“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.

"January 1st, St. John's Newfoundland"

Quidi Vidi village is a quaint spot in the heart of downtown St. John's. Every year it is host to our New Year's Day paddle. A tradition started by a prominent local paddler Jim Price. I believe Jim has made it to most if not all these new year beginnings and so it continues today. The Union Jack flying in this shot is testament to some of the local history.

The narrow entrance/exit between the rock in the upper part of the picture is what locals call The Gut. It is the point of entry to or exit from St. John's Bay. Today it is docile but many days it is not. Sometimes icebergs even get locked inside here and people fish for cod of the shores during the food fishery.



Bob readying his gear.

There is always an adventure to be had when you paddle with Alex. Alex is our past club Pres. and he and his wife put on one nice spread after the paddle today. Moose stew and chili with homemade buns and cheese platter with of course a shot of rum or glass of wine if you were so inclined. Thanks Alex.

Graig is our current club Pres. and he is surveying some of the 18-20 people that showed up for the record breaking participation. Worth a spot on the local station for sure.  http://www.google.com/url?sa=D&q=http://ntv.ca/video/%3Fp%3D10102&usg=AFQjCNEtAAhgn6nYvAf6-BJH_wViYKbOZg

Pete had his river boat out for today's paddle and was busy moving in and out of The Gut.

Marie and Colleen enjoying the splendid day. Nice weather small breeze that picked up towards the end but an excellent day for being on the water.

I'm not sure if Marie was taking a picture of me taking a picture of her or if she was eyeing that baby seal on the rocks that I was totally oblivious to.

Gary heading for the Gut

Mike Kay in his Perception heading for the open waters of St. John's Bay.

Pete coming in from St.John's Bay is dwarfed by the cliffs that surround Quidi Vidi.

Gerard in a borrowed Greenlander. I think Gerard's boat may have a few holes. Playing in the rocks again Buddy?

Pete and Dean heading in to Quidi Vidi harbour. All in all a great day. Will post more shots from my on water camera later.



"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.

"Common Guts"

Sometimes "Guts" are innocuous, that is, you can get through them without too much difficulty. A "gut" is a narrow passage or waterway. On the Southern Shore of the Avalon Peninsula about 30 mins from St. John's Newfoundland you will find the Tors Cove "Gut" between mainland Tors Cove and Fox Island. In St. John's itself you will find Quidi Vidi "Gut" which exits the small community of Quidi Vidi to St. John's Bay. Two "Guts" and sometimes, 'no guts, no glory', for different reasons.

The Quidi Vidi Gut is a send off rendezvous for trips to Freshwater Bay, St. John's Harbour and The Cape Spear Light. It opens to the open ocean and the waters sometimes there are treacherous and not without some thrill getting in and out, even on seemingly calm days. This is where we also have our annual January 1st New Year's Day paddle. You can see a video of one of those on YouTube under XM64842. Tony in the bottom image is looking from the ocean into The Gut at Quidi Vidi.

The Gut in Tors Cove is there if you want to go through it. Unlike Quidi Vidi you do not have to go through it to get to open ocean. Tors' Gut is variable depending on tide levels and ocean conditions of course. More exposed and jagged rocks during ebb tides. The waves that can flow through here in various conditions can make for some fun kayak surfing. Can also make for some interesting rescues. I lost a digital camera to the salt here. Pete is looking in from the ocean throught The Gut at Tors Cove in the Top Image.Tors Cove can also be a launch site to Ship Island, Pee Pee Island, Great Island and points beyond but it is always fun on a return paddle or trip to play in The Gut at Tors Cove. Also a nice spot when the Icebergs are Floating down Ice Berg Alley.

"Spirits"

Spirits or at least their meaning I will leave open to interpretation. Tempeatures may be low these past few weeks in St. John's (-6 to -21 C, with wind) but the spirits of some paddlers like Neville here seem to remain high. These guys have been practising rescues and rolling in some pretty less than ambiant conditions in the past few weeks. I would say they are and have prepared for cold water immersion and what it is like to do different tasks in those conditions. This was shot just after a re-entry and roll in minus 10C.

I know others are paddling in the cold and I respect that. I also know that they are most likely doing it safely, at least the ones whose blogs I visit are and that is what kayaking is all about to me. Getting out there when you can, doing it safe to be able to do it tomorrow and sharing it with friends or paddling pals that just seem to make the sport everything it truely is.

Sean, Clyde, Dean, Tony, Gerard, and Robert are helping making winter paddling another day on the water in this area, namely because they are doing it right. Sweet!

"Drifter"

nough said....

"High Tide Cut-Off"

These frozen falls were beautiful to paddle by. Awe inspiring to gaze on. They are from a paddle two weeks ago but this picture was o my header for a while and now I must archive it on my blog which is why you see it here.