Lucy Tassell enjoys her ocean paddling....

I first started ski paddling in October last year to try and get ready for the Lorne Anaconda Adventure Race that I had entered during a moment of inspiration when travelling overseas. I had been trying to paddle a stumpy wave ski in the bay with a lot of frustration and so found out about Peak Adventure and Jarad’s sessions and came down for a go.  It was great to have all the gear there to use, advice on correct technique and a whole lot of people to paddle with. In addition the ocean training days really helped develop open ocean and wave riding skills to feel more confident for these events. 

I hired a ski from Jarad and managed to get through the Anaconda Adventure Race and absolutely loved the paddle leg.  It was stunning paddling along the great ocean road with everybody in awesome conditions.  I have continued to paddle twice a week with Peak Adventure and have recently acquired a second hand ski which means I can get out there more often. There is nothing better in summer than playing around in the significant wind swells that come up in the afternoon, catching runners and racing everybody. When daylight savings is over, it is great to start in the dark and then watch a beautiful sunrise over the bay during an early session before work. And it is always fun out there with everybody, paddling up and under the Westgate Bridge, checking out the shipping traffic or paddling long to St Kilda or Williamstown. 

I have always loved the ocean doing a lot of stand up paddling and surfing, prone paddle boarding, bodysurfing and diving, so this has now provided me with another way to get out there on the ocean, a new toy to play with and a group of people to share the fun with. I am back overseas again spending time with my other ocean toys, but look forward to getting back out there when we return.

lucy tassell