Epic solo sail by Gaz to Arlington Reef and Green Island, 111km round trip
www.gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor_session/show?date=2011-08-16&team=20
Great sail but Just out of interest does Gaz carry a GPS emergency beacon, or was he just chancing his arse?
As a general rule I would not sail further than I could swim and I know I could not swim 35 km ( or even 16km or so if you went to green island after half way mark)
I carry an epirb, phone, flares and water and I don't use ally booms. At the worst the wind would eventually take you back to the coast.
I've wondered about sailing directly from Cairns to GI.
Question answered.
Dodgy wind in close clearly makes a big board and sail necessary.
Vando - I wouldn't go further than I was prepared to swim if I was still on ally booms. Last ally didn't last two months and retailer refused warranty, this carbon is over two years old now and in perfect condition apart from the grip falling off.
Ken - Not always big gear needed. When you get in line with Cape Grafton the wind and swell picks up. I had to turn back one time when I hit the Cape line and was getting launched of the top of the swell with the 7.5 fully lit. Another time I had to turn back when I hit a giant squid and wedged the fin into the back of the board.
Not really solo effort Firie had a string tied around his big toe and if got into trouble he would pull ole Gaz back in, 2 tugs was the signal
Huge effort - great sailing!
Baron Arnaud de Rosnay, most lucky guy on earth (Jenna....) until the chineese shot him.....
(well that's what they thought at the time...)
Gaz, that's an unreal effort, you obviously know your s?!t. Did you plan the sail carefully or did the conditions just tell you to do it there and then, a bit of a spur of the moment? Did you see the squid you smashed into, that must of spooked ya? Hats off to ya.
I'm planning on getting back up to Cairns area next year for more work in early winter, so I'm keen to have a go at that course.
I'm planning on getting fit enough to enter the Cairns Challenge, and to do the RRR, so hopefully will jag the right conditions to do the GI sail.
I had a great time up there this year, and really wished I could stay longer.