Outside Cripple Cove

I’m starting this trip post in the middle. WE did about a 20km paddle, depending on who’s GPS you reference, on Saturday from Bauline Newfoundland to Pouch Cove Newfoundland. It was a mix of one or two sun breaks, with mostly RDF, what we like to call here in Newfoundland rain, drizzle, fog.

These images were outside Cripple Cove just before rounding the cape at Cape St. Francis. There is obviously some shoaling here and this area is normally much more chaotic and turbulent as you would expect any shoal to be especially at a cape. Saturday had calm winds with little swell but still enough water activity to make this little spot an entertainment piece in itself. We pattered around here for about 30 mins or so and headed into Cripple Cove which is rarely accessible because it sits below the cliffs of the cape but was allowing entrance today.

Inside Cripple Cove looks quite innocuous so we glided around its perimeter savouring the rarity of these moments of invasion knowing very well that the rocks and shoals guarding the entrances and exits are volatile at most times and unforgiving sentinels.

Sean taking in the scenery at Cape St. Francis. I believe there is a light here but it was not on at this point although the fog was so thick it felt you were paddling in the dark at times. Right here the fog horn was quite intense and I felt rushed to move on to find relief from its decibels that were amplified more than muffled by the otherwise baffling fog.

“Scratching The Surface"

A paddle out of Witless Bay yesterday to Camel Beach and Witless Bay Head saw for quite a bit of excitement on the water. This was not our sometimes typical paddle to a destination and return trip. This was:  Hey! We’re on the water, lets play.

Put-in in Witless Bay. You always need these shots. We still have snow but it was about 5 degrees Celsius. Not bad.

• 1675, the population of Whittlless Bay is 34.
• 1700s, Irish fishing servants begin arriving in the area and quickly start to outnumber the English
• 1755, as Roman Catholicism is still outlawed in Newfoundland, priests disguised as fishermen, minister to the spiritual needs of the community.
• 1836, the first official census of Newfoundland puts the population at 542, of which 540 were Roman Catholic.
• 1845, Roman Catholic Church opens.
• 1860, the Presentation Sisters open a convent and a school for girls.
• 1871, population reaches 928.
• 1960s, people are re-settled from Gallows Cove at the southern headland of Witless Bay to the community of Witless Bay.
• 1986, Witless Bay is incorporated
• 2006 Census Population: 1070 
• 
  

Oh that preparation. 

Getting out to the ocean is as  fun as being there sometimes.

Some fog of Gull Island. Oh that’s OK , we’re not going there anyway. We have more compasses on our persons than Richie!

Gerard and Gary travelling out of the Bay. Today like so many days was or at least seemed about waves.  

I guess because we are not only constantly on them but in them and enjoying them, playing in them, studying them and their effects on our boats before getting the line, the nerve, to indulge them.

Just a high ride sometimes. Believe me! There is altitude at sea level.

I turned around to face the guys behind me when we hit Witless Point. Out here the waves had intensified as did the wind. We were exposed and though not visible here Green Island was behind my right shoulder. Why is this significant? It’s not! Just that Gull Island and Green Island are part of the ecological bird sanctuaries in Witless Bay and soon they will be making their way here once again.

The headland in the distance behind these boys is South Head even though it is pretty much due north. Or Mutton Cove.  Waving it up and waving it down.

Sometimes being on a roller coaster is as entertaining as……well….being on a roller coaster, that’s what this kind of felt like, but much more gentle. Tony is heading down in the distance while I am going up out of the trough.

After a bit of lunch and energized. We are ready for play. But that will be another post. I have to stick with my wave thingy.

Some of them were rolling in and some seemed like they were rolling out. Clyde here got his eyes on this one.

And like so many things, sometimes it is not the quantity but the quality that delights. You know we got a good bunch of paddlers here and good friends, and always the coffee and tales afterward.

"Greg's Return"

Well it is with great anticipation that we welcome Greg Stamer back to Newfoundland this June for his circumnavigation of the Island. Greg was a guest at our retreat last year and is well known in the kayaking COMMUNITY for his work on Greenland kayaking and kayaking expeditions around the world. Greg in this image, at the retreat last year, is explaining to club members the Greenland Kayak and a bit of its history.
Greg also offered a very informative Greenland paddle instruction on the water at Terra Nova last year and his skills are well....amazing. We got to try some of his Greenland paddles as well as some that were made by club members. Hopefully there will be an opportunity to paddle with Greg on some of his route this June.

"KNL Retreat 2007"

Freya at last years retreat demonstrating some Greenland rolls. I obviously rotated this image for a unique look. From this perspective it looks as if Freya is embedded in a huge wall of mottled rock or glass. Entombed in time perhaps! We're looking forward to great clinics this year from Bryan Smith and Fergus Coffey.

"Greenland Kayak Zen"

Freya Hoffmeister Demonstrating her kayaking agility with a Greendland Paddle and Kayak. The engine and the vehicle , so to speak!

Freya is internationalyl known for her winnings at international Greendland Kayak Championships in Greenland and else where. She has a great arsenal of rolls and Greenland Kayaking abilities. Her partner Greg Stamer taught an awesome Greendland Paddle stroke course at the NL Kayak Club Retreat this past long weekend at Traytown, NL., May 18-21st 2007.

"Greenland Kayak Paddler"

Freya Hoffmeister Greendland Kayak Champion during a demonstration at Sandy Pond in Terra Nova National Park in NL.


Freya preparing for a roll.