Craig suggested paddling from Hobart to Launceston until it was pointed out that the sometimes viciously strong sea breezes on the East Coast come from the NE. Quite sensibly it was decided to do the trip the other way around.
Desley dropped us off at Low Head, the surf was up, up enough that it took a couple of attempts for us to leave the beach in our laden kayaks.
It was very windy and we realised in our busyness and anticipation of the trip neither of us had actually checked the weather forecast. By this time Desley had driven away and we were both outside the break line so it was far too late to pull the pin.
It was exhilarating sailing downwind with the gale force wind behind us but as the seas built the day became a bit of an epic.
First of all I got a bit close to Craig negotiating some offshore rocks, as the pointy bow of my kayak headed straight for him he capsized on purpose and my hull bounced off his. He rolled up and we continued.
Then in the big breaking seas I capsized and couldn't roll up as my mast had bent and jammed in place on hitting the water. Craig paddled over quickly, popped me back in my boat and we continued. By this time the seas were huge so for mutual support we rafted up and sailed together for a while.
Finally we were within almost within reach of shelter from the wind and seas on the eastern side of West Sandy Point, the big seas were breaking in beautiful big surf radiating out from the point. I went out very wide well clear of the surf, Craig didn't.
Whether he was just a bit too close in or it was just one big breaker but suddenly Craig had capsized and was out of his boat. With dread and adrenalin pumping I paddled as quickly as I could into the break zone, executed the fastest rescue in the history of sea kayaking we got the hell out of it as fast as possible.
What a day, it was an epic, it is such a strong memory of a day with a mate you can totally trust, a day that now has taken on an even more special significance because the opportunity to share such any such adventure again has gone.
Thanks Craig.
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