Entrants take in Surf Coast’s serenity during annual paddle

NORDIC Kayaks Great Ocean Paddle went off without a hitch over the weekend with organisers touting the event as one of its best years conditions-wise from Point Roadknight to Fisherman’s Beach.

The state’s most picturesque ocean paddle took place on Saturday following a fortnight of postponements due to inclement weather.

“It was an absolutely magical day, probably the best Great Ocean Paddle we’ve had,” paddle organiser and business owner of Peak Adventure Jarad Kohlar said.

“The weather, the community feeling, the social environment the paddlers were in, it was terrific.

“While we had lost almost half of the entrants due to the postponement, lifesaving carnivals and a separate event being held in Sydney, it was still a high-energy meeting.”

Peak Adventure’s newest instructor and coach Casey Haynes was the first to reach Fishos on the day as 27 paddlers formed the field.

“The crew at Torquay Marine Rescue again did a terrific job of keeping us safe and it just made the day the best it could have been,” Mr Kohlar said.

“After speaking with [Dave from] Torquay Marine Rescue compering this year’s event with the last 15 years they have helped run it, we agreed it was perhaps the best day so far for this event.”

Mr Kohlar said paddlers enjoyed consistent surf breaks at hotspots Bells Beach, Winkipop and Torquay and regular downwinds.