A paddle to remember – Lighthouse to Lighthouse
"Ok Brett we're going ‘bru', I'll call Cradock (Ryan Louw) he'll drive, Ran-ga (Luke Mcnish) will be ground crew. Matt's coming to second and film, this trip is ‘gonna' be ‘sick'!" - Richard von Wildemann to his partner Brett Holmes a week before their paddling adventure was to start.
The end goal of the trip was to paddle from Cape Receife to Cape St Francis. A feat that was yet to be achieved by paddlers (as far as we know according to the old sea dogs) which in itself was an attraction added to that, the stunning scenery we would encounter between the two Capes. Three days were given to complete the 103 odd kilometres for our chosen course from December 22nd to Christmas Eve the 24th. Talk about pressure to get home to mom, ‘jeez'!
December 22nd Day One: 11 am Start The weather was unbelievable, perfect conditions zero wind to start building into a fresh easterly downwind, hot and sunny. Blue water and a bit of surf the crew was rearing to go, there was just this awesome atmosphere. No pressure to get to a start line or get psyched up we were on an adventure. We roll into Cape Receife, Matty interviews the group after which Brett and I run and touch the beautiful lighthouse that watches over one of Africa's most notorious points. Day one Cape Receife to Van Stadens River Mouth a distance of 50km. The first 15kms were ‘pretty' tough, but fun due to the large swell that was breaking on the ‘bommies' (reef pinnacles) which gave us enough adrenalin to carry through till the wind picked up and gave us some awesome runs.
It must be said that my 19 year old partner Brett had never paddled further that 20km in the Ocean so the first day was an experience. He handled awesomely and had a ball the first day was sublime. The surf at the end of day one was pretty large I even took my mobile out of its waterproof case to take a few snaps from the backline!
We proceeded to set up camp and restore energy levels with a good old fashioned ‘braai' (BBQ). I always thought my tent was a five man turned out to be a four man, spooning for warmth enough said!
December 23rd Day Two: The race to beat the buster west that was forecasted to ‘pump' through in the late morning. The two intrepid paddlers woke pre dawn put in on the blind lagoon that is the Van's River. Literally 5 meters from where we were camped this was really cool. The route Van Stadens to the Surfing Mecca that is Jeffrey's Bay a distance of 29 km. The sea was an oil slick the sky was overcast and mimicked the colour of the water. Brett and I commented to our ground crew that we felt really good and were ready to tackle the relatively short day. We even stated that there was a possibility that we might go for Cape St Francis after a break in J-Bay to finish in two days.
Sea sickness struck me an hour across Jeffrey's Bay a first in my 10 years of Surf Ski paddling, the ProNutro (Cereal brand in South Africa) and Game (Sports Drink) obviously did not cohabitate in my stomach too well, laughs. Feeding the fish literally, at about the exact moment on feeling ill a large shark was spotted by Brett cruising straight for our nose. I couldn't give a ‘rats' (unconcerned) I was feeling that sick, the shark swam straight under us and luckily we never saw it again. We arrived in J-Bay and caught a wave at Supers the worlds best right hand point break, awesome! After an hours rest Brett and I after loads of encouraging persuasion by Ryan and Matt to get moving. Put in at the top section of the point known as Bone Yards. The paddle did not last that long as the predicted west came roaring through ending the day at Aston Bay a further 7.2 km up the coast, a respectable 36.2km completed. The paddlers and crew were generously hosted by the Scott Family on the banks of the Kromme River in St Francis Bay.
December 24th Christmas Eve: Monday the 24th was to be the shortest day, but a challenging day nonetheless. 17km lay before us into a 22km Easterly headwind to Cape St Francis and its 130 year old Lighthouse. In we put and off we went, to make the paddle seem fun we decided to do 15 x 200 strokes one side at 80% and 50 off. It really worked and the paddle felt great. The ski rounded Shark Point and entered the bay and after 1:57:43 we landed and completed the adventure by running the last kilometre to touch the famous Seal Point Lighthouse. A great feeling of accomplishment was felt by all involved.
Many thanks must go to our parents for the use of the vehicles, video equipment and supplies. Brett and I could not have done it without Ryan Louw 24, Matt Elliot 27 and Luke "The Grommet" Mcnish 15 thanks guys it was awesome! To the next adventure cheers and happy paddling.
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