Paddling Update: Day 27–35

Day 27 – Struis Baai to Arniston, 28km

A nice, short day with a side swell and wind, neither of much strength. Going around Arniston point I chose to go around the reef instead of the short cut through the middle. If in doubt, go around.

Day 28 – Arniston to Cape Infanta, 71km

After three days waiting for strong easterlies to stop, it was finally go time, and I had to slip past the Overberg Weapons Test Centre’s restricted waters before anything untoward happened. Today was the first time I got too hot on the water, my wetsuit top doing its job too well.

Day 32 – Vleesbaai to Mossel Bay, 30km

Yesterday afternoon I was spoilt. Judy, my wife, had driven up from Cape Town and will spend the next ten days with us. Most of the paddle was into a 10km/h head wind. Ruan Knobel, a local paddler and lifeguard, whisked us off to their house for a hearty breakfast the moment I arrived at the beach.

Day 33 – Mossel Bay to Victoria Bay, 45km

Up at 03h45 to be on the water by 05h00. Four locals in double paddleskis joined me across Mossel Bay, and NSRI Station 15 with their new craft came along to support the flotilla. It was a misty morning with visibility down to about 2km, so I had to keep a check on my GPS heading with no reference points. Once on my own I decided to push on past Herolds Bay all the way to Victoria Bay.

Day 35 – Buffels Bay to Knysna, 8km

Alastair Fraser and Judy joined me for today’s paddle in a double ski. We left Buffels at 06h00 to catch the heads just before high tide. It is a special feeling to paddle through the heads. The first time I came in was on a yacht late one evening with a fair swell running, quite exciting compared to today, which was beautifully calm and flat.