July 15th, Day 31 Today was an amazing learning day. They say that sea kayaking comes down to being a blend of mental ability and physical ability. You would think it would be about half and half but and some say the percentage is something like 80% mind and 20% body. I found this true today going from Cahermore to Dursey Sound. It was very confused seas, clapping water even as I stayed far from the cliffs and because the 2 meter swell was coming from all angels, my visual stability went so I got sea sick. My brain couldn’t predict where the water would lift me from so I would be paddling along and suddenly be lifted straight up from the clapotis waves and the sense of vertigo came on.
I HATE being sea sick because despite taking pills and using patches, which I did, there still not much you can do beyond that. So as it got pretty bad, and I got more nervous and a little shaky, something great happened where I chose - actually I don’t want to be scared, I want to be excited and feel accomplished. Do I did, I totally just willed myself to be more motivated driving my paddle through the waves, feeling more confident and, this sounds silly, but had to tell myself things in my head like “I’m doing this, I’m so badass, I can effing do this, this is the coolest thing ever” while playing some pump up music in my head as well. It was just a total shift in mindset and I felt better too and as I rounded Crows Head, it was really coming from all sides, rolling Atlantic chop and just as I was a fishing boat came up behind me. I was worried they didn’t see me but one guy made the head tap signal for “are you okay” and I responded with the same which means “I’m okay” and he gave me this big dramatic salute as I waved and smiled. It made that stretch all the better.
Finally I rounded into Dursey Sound and it was so flat and still, just perfect. I went under the Dursey Island cable car, the only cable car that goes over salt water in Europe, and carried on. Called my friend Ben as I paddled to the Allihies beach campsite and it is just stunning here. Beautiful beach, a coffee truck, sauna, and the best of all - facilities. Now that I’m near Kerry and into the west coast, things become more few and far between so I’ve taken the advantage to charge things, shower, hand wash my paddle base layers and will fill water in the morning. It’s a delightful spot. There’s also a very handsome and kind Danish guy who came up to talk to me and we kindof hit it off. He is doing a bit of a coastal cycle trip until September so who knows we might even meet up again. We sat in my camp spot and we watched the evening light and chatted for a while, he’s a play writer and likes to go on outdoor adventures too. He saw me paddle under the cable car. We are having coffee in the morning.
