Trak’n in the Winchelsea’s

Today the Trak and I headed out for a day trip; we geared up, I was wrapped in an anorak and fleece lined paddling shorts, the Trak had airbags inflated and it's insulated sea sock all set. The day couldn’t have been better, storm clouds rolled in over the hills form the west, and squally winds whipped up white caps in Nanoose bay.

I hadn’t approached the company “Trak “ to get their Kayak so i could paddle on glassy flat waters, I wanted it to explore and to have fun in the rougher more wild places you could sea kayak (and the places that where hard to get normal hard shells into) and this day was promising to be a good first trial.

We set off across the bay in the sun though we were soon in steady rain and a solid wind swell. The Trak rode the rollers well and the cross wind did not affect its course significantly. The sea sock was warm and cozy against my bare legs. Edging the boat, it would turn effectively into the wind and we headed out the bay and hopped across to the Winchelsea islands.

Here we found a sheltered lee shore and enjoyed an unhampered glass water paddle, then crossed back into the wind and white caps and across to some more of the islands. Finding some great surf breaking against the southern most islands, I decided to get amongst them and see how the T1600 handled a messy windward shore. The boat rode and sliced through the small waves well, and surfed with speed and want. With a desire for a bit more I chose to ride the longer waves that broke over a reef, along a small islet and wrapped around an into a small cove. The Trak was game.

The Trak was quick to broche if you didn’t catch the wave dead straight or with lots of speed, however when you got it right she was responsive and fast, zipping along with the swell. Due to not having a helmet and the boat being a skin on frame design, I feared to push too hard near the rocks. I did get pushed up hard against one rock while retrieving my video camera but the boat took it well, however on return to the beach, I found small surface lacerations on the keel and side chine. None had punctured through the skin, though they sent home the reality of how easily an oyster shell would open the kayak up like a tin can if you came on to one at full speed with a wave.

The boat and I continued on, tucking into and pushing through little rock channels and inlets. Paddled along the steep cliffs of the larger islands and paddled by the Navy base that sits on the eastern most island. Eagles nested with their young on a couple of islands. Their eerie shrills and piping rang through the air, as seals flopped quickly into the water with a splash, to snort and fart at me. The air smelt of the ocean and the rain came and went. Heading back to the beach in Nanoose bay, the wind died and the sun came out and descended towards the horizon, giving a spectacular sunset as I lifted the kayak up to the lawn and hosed her down. What a great day, and an enjoyable boat.

J.