An early morning launch from Lepe to the Fort with two groups.

The one-way downwind paddle, as a logistic puzzle unveiled by Justin and Jane, and executed by the group of 11 club members using 8 cars, is one of the most memorable trips of the year!

We met at Lepe car park for a quick briefing of who took whom and what - all on one piece of paper wrinkled heavily in Jane's hand. In 20 min, we were all off driving to Keyhaven (Saltgrass Lane) with 2 to 3 boats on our roofs. After a quick round of surf play at the Hurst Point, we headed to Newtown for lunch break. Along the way we nudged into the eddies of the red channel markers at Lymington Bank, Solent Bank, and after lunch at West Lepe. The trip concluded with a couple of assisted rescue practices. For the lucky bunch who relied on the others to get them and their boats to Keyhaven in the first place, there was even time for a hot tea after the paddle at Lepe cafe. Thank you to everyone for the support! 

Regroup in transit:

The classic rock hopping and gardening trip concluded with a thrilling tide race at Peveril Point near Swanage Pier.

In a typical rock garden, members will make sure someone is overlooking them while approaching a feature, and there is usually a one-out-one-in policy in any right space such as a cave or recess. While enjoying the hopping fun, members are also reminded that a feature easily navigated by some else may change completely over the cycles of sloshing wave - it has nothing to do with one's ability to pass.  

For developing members, the tide race awareness is essential. They are encouraged to ease in from eddy lines and gradually build their confidence in the dynamic water streams. The timing of maneuving up, down and transverse in the racing zone is all about saving energy and letting the water flow to do the most work for you!