| Busting the Southerly // Session 06 February 2011 By: Andrew Cassidy Location: Northern Beaches I was crapping myself, no ... literally. I wasn't sure if it was the anticipation of the wild conditions we were about to endure or the fact that I was still suffering from a shocking stomach bug that I'd had for the last 24 hours. Sorry, probably too much information, hey? Let's start again... The windscreen wipers were on high as I drove along the coast road, perched along the edge of the cliffs overlooking a dark, angry, windswept sea. Terrible conditions for boating - perfect conditions for downwind paddling. The car rocked in the wind as I rounded the last curve and stopped in the exposed carpark. It felt like somebody was leaning on the door, it was that hard to open. There was nobody leaning on the door, it was just the force of the "Sydney Southerly Buster" that had hit about an hour ago. All the boys were ready after numerous phone calls and text messages to organise the run. These things can be an organisational nightmare requiring a logistical mastermind to get all the pieces in place. Luckily we have Pete Morgan for that. I had to get all my gear organised. I'd chosen the big stuff because I thought that would be most suitable for this run, in these conditions. The others had left a bit before I was ready and I could see them leaving the beach. Never mind, I'd be able to catch them at the organised rendezvous point about half way along the run. I left the carpark and decided my line - I'd head directly for the tip of Turrimetta Head (known to the locals as Suicide Point - or it might actually be Sewer-Side Point due to the effluent outfall there). The first bit was easy - nice and smooth and pretty calm. I was making good time. About half way to the point, it started getting rough. The wind hit hard and the rain got heavier. The surface got bumpy but I managed to stay upright - but only just. I nearly ended up in the drink at one point but was able to recover at the last minute - that would have been embarrassing as well as very costly. I wanted to catch the others near the point so I put in the big ones and got into a nice run.   I made it to the point just in time. I planned on stopping there and taking a few photos of the boys but they were a fair way off and the visibility was terrible. I snapped a couple anyway.  We all continued on our way with Kissa and Andy getting to the destination in record time. Everyone was frothing about how good it was out there. "Epics" and "all-times" were thrown around without any hesitation. Hmmm - I kind of wish I was actually out there instead of just running along the bush tracks on the headland, taking photos in the wind and rain. Stupid stomach bug.  | |
