Canoe Focus Autumn 2016 | Page 54

To read all about Sonja’s adventures, visit her blog paddlehigh5. wordpress.com I think that’s an incredibly important consideration for any group that is looking for a warm paddle, that warm doesn’t necessarily mean serene, and it’s certainly important that all members know what they’re getting themselves into and have suitable experience. We had a few days of lovely swell much to the distaste of a team member’s stomach. One day that particularly stuck in my mind was day 6. We paddled through a soup of jelly fish in waves which were about two double decker buses high – it was like paddling up mountains and riding down them like ski slopes. We had nowhere to stop for 12km due to the limestone cliffs and no sheltered coves in the interim – loo breaks were not 54 an option, and any sickness had to be dealt with through “manning up” and pushing on through. The bigger the waves got the more hilarious it became for Cress and I in particular – especially when they started cresting and breaking over our heads. In these situations we did what all true Brits do. Get stuck in and sing musical theatre! You may laugh, but the technique worked. If you were in the trough of a wave and unable to see anyone around you, you knew that your buddy was okay because you could hear them. For those that weren’t singing, they said it was helpful on a safety note as they knew we were fine because they could hear us. Admittedly it must of been pretty annoying for them. After 12km we managed to find a safe haven to relax and regain energy for a while. We weren’t sure, due to sea sickness and group lethargy and my painful leg spasms that www.britishcanoeing.org.uk arrived unceremoniously, whether we should continue with the paddle that day, especially as the forecast advised gusting winds of 30km. The final 4km, although not far, were set to be very committing again – and if we weren’t all tip top, we could run into problems. We relaxed for a few hours and then climbed the headland to see if the sea state had worsened as forecasted. This didn’t seem to be the case and so we persisted and found ourselves in the most excellent cove for the night – it was worth the journey. It’s funny – you spend so many months planning and getting excited for a trip and then once it’s over it’s the most hideous anti-climax and blues inducing occasion on the planet. Now I am aware how deeply depressing that sounds, but I had the most eye opening and wonderful time circumnavigating Menorca. As an individual I learnt so much, and as a group, we experienced enormous amounts together – we will always be bound, no matter our distance, forever, because of this trip. Canoe Focus Autumn 2016 If it wasn’t for my team – I certainly wouldn’t have done this adventure on my own. For me, travel and exploration is deeply connecting and spiritual; something which I must share with others. Without my team I’m not sure I would have successfully completed the challenge, and without my team, I believe the experience would not have been as rich or as vibrant as it trul y was. Thank-you so much Erin, Cress, Anna, and Mathew for sharing this most excellent adventure; you have been the most beautiful “yes” people and I will treasure you all forever more. Now, where to next!? 55