And the winner is!!!

Dan Irwin and his son Geoff were the happy winners of the Necky Manitou Kayak and Carlisle paddle that was kindly donated by the boys at BLA (Johnson Outdoors)
They collected their prize in less than perfect conditions today but the weather could not dampen their spirits. I am sad to see the little Necky go but I wish them lots of fun, fitness and fishing in their new Kayak. Congrats Guys! Enjoy :)
Thanks again to all my sponsors and support crew that made the paddle possible you all have made a sick kids life a little easier if only for a little while.
Phil

Why Brook 2 Beaches?

Plenty of people have asked why Brook2Beaches and why Camp Quality?
Some would know that my Nephew, Daniel Neville, lost his battle with cancer last year. Camp Quality was there for my family when they needed them, in the midst of his greatest battle, and I wanted to help ensure they would be there for other families and kids in the Hunter as well.
I would also like to say - Daniel this paddle was for you.
When things got tough and I was slogging it out for hours paddling into strong headwinds, it was the fact that kids like you battle pain each day and have no choice but to keep fighting that inspired me to dig deeper.
You continue to be an inspiration and to challenge me to be less egocentric each day. You were an impact player in life with an insatiable appetite for adventure while possessing a rare concern for others feelings.
I feel privileged to be called your uncle and mate you may be gone but you are not forgotten. We miss you.
Phil

Brook 2 Beaches wrap-up

Well Brook2Beaches is over and life is slowly getting back to normal with having to go to work and everything. That sais it is not too late to donate if you haven't done so but have enjoyed the action/ drama of the event.
The Kayak was drawn, thanks to BLA, and Dan Irwin from Bayswater power station is the lucky winner. I will be delivering the Yak in the next couple of days and Dan will be able to get on the water in a well loved and travelled Necky Manitou. What a great all rounder this Kayak is and tough as nails too. Congratulations Dan! Stay tuned for photo's of Dan receiving the Yak in coming Blogs. Other great Kayaking accessories were also donated by Brett at Lake Macquarie Kayaks and there were many happy winners like Ben Neville shown above with his Kayak Trolley.
As stated the conditions were ordinary but the spirits were high at the finish and I have included some photo's above and the brave supporters that showed up in spite of the conditions on the day.
Phil

Brook to Beaches finishes in style

Sorry about the slow update but Brook 2 Beaches is finished. I finished on schedule on Saturday the 16th of October in weather conditions that pretty much summed up the trip - Challenging!
The night before we probably got an hour sleep with winds gusting to gale force and awnings flapping and my little Jayco groaning and shaking in the high winds. It wasn't a pleasant night and at 4am hadn't got any better.
The forecast was for extreme weather warnings at Newcastle and when I got up and checked the Harbour it was apparent that it was too dangerous for inexperienced paddles. I rang Brett from Lake Macquarie Kayaks and cancelled the scheduled paddle so that people would not be put at risk. Some were disappointed but those that came to the finish line agreed that we had made the right decision! A couple even thanked me for not letting it go ahead!!
Brett is much more experienced than me in these kind of conditions - i like flat water and so does the Necky! He kindly offered to paddle with me and I (and my family) are so grateful! Thanks mate I'm glad I didn't have to hit this one up alone!
The harbour was a mess and I don't know how big it was but it was well outside my comfort zone that is for sure. The Necky did OK in the challenging conditions but it is definitely outside it's design brief! I was taking on a fair bit of water from all sides and struggling to stay in a straight line but i wobbled and struggled my way through the Harbour! Brett in his Ocean Kayak made it look effortless and revelled in the conditions - I want one of those boats - not to mention his talent in a Kayak! He runs coaching so maybe I can get some of that ability later!
Anyway my luck , ability and or divine intervention ran out a couple of meters from the shoreline at Horseshoe Beach when I caught and then fell off a wave coming around the corner to the beach. Brett was a champion and towed me a little and I managed to drag the Yak the last little bit up onto the beach were a devoted group braved the conditions to cheer my cold, wet and tired self! Thank you everyone who braved the elements to see me finish my epic journey. I was well outside my comfort zone at many times during this trip but it has been a trip of a lifetime!
I have no pictures at this point in time but there were plenty of photographers there so bear with me. The Kayak (donated by BLA) and prizes donated by Brett at Lake Macquarie Kayaks were drawn and will be posted / delivered in the coming days.
Brett and I will be organising a new paddle day - were a sheltered spot can be used for families etc. to sample kayaking in the near future so stay tuned. Coming up is the wrap up and photo's of happy recipients.
The Necky has handled everything thrown at it and has impressed with it's versatility. For a 13 Foot small touring Yak it has coped with rapids,skinny water, touring and even very lumpy stuff!

Tomorrows the last day!!

Gday all
Just thought I better put down some legal junk about tomorrow. Sorry it pains me to say it but I have been advised that I should say something along the lines of this for those that are considering paddling with me from Stockton Bridge to Horseshoe Beach.

Warning: Kayaking is a dangerous activity and presents a number of inherit risks. Participation in this event is entirely at your own risk. Neither Phil Curry nor Camp Quality can accept any responsibility for loss, damage, injury or death arising from this paddle. It is the responsibility of the individual to paddle within their ability and not put themselves in harm's way. I have no public liability insurance and none is offered by Camp Quality either.

All legal jargon aside please do not feel obliged to paddle if you feel uncomfortable with the conditions (whatever they may be tomorrow) I will be just as pumped to see people at the beach as I will to have them paddle with me - especially if it isn't good conditions.

Please also consider if it is raining that rain jackets can be a drowning hazard if you do fall in the drink! I have a Cag that is waterproof and I can swim in if required. Please please do not put yourself at risk! It is not worth risking someone being harmed or worse drowned. I know that my wife will not be paddling if conditions are iffy/ wet. I will not be offended if others do the same!
That said hopefully the weather will be fine and I am worried about nothing
Phil

Day 11 Raymond Terrace to Stockton Bridge

Gday all
today's original schedule was to get to Hexham but since it's only about 13Km from the terrace I decided that I could do a little better and paddled the extra 13 or so km to get through to Stockton Bridge. Yeh! This actually means that I can have a sleep in and even a day off paddling to spend with the family and mooch around till Saturday when we finish Brook to Beaches completely.
To start with I turned and took a photo of Sue and Tim who waive me off each day (and pick me up as well) and usally take photo's of me. I could not have done this trip without your support and I know it has been as big a mission with our energetic little man for you as it has been for me Sue!
The day started well with pretty good conditions early on combined with a run out tide from the Terrace.
This was lovely as it took a long time to settle into a reasonable stroke and I felt like the paddle weighed an absolute tonne and that I was dragging it through concrete. Not sure what the problem was, as the pain usually comes and goes, but I hurt badly for the fist 6-7 Km until I finally settled into a rhythm and the muscle soreness subsided (or i managed to ignore it - not sure which)
Then all of a sudden I found myself coming up to Hexham and the wind started to pick up but for once it was a tailwind - Yah!! That was a new experience.
Pumped that I had wind and tide going with me I had no hesitation in pushing on to Stockton Bridge which is about another 13Km along the river.
I had meant to check google earth again as I had originally planned to follow the road through Hexham but changed this once the last day paddle start point was decided to be at Stockton Bridge. The river breaks up into all sorts of arms and heads around some islands etc. so it can be a little confusing. That said I decided to stick with the large body of water that was heading towards the ocean (tide was still running out) so figured how lost could I get!!
The only problem with sticking to the main body of water was that the wind had picked up to a howling tailwind which was whipping up large rolling swell (maybe a meter at a guess - felt big to me!). It was nice not to paddle hard but interesting to surf and sail my way to the bridge. I have found in this exercise that the necky is pretty good in a trailing sea and that the large keel works well to keep the boat pointed straight when the wind and waves are trying to push you sideways! Not bad for a 13 foot boat without a rudder! The little touring yak has definitely proved herself to be a competent all rounder on this trip that is for sure! Rapids, touring on flat and in the lumpy stuff and she is tough as nails. Good on ya Necky. I'd own one - if I was allowed to buy a raffle ticket!(lol)
I am excited about getting a day off and hope to get Sue's Hobie out for small/ gentle paddle and a little soft plastics fishing for some flathead along the edges of the harbour tomorrow or generally just spending some time with family. I better give the Yak a wash too - she's a bit grotty!
I hope to see some people on Saturday and most of all finish this epic (for me at least) journey and see the poor banged up boat find a new home! She has some battle scars but is still going strong and tracking straight. It is a testament to how tough poly yaks are these days that is for sure!
thanks for your continued support and encouragement
Phil

Day 10 Belmore Bridge to Raymond Terrace

Another early start this morning starting on the water at 7:00. I decided that this was the best approach with the tides and the weather as it has been lately and was lucky to get the best day of the trip so far! Absolutely magic conditions for paddling. It always astonishes me how awesome it is to paddle early in the morning - as small amount of fog rising from the surface of the river and water that is like glass - best conditions of the trip by far!!!
The other reason for the early start was to finish early which would mean plenty of time to take the Jayco to Stockton - ready for the final day so this meant I was paddling to a schedule a little bit.
Well as I said it was absolutely magic this morning and you could not ask for better conditions to paddle -better late than never (lol)
And to top it off when I got to Morpeth (approx 10 km in) I came across some rowers from the Endeavour Rowing Club What a lovely bunch of guys and girls. They had a quad, tandem and a couple of single skulls (is that the right terminology guys ? Sorry I am a rowing illiterate!) on the river and they were poetry in motion. It was an absolute pleasure to paddle along and watch these guys (even if it was from a distance at times) do their thing for the couple of Km's back to their boat shed! They invited me in and I told them about Brook2Beaches so hopefully they are logging in and checking my progress! They even invited me to stay for Brekky - how hospitable is that!
I pushed on and managed to get to Raymond Terrace, so I am still 10 to 13Km ahead of schedule, with plenty of time to have Macca's with Tim and Sue for lunch. Tim has discovered that Wherever the "chippie logo" is there is also a playground so he was especially happy that Dad was finished early!
We called in to Jayco Newcastle, one of our major sponsors, on the way past and met Damien who turned out to be just as good in the flesh as he sounds on the phone. He kitted us out with some Jayco Hats and gear and even gave Tim a Jayco showbag!! Tim has refused to take off the hat till bedtime and particularly enjoyed the Chuppa Chup. Thanks Damien. I have included the photo! Priceless
This afternoon Tim got to play on the beach and generally enjoyed having Dad around a bit. I think I will go for a reasonably early start again , probably 7:30 at the Terrace, so i can push on if the weather allows and be part of the camping at the beach part as well. It looks like it might even be a possibility of finishing tomorrow if all goes to plan as it is only about 32Km from the terrace to Newcastle so that would be cool. I'd just have to go back to paddle the last 5km on Saturday but would get my day off to get in a bit of fishing while on the coast!! Whoohoo.
Will wait and see what the weather dishes up before I get too excited though
Phil

Last day paddle 16th of October

I keep forgetting to remind people that you are all welcome to come and be a part of the final leg (5km) paddle from
Stockton Bridge Boat ramp - on the coal loader side - arrive at 9:30
Remember Ring Brett at Lake Macquarie Kayaks on 0437772939 (or follow the link) if you want to hire a Kayak on the day.
Please prebook to make Brett's life easier and be there for 9:30 for pre paddle safety briefing (yes we need to do one) and departure at 10:00
Hope to see you there
Phil

Day 9 Luskintyre to Belmore Bridge Maitland

Well I have been hoping for a small break in the weather and today I got a small break. It is amazing what a bit of a rest can do for the sore muscles and the spirits - not to mention a bit of reasonable weather!
Today I got to the water at about 8:00 and was away about 8:30 I think at Luskintyre. This meant that I got some km's under my belt early and was feeling like i was making some progress. The water was deep enough to paddle and generally all was well with the world. I still hurt obviously but all was well.
I managed to get to Melville ford at Aberglasslyn at about 11:30 and my parents and Tim came to meet me for a picnic lunch which was lovely. It was nice to have someone to share lunch with - so much nicer than just talking to myself and I actually savoured it for about 45min. The longest lunch so far.
Phil Milling also happened by so it was good to catch up with him also for a chat.
After lunch I still felt pretty good and the conditions were still much better than they have been so I decided to push on and get another 10km under my belt which means that I am ahead of schedule now. Woohoo!
Looking at the weather and tides it's looking like an early start in the morning. If the weather is kind then I will try to get to Raymond Terrace which is another 30km again tomorrow

Day 8 Elderslie to Luskintyre

Today I had hoped to get an early start and maybe knock over the two short 20km legs in one go. We had stayed at home last night since we are getting pretty close to Maitland now. This had the added benefit of a bath to soak my weary bones/ muscles in and also to give the parents a bit of a rest from babysitting duties!
While I am on the topic thanks Mum and Dad for coming along with us on the early part of the trip of The trip. Your help with Tim and loading the Yak at the end of each long day has been much appreciated by myself, Sue and Tim.
We were running late from the get go this morning (maybe home has too many comforts for this trip!) and when we got there I had managed to leave most of my water bottles and my hat back at home! Bugger - not a good start. The chaos continued and an early start turned into a little earlier than usual start. Oh well!
I probably got an hour in before the wind picked up so it was worth the effort for that alone. The easterlies are still hammering me and anytime I stopped to take a drink I was being blown back upstream again! I have found that the only thing harder than paddling against strong wind is trying to do this in ankle deep water and at times the only way to go forward efficiently was to walk today!Days of paddling into a headwind like this messes with your head I reckon and I wasn't in a great place mentally after the slow start and the continued wind. My Body was definitely showing the strain today
I decided at Luskintyre that I had had enough for one day and that I would try again tomorrow for an early start once again. I remind myself that I am still on schedule and that it was only my desire to squeeze in a fish somewhere along the line that has me pushing to finish early. Training for and completing this paddle has consumed all my time for the last 12months it seems and the rods and reels need some serious attention i reckon. I have seen lots of fish. A Catfish at least a metre long in the upper reaches, a multitude of carp, the occasional Bass and now the mullet are starting to get active.
Never mind I might still get a fish in once the water gets deeper and I can justify the extra weight of a flickstick and some plastics.
Might have to put a rod holder on the Necky so I can do some trolling too!
It's nice to dream but in the meantime I need to cover Km's so back to the task at hand!
Tomorrow Luskintyre to Melville ford (Aberglasslyn) but I will play it by ear if the weather is good I might get a couple more km's in :)
Phil

Day 7 Singleton to Elderslie

Well I can't believe this is the seventh day of my little paddle - or even that I am basically 2/3rd of the way to Newcastle now! Mind Numbing!
I keep saying that was a tough day and you probably want to hear something else - Believe my I would like to be saying it but what a tough one today was. The wind was diabolical, blowing hard into my face and basically whipping up waves in the hunter river. At one stage it was blowing so hard that when I stopped to have a drink I was being blown back up the river.
There was a nasty storm front rolling in also from the side so I decided to only stop for 10mins the whole leg to try to stay in front of the thunderstorm that I thought would make life unbearable. Whether this was a good tactic or not I do not know but I didn't get rained on! I did hurt like I have never hurt before with 5 hours basically non stop paddling plus I have hard the worst cast of indegestion that I think I have ever had too! Not surprising as I only stopped long enough to scoff it down and then got back into it - the GPS said 8 mins all day stopped time.
On the upside I was home early enough to catch the last 20 laps of Bathurst so the pain was defintely worth it. Go Lowndesy!!! Go Holden 1,2,3 Baby!! Eat that Oval fans!! Ha Ha
Sorry momentary Yobbo moment (LOL)

Day 4 Denman to Jerrys Plains

The case of the missing day! Well we have been having a few technical difficulties and it seems that Day 4 has gone walkabout.
Day 4 was a big one the first of the over 30km days. I thought it was 31 but it turned out to be actually 36km. I did the same thing in training and thought that I had adjusted the itinerary but apparently not so i got a little more paddling for my money on this day. It was a long day with lots of river obstructions and rapids to keep me on my toes and in and out of the Kayak. On a positive note I managed to avoid the places that caught me off guard and eject me from the kayak in the training run so that is good.
A special thanks should go to the two gentlemen that snatched my bogged 4wd that my wife was driving out of the soft sand below Jerrys Plains Bridge before I got there. You are champions and I wouldn't have been too keen to dig out and push a bogged 4wd after a 36km paddle! You are legends and I definitely owe you a brown cordial or two.

Day 6 Arriving at Rose Point Park Singleton

Gday
Happy to announce that we are back on track for Brook2Beaches! The Necky is paddling straight and true and even though I was a little more sore today than previously we were back in the saddle and covering some Km's today again. It was another tough day with plenty of sore muscles/bits combined with a headwind the whole way.
That said I passed the halfway mark to Newcastle today which was a real highlight for me!
You can really start to see the river changing over these 169 km were it was all rocks and overgrown the river is more sandy and even has some width and water about it now (most of the time). The paddle today consisted of long open stretches of water with a howling headwind joined by tight water with lots of obstructions and small rapids. Only small ones that posed little danger- which was nice after yesterdays effort.
We move the van again tomorrow so it will be another full on morning!
On the money side we have now cracked the $5000 - I know it only says $600 on the camp quality site but that is only the tally of donations made in that way so thanks to all who have donated and dug deep. If you wish to donate there is still plenty of time and you can be assured that all the money goes to kids and families dealing with cancer in the Hunter Valley. If you have been thinking of donating but haven't yet let me encourage you to do so - It would be great to make it $10,000 to help bring some cheer to sick kids that is for sure!!
We have sorted our Internet problems so we should be blogging every night from now on if all goes well. Gotta get some sleep another 33Km to do tomorrow
Phil

Day 5 Jerrys to Maison Dieu

Heartbreak Hotel
What a tough day today turned out to be. We had to pack up the camper so Sue could move it to Singleton before I could paddle so I felt like I had done a day’s work before I started. I was making reasonable Headway, although paddling into a strong headwind till I got to the Power Station.
It was here that things took a turn for the worse. As I headed in I had intended to get out and carry the Yak down over the wall that has been constructed to provide a head for the river pumps but as I approached it looked pretty straight forward. Sure the water was flowing strongly and it was deep but it looked like it was a clear path around the wall. What I couldn’t see was just around a turn was some large boulders directly in the path of any kayaker silly enough to be still be there! I knew I was in serious trouble and jumped out but the water was too deep and flowing too hard to make any real difference to the inevitable. The yak hit broadside on a large rock in the middle of the river, closely followed by me. The Yak filled with water quickly and began folding around the rock. I had my own problems with a wedged ankle in the rocks but at least I had my head above water. After some scary moments I managed to get my ankle free and tried to budge the Yak. I managed to lift (not sure how – probably adrenalin) and once started the water started assisting in the lift of the nose of the Yak. I was devastated that it appeared that I had destroyed the Yak only a third of the way into my paddle but I persisted to free the Yak (after an hour of grunting groaning and being tossed down the rapids a few times.
The paddle (the leash broke the bungy straps it was attached to), my lunch and my drinks were gone but I managed to get the yak free.
Eventually I decided I would push on and walk (dragging the now empty yak) to the next causeway which I thought was about another 6-7 Km – I had some new cuts, bruises and had managed to twist an knee but I was still in one piece. While dragging the yak I found my lunch, 1 small water bottle and eventually the paddle also.
The Yak has sustained a couple of creases on its side but to the necky’s credit she has proved herself to be tough and is still tracking true. I am so sorry to those that expected a nice newish Kayak. I am not sure whether people want raffle ticket money back but in the Yaks defence I went on to paddle another 30Km today in her and she never missed a beat. Please let me know what you think as I really wanted to hand this thing over in pristine condition.
Anyway the next 30 km continued to test my mental and physical abilities as I paddled into a relentless headwind to reach my destination at Maison Dieu (just shy of Singleton). When I arrived at my pick up point, which was a challenge in itself, I was stoked to find that the Milling family had come to help me disembark and load the yak onto the roof. You guys are absolute legends I don’t think I could have loaded it without you and Dad today. P.S. The hot chocky was an absolute godsend too! I have now managed about 140Km and will be past half way by tomorrow afternoon.
Bruised and dented the Yak and myself will push on towards the sea.

Bengalla Bridge to Denman

Today started out cool and overcast so I thought it prudent to put my cag (wet weather paddling jacket) on straight away. I only got a few spots and then the sun came out which was pretty exciting – so exciting that I took a photo of the blue skies!
Yet again I forgot to turn the GPS on straight away so I was guessing a little as to how far I had travelled but it was a rough enough estimate to gauge how I was going. I was happy to settle into some paddling early with a mixture of rapids and tree obstructions. It never ceases to amaze me that a river can gain speed over rapids and then make a 90 degree turn but this was to be the order of the day. I was pumped at one point with my progress and confidence in the rapids so much so that I was singing the “Fully Loaded “ advertisement to myself when all at once I rounded a bend and saw that a new set of rapids head off in another direction straight for an undercut bank! I remember capsizing at this point in training once before and promptly ejected myself from the kayak in time to avert imminent crashing sounds!! From fully loaded to fully ejected in about half a verse – never mind no good busting myself or the new Yak and I am sure that whoever wins the kayak expects it to be in one piece not in two like the ad!
That said I managed a nice steady 6km/h average that allowed me to enjoy the journey while still making progress. I keep reminding myself to do this as I probably will not get the chance to paddle the river in its entirety again in my lifetime.
The leg turned more difficult as time went on with rapid after rapid and fallen tree after fallen tree for the last 5km or so meaning that I was constantly in and out of the Yak to drag it around/ over obstacles.
Mental note – It’s not just about the destination but the journey too
Looking forward to some more challenges with over 30Km to cover to get to Jerry’s Plains tomorrow afternoon. From memory more rapids (some biggins too) and even some wire ropes to avoid so should be fun
Phil

Day 2 Dartbrook to Bengalla

It is amazing what 20 odd k's can make to a river. Today's leg was from Dartbook to Bengalla which is about 21Km. Although we haven't travelled that far from the mouth of the Hunter it was enough to spend more time in the kayak and less time walking. It was nice to spend more time paddling and getting to know the new Yak. There were still plenty of rapids and trees but there was also enough water to generally stay in the Yak.
Without the need to get in and out as much meant that I could get the average speed up a little more so today's paddle only took about 3 hours which was more like it!
The next couple of days will ramp up a bit with lots of rapids and bigger km stretches (over 30Km each day now for a while)
looking forward to getting some more K's under my belt and watching the river change. Thanks for the comments and support
Phil

Day1 - Nice day for a walk

Well today was the day that all the planning and training came together. I laid awake most of the night listening to the rain on the campers roof and thought this is gonna be nice.
It all started with a quick shower to feel human but soon went pear shaped when I dropped my glasses while undressing. Those that know me will know that I never do anything without my glasses and this is for good reason. I am as blind as a bat. Well the tiles on the floor were brown with dark brown grout so I had no chance of seeing my glasses. Here I am stark naked on my hands and knees feeling around for my specs but do you think I could find them!! Nope – so still naked I check the other two stalls – lucky there was no one else up and using the showers!!! Imagine what they would have thought of a scrawny little nude bloke on hands and knees in the bottom of a shower cubicle!! Eventually I found them hard up against the wall in my cubicle. This was not a good start I am thinking – Lucky I don’t believe in omens otherwise I would have just gone back to bed and pretended that it was only the third of October.
Anyway despite my novel approach to the start of the day the sun actually peeked out from behind the clouds over Glenbawn for the start of Brook to Beaches. Ya!! To my surprise There were a group of family and close friends who turned up (even in ordinary weather) to cheer me off and show their support. Thank you so much to Team Nev, The Bidstrup's and the Boardman’s. You will never know how much it meant to me to see a group of people turn out for the start of my big adventure.
The river was pretty much what I expected for the upper reaches – I did allot of walking and carrying (probably more than paddling for the first 1 or 2 hours ) and there were lots of fences (4 electric and 2 barbed wire) ,fallen trees and general obstructions in those first couple of hours!
The shiny new yak has a couple of new battle scars (sorry to whoever wins it but I will try not to scratch it too much) but I made it to Dartbrook in about 5 Hours so all is well and I am primed for another big day to get through to Bengalla Mine tomorrow afternoon.
Talk tomorrow
Phil

Wish me luck!

Well after 12 months of planning it is finally time to start Brook 2 Beaches. I head off tomorrow morning at 9:00.
Not sure of the forecast for the weather but it has rained here for a couple of days and looks pretty set in.
Check in tomorrow night
Phil