Phil Thompson's Blog (4)

I had a fab time on the weekend - thanks all for being part of it. I went to work today on a high - great weather, great company and heaps of fun. I was very impressed with Rob's professionalism and his easy manner. I had heard much about him and Mark and they did not fail to live up to their aura. I would really like to get a few more sessions in later. A few of the moments that make me smile - that moment when Rob said "Okay you four - Capsize" and we all just went quiet. "He doesn't really… Continue

Gday all Just got back from a week at Hawkes nest. Took three kayaks and my trolley so that a friend could come along with my wife. One day we went to the heads from Jimmy's. Nice and rough looking. Pods of dolphins that don't want to play Then it calmed down a little and I had a look outside but not far. Then around through the leads and wandering around through the mangroves. Next day I trolleyed down to Jimmy's and put the trolley in the back. The westerly was less than 5 -10 knots and I… Continue

Hello all I went out yesterday morning for a play on the bar. There was a lot of white water about and I was on my old kayak - a little 13ft kevlar job from Washington state. It has a big underhung rudder, a lot of bow flare and being short I thought it would go well in the surf. I had a good time playing with bracing in the foam. I would get hit by a little bit of white water and lean into it and surf sideways for up to 20m (or so it felt). I would lean into the wave keeping my hands down on… Continue

Just got back from a weekend with my son's Duke of ed group doing white water kayaking on the Barrington river. Amazing stuff. We didn't do a lot of miles but as the leaders were into developing skills we spent a lot of time developing technique and doing safety drills. My first thoughts were that it was a hoot. Going down rapids is a blast but it is as much fun playing around in the fast flowing water at the bottom - eddy hopping, side surfing on a standing wave, paddling up the rapid, quick t… Continue