Double the fun in a Double Hull

We're at the start line again. PD chicks together as one for an almighty double hull race. A bit stiff from yesterday, but felling good. We're at the start line, focussing on keeping in time, setting our rate, and having our race.

And then a spinner dolphin leaps in front of us. A forward double pike with a triple twist. Olympic gold. We're no longer focussing. We're giggling and laughing and cheering on the antics. A more sedate pod crests the waves next to our canoe. There is no race, just dolphins.

Luckily we were out there early (really? I know, writing this, I can't believe it either).

We eventually remember that we're out there to race, and manoeuvre into the start line; more gracefully than what you'd expect of two hulls strapped together with 4x2s.

We're off! Big strokes, long strokes, deep water. We have a good start, but not the best - a few crews are ahead of us and we have some work to do. Whoosh. Keeping in time. Whoosh. A steady PD's rate. We're keeping out cool. Pulling in a couple of canoes that are frantically trying to keep ahead of us. Whoosh. As one, we're pulling ahead into open water. Yeah!

We make it to the buoy first, and free of any other canoe. Whoosh. We scoot around quickly and head to the next one. Whoosh. Round we go again. Working hard. Reaching out even further. Taking it home.

We're about a kilometre from the finish line. The pod of dolphins we cheered on earlier have come out to cheer us! They gracefully lead us towards the beach and surf our wash. There couldn't be a better PD moment.

We cross the line, together, in first place. Women double hull champions. Congratulations PDs.

PDs Gold! WOO!
Amanda, Annett, Kath, Nicola, Cath, Charlotte, Jas, Lisa, Shell, Kayleene, Jess & Kerry

For more about our trip, follow this link. For more pictures, visit the Gallery