Home now recovering from my first paddle in 5 months following breaking my arm. Probably not my best ever idea to join Dave Simpson and the hardened sea dogs on a paddle cancelled for the students but going ahead for the leaders. Forecast was a Force 5-6 from SE. As is was we had a good gusty F5-6 from the west and a bumpy but manageable sea coming from the NW direction. 11 paddlers turned up and ventured along to Canty Bay against the bracing wind. Took me two attempts to get to the secret harbour as my boat wanted to go east and my elbow wanted to go back to the beach. However, big thanks to Andy Beveridge who came back with me to the beach and got me back out for a second attempt. Arm held out this time and I caught up and then enjoyed some rock hopping to re-build the confidence. A tiring day and very hard going at times but well worth the effort and a good practice to tell me I should be OK for Lismore next weekend. Big well done to all the paddlers today and especially to the team who then went for an open water swim on return to the beach. Hopefully the cancelled Lumpy Sea sessions cancelled for group 2 can go ahead sometime soon. Big Thanks to D Simpson for putting these sessions together and encouraging us all to get out there in big conditions when normally we would stay at home or retreat to the coffee shop.
David Grieve