Open Water Training
Jervis Bay
23-25 April 2022
By SIMON WILKES
Over the Anzac Day long weekend, twenty-two brightly coloured and good-humoured paddlers headed for the beautiful waters of Jervis Bay. The long weekend was organised as part of the preparation for the Whitsunday Islands Adventure, with other Club members also along too, enjoying the good times.
With some fearless leaders each day, many good laughs were had, along with much useful and humorous discussion, and sharing of ideas in respect of kayaks, camping gear, navigation and food.
Now that the highway bypasses have been finished (around Albion Park and Berry) it was an incredibly easy drive down—three hours from the Clubhouse, even with some bakery stops along the way!
DAY ONE
A nice way to ease into things, with a paddle from Huskisson up into Currumbene Creek, and then south across the bay to Plantation Point.
DAY TWO
The group launched from Plantation Point, at the Barfleur Beach Boat Ramp, set for a full day heading south down to Green Patch, Hole in the Wall, Murray’s Beach and Bowen Island before returning downwind across the bay to the launch spot. For the two groups, totals of 23km and 28km conquered.
DAY THREE
We started watching the sunrise from the beach near camp, tuning into the Anzac Day service on ABC, paying our respects to those before us providing the freedoms we have today. A final paddle was enjoyed at Callala Bay before the crew headed home.
The weather across the weekend was surprisingly kind. Stunning light beaming through the clouds, a storm front passing us along the coast, small swell and light to moderate southerly breezes. The dolphins definitely put on a good show too.
In terms of useful learnings…
- The camping at Huskisson Holiday Haven is fine, with good facilities. Just be sure to book a campsite away from the road, to avoid the traffic noise at night.
- The parking rangers around Huskisson are meticulous, as one of our paddlers found out the hard way, just nudging into a No Stopping zone.
- As you launch from Barfleur Beach, heading south, there is an interesting bombora just off the point, creating some interesting wave action at low tide.
- Finally, to our very happy surprise there is now a pop-up bar and beer garden at Barfleur Beach boat ramp, with the Jervis Bay Brewing Company. A good brew and feed while overlooking the water—what’s not to like.
So in all, a successful weekend—good times and definitely lots of fun learnings from the crew getting out on the some solid open water. To be done again soon!