Copied from Shaan’s facebook post: (https://www.facebook.com/shaang21/posts/10157142559060337)
(adapted from unknown)
Earlier
this week, on the 21st January I set off at sunrise from Stanley
Tasmania in my comparatively tiny sea kayak to paddle north across
Australia’s Bass Strait. Two hundred & twenty four kilometres and 32
hours later I arrived at Tidal River Victoria. This has been a
long-held personal aspiration of mine, now realised under the most
amazing full moon and sea conditions I have dreamed about and very
patiently waited for! It’s difficult to comprehend that so much can be
experienced within a 32 hour period and I still haven’t come to terms
with what has really has just happened.. but in time I look forward to
sharing more of my experience for those who are keen to listen!
For
now though while the experience is still fresh in the mind and body I
would like to try sharing a few thoughts.. I strongly remember the
feeling of a deep contentment building with every kilometre I paddled
toward the middle of the Strait. As I became more immersed within the
remote world around me I was becoming more at ease and actually very
joyful to be exactly where I wanted to be - in the middle of Bass
Strait, on my own in my kayak, in a landscape of unforgiving but raw
beauty. At this point all the doubts, fears and tensions dissolved and
the deepest feeling of calm and quiet dominated my soul… aah until I
became sea sick! From there I’d never experienced such simultaneous deep
joy and suffering! I was completely enchanted navigating under a full
moonlit ocean but overwhelmed by the feeling of being totally drained of
energy by the onset of motion sickness.. with over 80km yet to paddle
…aaah but I wouldn’t have swapped it for anything! More to follow : )
A
note on the ‘2 Degrees of Freedom’; During the evolution of this trip I
have often thought of it as my ‘2 degrees of freedom project’ - it is a
play between the idea that a degree of latitude is 111km, and since my
trip was basically of similar distance x2 it was an obvious idea but
then the ‘freedom’ aspect came into being as I could think of nothing
more then the freedom one would feel being immersed in such an
environment on your own - I couldn’t help reflecting on the statistical
concept of ‘degrees of freedom’ from my analytical biology days.. i.e.
the number of independent ways by which a dynamic system can move,
without violating any constraint imposed on it, is called number of
degrees of freedom.
Thank you
I want to acknowledge
the very special few that were so essential to me achieving my crossing
- especially Stuart Trueman who has been onboard for a few years now
and endured being a key contact for not only this crossing but for 2
previous attempts. Stuarts experience and deep wisdom from years of
traversing the seas by kayak are invaluable and were a deep comfort and
resource for me. It was a privilege to follow in his ‘paddle-steps’ and
have the opportunity to do so.
Also a huge thanks to the lovely Dave
and Jennie from Devenport who were on standby for more then this
occasion to pick me up and provide a way back to the ferry should I have
made a Nth to Sth crossing. To Grant Hyland who at the last minute came
to my rescue and provided an essential ride to Stanley. To Kate and Ray
Pilbrow who also dropped their lives for me and provided a wonderful
before and after service! Kate dropped me off at the ferry in Melbourne
and was there for me at Tidal River - thankU! And to my dear friends..
Peter had the unenviable task of contacting the folks should something
go wrong.. phew : ) And for Luke who provided so much encouragement and
support.. sxxO