OUTING REPORT:

Eight Days and 7 Nights in the Exumas, Bahamas

Our outfitter, Dallas, pointed northeast to an island where we could just make out spray shooting into the air. He said there was good camping around this blow-hole on Boysie Cay, so we loaded our rental kayaks and paddled the two miles across to explore the area. The blow-hole was spectacular, where the Atlantic swells channeled under the island and shot spray 40 feet into the air. We climbed up the jagged limestone to the top of the island where another hole the size of a basketball made whooshing sounds that made us jump back from where we had edged close to the hole. Our view of the Atlantic from a 60-foot cliff made us glad we were on the protected west side of the islands, as swells crashed onto jagged limestone below us.
Our departure from Barraterre at the north end of Exumas Island was into the calm waters in the lee of the chain of keys to the west, sheltering us from the almost constant east winds and the Atlantic swells. Greg, Virginia, Laura, Spencer and I marveled at the water color which went from a jewel-like green in the shallows to a stunning deep blue-green in the deeper water. After exploring Boysie Cay we proceeded northwest to a small beach on Pigeon Cay for camp. Greg had to risk our expedition by climbing the 40-foot vertical limestone behind our campsite.
A change in the weather was signalled with a wind shift to the south the next morning, opening the protected waters to a long fetch and some choppy going in our heavily laden kayaks. We wallowed our way through rear quartering seas up to the Caribbean Marine Research Center on Lee Stocking Island, where Laura had pre-arranged a tour and stay at the center. We crash-landed onto rocks at the center, thankful for plastic boats, took fresh water showers, picked out a camp site, and explored the island. A cove on the Atlantic side provided us a chance for a dip in the Atlantic and a swim in the breaking swells.
Brenda gave us a tour of the research center the next morning then provided us a detailed weather forecast, which predicted northwest to north winds 20 to 30 knots day-after-tomorrow and lasting 3 or 4 days. We decided to head west to the Brigantines for shelter, a chain oriented roughly east-west that would shelter us from north winds. Since we had a day before the wind shift, we stopped on  Normans Pond Cay, part way to the Brigantines. After setting up camp on Normans Pond Cay, Laura and Spencer paddled off to explore old salt ponds on the island. They returned with a special treat they found in the inlet to the salt ponds, two conchs. Greg figured out how to extract the meat, then we pounded, cut up, breaded and fried our dinner -- exquisite!
During our paddle westward to the Brigantines I was surprised by a powerful hookup on my fishing rod since I had been trolling for 3 days with no success. Line smoked off the drag until I thought I'd get "spooled" and never see the fish. Then the fish took to the air for an aerial show, a large silver missile, aka barracuda. After several long, strong runs he finally tired and gave me a good look at the 3 1/2-foot fish. Greg helped me get him off the hook without encountering his mouthful of daggers. On we paddled through the cut to the south side of Brigantine Cay, where we stopped to do some snorkeling and, on advice of the marine research center, spear invasive lion fish, which have no native predators and are devasting reef fish populations. Halfway down the south side of Brigantine Cay was a bucolic cove, beach, and camp site. We had been hungry for fish and were rewarded with a shark caught from the shore. My version of shark bouillabaisse was the dinner that night, then shark in foil with spices cooked in the coals that night for our breakfast.
Continuing down the Brigantine chain, we stopped on Long Cay for our next camp on what was the most spectacular beach and cove of the trip. After setting up camp we paddled down to the Cluffs Cay/Jimmy Cay cut and had some fun playing in the cut's confused chop. Fair weather led to sleeping without rain flys on the tents, leading to Laura's visitor in the night. She woke to a snake resting on her tent pole above her head just outside her protective netting. We spotted the snake the following night at Laura's camp site, a beautiful 4-footer with white-dappled brown back, white sides with a black stripe down each side, and a classic python-shaped head. That night the snake returned to his tent-pole perch above Laura's head. It turned out to be a 4-foot endemic python called a fowl snake. The next day a paddling and snorkeling outing yielded a couple lobster, seven conchs, and one snapper. Two conchs went into lime juice along with the lobster for a heavenly ceviche. Three more conchs and the snapper went into the fry pan for dinner. Two remaining conchs got a reprieve.
The last morning we paddled from Long Cay back to Barraterre, cleaned up our gear, then headed to the local outdoor pub to wait for another group that was to arrive the same time as we. The other group was late getting in, so we enjoyed many local Kalik beers for much longer that we had intended, rehashing our crossings, camp sites, meals, and various adventures. This was a memorable trip.

11/28/08 flew to Georgetown via Orlando-Nassau; checked into Mrs. Marshalls. Greg Pflug and I hooked up with Va Fortney, Laura and Spencer Quong. Had a pre-trip briefing with Dallas, the outfitter, who gave us tips on weather, sights, cuts, camp sites, and recommended route.
11/29 8:00 am into Dallas' pickup for the 40-mile trip to Barraterre (23 41.98'N 76 02.73'W), north tip of Great Exuma Islands (there are 3). Packed our gear, drank our accidentally torn-open cans of Kalik beer and packed the other cases among our tents, stoves, etc. We paddled a short distance NE to Boysie Cay (23 43.62'N 76 01.52'W). Camped on Pigeon Cay (23 43.65'N 76 02.93'W).
11/30 We proceeded through south winds up the chain to Lee Stocking I. and the Caribeean Marine Research Center (23 46.40'N 76 06.28'W). Brenda greeted us, and we camped at a rocky beach east of the center.
12/1 Weather doesn't look good starting tomorrow. Red sky sunrise. Brenda toured us around the research center. Packed, launched and went to Normans Pond Cay, where we camped on the south end (23 45.74'N 76 07.38'W).
12/2 Stayed over at Normans Pond Cay, explored the area.
12/3 Off to the Brigantines, through the N Brigantine Cay cut (23 43.04'N 76 09.60'W). Camped 2 nights in the cove on the SW shore of the cay.
12/5 Down the Brigantines to Long Key, a terrific camp site for our last 2 nights (23 41.50'N 76 06.74'W). Camped under coconut palms near the SE end of the cay.
12/7 back to Barraterre, take out and return to Georgetown, Peace & Plenty hotel.

PADDLING NEWS:

Paddling Workouts
We continue our paddling workouts on the Winter Park chain of lakes, Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Email me for times. These are workout paddles, however the range of abilities and speed is broad. All are welcome. The number of paddlers joining us is growing. Right now we have Mabel Magarinos, Steve Miller, Rod Price, Jonnie Dawn, Greg Stamer, Dave Knothe, Marty Sullivan, and Maura Smith.

CLUBS AND CONTACTS:

For outings, camping trips, etc. check out Mabel's Yahoo site: Central Florida Sea Kayakers, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CentralFloridaSeaKayakers/

"Meetup" activities:
For more information and upcoming events see The Florida Kayak/Canoe Meet Up, http://seakayaking.meetup.com/48/ .

EVENTS AND RACES:

Endurance Training Clinic, Jan. 24, 2009, 10:30 - 2:30, Ormond Beach, FL Speakers include Drew Edsall, Reid Hyle, Ed Joy, and representative of Epic Kayaks. Registration: 386-441-0111. Cost: $20, includes lunch. Hosted by Ormond Beach Kayak Center.

Florida Competition Paddlers Events:
Jan. 25, 2009, Estero River Race, Estero, FL. Contact Paula at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Feb 8, 2009, 11 am, Wakulla River Race, Tallahassee, FL, 11.6 miles, Contact Jack Toth, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 850-644-0854, 850-350-9551
Feb 14, 2009, 11 am, Jensen Classic, Weeki Wachee, FL (Rogers Park), Contact Karl/Cindy Vogel, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 727-938-7685
Mar. 14, 10:00 am, Great Pickle Race (Hillsborough River), Tampa. Contact Glennis Williams, 727-455-9188, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
June 7, 2009, 10 am, Wascissa River Race, Tallahassee, 10 miles, Contact George Blakely, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 850-385-4974
Sep. 19, 2009, Tarpon Springs Puffer Fish Race, Tarpon Spr., FL, Contact Karl/Cindy Vogel, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 727-938-7685
Oct. 4, 2009, 10 am, Santa Fe River Canoe & Kayak Race, Rum Island Park, FL (near White Springs), 12 or 6 miles, Contact Tim Dodge, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 352-371-9428, 352-318-5877
Nov. 1, 2009, 10 am, Paddle of the Pass, Matlacha Park, Pine Island, FL, 10 or 4 miles, Contact Nancy MacPhee 239-707-7275

April 18 & 19, 2009, Shark Bite Challenge, 2009, 12 or 8 or 4 miles, Honeymoon Island State Park, FL, as part of Earth Days Festival. Contact Karen/Rob Mirlenbrink This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 727-510-3493

West Coast Offshore Series for OC1, OC6 and Surfskis: contact Rob Mirlenbrink, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Short races, generally downwind, in open water.

 

The purpose of this newsletter is to help people get together for outings and to share information about gear, paddling locations and events, and anything else of interest to the paddling community. There will be no club, corporation, by-laws, or affiliation related to this sharing of information. Postings will be non-solicitous. Email addresses will not be shared without your individual, explicit permission. This approach to information sharing has been wildly successful in the bicycling community, and this newsletter is such an attempt for the paddling community. You may subscribe by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Please include your first and last name with your request.

Thanks for your interest. Marty Sullivan