As some of you may know I was in Melbourne for the first few months of this year. I've now returned to Papua new Guinea complete with a new Downwind board. My good mate DJ sold me his Naish Glide in order to make way for a new Glide 14'.

Unfortunately since I got back home I've been absolutely buried at work and havnt had the chance to paddle much. But last week it quietened down a bit and I've managed to get out for a paddle after work more nights than not.

Its the windy season here and we are getting constant 20+ knot SE winds day and night. So I've devised a short downwinder course I can manage in the hour or so of light after work. I paddle out of the marina and hug the coast until I get to Paga Point at the top right of the pic. The geography of Paga point really compresses the wind there and we often get speeds 20-30 knots higher than the conditions. So I creep out and try and get as far as I can before turning a riding the wind and the waves back to my start point.



Theres a little reef along the way and I can often get 2 or 3 runners back to back on top of it which really good considering on my old NSP 11' I'd struggle to catch even one. All up it takes me 30 to 40 minutes depending on how much the headwinds get me on the outward leg. Of this I get a good solid Ten minute downwinder. Its a great way to unwind after work and as I improve my fitness I'm aspiring to manage 2 runs before dark (approx 6:15pm). At the moment I'm pretty shagged after one and its usually not far from sunset when I'm done. I could probably manage it if I at least kneeled a bit but my philosophy is to stand up the whole way. With the headwinds on the way out sometimes I can go a two or three minutes paddling flat out to stay stationary but whatever doesnt kill you etc

Now I'm back in PNG this is also probably a good time to give a shout out to the Vicco crew that looked after me so well when I was down there. A big thank you to the Guys at St Kilda Stand Up Paddle (aka the SUP BUS) who rented me some great gear at competitive rates. Living in Fitzroy and riding a scooter made the logistics of having a board quite difficult but they were always there when I needed a board and without them theres no way I would have done the amount of paddling I was able to. Also to SHQ who did a great job running the Cerebrus race and let me demo heaps of baords. Thanks.

A salute to the guys who i did downwinders with. Especially the crew who did the Mega-Downwinder to Mornington. That was such an amazing trip guys, it was a thrill a minute but i didnt feel worried once because I knew I had such a solid team with me



Last but not least DJ. Most times I was paddling it was with DJ and we had some crazy adventures. I learned so much from him and I recommend anyone who gets the chance to go for a paddle with the guy. He's first class gentleman and unsurpassed for SUP knowledge.

Thanks Victoria. I'll be back

Homeally said...

LOBES!!!

That paddle looks insane!! yeah I would be stuffed too... even just paddling out to paga point!!

Im really jealous of you man! AH I MISS POM!!... Maybe you could start a paddle club at the RPYC... Im sure there will be people there that would be really keen!!

How is the ship dodging going? I bet you must get some strange looks when you paddle in and out of the breakwater at the yatch club... Do you ever paddle off Ela beach? Twould be a nice paddle to local island from there!! haha

Do you surf the reef's around POM at all? I have fond memories of travelling out to Bomana barraks and jumping on a bananna boat with andy abel from PNGSA and surfing the reefs.... some great surfs were had indeed....

Keep the peace mate!!

Hey Homeally, when where you here bro?

Yeah I still surf with Andy and the boys at Sero beach down past the barracks. They gave me a funny look when I first turned up with my SUP but they all had a go and seemed to enjoy it. They are most impressed that I dont need the banana boat to deliver me out to the breaks like they all do

In the past I paddled my NSP out to Lolorua Island, Gemo passage and Ela Beach too. With the Glide Im hoping to get to Local Island and Fishermans Island too. Just need the right wind but it WILL happen! Also plannning a downwinder from Sero beach back to Ela beach but as Im the only SUP'r here at the moment Im a bit wary. Will probably happen in the next few weeks though. Will organise a chase boat for the first time I think. The tides are not quite right now anyway.

I've started giving a few lessons at the Yacht club and interest has been phenomenal. I have to paddle past the bar on my way out and the old soaks up there are just hanging out for me to fall in LoL but I havnt yet I always take heaps of care hugging the wharf like I do. I had to hang back and let a big freighter go in front of me yesterday but you usually get heaps of warning

Hi Lobes,

I was just checking out where you SUPed on Google Earth and I came across this. What is going on there?
There are no other towns close by.

Thanks for your kind words Lobes.. and take care of that board.. .. We're jealous that you're paddling in boardies.. and that down-winder course looks great.

Now go get some more pics of that great place where you are for us.. and try and make it back here for the Mambo.

DJ

I love staying at places like this on the water.

Stayed in rarotonga not long ago but since there huricane the corral has come in to far and makes life interesting.

Sorry.. it was the far left in Lego land... (for those who dont know... thats Kone's nickname... see all the block houses...)

Hey Lobes..
Im off to Lihir next week for a months work.
Any waves over that way you know off?
W

Lobes do any of the ships ever come to grief on that reef in the harbour , looks pretty nasty. Nice place to Sup though.

Rob

The wreck of the MacDhui is supposedly haunted which Im not sure about but i know for sure it contains a huge sea snake nest. I have not SUPped around it but I want to soon as its on its last legs and will soon be just a pile of rust flakes on the sea bed.

Sounds like a good place NOT to fall. You need one of those new Naish boards with the see through panel.