To read all about
Sonja’s adventures,
visit her blog
paddlehigh5.
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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
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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!?
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