Hello Everybody, this is Nick writing and the Expedition2009 is over. This is my nightmare…
I have developed a good case of Tendinitis on my left forearm. Tendinitis is the inflammation of a tendon due to overuse of the tendon in question. I guess we know where the overuse came from.
Treatment include anti-inflammatory medications, cold pack and rest.
This is what the health encyclopedia had to say:
” Tendinitis can cause permanent damage to the tendons. The natural tendency to favor the painful area also can lead to stiffness. A vague discomfort at the age of 30, if overuse is continued for years, this can lead to a loss of flexibility due to scarring of the tissues.
Sometimes the discomfort of tendinitis disappears within a matter of weeks, especially if you rest the affected area”.
Of course I had hours to think about this, even thought I did not have the encyclopedia with me.
No chance to break the record in those conditions and I know several people with chronic tendinitis. Stopping early and resting for a week or two will make it go away.
So I called it off.
Here is the 3 days and my impressions.
First of all, solo paddling is hard as you have nobody to lean on or share the good times with. Then going against the watch is hard too, you have to go, harder all the time, again and again. You stop in a beautiful spot, rest 5 minute and get back in the boat. It’s not very rewarding as you always feel like you’re going slow, and not far enough!
But I already miss it. I did not make it very far and yet if you live on the Island, the distances will make some sense to you. You can cover a lot of ground in a few days, see lots of different places. I entered a new Area Forecast every day. Haro Strait, Strait of Georgia South of Nanaimo then Strait of Georgia North of Nanaimo…
There is something amazing about turning around and not being able to see where you came from anymore. A sense of freedom and endless possibilities.
Every time I was on land walking around waiting for my arm to feel better, I wanted to get back on the water and go.
- Day 1:
Put in at the US Ferry Terminal just south of Sidney and paddled North. Cross over to Saltspring Island and paddled north in Sansum narrows with Sharon (a friend and paddler waiting for me in ambush with coffee!). Passed Burgoyne Bay (Saltsrping) with some good SE funneling through, and took a break just passed Maxwell point.
Then crossed strait to Tent Island with 15 knots of SE in my back and passed Kuper and Thetis Island on the West side hoping to catch some of the flood but fighting a back eddy the all way…. then crossed to yellow point and found Roberts Memorial Provincial Park at 1800. Could not go any further, about 60 km.
Day 2:
Started quite well, I had timed it to catch the flood trough Dodd Narrows, but of course no current to speak of! Barely a little push, but still better than going against it!
So on the water at 0630, passed Dodd, continue against Gabriola and crossed to Horswell Rock strait across, dodging ferry traffic with good timing. There the sea state kicked up a bit, there was a few small races passing points (Neck Point) where the currents was going against a low SW swell. Kept going to Blunden point (Lantzville) with winds 15 SW and crossed over to Southey Island in 2 to 3 foot seas coming in Nanoose Bay.
Break for 15 minutes and started up the coast again, at that point it was starting to Ebb and I was surprised to feel it so strongly, the difference in speed was demoralizing! So I started paddling harder, looking for eddys, and I felt something on the top of my forearm. I was planning to reach French creek that day and was on time but slower due to that current. I plugged along to Dorcas Point, then to Cottam point, feeling my forearm warming up and then I got stuck crossing to Rathtrevor Beach in a current again. I could tell I was not moving at all, so I had to speed up the cadence and work hard. It was slow moving, even with 15 knots of winds in my back, and it took me 40 minutes to get to shore. At that point my arm was hurting pretty good, and swollen already. It was only 1500 but I had to stop.
There was some long hours filled with existential questions…. then a sunset, Ibuprofen and stretching…
- Day 3:
On the water at 0700, flood with me and no winds but a Strong Wind warning for the day. Flew down the coast, felling good about this! Winds increased slowly but not too much, while sea state build up from 1 to 2 to 3 Foot seas coming at my back from an angle. My arm stared burning after 3 hours, I was doing good time but winds kept building too, passing the points was getting interesting and I was weak with my left stroke, trying to change something to ease on it.
Finally I realize it was hurting enough my jaw was hurting from clenching my teeth, I was only 2 knots from Denman Island but knew the seas would be meeting the beginning of the Ebb right there. I could feel new pain under my left forearm…
This was not a very glamorous time in my life, I landed and just gave up the trip.
I found a kind lady and stored my boat and gear (thanks Glenda) and went to eat something. The waitress came up to me with the bill and stated this must be my lucky day, bill total of $13,13…. Believe it or not! Then it started raining!
Later on my Girlfriend came to pick me up. I reflected life sucks, but one has to keep going.
With the perfect girlfriend, a successful small business, and a crazy passion for sea kayaking, I decided I was indeed still a lucky man.
I now own Sean Morley a bottle of wine, but I will be Back!
Also I’ll be out of the office for a few days, camping and reading books, eating chocolate and deciding which boat I will paddled first in 10 days… See you on the water, happy paddling, just a few more knots….
Nick
