Ocean Paddle from SLSC Sheds, Blacksmiths to Shark Hole and back, 20km, 22nd April 2017.

“Meet at 8:30am!” Most of the fourteen Paddlers (Anne, Sue, Greg, Karen, Tony, Selim, Rob & Marg, Gay, Richard, Steven and Troy), were there by the appointed time, and after a short briefing, by Owen, set off toward Swansea Heads, about 9:00 am, under overcast skies.

Though still “good conditions”, slightly larger than forecast waves greeted us as we passed the Heads – fortunately, not enough to scare off the few novices having their first extended trip.

With the Marine Rescue HQ on our right, and Moon Island languishing to seaward, affording some moderating, but complicating, effect on the wave patterns for a while.

It was “plain sailing” heading south past Caves Beach, with the “Caves” at the southern end of the beach. The “Caves” that the Sea Kayakers head for though, are further south, at the lower end of Wallarah National Park. It is interesting that the City folk, from Sydney way, have brought with them, their own pronunciation of Wallarah, ie as in Woollahra, rather than emphasising the “rah,” as has been the custom for a couple of centuries. One Aboriginal meaning of Wallarah is somewhat appropriately, “lookout.”

We stopped at a lovely, small, protected beach at Spoon Rocks – an area no longer “pristine,” though, due to hundreds of tons of fill dumped there as the beginning of a coal loader for a failed mining venture some years ago. But Nature has sculptured even these coarse rocks into somewhat pleasing shapes.

Re-energised, we pressed on toward the Deep Cave, which was not as forbidding as it appeared from outside. It was very rewarding for those who made the short diversion, surprisingly, with hugely contrasting sounds, once “inside.” Pounding on the “low tide” beach was a quite small shore break, but with the amplifying acoustics, it sounded like a two metre surf, which seemed to be almost continuous! Oddly though, the twittering of the small cave bats fluttering about, could still be heard!

However, the pause for those lingering “outside” in the rebounding waves from the rocky shore, had an unsettling effect, with five deciding to return, accompanied by two experienced Paddlers – Owen and Anne.

The others pressed on toward the theatrically named Shark Hole. The “channel” is somewhat narrow, so it is wise to enter tail first – our craft being longer than the width of the rocky cleft! There is a short clip of “Yours truly” exiting the notorious attraction! Meanwhile, one paddler was enjoying a voluntary swim in his own, personal (large) pool to settle his tummy! Once under way, he asked could we make an unscheduled stop at Spoon Rocks, to take on some “supplies” for the home run. Fortunately, that worked, and he powered home!

Four of us decided to make a small diversion out to Moon Island, for a quick inspection of the near shoreline, to the disapproval of a pair of Oyster Catchers.

The preceding group had found the “chop” through the Heads “interesting,” if not a little testing, but all handled it like seasoned Sea Kayakers, I hear! We think it may have abated a little for us, but there was still some energy in the waves to be exploited! There were delicate colours in between the clearing clouds, with interesting columns to the west. By the time we landed, nearly 3:00pm, the sun was shining, revealing a beautiful afternoon – good conditions for the sky divers, landing at Pelican Airport!

Another lovely day, “on the water!”

Thank you Owen & Anne, and all the Paddlers for your company!

Photos and videos from the paddle can be seen at www.flickr.com/photos/ccccgallery/albums/72157682884931956

Regards,

Nick Naughton. (SeaBear paddler.)