East Coast weekend

A weekend off work, a low pressure system causing winds, great for a quick training weekend off the east coast!

Starting from Whitby we paddled down towards Filey where we camped and paddled back the following day.

The low pressure and subsequent winds had caused a big swell and interesting sea

conditions! Day one the wind was blowing strong force 5 northely all day.

Upon leaving Whitby harbour we looked south down the coast and were faced with a sea covered in rolling breakers. It was possible to paddle a kilometer out to sea and avoid the breakers, however after a quick conversation we decided it would be good practice to attempt to negotiate our way through the breakers. A few capped over us and wet us, but no dramas were had and before we knew it we were through!

The nature of this stretch of coastine, there are reefs projecting out to sea at regular intervals. This combined with the wind and swell, created huge and quite dangerous breakers breaking over the them, rolling full force to the cliffs.

Nearing one reef break, we played a bit of a game of getting close as possible to the breakers. James won .... and this was noted by the fact he got pounded by a breaker, and washed up on the rocks at shore! Fi stayed out at sea watching James wrestle with his submerged boat on the rocks that waves were breaking over, ready to do something to help if needed, but he seemed to have it under control.

Twentyish minuted later and a few poundings trying to get back out past the reef breakers,

we were rrejoined at sea. A quick discussion about the sillyness of what happened, the lesson was learnt!!! In New Zealand we shall be taking no such risks!!!

Continuing to paddle south, the sea was roughing up, making it an exciting paddle, surfing waves with the winds behind us.

Eventually we got to the beach we planned to camp at, successfully surfed through some moderate surf, and pitched up! Cracking dayy all in all!

Day 2:

The winds had died down to a gentle force 2-3, the swell was still big outside the beach, making it interestng. We had variable 1-2 knots tide against us for the majority of the day making it a bit of a slog at times. But due to the descreased winds, and calmer seas we were able to relax in our seats a little more and enjoy some of the fantastic scenery around us. On reachng the area nearer Whitby harbour, the sea of breakers we had crossed the previous day had picked up with the swell inscreasing and the breakers looked far bigger! They were dumping hard and pounding to shore, we didn't fancy chancing these ones, and gave them a wide birth! Eventually we surfed into Whitby harboar, and finished with our usual extra large portion of fish and chips!

great weekend, we just wish we had more time off work! 2 days isn't enough!