November 29 - Discovery Island (#33)

Dan, Paulo and I went for an early paddle (0800 start) so we could get back in time for the SISKA lunch. Conditions were great - a little current against us but not too bad and no wind to speak of. I could see Mt Rainier and Mt Baker. We kept up a good pace (avg 6.1 kph, just over 3 knots) and I was back at the beach in 2 hours 25 minutes. There were a couple of noisy California Sea Lions on the west side of Chatham and then some noisy Steller sea lions (and one California) on the rock by Seabird Point. All the sea lions seen were males.

We had the usual birds: https://ebird.org/checklist/S286720019

click to enlarge

15 km, YTD 364 km

November 26 -Discovery (#32)

I organized a Wednesday Group paddle for 12 of us to leave from Caddy Bay (where else!) and head out to the islands. The winds were light and the tide levels high so we visited lagoons and passages that are otherwise impassable. The currents were not too tricky, though they seemed stronger for the return across Baynes Channel.The cacti in Cactus Islet Inlet were still there and seem to be doing well in spite of their position so close to the water. We had lunch in Rudlin Bay. We saw plenty of birds: (https://ebird.org/checklist/S286288322)as well as both Steller and California sea lions and harbour seals.

click to enlarge

17 km, YTD 349 km

22 November - Discovery Island (#31)

 I paddled out to Cadboro Point to join Dan and Paulo for a paddle around the islands. I could just make out the tip of Mt Rainier above the Puget Sound clouds! Conditions were good with favourable tides and light winds. I however was out of shape and my back was not happy - too much time out of the "saddle"?

It was good to see the winter birds in full swing - 19 species https://ebird.org/checklist/S285687706

click to enlarge

15 km, YTD 332 km

Australia paddles (26-30) October 2025

Monica and I were in Australia for two months and I managed to get 5 paddles in... I am going to post about them in one go. Prior to this there were too many crocs (salties), sharks or wind!

Wellington Reservoir 9 km

My first paddle was on Wellington Reservoir. It took me quite a while to get the TRAK set up and I made a few mistakes in the process. But it was great to get out

Kalgan River 11 km

This was delightful early morning river paddle. The river and launch were only about 30 m from our motorhome site!

Walpole inlet 7 km

Another nice morning paddle - a bit more of a trek from the campsite!

Augusta 7 km

Yet another great morning paddle - launch site was metres away from the motorhome - saw dolphins in the harbour as I was heading back

Perth 12 km

I joined Gillian from the Swans Paddle club for a morning paddle in Perth Harbour - great morning and we saw dolphins twice!

Total for 5 paddles 46 km, YTD 317 km