Mega down-winder.

Great stuff guys! Now that you've had a taste of what its like there is no turning back. Glad to see that you had a lot of safety gear.

I would definately recommend camelbacks next time. You should have at least a 3ltr one which should last you 6hrs of paddling (1/2 lt per hour). Dale and I did 1lt per hour but this is too much.

It would also be a good idea to wear a lot brighter clothing. The brighter you can be the more viasble you will be to any potential rescue people (it's not a fashion contest).

We logged our Byron to Burleigh paddle on a Garmin GPS and a DC16 definately makes a difference for a long paddle. We did 67.5km at an average speed of 8,3km/hr. You can analyse the whole trip and see how you were goping at different stages. Nice toy to have.

The rudder system is also a very nice thing to have. We also had a strong side wind for 2 hrs and the rudder helps you heep a much straighter line. You can also paddle both sides, which reduces fatigue.

Once we get some pictures we will put them on a new blog.

Welcome to long distance SUPing!

Great pics DJ I haven't really read the whole commentary. Because I grew up in FRANKSTON, I haven't managed to get past how you consistently spell my home town incorrectly.

Looks like a blast though - paddling out there in the middle of nowhere with no land in sight. Love the color of the water. It sure was a moody day.

It's also a good thing you listened to everyones advice about safety before you set out and gaffa taped a few cans of coke and mars bars to your boards.

We did get pretty far apart.. It was amazing how I'd stop to take a pic.. Click one as they approach.. Then again as they pass.. and one more as they disappear away from me..and it seems like only second would pass and they'd be a dot in the distance.. and anyone ahead of them was almost out of sight... Then I'd have to paddle like hell to try and catch up.. and I think doing this added to me running out of steam towards the end.

In fact I was so buggered for the last hour or so I didn't have the strength to stand.. I'm embarrassed to say I had to sit and paddle just to make it to the end..and even though the guys would often wait for me (having a nice little rest themselves) by the time I got there we'd all be off again when it was me that needed the biggest rest.

I didn't realize how much strength it takes to balance in rough water..and if you've got no strength you can't balance at all.. I'd try and stand..and fall..and the effort that it takes to climb back on and try and stand was just making it worse..I thought if I sit and paddle for a while I'd recover..but I never really did.

The last time that I ever felt like this was Mt Bike racing years ago when I bonked (hit the wall) and could only peddle in my granny gear and it was flat ground..in fact even my paddling at this stage even though it felt like I was digging deep I was really only dipping my paddle in and out enough to get it wet.

This was a very important lesson learned by me.. I had not eaten a good meal the day before and only had a piece of toast in the morning and my body was out of fuel.. I should have eaten my Wheaties and had pasta the night before or something like that...Maybe even take some of the gel that triathletes use.

I had not expected to be paddling for so so long.. or to be paddling on one side so much heading across the swells and getting hit by side chop.. But I guess you should be prepared for the worst..just in case.

At this stage I put my camera away.. It was getting very serious.. The wind and waves were getting huge..and I mean really huge..and I often thought jeez..what a great picture that would make as some waves rolled through with a 8-10' vertical face..and missed some great shots.. I was hanging on for dear life sometimes.

DJ

LAND AHOY!!!... After paddling for ages into the side of waves and being hit side on by gale force winds we finally see land through the smoke haze in the distance.. The wind and swell had dropped a little as we moved away from the shipping lanes and got more towards shore... Time to get my little camera out.



It was a great feeling but we still had no idea just where we were.



It was Mornington beach..and I could see Dave's red and white C4 board.. What a great sight..even though I got pounded in the shorie.









Well done guys..a great effort by all.. Especially Pete (Haro) who stood and paddled the whole way like it was a walk in the park.. and he was the one leading the way most of the time... Thanks Pete.

Hell-man indeed...Actually Solo man here as he sips on one.



After a taxi trip to get the car we were loaded up and ready to head off to home sweet home.



Once back to my car there was only one thing that I needed to do... Straight to Maca's...Hot chips and cold coke went down without even touching the sides.

DJ

Awesome stuff. Love the action shots. It must have been hard to stop, sit, get the camera out, take some shots, get left behind, have to catch up - but we appreciate the results. Thanks.

Thanks guys.. I don't think I'll take my camera on my next big one..but because this was the first I wanted to record it in pictures... both for us to look back on..and to share with you guys.

I was a bit stiff and sore..and still am a little.. I think more so from paddling while seated or kneeling because that's something I normally never do.

It's shame I never got any of the real nasty stuff where water spray was flying over our heads and boards were spinning through the air and of the huge waves but those images will be in my head for ever.

Hey Oliver.. Sorry about the spelling thing.. I never could spell..

DJ

Really great thread guys! you must have felt very satisfied at the end. DJ, for those of us that haven't done downwinders it's really inspiring, so keep the camera going

awesome effort by everyone ,well done

Dj your need casso's sucker cam next time to catch all the action so you don't have to stop all the time.

BOYLOS

Awesome effort guys! Very inspiring and along with the pic's makes a great post. Glad to see you all made it safe and can't wait to read about your next adventure

KD

So how did you get yourselves to Mornington? From what I have read it sounds like you hung a left and paddled crosswind until you bumped into the side. Is that correct?

Having windsurfed the bay for years in strong Northerlies I know the conditions really well and fully respect the huge distance you guys travelled.

Jonathon has been prompting me to SUP for a while but until now I haven't been tempted.

Time for a rethink.

LEGENDS and frontiermen.

Keep paddling the boundaries but play it safe.

Matt

Great post DJ. What a blast....are you looking at purpose built downwind boards now?... Finally got to paddle a Glide this week (nice) but a real downwind board will knock your socks off.

It's amazing how quickly you can get spread out. Even in much milder conditions on a 8 mile run we got very widely spaced. I can't wait to get home and start looking for a distance board for our conditions.

Wow ....well done guy's , must have been a good moment seeing land agian after so long .
Great story and Pic's DJ.

Rich

Thanks Rambo.. That's a great vid.. Maybe I'll get a GoPro one day and face it forward like that and film a good day.. At least you guys get to sit down..

DJ

Yep we get to sit down, but we still run out of puff at some point and then don't have the strength left to pull on to the runners. The extra energy you guys expend just trying to stand up in those conditions depletes you sooner, so taking R and R breaks in a run of that duration is a great idea, also regroups the troops.

Welcome the the exciting world of downwind paddling and be sure to "connect" your thoughts with the fantastic Polynesian waterman that spread the seed when they populated the Pacific all those years ago, the origins of what we do lie deep in their achievements.

Cheers Rambo