Horizon Flyer

Horizon Flyer
The weapon that will see me attempt the 2010 Classic

Saturday, July 31, 2010

28km Today Woronora to Picnic Point and return

Went out with the regular Sutherland Marathon paddlers today in a paddle from Woronora Boat ramp to Picnic Point and return, Just on 28km.
Was a tough paddle when one of the guys was showing me a few drills to increase my confidence in the stability of the kayak. I failed and capsized, my first capsize in the Flyer! Wont be the last!
Silly me had not tied the GPS into my Jacket and it fell out. I though it was lost only to see it floating close by. Garmin Etrex's Float! :)
That was just before halfway and it took a little out of me and I struggled on the return trip.  Was fighting the tide for the return up the Georges River. Then when we had the tide helping the Southerly change hit and it was tough yet again. I got back to the boat ramp in just over 4 hours for the 28km.

Out to the club tomorrow for a small paddle, maybe 15km. Could be a little sore in the morning. I have to fix the seat problems in the Flyer, my bum is cramping up :(

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Hit the gym hard

Went back to the gym last night for the first time in a while and hit my upper body and core program hard. Did not seem to hard and I did not have to back the weights off as much as I had expected. I did struggle with the reps but that was to be expected when I have not been doing the time.

Going back in the morning to do a cardio session and then will go straight to work.

A reasonably large paddle paddle is planned for Saturday with the other guys that are doing the classic. Woranora to Picnic Point and back, Think it is around 25km. Will be a pretty good test to see where I am at in regards to the whole thing.

One good thing is I am already ahead of last years planning as I had not even entered at this point last year.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

25th July Update

Hi All

Only a short paddle today due to the club having it's AGM @ 11am. I hit the water and paddled up to the Como Rail bridge and return to the club (7.5km). Back to my old paddle today and the difference was marked between what I was paddling last week and today. Could only hit 11km/h today and last week I could hit 14km/h. I have to move up to the wing like paddle.

Yesterday I went out on the sit on top Wavedance Kingfisher Kayak for a fish with all the guys from KFDU Sydney Kayak Fishing Club. Great morning fishing but boy I felt it today. Fishing was not that good so I decided to do some trolling whilst paddling pretty hard. The Kingfisher felt like a tug boat compared to the Flyer. If any of you like to fish out of your Kayak look up Kayak Fishing Down Under great bunch of guys.

No paddle until next week but have to start moving them up in distance as the big date gets closer, just on 3 months until the classic.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

$400 Raised

Thanks to all those that have donated.
I have now passed the $400 mark in donations. It is great to gain so much so early. I know I have been looking as if I am always asking for sponsorship but the Arrow Bone Marrow Foundation is a great cause.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Full Entry Status Confirmed

My Entry into the Classic has been confirmed fully and boat number has been allocated.

I am entry #138, wierd thing is it is 1 number higher than last year, #137.

Sponsorship is at $387 raised over a 1/3 of the way to the $1000 target.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Oatley Park & Return Paddle

Had a really good paddle this morning, borrowed a Stealth Paddle and it was amazing how much more efficient it was. Will have to look at getting one soon.

I had the GPS with me today, pity the batteries did not last the 2 hours on the water and went flat. When we got to Oatley we had a short break, I checked the figures at this point and it had the Peak speed of 13.5km/h (that is slick).

Yet another learning curve on the Kayak. Had a few close calls negotiating the power boat wakes but got through them all without any capsizes.

Col, one of the other members on the way back to the club said to me "have you paddled around the Island?" I said no and then we had a go at it at a very low tide. Needless to say I had to walk a part of it due to the water being 6" deep :)

Everyone back at the club had a laugh about it. Responses were mostly "you dont try that at low tide"

Not sure on the paddle next weekend as the club AGM & Tayla's birthday is going to take up most of the weekend. I will get one but not sure of it being of any length.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Hawkesbury Classic Website Down- Now Back online

Hi All

Just a quick note to say the Classic website is down at the moment,. more than likely for an upgrade or addtion. It should be back soon.

Currently I am at $387 raised in sponsorship, thanks to everyone who has sponsored me so far.

Site now back online

Sunday, July 11, 2010

13 km Paddle upstream Woronora River

Went down the club this morning not knowing whether to paddle or not on hearing about Peter's death. When I got down there one of the guys said to me just go and have a paddle that is what Peter would have wanted.

I went upstream from the club for the first time. A group had headed up there about 20 minutes ahead of me. After about 6km upstream, fighting the run out tide. I caught up to them. We then turned and paddled back to the club. On the way back I tried a wing paddle, wow what a difference. Will definitely be the next purchase.

In the end just on 13km paddle today, will start to ramp up the distances in the coming weeks.

Back at the club it was pretty sombre with people learning of Peter's death and recalling funny things that he did on the past.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

RIP Peter T

Shocked to have just learned one of the people from my Home Club Peter Tuziac has died. Peter has in the short time I had been attending the club always helped me & also aided me in my learning of the whole marathon paddling art.

Condolences to Kath & Family

RIP Peter

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Back to the Gym

Went to the Gym tonight for the first time in a while, I just could not until today get motivated to go. Had a good cardio session of 20 min treadmill, 20 min bike & 2000m on the rower. Topped it off with a series of crunch exercises with a medicine ball to get the core strength up.

The Gym has also given me permission to post a flyer to raise sponsorship for the paddle.
Definition Health Club - Casula

Money Raised so far is $347, over a third of the way to the target of $1000. Please donate to the great cause The Arrow Bone Marrow Foundation.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

First paddle of any distance

Hit the water at the club this morning for another paddle, this time I planned to go out for an hour or so. Today was to be the first use of the skirt in the kayak. I had been worried that I would fall out while struggling to fit it to the kayak.
Skirt went on quickly and easily, I was away and was dry too! :) I was soon on the Woranora River working my way to where the river meets the Georges River. Fighting the run out tide it took me 45 minutes to do the 6.8km to the Como Bridge. I turned at that point and with the tide it was a blur getting back to the Club at the Woranora Bridge in just on 25 minutes. This Kayak is fast!!!

Have to work on my fitness overall as I am feeling it a little this afternoon. Gym Session tomorrow.

110 days until the Classic.

Also gave the kayak a polish, should be even faster :)

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Entry Confirmed

Well I am now confirmed for the Classic as I have raised the minimum sponsorship to have my entry processed ($200), 20% the way to my target of raising $1000.