2024.05 - Shoalwater Islands & Kayak Repair
After years of hard use, Xander repairs his kayak and takes it for a test paddle.
Our kayak had developed several leaks after a year of heavy use, so a stop in Perth in May 2024 became an opportunity to learn a new skill and put it back into service.
Kayak Repair
We used Leanne’s childhood trampoline as a workbench. Alan and I filled the kayak with water to find the leaks, while Echo excitedly watched us tip it back out.
Some leaks were so small I had to get up close, using the trampoline as a hammock, and wait patiently for a single drop of water to form.
Once we found a leak, we flipped the kayak over, resting it on the trampoline frame, which turned out to be the perfect height for using my new plastic welder.
By the time we finished, we had patched up six holes and my welding skills had improved so much that the universe gave me an aura!
We celebrated the repair job with lunch by the river, where Echo soaked up the attention from his big sisters Leanne and Erica.
Shoalwater Islands Paddle
A few days later, it was time to test the quality of my repairs, I invited Jonno to join me for a paddle in the sun.
We launched from Shoalwater Beach aiming for Seal Island, part of the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park Paddle trail.
The kayak handled perfectly. We quickly reached the seal viewing mooring, where we counted 18 sea lions basking in the sun before heading over to Penguin Island.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by a large pod of pelicans. One even took flight right in front of us.
After a picnic lunch we hiked the Penguin Island Walk Trail, enjoying panoramic views and stopping often to watch the local skinks basking in the sun.
The sunny weather was too good to call it a day, so we swung by Seal Island again on the way back and finished with a few cold beers at the Rockingham Foreshore.
The Verdict
The repairs held perfectly and the kayak has since gone on many more adventures without issue. I’m glad I took a chance on plastic welding; learning to repair the kayak myself was surprisingly straightforward and has added an extra layer of satisfaction to every paddle since.
Bonus
Leanne at Penguin Island December 2014
