The plan had been in the diary for some weeks, but as the evening drew closer Alec, Ed and I were certainly apprehensive about our main night training for the Engelandvaarder Crossing. During the day on Saturday the kayaks were kitted out with the final equipment required. Our Standard Horizon VHF’s were charged up, glow sticks were strapped to our outer layers and the back of the kayaks, and the route was planned.
Due to the tide we headed out from Aldeburgh Beach. For those of you who have been there, you will be aware that the waves break pretty steeply onto the shingle. Even though it was a lovely calm and clear night, the launch was an issue. Ed went for it first and unfortunately got it wrong. Being too shallow then to roll all the way over, so had to pop out and get wet in the process- still he decided to carry on regardless. Eventually we were all in, and in the fading light we headed for a marker buoy a mile of so off the coast. Using the GPS function on our VHF’s we plotted a route, and stuck to it. As the light went completely save the flash of Orford Lighthouse, this was extremely important.
Paddling at night is pretty strange. Firstly there is the fact that you can’t really see the water. Any larger than average waves that come at you can completely take you by surprise, so you have to be ready to slap your paddle onto the water to stabilise yourself. Although it was unnerving, we managed to keep our spirits high with some great if a little flat versions of “American Pie” and various other sing-along favourites. The kayaks are lit by a glow stick on the back, but here are no forward facing lights- you must rely on your night vision. We made good progress in the early hours, and by midnight we were a fair way south down the coast, off Hollesley Bay Prison I would estimate.
We stuck to our routine- every 20-30 minutes we stopped for up to one minute to get drinks on board. Every hour we stopped for a couple of minutes to eat and drink. Peanut Butter and Jam Sandwiches were a firm favourite, and under Olly’s guidance we had some slices of salami in the food stores too. It was totally surreal- chewing on Orford’s finest produce whilst miles off the Suffolk Coast at 1 a.m. looking at a completely clear sky and amazing stars. We would give anything for the night to be like that on the event itself. We practiced our various night procedures, getting extra clothing, having a pee etc, all so that it became familiar. Ed, who had been celebrating his birthday the previous night also took the opportunity to “practice” having a 10 minute snooze. This was useful as we rafted up and got comfortable so that he could sleep.
From 12-1 a.m. we worked against the tide, still heading south towards Felixstowe, and then turned and headed back with the tide again. The closer we had got to the docks the more ambient light there was, but when we turned back, the darkness was more of an issue. On Whiting Bank, just off Orford Ness we hit some very short choppy water, and it was quite unnerving, but we managed to push through and carry on.
The most amazing thing about being out at night is the phosphorescence. I have seen it before at night, but when you are that close to the water, and in such a small kayak it really is an incredible thing to see. As your hull breaks the waves in front of you the wave erupts in an electric blue light and lights up the whole hull. As your paddle blade breaks the surface each side of you it is as though you have splashed a blue paint pot onto a black canvas- totally amazing and a very special thing to see- I can’t do it justice here, but Ed put it pretty well when he said it was like being in "Avatar".
Using our GPS waypoints we managed to navigate back to our cars a little before 4 a.m. This mist had really come down, and the temperature with it. Thankfully we had been suitable prepared for it. Landing was just as tricky as launching. I volunteered to go first, got my timing wrong and ended up with my kayak full of shingle and pretty wet. Guiding Alec in we made a good landing for him, and then we messed Ed up again, so he got his second dunk of the night. I did feel a little sorry for the drunken chap on the beach who really didn’t know what was going on as we landed!!
It was therefore a successful night. The Sea Kayak UK Explorers proved themselves to be masters of the rougher water, even when you can’t tell how rough it is, and our standard horizon GPS/VHF’s were a lifesaver. We covered just shy of 20 miles, and physically we were all in good shape- nobody was too tired, other than the fact it was early in the morning, and it was a good reality check as to what we are due to encounter.
From here we have a final logistics meeting, our various medicals from our friendly (I hope) doctor Flora, and a little more training. We have a launch at the Kiehls shop on Monmouth Street in London at which we hope to see a lot of you- Champagne and discounts available on Kiehls products. You might have to help us raise some money too... The Safety boat and kit will leave for Holland around the 20th August and we will look to start the crossing in as soon as we can after it arrives. Fingers and toes crossed for the weather people!!
Finally a few thankyous- Quooker, SKUK, Lendle, Ovation Business, Ward & McKenzie, Standard Horizon, Karitek, Kiehls and our most recent sponsor Lifeboat Tea.
And many thanks to those of you who have given to the charities we are supporting. This event will in time be measured by the amount of money we raise, so if you could all sponsor us a little, it will certainly go a long way- the messages of support too have been great especially in the early hours of the morning.
Updates to follow.
Harry
