New Year's Day paddle

The open road

We have a tradition in our area on the Avalon of gathering for a quick New Year's Day paddle. Started by Jim P, its basically like a pool session but outside and bigger. People come and just hang out or paddle around.

Clyde and I were early so we bolted for the open road and did a quick little 2 km trip up to Small Point.

Moving waters

We paddled out past Small Point until we could see Sugarloaf Head looming in the distance. Out here in St. John's Bay the water is always in motion as Clyde would sometimes pop in and out of view.

Hangin' around outside the Gut

When Clyde and I got back to Quidi Vidi we found that the rest of the New Year's Day paddling crowd had arrived and was on the water. People just paddled about or drifted in their boats engrossed in conversations with friends. The weather cooperated to allow us to exit Quidi Vidi proper and hang out in the entrance to the Gut. The movement of paddlers was fluid so counting the total out for the day was difficult but I believe the total was 20.

Taking pictures of picture takers

Good friend Stan was out too taking pictures for his Kayaking Dreamin' blog.

Havin' a good time

Everyone was having a good time. Here another fellow kayak blogger Mike (Baihiu) zooms by.

A family that paddles together

The numbers were swelled with Newfoundland's first family of kayaking, the Carrolls, Mom, Dad, two sons and their girlfriends. Here they're having a chat in front of typical waterfront properties in quaint Quidi Vidi.

If a New Year marks a new beginning, then we've had a good start to 2011. I am an optimist and I'm sure that all things kayak will get even better in the year ahead. We live in hope!!!