If no one is available to come with and you have an onshore wind, is there anything wrong with going for a cheeky downwind by yourself?
I had this situation in the weekend. Fairly tame winds straight down a peninsula towards the mainland and a wife willing to drop off and pick me up. Of course I carry a phone, water, pfd and am a strong paddler.
I do it VERY frequently. Most of my solo downwinders are on a 6 or 7 mile long inland lake. My wife drops me off and picks me up at a designated time. I have my phone, leash, water, and depending on the distance, some kind of snack. I have been known to do a 9 to 13 mile paddle on Lake Michigan on my own as well. If it was really wild, and bigger than 6 foot, i may have second thoughts. But when it gets "big" for us, there is pretty much ALWAYS someone ready to go.
Thanks, it felt pretty safe to me, that's why i did it. You certainly start feeling very small once your a 1-2km off the land by yourself and I just wasn't sure if I was being reckless.
Truth be told my downwinder was cut short as the wind dropped and the ocean swell was pointing into the bays. I only got a couple of decent bumps before calling it quits and rode what i could of the swell into the beach where my wife was catching up with family. Nice paddle in the end.
I do a lot and there's heaps of others that do to. If you're 100m behind in a strong wind you're effectively by yourself anyway.
If I'm not getting picked up (i.e. I leave my car at the destination earlier in the day), then I have scheduled phone in time. I carry water, phone and make sure my leash is in good nick. For longer hauls - a hat, extra sunscreen and long sleeve sun shirt. I do have a waterproof marine vhf radio that I sometimes take depending on the situation. A good idea would be a pfd (I really don't know why I haven't bought one) and I reckon a good measure would be a gath surfing helmet.
Have a look at this
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/Whats-in-the-backpack/?page=1
I do most of my Down winders alone.
anywhere from 10-20km in Moreton bay.
I go to long lengths of dropping board at start point, run car to finish point, catch a bus or the like all the way back to start point just to get in a down winder.
Am a shift worker and often the winds are perfect when I am off and everyone else is at work..
Select to expand quoteAndyR said..
I do most of my Down winders alone.
anywhere from 10-20km in Moreton bay.
I go to long lengths of dropping board at start point, run car to finish point, catch a bus or the like all the way back to start point just to get in a down winder.
Am a shift worker and often the winds are perfect when I am off and everyone else is at work..
andyr I reckon you should do the callup before and after your dw er.
the bay is a pretty big place.
im luckier where the goldie has a chain of lifeguard posts.
pretty sure everyone of them would know I/ were out there and generally less then half a k out
If you’re going out alone DO IT!! but please get some safety gear, have a plan B and know your limits.
1. Signal Mirror - works all day in the sun. Long lasting, waterproof, cheap, durable to carry, free to use. Learn how to aim and use.
2. Floatation - If your leash or board fails what then? Simple PFD is not heavy and easy to wear, if you don’t want chafe clip it on your handle.
3.PLB - aka EPIRB - you can afford a board then you can afford a $300 device that lasts 7-10 years, is now tiny and transmits your location via gps to rescue authorities worldwide. ONE OFF PURCHASE that may save your life. Get a GPS one. They transmit for over 24-48 hours. Some really good Australian made PLB’s out there.
4. Flare, Seamarker dye etc. Mark and show your location. Get a day night or mini flare that is small to carry. Seamarker dye works for an hour plus and stands out like a bloke at a women’s conference.
Learn to read the clouds, watch the weather while you’re out and have a plan if the wind changes or weather gets worse.
The have plan B. Maybe it’s a $10 phone in a sealed bag to call the water police, a second meeting point for your wife to back track to if your injured, exhausted or got the runs. Could be getting to a marker in the channel and waiting out the storm. Have a plan A. B. C. and tell people what that is.
lastly if all go's wrong:Chill. Help is a few hours away. Make yourself visible. Have bright colours, reflective clothing, paint on your board, lifejacket, sheet etc. Big and bold, so people can see you through the gale in wind and waves.
Good luck. I love pushing my luck, traveling far while accepting the risks. Take the risk but don’t make it a risk for others too.
Any Safety questions please ask away.
I've done heaps..
Even in groups you often end up alone.. and sometimes others in the group have different finish points..
Awesome response, thanks guys.
I was considering getting a waterproof (IP68) phone like the Sonim XP3300 but for the same money I can get a PLB. I had no idea they had got that small. Last time I saw one they were the size of an 80's cell phone.
This has got me pumped for some wind 
. Definitely been bitten by the bug this summer.
www.fishingtackleshop.com.au/plb-personal-locator-beacon-gps-kti/?gclid=CjwKEAjwx9KpBRCAiZ_tgYKWvhQSJABQjGW-WR6DEaa8Jbht1hsvVU3wwrtpoHwZjom4KhEms7P2RxoCe7bw_wcB
Only downfall is the strap is cr@p. get something stronger from your boat shop
Select to expand quotelaceys lane said..
AndyR said..
I do most of my Down winders alone.
anywhere from 10-20km in Moreton bay.
I go to long lengths of dropping board at start point, run car to finish point, catch a bus or the like all the way back to start point just to get in a down winder.
Am a shift worker and often the winds are perfect when I am off and everyone else is at work..
andyr I reckon you should do the callup before and after your dw er.
the bay is a pretty big place.
im luckier where the goldie has a chain of lifeguard posts.
pretty sure everyone of them would know I/ were out there and generally less then half a k out
I do throw the call out to the regulars and on our Facebook page. just often no one avail to paddle at mid morning on a tues or wed for example.
I let the local brisbane water rescue guys know I'm going alone they think I'm stupid but appreciate the call when back on dry land to know I'm all good...
the good thing about the bay is you are never that far from land really and theres usually East in most runs so it will push you to land soon enough..
