Lindsay's paddling Sydney Harbour

[QF WP]

Okay, it has been a long time since I did a trip report, so I thought I'd start back into it with an easy one, but also one that I am going to update on the fly, with photo's.

I decided some months ago that I wanted to join my cousins on a charity paddle around Sydney Harbour, as I haven't been able to attend in previous years.

My cousin Andrew is the CEO of the organisation Lifestart. His daughter Grace, has Downs Syndrome and I thought it would be a great idea to do a couple of things at once - help Lifestart's funding, see my cousins in Sydney (as we are all getting together after the paddle for a picnic lunch) and spend some time with my cousins and cousin-in-law doing some physical exercise around the beautiful Harbour (I've been on it before, but usually on a ferry).

To give details about the paddle, let me quote from their website page:

“Kayak for Kids is an event for everyone, whether beginner or experienced paddler. Create a team with your family, friends or work colleagues and enjoy the challenge of paddling our great harbour while helping Lifestart.” Guy Leech, Former World Ironman Champion and Kayak for Kids Ambassador.

What makes Kayak for Kids so great is that everyone can take part whether you are a complete novice or serious kayaker, and the course takes in some of the most beautiful scenery in the world along the northern shore of Sydney Harbour from Blues Point to Clontarf.

The 17.5km course is divided into four stages of approximately 4.5 km, with team transition areas between each stage. There are categories for single, double and team kayakers, with teams being from three to twelve people paddling three person sit-on-top kayaks and life vests provided by AROC Sport.

And after the paddle, join us at the Lifestart annual family picnic at Clontarf with fun, food and entertainment for everyone.

There are some good photo's of it on their home page as well.

So, now to the Trip Report. After confirming that I was coming down, I booked my flights. Given that I am taking my family overseas later this year for 7 weeks, I needed to find a cheap alternative, so ended up booking a red e-deal flight down today (QF541) and with no cheap alternatives on the return tomorrow night, opted for an award flight on the way back.

Showing how green I was about booking award seats, instead of booking a JASA (well, I thought I had ), I got a Classic. I thought 16K was cheap, but never having booked them before, didn't know any difference. Seems that when I re-checked, there were JASA flights but much later than I wanted to return anyway.

So I am now in BNE QP, awaiting my flight to Sydney, where I'll be picked up by my cousin (he organised a golf game somewhere near the airport for this afternoon, so a win-win).

Was able to snag 4C at T -23.50 yesterday, much better than the 11C that the system had pre-allocated (the joys of only being Gold :shock and with only hand luggage, will be speeding out of the airport upon arrival.

The QC is very quiet this afternoon, not unexpectedly. Time for a new beer choice and some more carb loading (here comes the bread).

 

[QF WP]

I left the QC not long after posting my initial comment above, as they called boarding from Gate 18. Not that it's a long walk out to the pod, but I wanted to make sure I could stow my carry on in the bin above my head, as it held everything for my trip (nothing like traveling light). I am always annoyed when I see pax dropping their bags up top and continuing back to their seats near the rear.

I was surprised at the gate that there was still a large supply of The Australian newspaper available for pax. I flicked it up to read the headline - "Qantas" stood out and I mentioned it to one of the FA's on boarding pass duty. She scanned my BP, welcomed me to the flight and then came down behind me as I waited in line. We checked out the story which was about the upcoming discussions between QF management and the unions (representing just about everybody other than FA's) on pay and conditions.

The flight attendants were great on this 737-800 flight which had taken off on time. A big thank you to Chanel in the Y cabin, who appreciated my offer of helping her with the safety demonstration equipment and was a delight throughout the flight.

It was a snack flight (see picture) and I noticed that there were no middle seats occupied until Row 9, which confirmed my view of seat allocations at online check in. Surprisingly (given their premium forward position), 4D and 7D were also both unoccupied.

The Flats snacks & dip were delicious, alas just not enough of them . The cucumber yogurt dip was a bit too tart (even for me), thankfully I'd taken a water from Chanel along with my tea, so it got flushed away.

I alternated between reading The Australian and typing this TR, until it was declared "time" for all electronic equipment. The joys of an iPhone in Flight Mode, as I'd decided not to bring my laptop with me on this 24 hour trip.


Sent from my iPhone using AFF Mobile

 

[QF WP]

Ah, it's been a tough night. Was picked up by my cousin and driven back to his place at Northwood. A great Vietnamese meal with a bottle of Canobolas-Smith Pinot Noir 2002. Was amazing to see his 900 bottle wine cellar

Time for an early night after watching the Tahs beat the Brumbies.

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[Homer]

It looks like a terrific cause Lindsay and I have shared their website with Marge who is involved in a number of charities and organisations working with people with disabilities, including as a board member. I just wish we’d turned on better weather for you...

 

[QF WP]

Homer, I hope Marge may be able to help them in the future then. Tell me if she wants Andrew's contact details.

 

[QF WP]

I started the day at 6.30am, waking up to the sound of the rain falling outside. I hoped it would get better by the race start, as I didn't envisage it would be too enjoyable paddling in the rain.

I decided to have a light breakfast and checking that I had everything. I had packed boardshorts and a short sleeved rashie, together with a light spray jacket and old runners that didn't mind getting wet. I had put together a zip-lock bag of tape (in case of blisters) and sunburn cream, along with old sunglasses that I was happy to lose.

We looked at the email sent through overnight about the course (4 sections) and the delight that we had secured another (female) paddler to allow us to compete in the Mixed Teams. We also thought that having 3 family members in the same boat may mean we might go close to winning that category.

Simon and I headed for the start line, Blues Point Reserve and he parked the car in a side street at the top of the hill. I left my iPhone in my bag in his car, a decision that whilst disappointing (not being able to get photo's of us on the start line) was the right one in hindsight. I now had to rely on others to take photo's, which will delay their arrival in this TR.

It began raining again as we registered and we met up with our third paddler, Tom (married to my cousin Kate - Simon & Andrews' sister). Working out our physical specifications (Tom and I were the same weight, Simon lighter) we decided that I would be in front, with Simon second seat and Tom at the back. That was fine, as setting the stroke pace suited me. There was a briefing by the Water Police regarding rules on the water (giving way to others craft, particularly ferries seemed sensible) as well as from PaddleNSW about paddling - didn't worry me, as I'd been a Lifesaver in my early 20's and always enjoyed the paddling machine at the gym.

We set off at 9am, sticking to the inside Marker and first up were navigating the cross chop put out by one of the large ferries. This is where I was glad I'd left my iPhone in the car and hadn't decided to wear a backpack with it in either. We all got soaked as the boat was swamped - it was the first of a couple of similar encounters on this leg.

After the adrenaline wore off, I settled into a rhythm I felt comfortable and hoped my paddle mates were happy. I didn't want to tire out in the first leg after all!

I'll admit that the views of the houses atop the cliffs and beaches were distracting during the first leg. Paddling under the Sydney Harbour Bridge was certainly a highlight of the day and nice to get under my belt first.

We went around the first leg to Little Sirius Cove in about 30th place (there looked to be about 100 to 120 teams) with the single and double paddlers in ski's well ahead of everyone. I was leaving here at the transition point and would rejoin at the start of the 3rd leg. My cousin Andrew took over my paddle, lifejacket and race bib, whilst I was left with his wife Alison, son Timothy and daughter Grace, to be ferried to the next start point (Clifton Gardens). It began to pour with rain as we left the transition point, so I felt for the paddlers out there.

After we reached the second transiton point, it gave me time to check out my blister, grab some fluids, as well as a Milo bar. The kids were playing down near the waters edge whilst we waited for our boat to come around the headland and I was mindful that I would be paddling both the remaining legs and hoped that my blister didn't worsen or I ran out of energy.

(picture from last year @ Clifton Gardens, Simon in foreground left, with Andrew & Grace on right)


I jumped into the boat when they made the beach, again we thought in about the same position and this time, I was in the middle seat, ready to match Simon's pace. This was probably the most exposed leg, as we were going out towards Sydney Heads and meeting the 1 to 1.5 metre swells head on. It was certainly a hard slog going out, particularly as Simon liked to "surge" on regular occasions by increasing the stroke rating.

Turning the headland and heading in towards Balmoral Beach meant that we were getting some runs from the swells and that helped me to rest a little, knowing that I was the only one that would remain in the boat, to paddle the last leg with our female paddler, Kath and my cousins' husband Tom.

Oh, this was the best leg. I switched to the rear seat (thus doing steering as well as paddling) and Tom set a good pace. What was fantasic was learning Kath was an outrigger canoer, so our paddle timing was excellent. We even had a chance to talk during this leg, as we were more efficient.

We made the finish and as yet, haven't found out our time or placing, however were only (my memory) passed by 1 crew on the last leg. We had a great duel with another 3-man kayak coming into the finish, but beat them as our team crossed the line together.

It was lovely to then spend some time chatting to other paddlers whilst we waited for our support group and family to turn up for the afternoon BBQ and prize giving.

Our team won the Family Paddle prize (most members of a family in a kayak team, as well as leading position). Was an honour to shake Guy Leech's hand, as I'd watched him in my youth. Pity the prize was a dinner for 2 at a NSW restaurant, so I can't partake in using the prize.

Looks like Lifestart have raised $128K so far, but theu haven't updated the Top 10 page (individuals & teams) lately, as I might sneak in there as a Top 10 individual (currently sitting just below $1K).

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[QF WP]

I was dropped to the airport by my cousin-in-law Tom ~5.45pm, after we had gone to their home in Ultimo and I had a shower, we had inbibed a couple of beers and I had played with their 3 kids - all similar ages to my own.

As all I had was hand luggage, security was a breeze and I made my way to the Business Lounge, to meet up with Dave Noble (which I had arranged earlier). He was on his way to MEL for work so had booked a smiliar departure time. We caught up on a number of flying related matters and left the QC ~7.00pm as they called boarding from Gate 4.

The flight attendants were great on this 767-336 flight which had taken off on time. A big thank you to Brad, Justine & Robyn in the J cabin and I'm sorry to report that I was so tired (well thta's my excuse ) that I forgot to take photo of the meal. It was proscuito with goats cheese salad, washed down with a Vasse Felix Classic Dry Red (one of my favourites). Robyn was most apologetic that she spilt some drops of red wine onto The Australian newspaper as she poured it - I told her not to worry, it was Qantas's paper anyway. I think she was expecting quite a different reaction, so was apologetic for the rest of the flight - which suited me, as I got more attention than other pax.

I was dozing as we landed and I happily rang my wife as we deplaned, then waited for her to come and pick me up. Needless to say, I slept well that night.