Malcolm is definitely one of NL's frequent ocean paddlers, in all conditions. A fairly benign day for him no doubt. He also loves the Greenland paddle and he makes it seem that it was made for the Nordkapp where of course some of the Nordkapp's ancestry must lie.
Malcolm getting up to speed today as we embark on a sweet paddle in Brigus South, Newfoundland. A couple of Nordkapps and A Locksha 4 and we were off. No rain today but it was threatening. The water is still amazingly not too bad temp wise, about 6 degrees or so.
Another Nordkapp adventure and trial today as Tony, Malcolm and I set fourth for a paddle out of Brigus to try out a couple of Nordkapps. Good weather conditions for these boats. We were anxious to get on the water and head out of the harbour to the guts of the ocean outside.
There is nothing like paddling a brand new boat. Malcolm involved me in a trail today of his two Nordkapps. The LV is his newest and we put them both thru a battery of tests in what I think were proper conditions for testing a Nordkapp. Lots of swell, wind waves, wind and protected and unprotected waters, quartering seas, following seas and beam seas. Tony and Malcolm and I paddled for about 3 or so hours today outside Brigus South Harbour on the Southern Part of The Avalon Peninsula today. A great paddle with a great bunch of kayakers.
The new Nordkapp LV looking fine below water as much as it does above water. I was lucky to get to try Malcolm's Nordkapp LV, the newest of his arsenal, but I found I was not outfitted for the seat properly. Though we compared the Nordkapp and the Nordkapp LV today both on and off the water I believe our conclusion was that a lot of the differences were somewhat subtle. Personally I liked the Nordkapp better because I found that for me it handles much nicer, for some reason I felt more bounced around in the LV but again this was probably the seating. The boat did not come with the seating ordered but with some kind of fabric seat that had no side to it so my hips felt kinda loose. Otherwise still a wicked boat.
Well was paddling today in 15-25 knot winds not so bad really in the Nordkapp but have you ever tried it with a third hatch full of water? I did. Not purposely I might add. After lunch on the beach we shoved off again for a warmer up paddle out around the headland of Brigus again. I really didn't notice any thing unusual until Tony and Malcolm rafted up next to me on the way in the harbour and alerted me to an open third hatch. Nothing had been in the hatch as it was removed during lunch...but not sealed obviously. The boat however was not unstable as you might expect and as Malcolm suggested is probably because it was full. I don't really recommend this and we did paddle to inside the harbour to rectify the situation, but now I know I can. LOL. Luckily also the hatch cover was tethered. I was paddling in pretty rough waters for about 15-20 minutes while this was open. Another kayaking tale for sure.
I've paddled the Nordkapp again thanks again to Malcolm. I can't say enough about this boat and glad I've made it my choice of a new boat. Nice conditions in Brigus South today,Newfoundland.
I was weathered in at this little cove just at the entrance to Brigus harbour on the side of the light. The winds were howling, it was the first time that I actually felt the wind blow me right across the water regardless that my rudder was down. I literally could not paddle but I was close to the cliff side and held on to the ledge with my boat leaned into the cliff and the waves washing under for about thirty minutes. I got a lull and then paddled into this little cove. I had something to eat and was watching these birds maneuver in flight in the howling wind to feed on the caplin at shores edge. This one was getting ready to dive. It's wings and body were so tensioned by the winds.
