How it all started

So after almost a year of kayaking I've decided it might be fun to keep a blog, but first a quick recap of the year that was.
When we moved to Sydney a few years ago I vowed to get involved in a water sport, it'd be crazy to be living on the coast with the magnificent Sydney Harbour so close and not make the most of it. Plus I've always enjoyed 'messing about in boats'.
I had thought it would be sailing getting me on the water but I quickly realised that a kayak would be a much cheaper and easier way to get wet. I wouldn't need to rely on anyone else to go for a paddle - or alternatively there was potential to go paddling with as many other people as I liked!
So in January 2011 I bought my first kayak. Not really sure whether I'd stick with this new sport or how adventurous I'd get I decided on a sit-on-top. And while it didn't take long to realise that my ambitions and enthusiasm for kayaking would quickly out grow 'Vikel' (long story, for another post perhaps) I'm glad I started with this basic kayak, she is a steady boat in all conditions and a great confidence builder for a beginner.
We had many great days on Sydney Harbour together:

It wasn't long before we'd found some fellow kayakers (ironically in our immediate group of friends) and the TKBs were born - Tracey's Kayaking Buddies (I did NOT name the group).

Um, yes, Ian is in that kayak backwards...


Anyway, after months of saving I put a deposit on this:

So there was a final solo voyage with Vikel, from Rodd Point Drummoyne all the way around to Gladesville Bridge:

Then a quick dip (and Vikel's first freshwater outing) at Lake Canobolas in Orange, a test drive for the new owner, my sister Kelly.

And finally the first voyage of the yet-unnamed new kayak. A TKBs outing that included guest stars mum and dad and my friend Shannon, all three came all the way from Oberon!

More voyages followed:

After this particular paddle I decided I'd like to try to find the tipping point of my new kayak...found it!

Kell and Vikel on their first TKBs outing together:

A particularly interesting day because of the sea fog on the coast, behind this wall of white is the southern shore of Sydney Harbour:

And, to bring us up to date, last weekend's TKBs voyage, with usual members myself and Rod, Quiggy and his new boat and guest Jen!

We found a fantastic old house:

And this awesome creek:

So that brings you up to date on my adventures so far. My next update, coming very soon, will be a report from this weekend - a two-kayak-trips weekend, GPS tracking and a video!

[Insert witty sign-off here] (I'll think of something - 'wet oars'? hmm, no, I'll keep thinking!)