PADDLING the Myall River is a regular outing for the Paddle Pops, a local group nearing its 10th anniversary of keeping fit while enjoying the river’s natural beauty.
Back in May 2017, it was a clear and bright morning for the first paddlers, as 16 kayaks were launched from the sandy shores of Tea Gardens’ Anzac Park.
“The paddle was going well, with magical weather and all sorts of waterbirds around, when a couple of the pack decided to go for a ‘duck’ into the water,” Paddle Pop spokesman Bruce Dalton told NOTA.
“They started a tradition of awarding capsizers with a yellow rubber duck.”
Almost a decade later, there is still a group, somewhat smaller, who turn up at 6:45 to hit the water by 7am. They head out paddling against the tide, then wisely use it on the way back in to relieve aching arms.
On Tuesday, 3 November, a team of four, Bruce, Dave, Gordon and Frank, showed up to launch from the sandy shore into the estuary.
“I have been with the Paddle Pops for six years – I tried to avoid them, but they knew where I lived,” Gordon said.
For Dave, the 6 – 6:30am wake-up is normal, and Bruce does it for the interaction with mates, exercise, and the coveted coffee at the Boatshed at the end of it all.
“Being immersed in the natural beauty of the Myall surrounding us gives off a powerful mood boost, a feeling of wellbeing which comes from our interaction with nature and social connection with the other paddlers,” Bruce explained.
“The exercise of paddling is also great for our general health. We benefit from greater core and upper body strength and paddling is great for cardiovascular fitness – and a great calorie burner.
“What a fantastic, low-impact sport to be involved with and enjoy the picturesque Myall River and Lakes at the same time.”
This morning had placid water and no wind, but grey skies heralded a testing morning by the time they’d launched.
The impending weather instigated an earnest discussion about whether or not to head out, but it was agreed that Dave would be to blame if the weather turned.
“Dave is an engineer, so we take his advice on the weather, and we get to blame him as well,” Gordon assured.
The apprehension was justified when the rain started falling just after they hit the water.
In years past, the Paddle Pops have participated in Clean Up Australia Day by going on and around Witt/Slip Island, excavating a heap of rubbish there that had been tossed or flowed down the river.
They are all kitted out with the proper gear, including kayak gloves, oyster-shell-resistant water boots, for those unfortunate times when a ‘duck’-inducing capsize puts you on the many oyster beds around the estuary.
They often head up the river, but have also headed out to the Bay – one or twice even crossed it, when feeling adventurous.
Nonchalant pelicans meandered by, no doubt confident in their own ability to take flight as soon as conditions no longer suited them. But the Paddle Pops persisted through the clouds of midges at the shoreline, attracted by the few available sources of body heat and carbon dioxide.
Over the past years, the number of paddlers has risen and fallen due to many factors, including some being aged out of the sport, others transferring to other locations and some finding new activities that conflict with the paddle day.
However, the great thing about the Paddle Pops group is that there will always be paddlers ready to go at Anzac Park on Tuesday mornings. They welcome new paddlers to the group.
By Thomas O’KEEFE
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