Teen kayaker found dead attempted ‘significant’ cross-bay journey before perishing

Large southerly swells, as well as prevailing winds would have made kayaker Valentine Bester’s journey from Roches Bay to Lime Bay “significant”, according to a marine professional.

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LARGE southerly swells, as well as prevailing north and north-westerly winds would have made kayaker Valentine Bester’s journey from Roches Bay to Lime Bay “significant”.

Roaring 40s owner Reg Grundy expressed his condolences on behalf of the kayaking community and said conditions in Frederick Henry Bay at this time of year can be difficult.

“If you were doing a solo journey along those lines, having an advanced skill-set would be advisable,” he said.

The 15km cross-bay journey attempted by deceased teen kayaker Valentine Bester.

“With that, having a craft that is fit for purpose and undertaking a journey like that, you’d normally paddle with another person, or within a group for some degree of added safety.”

Mr Grundy said the cross-bay journey was also quite exposed.

“It is quite an exposed area of water in a certain conditions.

“The fact that it allows for large southerly ocean swells to still make it into the bay area, and combined with our prevailing westerly conditions which we predominantly get at this time of year – and the north westerlies, it’s quite a significant undertaking to paddle across that open water,” he said.

Typically a journey would take 3-4 hours on a sea kayak, and longer on a sit-on-top, Mr Grundy said.

He encouraged kayakers to be as safe as possible when heading out on the water, including using a leash, checking the weather and being familiar with the conditions.

“There is no substitute for having good skills, some of those skills are decision making skills,” Mr Grundy said.

For those looking to expand their skills, Roaring 40s run kayak safety training sessions which include pool rescues, basic sea kayaking skills and eskimo rolls.

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