Maximum Adventure Kayaking Challenge - Feb 02, 2008

What a fantastic day!  A great physical and mental challenge for all involved.  It was Sheba's birthday and she shared a kayak with Michael, her younger brother, Sage who doubled with her bother-in-law Simon and myself and Jude doubled in our kayak.  The object of the race is to get as many points from the checkpoints in the given time of 4 hours 30 minutes, after which time you start to lose points.

We all stayed together and managed 11 of the 19 collections.  Some collections were made on the water from your kayak, others you had to pull into a beach and run up to the checkpoint, punch your checkpoint card and run back to your kayak.  

Armed with plenty of water and nut bars we took off with several hundred other kayakers in pursuit of checkpoints.  Each kayak was given clues such as dead tree hanging over water, 8 knot sign and 

banksia tree to give you an idea of where the checkpoints may be. 

With the huge focus on locating your next checkpoint your mind was taken off other things.  We crossed the harbour from South Balmoral to Clontarf in a big swell and rain without so much as a thought to what we were actually doing - the focus was on the 8 knot sign!  Amazing - I know I would never normally do that. 

Staying together as a team and discussing our options was what got us all back to the finish line in the given 4hrs 30mins. We had to make a sprint for the finish line so as not to lose any points with 10 seconds to go, Jude and I came third in the female doubles and the others equal 10th in the mixed doubles.  Great day, well done everyone!  Look forward to the next event - photo's coming soon.