Yesterday saw a bit of a break in the windy conditions we've been experiencing of late and while the southerly was still blowing at around 20kmh it was much safer then the 30kmh conditions of the preceding days.
We cancelled a planned paddle on the 27th after checking the weather report - not only were strong winds predicted but also huge swells all along the NSW coast. While the area we intended to paddle wouldn't be effected by swell the wind would certainly make it uncomfortable - not to mention dangerous.
Disappointingly an article in the following day's newspaper outlined five rescues involving kayakers - seriously people? It's one thing to put your own life in danger, but just days after a paramedic lost his life rescuing others you still find it appropriate to take these risks? One guy even had his two young children on board the kayak, all three had to be rescued.
Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox now :)
A quick paddle yesterday from Rodd Point at Drummoyne, this is a favourite launching spot for me, especially if I'm paddling alone. It's only 15-20min drive from home, has a lovely sheltered beach to launch from and free parking - pretty rare around the harbour!
It was still pretty blowy yesterday so I figured if it was too uncomfortable I could stay within the confines of Iron Cove. As I headed out under the bridges I decided it was okay and that I'd do a little island hopping.
To get to the open harbour I paddle past Birkenhead Point Marina and notice a mast towering over everything else. It's Wild Thing, no doubt mourning her early departure from this year's Sydney to Hobart. I've stood alongside maxi yachts on jetties before but never been near one in the kayak - this thing is massive!
First I swing by Snapper Island, the smallest Island in Sydney Harbour. Apparently not much of its original form remains today - it was added to and had sections taken away to make it look like a ship - go figure. In the 1930s it was used as a nautical training base for boys.
I'd intended to circumnavigate Cockatoo Island anti-clockwise and then head over to Spectacle Island but after a moment of indecision (check out my Sports Tracker path below) I went clockwise...don't know why, I just did!
I really enjoy paddling around Cockatoo, there's so much of Sydney's history contained on this small block of land. I say small but Cockatoo is Sydney Harbour's largest Island.
You can paddle right into the old ship docks, this one was built by convicts in 1857.
The paddle along the eastern edge of the island was interesting, the headwind and waves whipped up by the large boat traffic made it hard work. This shoreline is a concrete wall so the wave action is something like a giant washing machine!
More about Cockatoo Island here:
http://www.cockatooisland.gov.au/about/index.html
There's a saying in the TKBs that the Royal Australian Navy owns all the best land around Sydney Harbour and Spectacle Island is no exception. Back in the day Spectacle Island was home to an explosives manufacturing complex. Today it houses some of the RAN's heritage collection as well as being a training base for cadets. It sounds pretty harmless so I'm not sure why the 100m exclusion zone to all vessels. It's a shame really as there are some wonderful old buildings on the island that I'd love to have a closer look at. Apparently it even has it's own (very) small railway system! There's even a lovely little beach on the southern shoreline that would be perfect for landing a kayak on.
I didn't get a chance to take a photo of Spectacle, I was busy navigating the chop and paddling into the headwind.
The paddle home into the southerly made me realise my decision not to paddle on the previous days was well and truly justified, it was a great morning on the water but I was exhausted when I got back to Rodd Point.
Here's the route:
http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/TraceyJohns/b6rvtmtvc4oue071
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