It is with much disappointment that I hear my old club are shipping kayaks to Victoria, to be able to paddle them back to Tasmania.
In 1982 when I first went across Bass Strait and returned, it never entered my head that there was any other way than to paddle both ways - that’s what sea kayaks are for. And then when the club (lead by Ian MacDonald), did the same trip in 1987, there was never any question of only doing it one way. The matter wasn’t even discussed. It was always going to be a return trip.
The more difficult crossing is from south to north, from Tasmania to Victoria. The return trip is the easy run. If you look at the map you will see that to get from Flinders Island to Wilsons Prom you have to go west somewhere near a 100 miles, and this is against the prevailing westerly winds that generally blow through Bass Strait. But leaving Wilsons Prom you can leave even if a bit of a blow is forecast, and let the wind carry you down towards Hogan Is, and then Deal Is, and then Flinders Is.
Which is what I did on my first trip - deliberately leaving the Prom with a fresh change forecast - and paddling all night. And in 1987 on Ian’s trip (on the return) we left Deal Island with a gale warning for Victorian waters, and a strong wind warning for Tasmanian waters. Even going across we paddled all night to get to Deal Island - without any hesitation from the group (well maybe a minor one).
In our day we had the confidence to paddle in conditions that provided a challenge. It wouldn’t surprise me to learn that flares, EPIRBS, etc are going to be carried on this next trip - a sad state of affairs in my opinion. And I put GPS's in the same boat - if you don't know where you are without using a GPS, then you shouldn't be out there in the first place. And I’ll be interested to see what conditions they paddle in, or how long they spend sitting waiting for calm days!!!!! I don't think there'll be anything challenging on this trip. Knowing these paddlers, it will be safety first - only paddle in conditions your Grandmother could handle.
I'm aware that just paddling across Bass Strait is a challenge for most sea kayakers - but the Maatsuyker Club was set up to do more than other clubs - and make the challenging look ordinary. Many paddlers from all states of Australia are crossing Bass Strait every summer, so this is just another trip - they no longer seem to be striving for more adventure.
