Friday 3rd July 2020,Evening 4 Star training Quote “About 18.00 Barry I (Lollystix Paddles) Mark B, Andy E, Clive M (MCC), Mike D and others went out for a play from Bradwell – believe they all had fun too and including swimming. No names will be mentioned but clearly a “Swimmer of the Moment” Trophy winner. Mark, have you seen the trophy?” Unquote

Johns words

Mark’s story

On this evenings sea paddle, four of us where out supporting “Lollystix paddles” = Barry. The wind was gusting up to force F5/6 As Barry had a client on this trip the four of us with the two of them where there to support, practice our skills in these challenging conditions.
So with a good briefing by Barry to all of us on wind tide, weather, conditions, kit we all carried such as first aid kit, boat repair & all the rest this was to help to put Barry client at ease.
So we could all very subtly discover his customers skill level we paddle out of Bradwell Harbour entrance aiming for the two yellow marker buoys & then back into the safety of the Harbour. As we left the safety of the entrance the tide & wind came apparent with the wind from the wsw. HW was at the same time we set off which gave us wind over tide so challenging conditions.
We all where comfortable in these conditions so as one group of 6 but splitting up a bit to give us all room to move I stayed close to Barry & his customer for the evening. So on the second trip out we decided to head for Ross revenge which was into the wind. This was about one our run there.
We all sheltered in the lea of the ship from the wind & then started back to Bradwell. This was going to be wind over tied with some very impressive ways to surf. Surfing is not my strong point there has not been much opportunity for me to practice sea kayaking surfing. So with some good encouragement from Andy E, Barry Clive M I decided to give it my all & with my roll the week before in F5/6 I was quite relaxed.
So off I went into the unknown with leaning forwards & back when required & seeing the whole of the nose disappear & pick up the next surf wave some of the time I was flying. All the time I was thinking that the Greenland paddle that I had made 2 mouths before was doing well. But in these conditions it would or might of helped if the paddle had been a bit more stronger with all the force in the conditions.
I had just heard Andy E on the VHF marine radio say slow down when I spun out to my right & flipped over with a wave crashing down on top of the sea kayak. So a little voice in the back of my head said ok take a deep breath psychologically & where do we go from here.
I knew that there would be 5 kayakers bearing down on me some time soon. Unknown to me Andy E & Clive M where on their way. So I took my time & set up for the roll & when I was happy & all around me felt right I started the roll which seems to be working. Yes I came up well but water smash down on my right shoulder started to push me back under the waves.
So under I go Ok I am back here again I do remember that the water was lovely & warm plus so clear if I did not need air it would have been nice to see what I could see. But there is not time to daydream. So back into the roll & yes oh yes I have made it, whips the water is smash on the right shoulder again but under I go.
So sitting hears righting this I was thinking maybe I should have tried a third roll food for thought.
When I popped out of the sea kayak I was quite surprised how rough & big the waves where. So holding on well to the paddle & the cockpit of the sea kayak it must have been a good minute before a wave lifted me up with the Kayak & I could see Andy on the left & Clive going for it on the right. Sitting in the trough of the wave I did think I hope that they put the brakes on before getting to me.
“Would just like to say thanks boys”.
So with Andy on my left & he said grab the front of his sea kayak this was all well & good but at that moment I dropped a mile or he rose a mile. Andy said swim for it but with a paddle in my right hand & sea kayak looking at hitting me from the left (my kayak) & Andy’s smashing back down I decided to stay where I was & make my way to the front of Clive’s kayak. It is very surprising how calm & collective you are with all the training we have had over the years with Bramston CC.
So with Clive M going into automatic mode & grabbing the nose of my sea kayak & flipping it like a pancake giving him my paddle & then waiting for the right wave in the right place to help me tumble with my head facing the back of the sea kayak. Patience waits for the wave to pass. You know with the motion of the sea through the body when to rotate into the seat of the sea kayak.
Then it is time to put on your spray deck but at the same time pumping out the most of the remainder of the sea water.
With Andy E standing off just in case he was needed to support the rescue but he did make a rescue on Clive’s silver flask which had been knocked off his kayak in all the commotion.

A note to my self stove my camera back in the sea kayak not under my buoyancy aid next time I am trying to surf.