Day 12 (Monday) – We did it … A 110 km day. Woolgoolga to South West Rocks.
Posted by TransparantSea on the October 12th 2009, in All
We did it … A 110 km day. Woolgoolga to South West Rocks. from Billabong on Vimeo.
We were met with perfect northerly winds from the beginning of the day, right up until the end. Upwards of 30knots. There was a high wind advisory and once it got really strong, we were the only crafts at sea – any other other boats we saw out there went straight back into harbour.
If we’d met winds like that when we started, it would have been pretty tough going. But everyone was feeling confident. There was some sketchy moments, but we were prepared enough to deal with it.
Without a doubt, the highlight of the day was the whale activity.
We had whales going underneath the boats, juveniles breaching all around us all day, tail slaps and we finished riding swells into Horseshoe Bay (near South West Rocks) with the humpbacks riding beneath us.
Hilton got some amazing photos, and we have some video footage of the encounters.
We’ll post some when we get a chance, but for now we’re straight back out there and aiming to reach Hat Head which we estimate is 25 kilometres south. So about three-to-four hours at sea.
Hopefully we’ll score some surf … Stay tuned,
Chris Del Moro
6 COMMENTS
Jennifer Newcomb says:
October 12th, 2009 at 9:39 pmTo the Transparentsea team. I think the work you are doing is very worthwhile & was amazed at the amount of rubish you encounter along the coastline. Surfing with the whales would be a wonderful experience. Great work. Jennifer
kathi says:
October 12th, 2009 at 10:17 pmcongrats you guys .. how awesome to play with whales .. what a trip of a lifetime .. love to all .. mom
Shane&Marnie says:
October 12th, 2009 at 11:03 pmHey! seadogs Dave, Hilton, Will and crew
WOW! great sharing your trip thus far..much admiration and honour to you what your doing is fantastic!! and deservingly you are experiencing many of natures rewards
wishing many more tails, waves, rainbows and sea communions
Sol says:
October 13th, 2009 at 12:12 amYeeaaahh!! Good to hear you guys are on the move.
We’ll be seeing you south of Crescent then I’d say. Being escorted by whales sounds phenomenal. Safe travels on the next leg.
Steph says:
October 13th, 2009 at 4:09 amHey guys – great to see what you’ve been up to…though i’m sure for the most part it hasn’t been kickin’ back with your feet up like the shot of Dave in the clip:) 110km’s is such an awesome effort. Fantastic job too on the clean ups. The close ups of the whales looks so great…there’s been tonnes of sightings here at Burleigh obviously all headed your way. My 2 year old talked non stop about the whales he saw with his grandad the other morning on the point – they said there were about a dozen passing within the hour – maybe they were playing tricks and swimming back and forth. Well take care guys and enjoy the experience. Hoping to greet you in Sydney. steph. x
Brett says:
October 20th, 2009 at 7:34 pmhey guys-
I love what your doing. I myself am apart of beach cleanups around the San Diego area. I surf also and i don’t dig trash in my spot. The Sea Shepard is one of my dreams to be apart of and hopefully one day can combine free surfing with saving whales my two passions. Come visit in SD sometime we’ll hit up a sesh:) PEACE