Well, its the time of year again for festive paddles. We met up with some other groups (Comeragh paddlers and Celtic paddlers) in Dunmore East and headed off to Ballymacaw, where we stopped for lunch and mince pies. Niall Durnan brought along some mulled wine and that went down very well! Since the day was so nice it was decided to continue paddling towards Brownstown Head but some of the group needed to return home early and they headed straight back to Dunmore.
On the return trip we passed on the shore side near a rock outcrop close to Falskirt rock where some large waves were breaking. Normally this rock tends to provide shelter on the inside but since it was only almost submerged it was acting more like a reef and churning up lots of surf. We thought we had avoided the worst but it seems we were caught there during a set. I saw a wave coming towards me from the side. When I looked up it started to peel and break. Given that in a kayak you're about 3ft high, I reckon the wave height was about 6ft. This was the first time I was side on in a breaking wave where all I could see was a wall of water and not the far side! I clearly remember saying "Oh shit" and then all went snowy as I got tossed under in the wave. I tried bracing but no effect. With the shock and awe effect I didn't feel any cold when I submerged and was a bit disoriented so I didn't manage to try a roll. John managed the incident from a distance and Ciaran did the rescue. The same wave also had hit John but he managed to high brace on the wave and didn't go under. John joked this was about the only good thing the Nordkapp ever did for him!
This is my second trip in my new Aquanaut and I'm very pleased with how it handles. The back band is another story. I had no support and ended up using my tow rope swivelled round my waist to lean back on. I'll definitely need to get some foam for outfitting.
Next paddle is the Great Island Race in Cork and this should be a bit of craic.
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