Picked up my DC16 and got a bit over excited so I tore a leaf out of DJ's book and set out on a marathon paddle. I was going to get my wife to drop at the seaway entrance an then paddle home but there was no wind when I woke up and then tide had only just turned, so I left from home about 12km upstream of the seaway the first 20mins were great then the wind picked to a 10kn northerly and the tide really started to pick up and by the time I hit the main river system I was battling a high flow tide and wind but I was still making good headway on my 16 footer. It ended up taking a bit over 2 hours to get to the seaway and by then the tide was in full flood, it took over 20mins just to punch out through the seaway entrance. Rounding the north wall was hell with eddies, massive current and confused seas it sapped all my remaining strength to get around and out of the seaway , I caught the first wave I could get and surfed it right onto the sand on Straddie .I layed on the beach like a survivor from a ship wreck and all I could think about was I had to paddle back home. After about a 10min break I paddled out and caught a couple more waves & runs which was heaps of fun on the 16 footer but I was still hurting and had to get back . Paddling home was great with the wind and tide on my back, I just kept to a good rhythm and longer stroke and let the board do the work, with my camel back almost dry a mate on jet ski saw me doing it tough and threw me a can of coke which gave me a good lift and made the last hour alot easier. All up it was a 4.5 hour session and considering the punishment I pulled up really well and even went for a run the following day but my hands are still sore and blistered.

So next time I will wake my wife up and get her to drive me.

Rob

I'm using a early model Quick Blade Laird model , it's very similar to the Kahana my mate just brought in a heap of the new Quick Blades but they are different they have slightly different heads they don't have the kick on the bottom and the dihedral is sharper and not as round on the face and the back is flatter, I absolutely love this paddle .The carbon shaft is so forgiving with good flex which really helped me get through the 4-1/2 hour session. I'll post some pics when I get a chance , my mate picked it up on Ebay for $160

Rob

Cool stuff Piros, i've been caught in a similar situation before but not quite as long though, killed the arm's and hands.........Had a ball as allways in this lifestyle

Hey Piros

You should come down south, I've done the fingal to hasting run a couple of times and because Kingy to hastings is facing more south the northerly is perfect.
Also pick up my foam today and start shaping the queen mary tomorrow.

Clarky