I had those gut feelings and thought to myself I should probably do something else and even started to drive off to a different place but turned back.
I looked at BOM (forecast explorer) and Willy weather for Clifton Springs on Wednesday 10th 2012.
Both these said there was a wind change but only at around 10-15 knots.
Around the corner at St Leonards there was a 20+knot wind change predicted for 8pm so I thought it was a fair chance to hit Clifton. (I should have listened to my instincts)
I pedalled out to the shipping channel 3km and was planning to head in around 6pm to avoid the wind change, well in a matter of a second the wind went from a 5knot easterly to a 27knots westerly.
The wind came instantly no gust no slight breeze increase just bam! There it is!
But there was a massive bunch of black clouds coming that gave it away.
I was punching through the waves at a diagonal and I was taking it fairly slowly going at only 3.5-4kmph, at the start It was actually quite a bit fun.
The problems started when I got into shallow water 2-3m the wind swell was really powerful there and I needed to tack back to the ramp and ride the waves back in the last 500m.
Going head on or at a diagonal to waves is the safest, easiest most controlled way to take them.
I find if a wave is breaking putting the nose directly into it is the best although at a diagonal you can also lean into the wave. If you get side on and your weight isn’t leaning right into the wave then see ya later over you go.
If you watch this on youtube in a larger screen size it will look better!
I was in the middle of the bay at the Channel half way between Clifton Springs and Point Wilson so this is the closest weather station.
Would love to know how strong the gusts were!
As I went to pull the net back up, I was careless over confident and wasn’t watching the waves properly and got hit on the starboard side, opposite to that I was leaning and the yak flipped like that (insert finger snap).
I slipped up on the hull as far as I could and with my left hand reached for the mirage drive which gave me leverage to reach the other side of the yak, I leant my weight backwards and rolled the yak back upright and quickly slid back on like a seal. The noticed my wheels, paddle, dry box (tethered), net (tethered), stubbie holder etc floating off.
I did a quick ubolt and picked up the gear but noticed I was missing 3 rods and reels, I went to mark a weigh point on the sounder and it was dead.
An expensive day out and one that I should have erred on the side of caution with.
- Lowrance elite 4 sounder $400
- 3 x rods and reels $750
I am a fairly experienced kayaker and feel ashamed that I have done this, I did know better and it’s a bad example for others and a bad look for the kayak fishing community.
As much as I say and believe I can handle those conditions and it has some really fun elements, S#!^ DOES HAPPEN and so do ACCIDENTS which I found out the expensive way.
I just hope that myself and others learn something by this.
I would have liked to keep this quiet but thought it might just be a good reminder to all of how quick things can change.
By the way I was wearing fleece track suit, wool socks, Kokatats, a good jacket and a cap.
Water temp was 14.5c and felt pretty warm until I hit dry land.
Air temp around 15c and I had a spare change of clothes in the car.
Also 2 boats came racing over to see if I was ok who must have been wondering where I came from and what the hell I was doing there.
)