Paddling Update: Day 36–45

Day 36 – Knysna to Plettenberg Bay, 44km

Leaving the lagoon through the heads I was accompanied by friends in a double and two singles. The wind had already started to puff from the SW, a downwind! I increased my average speed to almost 11.5km/h until reaching Robberg, hitting peak speeds around 30km/h down some of the swells.

Day 37 – Plettenberg Bay to Storms River, 50km

While setting up the electronics I tweaked something in my lower back, but decided to paddle anyway and see if I could “paddle through it.” An hour and 45 minutes in, approaching Nature’s Valley, I decided I was in too much pain and was getting out. I paddled towards the beach, had a serious debate with myself, then decided to HTFU and push on to Storms River. Paddling into the river mouth was very special, there cannot be many people who have done that.

Day 38 – Storms River to Eersterivier, 31km

I eventually had to dig into my pharmaceuticals for the first time to alleviate the back pain. I received a phone call that evening: a stranger, Frans Loots, had read my blog on Facebook and offered us accommodation right next to my next stop. I am still amazed at the amount of compassion and kindness people have shown on this trip, from total strangers to good friends.

Day 40 – Oyster Bay to St Francis, 34km

The St Francis paddlers came to Oyster Bay to keep me company, swelling our numbers to almost twenty by the time we reached St Francis. Paddling into the St Francis canals, past the impressive homes along the banks, you then see the devastation caused by the recent fire, a very sad sight.

Day 41 – St Francis to Sardinia Bay, 63km

On Christmas morning, while the children were still dreaming of their presents, my old paddling mate Ralph “Tulips” Teulings and I got on the water and crossed the bay in one go, at times as far as 15km from land. What a great downwind paddle. Coming into Sardinia Bay we got back to our hosts around 2pm to find they had waited for us before starting their Christmas lunch.