Don’t even think about visiting Australia without jumping on a paddle board! We were visiting family and friends in Sydney recently and took the opportunity to get out on the water a few times with our SUP mates.
We love paddling on Sydney Harbour, even if it’s only the beginning of spring and the water is a little cooler than what we’re used to in Thailand. Ian joined Traci and Rod for a harbour paddle on Saturday 27th August, and then on Sunday 28th August we joined 40 paddlers in the Balmoral SUP-X Series. We paddled to 5 separate beaches around Middle Harbour. It was a beautiful morning out on the water. Check out this amazing drone footage of the race here.
If you’re ever in Sydney, why not take a lesson with the friendly guys at Balmoral Paddlesurf. We were lucky to demo a couple of their Lahui Kai 14′ paddle boards.
Tammy joined a sunrise paddle with the guys from Sydney Paddle Surf Club on the first day of spring. Traci and the guys were on 14ft carbon race boards and they set off from Clontarf towards Manly. Tammy in the meantime was cruising on a borrowed 12’6 inflatable paddle board, just enjoying the magical sunrise over North Head.
We also planned to do a social paddle with a few of our Sydney SUP mates on Saturday 3rd September, which would usually entail a leisurely paddle along Sydney Harbour and a coffee stop at one of the Harbour beaches. Although this time there was 30+ knot winds predicted, so instead we planned for an exciting downwinder across Botany Bay. We’re so thankful to Rod and Anna who were our support crew, driving the cars across to meet us at the end of the paddle in La Perouse.
We started the paddle at Dolls Point. It was so windy at the beginning some of us needed help just carrying our boards down to the beach. Once we set off there was no stopping us. With a 30-35 knot wind behind us, we were racing towards the finish line. It was a little bumpy and we fell in quite a few times, which made it even more fun! It’s a little tricky getting back on your board in windy and choppy conditions – which is exactly the reason downwinders are only for experienced paddlers, and why we all wear PFD’s (personal floation devices) and carry mobile phones.
Andrew set the record for the top speed across the bay that day at 20km/hour, closely followed by Traci at 19km/hour. Everyone had a great time, and Andrew was heading asking “can we do it again?”. Boards were loaded and we stopped for well earned fish & chips at the Georges River 16ft Sailing Club.
If you’re traveling to Australia, get in touch with us first and we’ll suggest some great places to paddle and friendly people to contact for SUP lessons and tours.
Meanwhile, we’re back in Koh Samui now. So don’t forget to plan a stopover in Samui on your way to Australia – and come out on the water with us! Contact us today!
