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