St Lucia to Cape Vidal

Back to the early routine to get distance in before the NE wind picked up. Reasonable-sized surf meant care getting through the impact zone – I took a swim after my blade spun out of my grip on the way through, and had to gather my scattered gear afterward. My newly repaired VHF radio got dunked and started malfunctioning again, leaving us down to one handheld and the vehicle’s unit.

A few dolphins came to say hello along the way – one of the few times they’ve been sociable, maybe put off by my black-striped ski normally. Paddling into Cape Vidal was familiar from a previous visit: past the reef, catch a wave, duck behind for shelter.

Waiting on the beach with Warren were my first cousin Jimmy and his wife Nancy, visiting from the UK – the first time I’d ever met them, and here they were on this empty beach. Stayed at the Buya Futhi B&B in St Lucia, with a 3-day weather window forecast to arrive the next day giving us time to sort some admin.