First paddle with the GP

It works.

I must admit to feeling a little apprehensive about trying out the GP. After all, it just looks like a big stick. What if I get in the water, start paddling and don't get anywhere. I considered launching somewhere where there wouldn't be an audience, but I really wanted to paddle from Wellington Point, out to King Island and back. It's not a long trip, only about 4.5km there and back and takes about an hour of easy paddling. Plus it's the closest launch point to home.

So I headed out to Wello, then home again, because I'd packed everything except my PFD, then back out to Wello with the PFD.

Well I didn't have anything to worry about. It didn't even take me long to get used to the paddle like I thought it would, it just felt right. Better still, it seems to work better than the Euro paddles I've been using. I usually take a GPS with me to see how far I've gone, my average and max speed, etc. I was surprised to find I'd got up to 11kmh, without really paddling hard. My previous best in the same kayak was 8.5kmh.

As an added bonus, it fits in the bow handle, so I've got somewhere to put it when I want to stop and take photos.

This is King Island at high tide. It's roughly in the same spot as the background photo was taken.



I can't wait to get out in the double with Donna and see how we go both using GPs.