The array of kayaks was as colourful as any sideshow at the Ekka. The vibrancy was matched by the intensely blue water and clear skies. Just off Cleveland Point the decision was made to head clockwise around the northern side of Peel. The group soon dribbled out across several Km. Three of the four radios tagged up the rear within chattering distance of each other. As it was the radios were pretty useless for a pair of male gas bags were holding 21 hostage to themselves and their drivel. A curt interruption took the kayakers up to Channel 22 once the tagglets figured out how to do it.
Our sole receiver was Mark somewhere out in front. An initial offer of AM tea on the beach on the western side of Peel was withdrawn as the cake holder was heading north together with the rapidly receding tide. Those who were familiar with these waters also headed north. It was with some bemusement that such a colourful array of boats seemed to be in no hurry to get away from the coral they had ported over. The coral viewing can get very up close and personal as the silvery water around the Lazeret runs very thin very quickly. Radios are handy, and not just for calling cake time, but if no one has one . . .
The visibility was the watery equivalent to the clear blue skies. There was plenty of snotty looking slime adrift in the green. The coral looked like mud castles. The kayak startled an occasional turtle and a small groups of sprats but that was about it. Seemed like the Brahminy perched on the sign would be working hard for a feed, and those fishing were there for the meditation rather than the catch.
The 16 kayaks commandeered Platypus Bay nosing in amongst drifts of cornflake weed the same as that washed ashore on the western side of Moreton on the weekend. The lat tide had left the rock wall looking surprisingly good, but someone said that there had been work done on it. After a casual lunch and more wasabe moral mirth the group then completed the clockwise navigation. It remained very still. Mark and I decided to have lunch at Horseshoe Bay and give the NE a chance to wind up. We played match the beach goer with the boat. Those on jet skis were easy. It was the yachties that were hard to pick – we had them for bayliners.
With little wind and the lat tide about done we wandered off. A verbal reprimand spared some soldier crabs a mindless squashing by two bored young boys and we headed off before copping a squashing from any protective parent. On the way back a solitary dolphin came for a casual looksee. The NW had a bit of life but would have improved its performance by shifting NE and upping the amount of effort it put into it. Apparently it was said that I would whinge about this. Oops, you would get the impression (as some apparently have) that I am a dare devil. I am not, I am the biggest scaredy cat. It is only once I know it won’t hurt me that I am less timorous. And paddling is over rated.
We were surprised to find the last few yet to leave. Apparently one paddler went for a swim. As on the way over the group was dribbled out over many Km. The swimming episode happened towards the tail. Fortunately there was another paddler nearby and a third came back to help. There is something to be said about radios. The one time we witnessed an unexpected swim a “man overboard” call was out as soon as the paddler hit the water. The entire group pulled up immediately as there were radios dispersed throughout the group. The swimmer soon had a range of boats to bonk him on the head and there was plenty of help should anyone assisting end up in the drink.
UHF radios. Perfect for cake calls, relaying unexpected changes of course, getting help, quickly, no matter how calm or rough the conditions. They are only worth having if they are out, accessible and useable. That means having a reliable model, with the option of high power transmission (for when conditions are rough or the wind strong) in a dry bag (which usually costs more than the radio). It also means having batteries that work. Mark gave rechargeable batteries the flick years ago – we found them too unreliable for a piece of equipment which can make all the difference. UHF radios, we don’t paddle without them.
