A TASSIE ADVENTURE

As part of my first trip to Tasmania I enticed Marie, (my travelling companion and driver of our hired campervan), to join me sea-kayaking. We had met when I became involved in dragonboat racing in Darwin in 2001.

I presumed Marie would love the opportunity to do some paddling on Tassie’s east coast waters. Marie is a keen outrigger canoeist these days off Top End beaches. I was reminded how much colder it is in Tasmania, and the fact that I could not steer the kayak, so would have to sit up front which would affect the performance of the craft. I am much heavier than Marie.

I brushed these protests aside and made the booking for 8.30 AM January 28th at Coles Bay in the Freycinet National Park. When we arrived in this most scenic location we enjoyed a stroll along Muirs Beach where the kayaking was to depart from. As usual the wind stiffened in the evening and I was quite concerned it would still be blowing the following morning.

Marie talked of the additional clothes she would need to wear to combat the southern chill, but seemed resigned to my vibrance to take part in this activity. Stirring in the early morning I was woken by the campervan rocking in strong winds. I didn’t hold much hope that it would be any different in time to meet our guides.

Amazingly, (to my relief), at 8 AM we were greeted by clear skies and just a zephyr of breeze. Marie and I were in good spirits as we mustered on the beach for briefing and safety instruction. I imagined I would be put in front of one of our two guides, but they indicated I would share a kayak with Marie.

I was apprehensive as Neil joked, “We call these divorce vessels”, as he addressed six couples prior to the morning’s odyssey. I felt Marie wasn’t too pleased with my added bulk in front, but she happily assumed her role as skipper.

We were required to wear a skirt, which is fitted like overalls and fits tightly around the opening in which we sit in the kayak to make it waterproof. Over our skirt we wore a splash jacket and finally a life jacket.. It was all a bit bulky, but movement was easy enough.

Neither Marie or I had much experience with double bladed paddles. The sea-kayaking paddles have blades slightly rotated to each other and require a different technique than we were accustomed to. But we soon adjusted.

Dave & Marie beach for morning tea

Out on the water it was majestic. With the Hazard Mountains watching over us, we soon established a well timed stroke, albeit a little slower than Marie was accustomed to. Never the less, we were always at the head of the six sea-kayaks on our adventure. The other five couples came from as far as Switzerland, Queensland and W.A. and ranged widely in age.

We pulled into various coves along the way, where our guides gave us talks on the environment, history and development of the region. It was a splendid view from the water. My vision loss didn’t detract from my experience, as Marie gave me wonderful description of our surroundings.

After two hours on the water we landed at Honeymoon Beach for morning tea. As we dragged our kayak up above the water line, Neil approached and announced that we were the one’s with all the provisions on board! Everything was stowed in storage space behind Marie’s seat. This had aided balance to the kayak to compensate for my extra weight up front. We certainly didn’t have any trouble getting the kayak up and running!

After a break on the pink sands, we started our return to Muirs Beach on glassy waters, clear enough to see the bottom. We pulled into a cove which was frequented by several varieties of stingrays. We were in our element on the water and enjoying every minute in the warm sunshine and slight swell.

Kayaks group for a talk on water

Sea–kayaks are very stable craft. With the assistance of a sighted navigator, who sits in the rear seat and controls the rudder with foot pedals, this form of water activity is most rewarding. In traversing any swells, you simply lean into the wave to maintain an upright position. If the sea-kayak was to rollover, a loop is attached to the front of your skirt for quick escape.

Our day on Wineglass Bay was a highlight of our Tassie trip. The cost of the Freycinet Adventure Paddling Tour is $90 per person with all equipment provided. Two guides accompany you in single kayaks giving enlightened talks infusing much humour. It is a good aerobic activity and novices are catered for. We spent two and a half hours paddling at a leisurely pace. If you love the seaside then this is for you. Don’t let blindness be a barrier!