Pedal Boats at Anglesea...

[khiemtran]

Anglesea is a small town on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. It's known locally as a surfing spot; and because the golf course is a great place to take visitors to see kangaroos. When I was a child though, I was always excited by the pedal boats for hire in the river. It was off-season when Liem and I were there last week, so would they still be operating?





As you can see, each boat has two sets of pedals, although it turned out that Liem wasn't quite tall enough to reach them yet (he did try pedalling his hands for a bit).



At the back is a small (and noisy) paddlewheel. Two gears - forward and reverse. And you go even faster when you both pedal the same way at the same time.



And we're off! I'm on the left, pedalling, while Liem's doing the steering on the right. This means we're going to do lots of chasing ducks.



Liem's first time as skipper. Since we were the first customers, the operator told us we could stay out as long as we wanted. Which is fine, except when you're the one doing the pedalling.



Um... You realise that's the open sea out there...



Phew! Nearly back now... It's quite a work out after you've been pedalling for a while.

Comments

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Look at those massive paddles! And Liem's expression :D

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

I think in another year, he and his cousins will be able to take a boat out by themselves and pedal like mad. His cousins are already sailors and surfers, but they're still also just a little to short to reach the pedals from the seat.

[carl-allery.livejournal.com]

There's nothing quite like messing about in boats! :)

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Indeed. Liem's already been sailing before, but I think being able to steer by himself made all the difference.