“Paddling Too in Newfoundland"

I guess when you own a blog and do so many posts about others you sometimes might wonder where the heck is the guy taking the pictures surely he paddles too.

Just getting underway in Cape Broyle a few weeks ago Gerard was nice enough to send me photos he took of myself. Sometimes it is kind of neat to see what “you” look like on the water and see how you fit in your boat.  I was curious if it looked like it felt. In some circumstances I believed it did. A leisurely cadence, I think it felt like that.

A little more aggressive stance and I know it felt like that.

My being awed by nature stance and well…….. it always feels like that. Thanks Gerard for giving me a visual of me on the water.

"Within The Darkness"

Even in darkness there is adventure to be discovered. This is how it is with sea caves. There are many areas along the Avalon Peninsula that offer opportunities to paddle in and around these interesting structures.

"Diminishing Return"

Though the size of the kayakers is diminished next to the cliff, the return for being on the water, is what most of our trips tend to be about.

"Cape Broyle"

Tony heading out of Cape Broyle Habour on Sunday past. Clyde, Tony, Sean, Dean, Gerard and myself went for an excellent paddle from Cape Broyle to Brigus South and back, about 22km I guess.

"Salt Ice"

Heading out of Cape Broyle we met with a bit of surface ice on the way to some falls on the northside of the harbour.

"Good To Be There"

Not hard to tell Clyde was happy to be on the water on Sunday Mach 14th, 2010 in Cape Broyle.

"NorthSide FAlls"

Northside falls at Cape Broye were inviting in the late morning sun.

"Northside Cape Broyle"

Cape Broye is normally KNL's father's day paddle. It is always an interesting paddle when ever you go there. Just something that can offer alot to a diverse group. This is a little cove where the north side falls pound fresh water into the sea.

"Superior and Greenland"

Greenland paddles are well much more than I could have thought. Got a Superior Greenland PAddle last week and tried it in the pool on Saturday and then at Cape Broyle on Sunday. I guess I am hooked you might say. Thoroughly enjoyed its' feel and the lightness of carbon fiber. I was using an Ikelos Werner carbon fiber paddle because I like the power it affords me, not necessarily the effort, but the power. With the Superior GP I may be a bit slow out of the shoot but certainly can maintain a powerful stroke with....ease. I really, really like that. The Nordkapp a Greenland modelled boat and now my GP, I do feel that they really fit together and I can only look forward to exploiting their union in the comng paddling days. For a two piece paddle it is rock solid. I still have much to learn for sure but I am so looking forward to it. Gordon Brown do you do instruction on Greenland Techniques? lol

"Caves, Arches and Things..."

Waterfalls, frozen waterfalls, sea caves, arches, sandy beaches and lots of sunshine. Good ingredients for a paddle. Both sides of Cape Broyle Harbour has much to offer but the south side has more caves for exploring but the tide needs to be low and the wather calm for getting in and out...safely and if you haven't been, it will be a treat.

"Winter After All"

Well it is still winter here in Newfoundland but certainly unlike most for paddling conditions and spring like weather. At least around here. Bonavista on the western edge was suffereing power outages and massive silver thaw damage as iced power lines were down and snapping power poles like tooth picks. On the southern shore of the Avalon Peninsula it was 4 degrees celsius and a good day to be sharing the water with friends.

"Through The Rough"

Gerard pokes through an interesting rock section where timing was everything.

"Golden Cove"

OUr Scenic Lunch Stop on Sunday.

"Falls Of Light"

Sean enjoying a moment of Zen while listening to the falls cascade to the ocean below their long perch. The south side of Cape Broyle.

"To Cape Broyle"

After returning from a lunch brake at South Brigus we head back to our put-in site at Cape Broyle. Neville here is looking ahead at the distant community.

"Gov't Wharf"

 

It used to moor long liners, draggers, trawlers, freezer boats, inshore fishing boats and many more. Government wharves exist in many coastal ports of the Atlantic Provinces in Canada. Their up-keep depending on Gov't funding I presume. They are a mainstay and a necessity for those who ply their trade from the salt waters of this earth. This morning though it marks the beginning of another day in my home town. Yesterday was an amazing day with family. No Kayaking. "Red Sky At Morning Sailors Take Warning" held true to form today as there was rain and winds. A wicked sight at 6 am as I drove though town alone remembering how many times I saw these colored skies in my youth and once again my soul was rejuvenated and I longed for the unfolding of my time with family.

"Tony and Clyde"

 

Looking north on Cape Broyle HArbour. Tony and Clyde in Nordkapps trying to sight the elusive Humpback. The boats of choice today is the Nordkapp. A fellow blogger in Sweden "kayakr" has a poll going asking "what boat do you paddle?" so far out of his selection listed Valley seems to be out in front. It will be interesting to see how this poll finishes with international participation. What signifigance this has in the kayaking world who knows but owning A Valley has just peaked my curiosity as to who is paddling what around the world. Neat poll Pete!

"Got'em"

 

Today we had a most excellent paddle in Cape Broyle trying to capture some pictures of a Humpedback we heard was in the area. He was there alright but very elusive as he continued his feeding. We at first chased him all around the harbour. At least that is what it felt like to me. To him we were so far off that he probably didn't see us as we were following his blow hole sprays from a distance. We did at one point see him breech, twist in the air and land on his back causing a tremendous splash, of course we were to far away to get it on camera. What a spectacular sight though. As we returned up the harbour we spotted him heading back to the harbour mouth right in front of us. He passed just to the left of Tony's boat and I was just able to catch his dorsal fin and wave beore he dropped below. The wind was gusting hard at this point but I was getting him on a picture come hell or cold Broyle water. You can see him just to the left as he passes by Tony's kayak.

"Tire Put-in, Cape Broyle Harbour"

 

Well the picture just tells it all. I don't want to scratch the bottom now do I? LOL

"Lance Cove For Lunch"

 

Coastal Eating is just the best damn thing I know of.