Day 16 to Day 18: Rathtrevor to Shelter Point

25th May 2023

24th May: Day 18 
Jedadiah Island to Shelter Point
Distance 28km 
Wow what a glorious day for paddling!! We had to work hard for every kilometre in the first four hours! It was a test of willpower and determination! The flow and wind weren’t that favourable, however we need to get the long days in before the weather turns on us! The only way to prepare for long days is to do long days! Sitting in a drysuit getting malleted by the sun, having enforced water stops and grabbing a handful of nuts whilst you are on the water! Doing these crossings, bouncing from one headland to another, seeing the fish jump out of the water in front of your kayak – you think to yourself “hold on a moment we couldn’t catch fish because they are too deep so what is chasing them and what is underneath me?” My grasp of the English language is seriously lacking; I’m trying to put into words the beauty of kayaking past these islands with snowcapped mountains, the smell of fir and pine trees, the shading of madrona tree bark, the kayaks in a straight line, the bows cutting through the water, the v pushing away outwards, the pure symmetry of the water droplets as they fall from your paddle and create these geometric patterns on the water’s surface! The pictures I have taken don’t do it justice – I haven’t seen such rich hues of orange, gold, yellow and pink in a sunset! The reflection of the kayaks on polished glass, the first time you put your paddle in the water, your hand moving to its position on the crank, that familiar click of when you connect the clips on your buoyancy aid, the tightening of the straps, the crackle of the radio when the comms check is done! 

The daily struggle of packing your drybags into the kayak – every item has a space and every space has an item. Then trying to remember what goes where and in what sequence! This is actually very good for my head space – this is how I bring order to chaos; how I bring control into my life! I can control the outcome according to how I do things. I can control my emotions and silence that voice that seems louder some days! Sleeping bag, air mattress and pillow goes in a dry bag, those three items go into a conical-shaped dry bag, that goes in first into the rear hatch on the left hand side… push it right to the back. Hammock goes in front of that. Liner, bivi bag, extra drybags, spare sleeping gear goes into another, on the right. Tent poles, gas canisters on top – you get the picture! This focuses me, it gives me time just to sort out my head; I can ignore everything that is screaming in my head – the self-doubt, the rage and anger I have with myself, dealing with all that self-deprecating negativity – just pack your kayak and get on the water. Look at where you are! Breathe, take it in! Smile and laugh – you are experiencing true beauty and you get to share this with your team members! You are doing someone’s bucket list – you are enough! The joy of having a hot shower, washing the salt out of your hair, washing your clothes in a sink with hot water, getting 24 eggs as a gift – we’re having hard boiled eggs for breakfast! Find that human kindness, be the reason someone smiles, breathe, find the beauty in the everyday! Take that next step! I will be better than I was yesterday!

23rd May: Day 17 
Rathtrevor to Jedadiah Island 
Distance 28 km 
Early start for us – we had to chase the outgoing tide, moving our kit every couple of minutes, moving the kayaks 15 metres at a time until there was enough water so we could start paddling! The difference between high tide and low tide is a kilometre plus!!! 

Break into formation, that familiar place of belonging, it feels right when you dip your paddle into the water! You don’t need to let your past define you – be a better man than you were yesterday! We smashed the first crossing of four nautical miles and landed at West Ballenas Island! We hid in this little cove ready to take on another crossing of just over five nautical miles but first stop for lunch and wait for our weather window! We had the pleasure of a colony of seals and a couple of sea lions! You could hear their barking, huffing and puffing over the wind! 
We had an opportunity to get some fishing rods out – all I can say is those sea lions must have chased the fish away!!! 

Onto the next crossing, get in formation find your cadence keep on going! The light plays tricks on you, distance becomes blurred, mirages appear, it looks like the islands are floating just out of your reach! The merrygoround in your head takes you to strange and random places! Thinking about when the last time you had a Turkish Delight or that special meal spent with loved ones, the tangent your mind goes on! The water turns from menacing to a lake, I get mesmerised by the v the bow of the kayak creates; you’re paddling between imposing rock features and trees making you feel so so small, then you turn into some magical corner of the world you see your campsite and the aches and pains you have just disappear! It looks like the campsite belongs in a fairytale! You have a creepy decaying house across the water from where your tents are; eagles are catching fish; life moves on at a snail’s pace! 

22nd May: Day 16
Rathtrevor 

We had to take this day to sort out kayaks and wait for the weather window to be in our favour! We have to make hard choices but the right ones! My happy place is on the water – the team wants to be paddling! However the ocean, the winds and flow can’t be reasoned with, they don’t care who you are, what you have done and can’t be bent to your will! This is what I love about kayaking – you learn so much about yourself; you learn to temper the rage and anger – what is the point of getting angry and frustrated? You can’t change anything apart from yourself – getting rid of all that baggage you carry with you. Why hold onto something that isn’t bringing joy and serenity -cultivate that calm in your soul. 
We got treated like kings today – Bill and his wife brought us ice cream and cake! Katie Purdon brought us Nanaimo bars, maple syrup, and dill pickle crisps – they are a winner 
It’s all about that human touch, that connection, sharing your story – we met so many people on the beach today who just wanted to talk and look at the kayaks! I had the chance to go do a fresh food shop for lunch and we had this perfect little picnic, sitting around in a circle, food in the middle, sharing a drink, passing bread rolls around, sharing your life, your journey, laughing and joking! Today was a good day!!