realising he had forgotten his buoyancy
aid. After returning to Lake and meeting up with David
(releasing him from the Poole Harbour group of 22 paddlers
who were going up to Wareham) we paddled into a stiff breeze
and choppy waves along the North side of the harbour to
Poole Quay. We then crossed the harbour successfully
avoiding the sailing race to the North shore of Brownsea
Island. We already knew the correct decision had been made
it was windy and rough enough in the harbour so conditions
outside were going to be wild.
As we came round the East side of the Island we had our
first glimpse of the breaking waves that were thrashing
around in the entrance confirming that we were better off
inside the harbour. There were some swell waves to add
interest as we passed the port channel buoy on our way to
South Haven Point where we found a sheltered spot for lunch.
Sitting out of the wind blue sky, blue sea it was all
quite pretty.
After lunch we made rapid progress along South Deep with
wind waves and tide pushing us along. We left Green, Round
and Long Islands to starboard and had plenty of water to
make easy progress. As we rounded Patchins Point, Dan and
Jack had a father and son race in their Inuks back to Lake
Pier. Jack won.
Timing was perfect and we arrived back at the beach at the
top of the second high tide thus avoiding the mud.
Not the most interesting or adventurous of paddles but it
was good to be out with old and new friends.
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| Jack and Dan |
Darren at Brownsea |
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| Dan and Ian |
Bouncy crossing to
Shell Bay |
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| The channel marker |
Dan |
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| David on his way back
to Lake Pier |
Nearly home |
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| Calm and blue at
Shell Bay lunch stop |
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