Anyone paddled to Rotto and back and can pass tips/hints
Submitted by G man on Tue, 08/31/2010 - 13:22
I am thinking of paddling to Rotto and back in the summer on a Spirit Ski, has anyone done this and do you have any tips? I believe I will need marine radio, anchor, flare's & type 1 PFD. Was concerned on safety regarding avoiding ships etc.
I have another paddler keen and wondered if anyone else on a plastic ski is doing similar and would consider joining a group.
Good challenge but requires experience
I've done it twice now in a Double Sea Kayak - the most stable boat around. Went directly from Port Beach at dawn in summer using the morning Easterly to help on the way, paddled around to a nice Beach and rested up to return on the afternoon sea breeze.
Both times went with another boat for safety, and carried the right gear. To be visible to shipping I'd suggest your boat and/or your clothing needs to be bright. The crux comes when you cross the gage roads shipping lane - if anything is evenly remotely heading your way stop and wait. They are faster than they appear, probably won't see you and probably can't do anything about it if they do see you.
It's 20k each way, plus a bit more to paddle around from Thompson's Bay to somewhere like the basin. Our sea kayaks were reasonably quick and we took 2 hours each way.
Depending on conditions there's a bit of navigation involved, as you won't always be able to see Rottnest (the lighthouse is the best landmark) on the way, and it's not obvious on the way back what you are heading for. A GPS or compass was handy.
Perth to Rotto return
That will be an expedition on a Spirit ski!! Check the DPI website for regulations on what you have to carry, which may also include 'you're not allowed to do this'.
The big ships in Gage Roads won't stop for you, they won't even SEE you so watch out for them.
Use a leg lead. Practice remounts in all sorts of messy stuff before you go. Go to Rotto in the morning with the easterly behind you, have lunch there, head back in the arvo when the seabreeze comes in (or at least the easterly has stopped).
Plan on 3-4 hours each way, depending where you start from (18km from Port Beach, 24km from Scarbs), and for goodness sake and MOST IMPORTANTLY don't get yourself into a situation where you have to be rescued as that will only result in more regulations for the rest of us.
Note: for the record my suggestion is to do 'the Doctor' race in January (Rotto to Scarborough) when there will be a lot of water safety around, and if you find going one way in a day easy enough, then plan for there and back again in one hit! :-)
-Ski Girl
Perth to Rotto
Great advice and thanks. Will consider the doctor as when applications open up.