Knysna to Plettenberg Bay

After a wonderful day in Knysna we were on the go again. Leaving the lagoon and heading out through the Heads I had Alastair and Judy in a double, Paul Dugmore and Trevor Niksch in singles for company. The wind had already started puffing from the SW, meaning a downwind for the taking. Once through the Heads and after saying my farewells I turned left and stayed within 1 to 1.5km of the shore for the rest of the leg.

It was a bumpy ride – swell from the front, swell from the SW, and their reflections bouncing back off the cliffs. I started making good progress, slipping down some runs at peak speeds around 30km/h and pushing my average to almost 11.5km/h by the time I reached Robberg. Rounding it and into the bay the wind and sea flattened right out, like paddling on a pond. I came in at central beach next to the Beacon Isle hotel.

A good friend, Wayne Craig, had arranged for the local NSRI and paddlers to greet me, but I’d mixed up my departure time and arrived almost an hour early. After a quick shower at the NSRI base we were whisked off to Off the Hook restaurant for a fabulous breakfast and two cappuccinos, then to local radio station MC 90.3FM for an interview with Sue van der Gaast.

That evening we were treated to a stay by Owen Johnston at Tamodi Lodge and Stables – what a stunning place. Tomorrow’s plan is to head for Storms River mouth, 53km.