I finally got around to loading my pictures from our SUP across from Phillip Island to the mainland.
It's the middle of Winter and cold and overcast but four of us decided that we wanted to be the first to SUP across from the island..About 12 kms (8 miles)
I was on the road at 6.30am to meet John, Oliver and Jonathan at Stony Point at 7.30 to catch the Phillip Island ferry at 8am.
Our plan was to catch the ferry across to Phillip Island with our boards and paddle back..We had no idea how long it would take or what to expect.
I got to Stony Point and the others were getting ready for the trip..This is Jonathan with his big starboard..A perfect board for a trip like this.
John had his kalama and Oliver and I had our big Naish boards.
We expected a quiet trip on the ferry but we got caught up with a school group doing a camping trip on French Island..We had trouble fitting out big boards on the little ferry.
We ended up loading a couple of boards up on top resting on the seats..It was only a half hour ferry trip and most wanted to stand and check out the views.
John showed that he was prepared for the worst by showing us the flairs that he had brought.
Looking back to Stony Point we realized that there's no going back now..Other than to paddle back.
It was good to unload all the school kids and their gear at French Island.
We now had the ferry to ourselves and we blasted away from French Island and headed towards Phillip Island.
Looking towards Phillip island and starting to feel the cold.
I went downstairs and warmed up but couldn't stop thinking about how Cowes on Phillip Island is one of the most common places in Oz to find great white sharks.
Back up on top and looking towards the pier at Cowes.
We unloaded our gear..This is our paddles..Nothing but the best..It's long distance paddling were you really appreciate a good paddle.
Our boards all lined up on the pier at Cowes.
Standing on the pier I looked toward where we were headed.
Time to do it.
We put the boards on the beach and grabbed a hot coffee from the local cafe.
Last minute farting around.
The other guys had stuff attached to their boards..I just had my camelbak and bum bag.
One last pic before the great whites get us.
Off and splashing...I soon found that my Crocs with socks was not such a good idea.
We'd only been paddling 20 minutes and Oliver stopped for a quick pic looking back at Phillip Island.
We expected a light South wind but got a light North wind..and the chop that comes with it...Bugger!
About half way I paddled ahead and took this pic looking back towards the guys with Phillip Island disappearing behind them.
John leading the way.
Jonathan cruising along on the big SB and loving his new Werner.
Our first stop on land was after only about hour paddling..It was a small sand island that disappears on high tide.
We were almost half way back and it turned out much easier that we expected..and no great whites to be seen.
We then paddled over to the mainland at Sandy Point..It's a restricted Navy area and we hoped that they don't use land mines or traps on the beach.
We looked around anyway.
Oliver went up to check out a sign that he could see.
We headed North towards Stony Point..along the restricted area.
John was thinking the two big velcro strap was not such a good idea afterall..They cause a lot of drag while paddling.
Oliver paddled closer to the shore and I followed him..and we soon found it too shallow to paddle.
Jonathan spotted a large stingray..We all paddled over and checked it out before it shot off across the sandy bottom.
We were not far from Stony Point and crossed a boating channel when we saw a yacht coming..We waved as they sailed past..They waved back.
We noticed that it was a Navy yacht and a second yacht was also coming.
It slowed near us and yelled to us.."did you know this was restricted water"..We yelled back..'Oh is it..Sorry we didn't know..We'll leave then'..and paddled away.
It sailed away as we headed for where we'd parked our cars.
Soon after the Coast Guard cruised past us giving us the evil eye.
Almost back now.
Oliver stopped to take a pic of the big pelican..I'm sure he got a better picture than me.
Back on land..after a great paddle and a real adventure.
What better way to spend the morning other than a day like this with your mates..I can't wait till Summer.
DJ
