For those who don't know Fawkner beacon it's a big shipping marker out in the middle of Port Phillip bay and each year SHQ have a big windsurfing race out to it and back.. It's called the 'Breakwater to Beacon' and even when windsurfing at planing speed it seems to take one hellova long time to get out there and back.
On a very clear day it's only just viable as a speck on the horizon.. and yesterday a few of us paddled out there and back.. It was a perfect day to do it.. Cool and glassy.. Christian was paddling the 12' Naish Glide.. Jonathan was on his 12'6" Starboard.. Dave paddled his 11'6" C4 and I used my 12' Naish Glide.
This is heading off from Sandringham Marina and Christian looks back as if to say 'let's go'.
Jonathan comes under the Sandy pier and shows me his supplies.. A couple of packs of muesli I think.
Our first challenge was to paddle under the low foot bridge.. It's a short cut for us to get out of the marina.
We soon caught up with Dave who had paddled across to us from where he lives (just up the beach from the marina).
We could only guess as to what the right direction was because of the low cloud and fog on the water.
Here Jonathan is pointing to what he thinks is the right way to head.
Dave thinks we're heading the right way.. It was an eerie feeling when you can't see where the sky meets the water.
We're off.
We had been paddling about an hour when we get out first glimpse of the beacon in the distance.. It's now painted with red and white stripes.
We get there.. Waa-Hoo!.. Hands up those with a Kialoa paddle.
I climbed onto it leaving my board to drift away.
Climbed up the ladder to the platform.
This is looking up the beacon from the platform.
Looking down I see Christian reaching to catch my drifting board.
Once back on my board it was time for a short rest and a few munchies before heading back.
Mmmmmm... Chocolate.. and it's the good stuff.
We had had no sight of land for ages and heading back was a bit tricky.. But it was still glassy.
Not sure we are going the right way and being only a few degrees off would put us so far from where we want to go.. We're pretty sure we're going the right way.
We had this amazing big sea bird following us for a while and dive-bombing for fish right beside us.. It was very cool.
Getting there and seeing land in the distance.
Once we got close Dave waves goodbye and heads off to where he lives and we headed back towards the marina.
Heading around the end of the breakwater wall.
Back inside the marina.
Jonathan cruises along and thinks about how good this will be once he gets his new Penetrator.
Christian gliding on the Glide.
Back under the low foot bridge.
Almost back now as we head for the Sandy pier.
It was a great paddle and we are all looking forward to doing it again on day.
DJ
