Issue 45

Trans Taupo Race Results

I S S U E

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• Josh Neilson Kayaking in Thailand • Paddling Stewart Island • Coastbusters 2008 • Taranaki Yakity Yak Club hit Waihohonui & Ohineango Rivers

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Issue 45 Who says the West Coast is always rough? 6

Big Catch!

23

Tasmanian Fish Frenzy.

Nam tok te nae? - (Where is the waterfall?) 10

Taranaki Yakity Yak Club at Waihohonu & Ohinepango.

24

Wild Water and fragile craft - Canoeing in the fifties.

14

The seven dwarfs from North Shore and their guide -Kayaking in Samoa.

Lake Clearwater.

16

Colville to Waikawau - Coromandel.

18

Team work = Clockwork = Coastbusters 2008.

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8

Aussie Adventure on Stewart Island.

34

Taranaki kayak Fishing Classic.

36

Products available .

38

25

Product release - Catch 390.

40

Trans Taupo Race Report.

28

Buyers Guide.

43

Trans Taupo Race Results.

29

Whakanewha - Rocky Bay - Waiheke.

32

Front cover photo: Ross Benton Photo by: Kim Batten

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The list of things to organize for a large trip of 53 keen Yakity Yakers on a seven day Whanganui Trip starting 26th April seems endless. Moreover it needs to be carefully checked, as once we are on the river bank ‘what we have, will have to do’ Then there is the weather forecast. When it is rain on all days of the trip, B_____. So what do we do?

EDITOR: Peter Townend Ph: 0274 529 255 Fax [09] 421 0663 Email: pete@canoeandkayak.co.nz DESIGN & PRODUCTION: Canoe & Kayak Ltd

We continue as if the trip will happen; buying food; wrapping it in plastic bags and, where necessary, in dry bags; filling gas bottles and checking cookers; checking the wet weather gear, tarps, tents and personal rain gear. Several days of packing has produced a load weighing more than a ton completely filling a large ute. There’s no room for passengers!

6 Tavern Road,Silverdale

And we continue to watch the weather forecast.

Auckland Ph: [09] 421 0662 • Fax [09]421 0663 Email: James@canoeandkayak.co.nz

Closer to Saturday I ring the local operators to see what the river is doing and speak to weather guru Steve Knowles, remembering the occasions when adverse weather was forecast that we’ve cancelled trips. Then the weather system had moved more quickly or slowly than expected and we could have gone.

Of course we want to be careful, safe and have fun. How do we know it will be all right to start?

If the river is already high, extra rain will potentially make it unsafe, and tracks to camping sites will become more difficult. Wet conditions increase the chance of injury. Closer to starting, the forecast can be relied on to predict the amount of rain, direction and strength of the wind. These determine temperature, a critical safety consideration.

PUBLISHER: NZ Kayak Magazine is published four times per year by Canoe & Kayak Ltd. 6 Tavern Road, Silverdale, Auckland PRINTING: Geon Print

And who are we? Experienced paddlers can cope with conditions that novices should not experience.

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The final decision this year? If all was well when printing this magazine started we went on the river, there is a PS which means that I’ve got a ton of packed goodies on my hands.

Remember, stay safe, think before you act, challenge yourself and have fun.

Payment to: Canoe and Kayak Ltd, 6 Tavern Road, Silverdale, Auckland Ph [09] 421 0662 • Fax [09] 421 0663

Peter Townend (Ed.) P.S. We had 3 days out of 7, then the rain drove us home.

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Who says the West Coast is always rough?

by Vincent Rowe Here’s some of the shots I took along the way on a truly sublime wind free day between Piha and Whakaruro Bay (just south of Karekare) on Christmas Eve ‘07, when it was the calmest it had been all year - many said.

A closer look at the island off Mercer Bay (the island and beach are visible from the tracks at the end of Te Ahu Ahu Rd, Te Ahu Ahu Rd’s off to the left at the top of the Piha hill before going down to the beach) in almost glassy conditions.

This is what the other side of Panatahi Island looks like - this is the island off Whakaruro Bay (the next one south of Karekare),approx 20 metres high, which often has fur seals basking. Three of them were there and two casually checked me out while i checked them out (swimming within three feet of my kayak), however due to paddling and coordinating getting my hands dry and using the camera, only got a video clip of one of them in the water and a shot of another lazily rolling in front of me, which just appears as a swirly ripple .

Mercer Bay on the way back in better light, this is the beach which the recent Telstra Clear ad was shot at (everything went in by helicopter), in this shot it’s clearer why not a lot of people go down there - mainly just the locals know about how to get down to the beach ‘cos the track’s not listed on any maps, it must be dry for at least 4 days prior, to fully explore the caves and natural tunnels it must be a king low tide of at least 4.2 metres (ideally between 11.00 am and 5.00 pm), which only happens 2 or 3 times a year, it’s 820 vertical feet from the car park at the end of Te Ahu Ahu Rd down to the beach and it’s blinkin’ steep (four sections of rope for the not so sure footed)! Last year there were no suitable tides or days to fully explore there by foot.

Just south of The Gap at Piha, with the Tennis Courts on the right.

Parked at my favourite beach - Mercer Bay which is just north of Karekare on the west coast, although inaccessible from the land due to 500+ foot cliffs

One day I’ll get back out there when the high tide’s later in the day (it was 11.00 am when these were shot) and it’s calm like this, to get better shots of the cliffs and dozens of caves along this section of coast with sunshine on and in them.

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7

Tasmanian Fish Frenzy

by Jeff Sigafoos

Photographs by Vanessa A. Green Early on a December morning my wife, Vanessa, and I had come south from Hobart to kayak Cockle Creek, a gin-clear stream which flows into Recherché Bay on the eastern boundary of Tasmania’s vast Southwest National Park.

The road ended and the wilderness began when our truck rumbled over the last rickety bridge. Eager to explore, I ignored its anguished creaking, though it bode ill for the return journey.

Edging our kayaks into Cockle Creek, the rapidly rising tide jerked us into the main channel. Then the threatened dumping turned into a fast passage with little for us to do except steer. Rounding the first bend, 100 metres from the protesting bridge, and seemingly miles from civilization, three ducks ‘exploded’ from a calm bay. On the far bank black swans moved cautiously and something furry thumped up the near bank and vanished into the bush. Ten minutes later we spotted a cosy beach which would do nicely for a warm midday swim and lunch.

no salmon here. I let the little guy go and stopped trolling.

The sun was high when we reached our beach; time to slap on SPF40, eat lunch and swim. Vanessa was bravely in first. “Invigorating!”She declared as she showed off her goose bumps. But we got to like it and lingered while the tidal flow reversed. While we dried, flotsam began speeding past, and we realized that we had to go to avoid stranding.

Vanessa reached open water without incident, but I shared a sandbar with several hundred tiny reddish-orange crabs. I bounced up and down in my seat, pushing, struggling to get off before I was eaten, while Vanessa beached on the beautiful crescent of white sand of Recherché Bay’s northeast shore.

Uninjured, but much put about and short of breath, I joined her.

The view improved my temper. The wide bay, fringed with mountains, was calm despite a southerly breeze. We paddled towards a rocky point about a kilometre away, past the bronze statue of a Southern Right Whale. It is a memorial to whaling and sealing, once a substantial local industry which supported a hotel’s roaring trade until the1850s.Now in ruins the hotel is

There was no wind, the air was crisp and in spite of the swift current, the water appeared glassy. I began trolling for Eastern Australian Salmon, (Kahawai in New Zealand). Boat speed was ideal, the fly trailed nicely and the rod was secure but easily accessible under the deck bungee. In glorious weather I stared at the fly line looking for the slightest twitch, waiting for the big one to strike. “Any second now”………

“Any second now”. Nothing. Nothing at all.

The creek broadened amidst open tussock and rushes, providing good cover for the ducks we had spooked, and the tidal flow had stopped.

Paddling upstream into ever shallower water became increasingly arduous and bumpy. When we passed the remains of a bridge, six semi submerged pillars, we turned back.

Then it happened, from a school of fish an epic battle between man and one 2 inch whitebait. It lasted 3 seconds. Since salmon eat whitebait it was good to know that their breakfast was to hand, but there were

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Landing an Australian Salmon.

visited by hikers on a coastal track. A couple, the only people we saw all day, waved to us across 20 metres of clear water which, back then, would have been red!

We paddled on past numerous small bays, disturbing dozens of sting rays with our shadows.

They took off in puffs of sand and, looking for more, I became mesmerized by the beauty of their undersea world.

At 6.30pm we turned for home in something of a hurry. Driving at night amongst nocturnal marsupials would take me 4 or 5 hours to cover what, by day, takes 3.

We sprinted for our beach, had a quick swim and while drying off I spotted a commotion 5 metres offshore.

“Did you see that?” Vanessa hadn’t. Then it happened again, a large school of whitebait under attack from a large school of salmon. I walked my kayak to the water and slipped in, not bothering with the spray skirt. Immediately the commotion was repeated 5 or 6 metres ahead. Fly rod ready, I cast behind me and with two or three paddle strokes headed into the whitebait school at a good clip. Paddle at rest, fly rod gripped, I hooked and released my first real fish of the day.

The school moved to the right and I followed, hooked and released another salmon.

Vanessa took over direction, pointing to my left. “Over there!”Stalk and drift worked very well. Most fish were pretty small; perhaps 300 grams, but some were half a kilo. When

Vanessa shouted, “It’s nearly 8”, I had caught and released 34 in 2 hours. No trophies but marvellous fun!

We loaded the truck. Made it across the bridge and in gathering gloom I failed to see a wallaby on the edge of the gravel road. Fortunately it saw me. Now on red alert I rarely topped 40 kph, Vanessa looked left and I looked right. Wallabies were everywhere .They moved, but numerous possums refused to budge. We had to stop and chase them off the road. Proud to have inflicted no marsupial injuries it was close to midnight when we reached our drive.

Recherché Bay at Cockle Creek is, I believe, Tasmania’s premier kayaking area. And on the right day the fishing isn’t bad.

The happy angler

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9

Nam tok te nae?

(Where is the waterfall?)

by Josh Neilson

Sam Ward-Upper Sirithan Falls- photo by Will Clark

During 2007 I was lucky enough to represent NZ at the World Freestyle Kayaking Champs in Canada; kayak a number of the best runs in California; surf the waves on the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua; but most memorably join an expedition exploring an area of the world that kayakers had not really looked at, Northern Thailand. Sam, a friend I had met in Uganda, was expedition leader. He and his friend Will wanted a third member and emailed me.

I had heard that Ben Brown, Steve Fisher and Eric Southwick, all world class kayakers, had made a two week, big budget trip to Thailand the year before, so I contacted them for data. They had done a lot of driving and walking, and finding places to put in and take out had been a real task. It didn’t sound too promising. But Ben sent me photos of their trip, including one of Fisher running Mae Pan falls, a 50 foot drop into a small pool below a spectacular 200 foot waterfall. That did it! The trip would be worth it if I only ran one of the waterfalls they had met. A quick check of the bank account and I was in.

A month later, after a 12 hour flight I was sleeping on a bench at Bangkok airport for 14 hours, waiting for Sam and Will. We had a 14 hour train ride to Chiang Mai before I could rest properly in the accommodation Sam’s contact had arranged. The city was our base for the next 6 weeks.

We spent a few days getting our bearings and a vehicle before our first trip, a warm up an hour to the north, paddling a rafting section on the Mae Taeng River. In the humid conditions, paddling through lush jungle and passing elephants bathing on the riverside, proved a real shock.

Back at Chiang Mai, the guys were at the mall when I came across a website guide to Thailand’s hundreds of national parks. There were photographs of

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all attractions which, because the Thais are spiritual people and waterfalls are very important to them, included waterfalls! With this extra information we planned our journey.

Once we were on the road rivers jumped out at us. On our way to find one waterfall we’d come across a few more. Main road signs in English directed us, but on side roads all signs were in Thai and we were lost. A friend in Chiang Mai had taught us a few words to help us out, including “Nam tok te nae?” meaning “Where is the waterfall?” They came in handy! Of all the difficulties I’ve experienced overseas, language, outside cities where many people speak a bit of English, is the hardest to get around. We managed with hand gestures and minimal Thai words, but on one occasion things could have gone very wrong.

We were by the Tard Luang River in northeast Thailand. A guy approached, talking and and pointing upstream. All we understood was “Nam tok that way”.

Excitedly we geared up and with our new friend tramped upstream further and further into the jungle, passing lots of cool slides and drops. We put in to run a very cool looking 40 foot slide drop. On our way out, still accompanied by our friend on the riverbank, we paddled some amazing drops till we came to a rapid which, at this flow, was unpaddlable. Portaging round it we first heard loud voices and after a while saw our friend talking with a guy dressed in camouflage and holding a gun.

We stopped in our tracks. Peering into the jungle we saw more, and perhaps imagined other, camouflaged men. Were we allowed here? Ambush! Were we safe? We had heard of Thai guerilla kidnappings, and we were in the Golden Triangle, one of the largest drug smuggling areas in Asia.

I walked towards the man with the gun. He had a very stern, straight face.

Drawing closer, my heart thumped so I could no longer hear the waterfall. Men came out from the trees. Suddenly he broke out in big smiles, laughed, pointed

to the river and urged us to paddle this waterfall. I think our friend must have told the ‘soldiers’ what we were doing, but shocked at finding strangers on their patch with never-before-seen, possibly threatening, bright plastic kayaks, they hadn’t really believed him. They watched us paddle the drops. To take a photo one man gave me his gun to hold. After following us down river for a while, suddenly they were gone, back into their hills!

Will Clark Mae Klang River- photo by Sam Ward

This scary meeting could easily have ended our trip. Maybe we were lucky to have met a local who could explain what we were doing, maybe they were just hunting in the jungle, maybe………

Next we tackled a length of the Thai/Laos border from a small town in the high northeast, paddling south towards Mae Charim National Park Headquarters.

The river had fast moving flat sections and big volume rapids, very different from the low volume creeks we had experienced so far. Water levels were very high and, since we reached our planned first night camp in only 2 hours, we went on to find another good spot before dark. To beat the extreme heat we were back on the water at 5.30 a.m continuing non-stop till the take out. We’d paddled 120 kms in just over 9 hours, at an average speed of 13kph.

This ended our northeast trip. We returned to Chiang Mai and the following day drove to the Burmese border to renew our visas. We crossed, paid a fee and, because of political unrest in Rangoon, were hastily returned to Thailand with fresh visas – all within 5 minutes.

We now went west, starting higher up the gorge of our first descent, found a whole new section and marked another never-run section for later paddling.

Morale was high as we drove southwest towards the highest mountain in Thailand and ‘the waterfall’ which had caused me to join this expedition. When we heard it we ran through the jungle till the track opened out and we were standing below its two tiers. The top drop was about 200 feet and unpaddlable.

It led into the 50 footer and our cleanest drop so far.

One at a time Will and I hauled our kayaks to the top, then abseiled into the base of the 200 footer. First there, I scouted my entry to the 50 footer and rolled off the lip for the drop I’d been dreaming of. The landing was hard but I hit my line perfectly. When Will nailed his line too, we all paddled to a bridge before calling it a day. We had pad thai and cold beers at a small village. I was satisfied!

Over the next days we paddled a new section of the Mae Klang River, and repeated a section that Ben Brown and his friends had paddled a year before.

Then, in Chiang Mai for the last time, we rested, shopped, drank, ate wonderful Thai food and eventually took the train to Bangkok.

It was in a Bangkok restaurant that we talked and talked about our amazing nine first descents, three virgin river sections, and many incredible runs that time or water flow had not allowed but which would attract a second expedition in 2008. We sketched the plan!

Many thanks go out to the people who made this 2007 expedition possible – Pete Buick, Fon, Jason Younkin, Canoe and Kayak Ltd, Bliss-Stick Kayaks, Hydraulics, Keen Footwear and everyone in Thailand who understood “Nam tok te nae?” and sent us in the right direction to the falls.

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Sam on Upper Tard Luang behind Josh with new friends -Photo by Will Clark

Josh on Mae Sa waterfall -photo by Will Clark

Temple in Chiang Mai photo by Josh Neilson

Josh in the bush photo by Will Clark

Sam on upper tard luang josh with ne friends -photo Will Clark

Josh taking on the Mae Pan Falls Photo by Will Clark

Josh teaching a Thai lad to kayak Photo Will Clark

Josh on the Mae Sa River Photo by Will Clark Josh on the Mae Sa River waterfall - Photo by Will Clark

Josh Upper Tard Luang Photo by Will Clark

Wild Water and Fragile Craft Canoeing in the Fifties Written By Doug Phillips I like to share, with any member of the canoeing fraternity who shows the slightest interest, one of my few achievements. I am one of the earliest to paddle and raft white-water in New Zealand. Not the first by a long chalk, but in the fifties we were starting to explore the country’s wilder waters.

Our knowledge was limited and our equipment rudimentary. But we had progressed from the ply and painted canvas of the forties and, the ultimate in danger, the corrugated iron canoe. This was cheap and fraught with hazards. You simply acquired a twelve foot length of corrugated iron, bent it up at both ends, tacked the iron to bow and stern posts, sealed it with tar, dug up if necessary from the roadway, jammed a wooden seat in and, if you were brave enough, set sail hoping you didn’t get swamped and sink to the bottom.

Now, we relied on rubber dinghies bought from the air force. These were either no longer required, or faulty, or both. We bought paddles or made a substitute, a broom stick with two paint tin lids nailed on. You may not believe it but they were quite effective. The ultimate in marine technology was the collapsible canoe, a highly sophisticated craft consisting of heavy rubberized canvas skin, numerous dowel ribs and a heavy ply hinged floor plate. Kayaks in this country were unknown and nobody had thought of crash helmets. In fact we were so naïve that when we tipped out we swam head first, past head crunching rocks.

An Easter holiday expedition down the Waikato was my first venture. We knew that dam building was numbering the Waikato’s days of canoe-ability, so when my friend Jack Storey invited me to join him on the Auckland Canoe Club’s expedition, I jumped at it. I was completely inexperienced, but no matter we were off on a huge adventure. We gathered in Auckland and took off in a Green-line Bus. This was a minimum comfort suburban bus but the ultimate in water-borne convenience. At the end of each day it met us at the riverside with warm dry clothes and sleeping bags. We didn’t run to tents, but most nights there was a shed or a meeting house to escape the rain. On other occasions we slept out and prayed for fine weather. Our prayers must have been answered since on two Easter expeditions we never got wet.

First stop was the Hamilton pie cart where at eleven p.m. we met up with the tramping clubs and exchanged good humoured insults. We reached Taupo at three a.m. and after a few uncomfortable hours sleep we were at the lakeside assembling canoes and blowing up inflatable dinghies.

We launched our craft and paddled to the mouth of the river. It was my first trip in a fourteen foot canoe and I was surprised how stable it was. But before the day was out it was nearly my last. We made a quick portage round the control gates and headed towards the Huka Falls. Somehow we had got to the front of the flotilla. Not intentionally I assure you. We were swept into a large pool where Jack, suspecting that we were close to the falls, wisely suggested we pull to the bank. And we were!! We were in the pool just above the chute.

A few more dips of the paddles and we

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would irretrievably have been the first to attempt the falls. Not a prospect I like to contemplate. We had hardly drawn our canoe up the bank when down came an inflatable dinghy with an unsuspecting crew of two.

“Come ashore” we shouted “You’re near the falls”. They paddled like mad men but to no avail. Their dinghy drew closer and closer to the first rapid.

At last they gave up, leapt into the water and swam ashore while the dinghy sped into the chute. To our surprise it didn’t career over the falls but got pinned to the bank. The rest of the party gathered on the cliff above. With more bravado than common sense we tied a rope around a small member of the party who, as we lowered him, walked his way down the cliff ( I am glad it wasn’t me). With the dinghy safely on the bank we congratulated each other on a successful boat rescue, but I don’t think we thought how close we had been to an awful tragedy.

On our next portage we edged our canoe down the cliff and through the bush to the huge pool below the falls where life jackets and paddles were floating, waiting to be retrieved. Since we had had little sleep and much excitement, the first day’s trip was short. We camped on a terrace above the Aratiatia rapid and after tea strolled along the cliff top to gaze on the awe inspiring rapids, speculating how to cope with the raging waters far below. “If you came out there by that rock then you would paddle over that way.” Thankfully none of us seriously contemplated chancing our arm. We all knew that trying to shoot the wild waters would be certain suicide. And brave as we were, no one was that stupid. Exhausted, we slept soundly, five of us on two lilos. I don’t remember how we fitted on them, but we did.

Saturday was a long, long day. The first and the only wild water was the Fulljames rapid. Today, if you exclude Huka Falls which are occasionally run by experienced, intrepid kayakers, it is the only readily canoeable white water left on the Waikato. It was my first major rapid. There is a huge rock right in the middle and we were heading straight for it. “Help”,

I thought, “we can’t miss it “ But just as we expected a canvas tearing thud, the current swept us safely past.

“Great.” I thought “That’s one lesson I’ve learnt. It’s not the big rocks you can see that you need to worry about, but the sneaky ones just below the surface.” That was the last real excitement for the day. The river became slow and sluggish as if it had lost its way and didn’t know where to go. Great meanders snaked backwards and forwards. Half mile curves gained only a hundred yards. We paddled and paddled. Our backs ached, the light was fading fast and we couldn’t see our destination. Maybe we had missed it in the gathering dark? But no! At last, there was a gleam of light and we spotted the dark shape of our faithful Green Line bus with many people.

We had arrived at the local Marae and, to our embarrassment, were walking in on a Tangi for a 6 year old boy. Typically hospitable and generous Maoris welcomed us and we slept in a nearby meeting house. I may have been tired but wooden floors and minimal weight sleeping bags don’t make for uninterrupted sleep.

On our next day we headed for Orakei Korako through a gorge which was reputed to have dramatic rapids. They weren’t dramatic but they were fun.

While the scenery was beautiful there was better to come. We were looking forward to the famous Whakaheke rapids. And they were worth waiting for.

About quarter of a mile below the Orakei Korako ferry, after flowing with increasing speed through native bush, the river turned dramatically into a maelstrom of broken water. It dropped eleven metres in less than a kilometre; the mighty Waikato at its turbulent best. We swiftly changed craft. With our limited ability we would have smashed our canoe and possibly drowned. Then in a rubber dinghy and a crew of four we were off, drawing closer and closer to the roar and peaks of white water below.

Excitement mixed with a little apprehension. We paddled to the lip of the first fall. We were going. This was it! But no, the current whipped us back up stream.

“Paddle boys we’ll go over this time” but the water gods had us in their grip, playing with us. Round we went again past pendulous ferns dipping their heads in the steely cold water.

“Now let’s go.” And go we went. With a swoop and a thud we were in the grip of waves of white water.

“Paddle this way!” “No, into the rough!” We were having the ride of our lives. All too soon we were through.

“Wow! How about that? Wasn’t that the best? Did you see the waves we came through? Great really great!”

As we dragged our dinghy ashore we laughed and shouted with sheer exuberance and not a little relief. We had made it. Knowing the danger, knowing the hazards, we had plunged through the waves and over the barely hidden rocks and we had made it “Wow!” Well that was the climax of our Easter river trip. Apart from a perfunctory explore of the thermal area we had done what we set out to do. We had aquired canoes so transport across the river was no problem. I don’t know if we paid the owners but I hope we were honest and paid our dues.

Now it was back to the relative hum drum of life on the farm after an adventure we would never forget. Fifty years later my blood runs faster just recalling our days on the river.

But once wasn’t enough. I’ll share another adventure with you next issue.

Watch for Doug’s tales in the next couple of issues.

It was pioneers like him who built this great country. The ‘can do’ attitude that at times was risky, but can be looked at with respect and a little humour.

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LAKE CLEARWATER

By George Lockyer

Lake Clearwater from the hills

Road to Clearwater

Annie discovers the real use of a bilge pump!

We are lucky to live in New Zealand. I mean, here we are on an Easter weekend, surrounded by mountains, paddling to a small, well treed island in this picture postcard lake. Mountain bikers are cycling the clearly defined, 10 km long, 4 wheel drive track which runs round the lake. There’s an angler over there fishing for rainbow trout, and a couple are getting their wind surfers ready, otherwise my children Annie (aged 13) and Fergus (aged 10) and I have the lake to ourselves.

We round the island, Annie paddling her ‘Dancer’ ahead of me while I’m in my trusty Q Kayak’s ‘Tui’, and land on a shingle beach to swap boats. Annie wants a first time go using a rudder. At the camp site on the far shore of the lake she soaks me with my bilge pump and runs off to find her little brother who wants a turn at paddling.

The lake is choppy in a southerly. It is very shallow, only a couple of metres at its deepest, and therefore not as cold as deeper snow fed lakes. But we don’t try swimming. You might care to try it. I’m told it won’t give you a coronary!

After lunch we turned for home.

Lakes Clearwater and Camp sandwich a remote settlement of 180 batches which, in the absence of mains electricity, have tiny wind turbines and solar panels. Powered craft are able to use Lake Camp, but Clearwater is free of them and perfect for kids and beginners learning to sail, windsurf or kayak.

The camping site has toilets and costs $4 per tent per night (pay the honesty box). A word to the wise, you need to bring your own water if you can’t be bothered to boil the lake’s!

New Zealand is chock full of small lakes like Clearwater, little gems waiting for you.

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Award Scheme The NZKI Award Scheme was formed in response to a growing need in the Kayaking Industry to have more people with Kayaking qualifications, to encourage more kayakers towards expanding their skills and knowledge and to continue to increase the safety of our sport.

The NZKI Award Scheme is structured around the assessment of skills and knowledge that are required for the type of activity to be undertaken by the Instructor or Guide.

A star is awarded for each level achieved, starting off with the NZKI One Star for personal paddling skills and knowledge and moving up to the NZKI Five Star for an Assessor.

For more information phone 0508 5292569

www.nzki.co.nz

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Colville to Waikawau – Coromandel

by Leighton Stokes

Sarah enjoying the sun. Square Top Island and Great Barrier in the distance

I currently study at A.U.T, for a Diploma in Outdoor Recreation and Leadership. As part of my course this coming semester, I have been kayaking, improving skills and just having a great time. One of the trips I organized was a ‘circumnavigation’ of the Coromandel Peninsula.

I had intended to start at Coromandel Town and finish at Matarangi, but with only four days available this was not possible.

The Colville Bay Motor Lodge became base camp and departure point for Johnny, Josie, Sarah and me. Mark and Wendy, owners of the lodge, offered to be our shuttle taxi service to and from Waikawau Bay. This was a huge help and greatly appreciated. Moreover, at only $8pp

The wind blowing 20 knots.

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for a tent site, it was a bargain.

The first day’s forecast was a 20 knot southwesterly with a sizeable easterly swell.

Starting our 27 kilometre journey on the western side of the peninsula we thought the swell would not trouble us. We paddled out of Colville Bay with the wind on our port quarter, helping us heaps.

The wildlife around these parts is incredible. No matter the size of the swell Sooty Shearwaters, flying at one with the ocean, rose and fell, always a foot above the sea; and there were Gannets, plenty of Terns and quite a few Blue Penguins.

The wind was increasing. At Channel Island it was averaging 36kn, and the swell had picked up to 1.5m. Occasionally, scary 2 metre waves broke over our fully laden kayaks.

As we pulled into Port Jackson for the night we were battered by catabatic winds gusting up to 40kn.

Spectacluar sunrise on the last day of the trip..

We had taken just under 6 hours including an hour for lunch.

For our second day the sky was blue, wind averaging 6kn, swell easing.

We set off at 10am to paddle 15km . The water was calm, clear and warm.

At the Pinnacles, a pod of dolphins joined us but, scared off by boats launching from nearby Fletcher Bay, they weren’t playful. We had a quick lunch and went snorkelling with teeming marine life in crystal clear water.

Towards our final campsite on the eastern coast, reefs tested our surfing skills. Thankfully, even in the odd freak swell, I managed to stay upright.

On our final day we were on the water at 6 a.m. paddling out of Port Charles enjoying one of the most beautiful sunrises I had seen. The photos just do not do it justice.

A bigger easterly swell, close to the cliffs, passed under us from the left, hit the cliffs and came back from the other direction making the sea a tad confused! Helped by a light breakfast we got through with only minor upset tummies.

The sea was calmer round the corner and we had a snack before moving on to Waikawau Bay. Much of its 3km white sandy beach is exposed, so our final act was landing in surf. I caught a nice wave. ‘Awesome, I aced it!’

Then I broached! A pathetic attempt at a low brace gave me no support and I rolled into the white water.

We were back in Auckland at 4 p.m.

Big thanks to the great hospitality from Wendy and Mark at Colville Bay Motor Lodge. I recommend them to everyone.

Camp at Port Jackson. Channel Island and Great Barrier in the distance.

Johnny playing amongst the rocks.

The Pinnacles, our half way point of the trip!

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Own your neighbourhood kayak centre.

Apply now to reserve your area for one month.

JOIN THE TEAM New Canoe & Kayak Centres available.

Control your own destiny.

Choose the Lifestyle.

Enquire now!

Phone: 0274 529 255 Email: pete@canoeandkayak.co.nz

Peter Townend Managing Director, Canoe & Kayak Ltd and I’ll be glad to have a chat .

All approaches will be dealt with in confidence.

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TEAMWORK = CLOCKWORK = COASTBUSTERS 2008

By Ruth E. Henderson

Deb Volturno (Tsunami Ranger) being stern deck carried by a ‘blind man’

Fluoro jacketed Guy Folster behind a barricade of traffic cones, pointed out where to park, and where to register.

Following the crowd into the Milford School hall, folk were met by Natasha Romoff and her team, and given a name tag with an all important pod number on it. The bubble of energy and sound rose and rose, then paused silent as Paul Hayward, Chairman turned on the mike and welcomed all 200 of us to the 12th Coastbusters.

He introduced the Captain of the Tsunami Rangers, Jim Kakuk and his Lt. Commander Deb Volturno. Jeff Wright, the “Red Team’s” technology whiz, tweaked the sound and boom, smack, wallop, fasten your seat belts …hold your breath - the show began. Watching the Tsunami Rangers slides was like being in one of those surround sound IMAX theatres where you feel as though you are actually part of the ‘ride’. The stage and pace was set for the weekend.

The next day Mark Jones of Adventure Philosophy set the theme for the weekend. He urged us to leave the zone of “Know what you know” and “Know what you don’t know” and go into the zone of “Don’t know, what you don’t know”; to push the boundaries by doing longer trips in more severe and different environments; to go from ‘driving’ a Toyota to a Ferrari, to being creative like Bill Watterson’s Calvin and Hobbes and Transmogrifying.

A time machine would have been handy as Saturday was always going to be a day of hard choices – wanting to be in two places when four “streams” of workshops or talks were happening. How to choose between Biff Fredricksen’s “Europe – why go?”, Graeme White and Margie Old’s “Paddle Fitness & Injury Prevention”, “Advanced Trip Planning” with John Kirk-Anderson, or a workshop on “Sails” run by Kevin Dunsford & Kevin Killilea. Biff won me, cruising down the Danube or Rhine with a chance to stop and explore village markets, castles or cathedrals.

Meanwhile the “Thoughtful Food” company were lining up cups, and cakes… and the “Invisible Team” Natasha Romoff and Sue Levett were changing rubbish bags in the toilets...

Choosing was a little easier for the next session as I knew I could hear Paul Caffyn talk about his latest trip to Greenland at the KASK Forum at Ohope, and had learnt a bit from Wade of Quality Kayaks about repair and maintenance last time. But I still had to toss up between Bryan Tourell’s “Trip Planning – Basics” and an update from DoC. I’m glad I went to the DoC one –as they want

Madness and Mayhem

All hands on deck!

us to have a say about the places we value. You can too – see www.doc.govt.nz.

Click on “getting involved”, “consultations” and “current”. To participate in the review of their “Conservation Management Strategy” in Northland go to www.doc.govt.nz/northlandcmsreview Mike Scanlan’s “Kayak Fishing Workshop” won hands down for me over the Yoga session with Michelle Smith, the “Safety at Sea” session with Sue Tucker and Jim Dilley, and a recap of the Kayak for Cancer epic trip to Cape Reinga

by Guy Folster and Chris Dench – only because I had done/heard/been there before, whereas soft-bait fishing was new. Mike had dragged along his kayak and kit providing a great hands on approach, in tandem with an informative Power Point and detailed notes. Adherers should not fail to catch fish.

Before lunch the duo act of John Kirk-Anderson and Stephen Councel used humour to illustrate the serious and sobering business of drowning – and how to plan NOT to. Think AC/DC. A = Avoidance (e.g. check the weather, use a map) C = Cope (use your paddle skills) D = Dealing with it (e.g. use your paddle float do a self-rescue) and C =Call for help (e.g. use your VHF or cellphone in a drybag).

Once again the food fairies delivered, Christine Watson quietly in the background, Ross Brunton tying up rubbish bags, Charlie Barker re arranging chairs… all we had to do was eat and try not to talk with our mouths full!

I didn’t have a choice about which after lunch workshop to attend as I was delivering “How to create pictures vs. taking snapshots”, but it would have been a toss up between Hugo Meares’s talk on paddling in Patagonia and Erica Law’s one on the Southland Fiords. For the strong hearted there was more from the Tsunami Rangers.

The hardest choice was between – Gabriela de Tezanos Pinto’s NZ Marine Mammals , Chris Dench humorous look at “Gear and Gadgets”, “Food And Foraging” with Jacqui Tyrrell and Greg Dunning or to do another session with Biff looking at the nuts and bolts of canoe-wandering in Europe. By a narrow margin, the ‘Foodies’ won. I was staying with the Dunnings and they had been talking in code over breakfast… I was dying to find out what the

“Green Things” were that Juliet had to bring along and well, Greg’s chowder is legendary; I wanted the recipe.

Interspersed between the cups of tea and workshops, we had Pod meetings to plan our approach and tactics for the Kayak Games on Lake Pupuke.

After smoko it was all on. The participants got very wet; we supporters and spectators got a load of laughs. Richard Saysell, Gary Sheeran and Peter Beadle had developed some interesting sports. There was madness and mayhem out there. You’d have thought the imaginative Calvin and energetic Hobbes were up to their flights of fantasy. There were variations of stern deck rescues, bow held towing, swimming with a paddle, paddling sideways, paddling on a compass bearing ‘blindfolded’ by a bucket on ones head…. The main thing was we all had fun, and got to know each other before the serious stuff on Sunday.

But the day hadn’t finished – after a sumptuous dinner, Sandy Robson who set off in 2007 to follow in Paul Caffyn’s paddle strokes around Australia, gave an account of her journey. Like Mark Jones, she too encouraged us to embrace new challenges and live our dreams.

There wasn’t much time for sleeping or dreaming – as we had to leave Auckland by 7 am to get to Sullivan’s Bay and on the beach for an 8.15am pod gathering and briefing. Trundling along SH1 there was a procession of cars laden with kayaks, plus I spied Dai and Anneke Williams taking their BBQ (one of three) for a ride. With 24 pods of 8 things had to be efficient and well planned. Fortunately we had logistics expert Neil Watson as Pod Chief with Ross Brunton his 2IC. Kevin Dunsford was responsible for a Risk Management Plan; emergencies were ‘covered’ with Mike Scanlan arranging delivery of a rescue boat, Peter Lory as its Captain. (The only emergency I was aware of was when Treasurer Dai Williams and Capt. Lory were scooting about locating pod leader Charlie Barker,to find missing tent poles that Charlie was responsible for.

The beach was a colourful but organised sight; pods duly checked each other’s safety gear, and then set off for about four hours of exercises. Towing systems,

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Sullivan’s Bay

BBQ cooks Ian Henderson, Paul Caffyn

Spectators at the Kayak Games

Neil Thompson demonstrates and assisted rescue assisted rescues, paddling techniques, emergency overnight stopovers, compass bearings and estimating travel time scenarios were all played out, rafting up from time to time to discuss these issues or lessons learnt. All in all a very well executed morning and the perfect site. With nearly 200 people on the water, it was surprising that once we left the beach we were hardly aware of the others.

Lynnis Burton, Paul Herbert sort themselves out

Back at base was the welcoming sight of a food marquee and the wet weather precaution of a couple of tents. Food supervisor Christine Watson had it all under control: 450 sausages had been ably sizzled by chief BBQ chef Ian Henderson assisted by Paul Caffyn and Stephen Law, whilst Helen Lory, Leslie Saysell, and Alison Sheeran had chopped and sliced up boxes of tomatoes and cucumber, and buttered bread ready to feed the masses. There was also bottled water from Waiwera, and lovely fresh apples. As evidenced over the whole weekend, many hands made light work…and many paddlers appreciated and scoffed the lot.

After that no one was too keen to move… people chatted, loath to have another Coastbusters finish. For fifty folk, it didn’t – they paddled or drove around the corner to Martins Bay for the inaugural International Kayak Week. But that is another story.

PS The green things were water cress fresh and pureed.

PPS to find out more try these websites; www.coastbusters.org.nz www.adventurephilosophy.com www.tsuamirangers.com

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Andy with his 12kg Kingie.

Big Catch!

by Andy Bangs

Dawn on Good Friday was a morning all keen fishermen dream of. No wind and barely a cloud to be seen. The swell forecast was less than 1 metre, great news for a novice kayak fisher with dubious skill in the surf.

The Fish n Dive went onto the roof rack, 8kg soft bait rig and net in the boot and I was off to Motiti Rd, Papamoa. High tide was around 7am. I had been doing well on the snapper during the last couple of hours of the outgoing tide so I was keen to see if the fishing was as good for the incoming up to high tide.

At the beach in the half light of dawn I set up the Cobra, dragged it into flat calm water, paddled for 500 metres and looked for the current lines which promise good fishing. Lacking a sounder I guessed where to drop the first Berkley Gulp/Pink Shine soft bait to check the depth. Before I could decide if I needed to paddle further a 1.5 kg snapper took the bait. I dispatched it and the bait went down a second time. Same result, another hard fighting pannie in the bag. Yeeha this was looking promising! Third drop, nothing.

I moved to deeper water about 1 km from the beach as the sun rose and counted 12 other kayaks. Popular pastime! In a good patch of current I dropped the same bait. WHAM! A solid hook-up. The rod bent and 8kg braid peeled off the screaming reel. By crikey a rather large snapper to join the other two in the bag. But the run continued and all the 100 metres of braid disappeared. I was down to the mono backing. “This ain’t a snapper. Hope it’s not a shark!”

30 minutes later I glimpsed colour then a rapidly pumping large yellow tail powering a kingie back to the depths. For 20 minutes this awesome fish towed me around the ocean until, at last. it was beside the kayak. Lacking a gaff I got about one third of the kingie head-first into my snapper net, put the rod in the holder, grabbed its tail and hauled it in.

I was rapt! I have caught kingies in a boat before, some bigger than this, but this was my first in a kayak.I weighed it at home: 12kg or 26lb. Funny how you think they will weigh more! Now I’m looking forward to good snapper fishing before winter kicks in. Roll on spring!!

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Peter van Lith on the last couple of drops on the Ohinepango Stream.

Stream

Taranaki Yakity Yak Club trip on the Waihohonu and Ohinepango. Central North Island, crystal clear spring fed rivers with narrow gorge sections and beautiful scenery on the Eastern side of Mt Ngauruhoe. photo’s by Kim Batten

Lester Kelly in his Super Rad enjoying the extra challenge a low volume boat gives.

Ross Benton looking cool and calm, must be the glasses glasses.

THE SEVEN DWARFS FROM NORTH SHORE - AND THEIR GUIDE - KAYAKING IN SAMOA There once was a young girl from Hull At no point was there ever a lull With a trip name of Fuzzy The Samoans called her their ‘Cuzzy’ And she flew the whole time like a gull.

Orgie came with a unique kind of laugh A bit like a half strangled calf But his own special turf Was out in the surf And as a planner times two and a half.

Our guide was a guy known as Morty He was long and tall and haughty ‘Go there, come here’ he cried We paddled, we turned and we tried We hit a few rocks and were naughty.

We all loved the girl they called Sleepy It was a worry when she went all weepy She paddled so hard Her arms were like lard And she used language that was known as ‘bleepy’.

There was an old fella called Dopey Whose trip name should have been Gropey His hands they would roam He’d always come home We think he will always be hopey.

We all heard the blonde jokes from hell They suited our girl very well She was our Blondie Who waved a gold wandie And said ‘what is my future, pray tell’.

Rowdy had the banter and chat She knew she would never get fat Her smile was a killer Her dancing a thriller And she stayed as sleek as a cat.

It was hot in Samoa they say Rocky aimed to go all the way He tried and he tried She fought and she cried And they stayed friends at the end of the day.

A Good Trip from Richard & Leslye Saysell, Andrea Pichler, Jane Wheater, Nick Webb, Sue & Ian Gunthorp (not in trip name order).

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TRANS sea-kayak outrigger surf-ski

Trans Taupo – 3 join sub 4 hour club Three craft and their six paddlers became the first to join the Trans Taupo exclusive ‘Sub 4 hour club’ in the inaugural event on the weekend.

After a flood of late entries, 77 craft of various types took to the water with exactly 100 paddlers/rowers on board for the first race of its kind across of pure crystal mountain fed waters of Lake Taupo (New Zealand’s and Australasia’s largest freshwater lake).

The day could not have dawned better as the early morning mist cleared.

Paddlers/rowers congregated in mass on the tranquil waters of Tokannu Bay. Variable 10 knot winds were forecast (assuring paddlers would get a bit of everything) with a predicted high of 19 degrees, the same temperature as the water. The scene was perfect for the battle of human powered craft and a crack at breaking into the sub 4 hour club.

The mass start always had spectacle written all over it and it did not disappoint those amongst it and those watching from the shore. For the first time in the known history of open water racing, surf ski paddlers, sea kayakers, waka ama kaihoe (outrigger paddlers) and ocean rowers lined up side by side fellow sportsmen/women eagerly awaiting the start of NZ’s newest and longest open water race. Craft set off on the Trans Taupo voyage at 8:05am on Saturday 12th April 2008 to the cheers of watching friends, family and supporters.

With Lake Taupo ¾ of a metre lower than normal after a cracker summer, paddlers/rowers raced for a good line down the centre of the marker poles and out into the larger Waihi Bay at the southern end of Lake Taupo. It was

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surf ski paddlers who immediately set the early lead, paddling over the shelf into deep water of the bay and heading around the Tongariro River delta. In amongst the lead group were race favorite and arguably in form NZ’s no# 2 surf ski paddler Simon McLarin (Auck), ex-top multisporter Tim Grammer (Auck), past world down river team’s race champion Aaron Cox (Wanganui), and Simon Greenwood (Auck). They were soon joined by the force of the Wanganui River Scullers quad ocean rower (of Lance, Murray, Tony and Pat) who starting conservatively had powered to the fore once out in the open water.

Not far back in a second bunch was NZ’s World Ranked Number#1 Female Surf Ski paddler Katie Pocock (Auck) and with her the leading Double Sea Kayak men’s pairing of Dave Rudge and Jerome Sheppard from Wellington.

Passing Check Point 1 (CP1) and refuelling point at the mouth of the Tauranga-Taupo River, the Wanganui River Scullers had managed to break clear of the surf ski paddlers with the exception of Simon McLarin who, sitting on their wash would just not let them go. Feeling a little guilt he dropped back momentarily to the chasing ski paddlers to urge them to come up with him to the lead quad rower, before he made the jump back up onto their wash alone.

Through CP2 (and the team transition point) at the northern end of Mission Bay and 16.8kms gone into the crossing, little had changed, with the Whanganui Ocean Rower with Simon McLarin in tow leading the way. A few hundred metres back from them was the surf ski trio of Tim Grammer, Simon Greenwood and Aaron Cox. And the same distance back again was a bunch of surf ski and sea kayakers including leading woman Katie Pocock.

After a flat calm journey across the lake, the leaders then rounded Motutere Point and began the leg up to Hatepe Point into a light head breeze. This leg, although closest to the shoreline, proved to be the competitors toughest as the breeze strengthened a little as the day began to heat up.

Passing CP3 (the last checkpoint and refuelling opportunity) at Hatepe Point, and with the largest most exposed leg of roughly 20km into Taupo to go, Simon McLarin decided he would take on the Wanganui River Scullers in an all out drag to the finish. Over 5km’s out in Lake Taupo off, Te Kohaiakahu Point, Simon Mclarin took advantage of the gathering variable winds and lumpy lake conditions to take the lead and edge ahead of the Quad. But the rowers refused to give an inch and the battle pursued.

First to beach their craft in front of the Taupo Yacht Club and run 20 metres up to the finish to take out the inaugural Trans Taupo challenge in impressive fashion was 46yr old individual surf ski paddler Simon McLarin in the now race record of 3hrs 45min 49 sec. Just 1 min 46secs back in 2nd

was the quad ocean rowing team the Wanganui River Scullers. Fighting hard all the way and doing his best to reel them in was Tim Grammer a mere 37 seconds further adrift. All three craft (6 paddlers/rowers) became the first to join the illustrious Trans Taupo ‘Sub 4hr Club’.

In an impressive show of paddling strength and fitness, Katie Pocock beached her surf ski and raced ashore to be a notable fourth overall across the line, merely 23 seconds outside the 4 hr mark and missing joining the Sub 4 Club with the lads. With unfinished business, she’ll no doubt be back to etch her name in the club’s lifetime members book next year.

Fifth over the line and first double sea kayak was the men’s pairing of Dave Rudge and Jerome Sheppard (Well), just 41 second outside adding their names to the Sub 4 hr Club.

The winning male single sea Kayaker was Rick Martin (Hastings) in 4hrs 22min 47 sec in 17th place overall, and Rowina Hayes (Taupo) took line honours in the women’s single sea Kayak in front of her home town crowd, 53rd overall.

Bryce Irving (Tauranga) edged out Tonga White (Ngaruawahia) by 2mins 12 sec to take the single men’s waka ama title, coming in in 14th place overall.

Best amongst the men’s single ocean rowers was Craig Smith (Hunterville) in 27th spot, and just 11 min 1 sec back keeping him honest in 30th overall

was Tracy Moorehouse (Wanganui) 1st female single ocean rower. The Team Tasman crew of Gordon, Steven, Simon and Scott muscled their purpose built Bridge to Bridge Tasman Sea crossing boat across the lake in nothing short of what was a spectacular sight, finishing mid-field in 40th position.

The all women’s double sea kayak was won by Auckland’s Julie Hopkins and Prue Fry (41st overall to finish) and the mixed doubles sea kayak title was won by Christine Couldrey and Paul Dutton (Raglan) in 4 hrs 8 min 23 sec, 13th overall.

Finally Christian Liebergreen (an overseas tourist) and team mate Stu Golding convincingly took out the single sea kayak relay combination, joining forces at the last minute and each competing half of the journey across the lake with great combined success.

The Trans Taupo will be back in March 2009, which is pleasing news all who competed in or watched the inaugural event and are speaking of their return next year. If you’re keen to join them, be sure to get your entry in early for year 2.

Many thanks are extended to all the Event Sponsors who got behind the event when its success was an unknown. Further gratitude goes out to the Tuwheretoa, Harbour Master, local Coastguard and Regional Council, plus friends and family for their tremendous support in getting the event up and going, and making it such as great success.

Photos courtesy of www.photochick.co.nz

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2008 Trans Taupo Final Race Results SINGLE SURF SKI FULL COURSE MEN PL

First Name(s)

Surname(s)

#

FROM

1

Simon

McLarin

49

Auckland

3:45:49

+0:00:00

1

+0:00:00

2

Tim

Grammer

3

Auckland

3:48:12

+0:02:23

3

+0:02:23

3

Paul

Gillard

44

Auckland

4:01:06

+0:15:17

6

+0:15:17

4

Craig

Anderson

41

Wellington

4:03:01

+0:17:12

8

+0:17:12

5

Joe

Cornforth

14

Hamilton

4:04:21

+0:18:32

9

+0:18:32

6

Aaron

Cox

28

Wanganui

4:04:41

+0:18:52

10

+0:18:52

7

Dave

Hicks

47

Wellington

4:05:28

+0:19:39

12

+0:19:39

8

Wayne

Patterson

55

Mt Maunganui

4:19:02

+0:33:13

15

+0:33:13

9

Warwick

Smith

26

Auckland

4:25:46

+0:39:57

21

+0:39:57

10

Mark

Van Den Anker

39

Auckland

4:29:14

+0:43:25

24

+0:43:25

11

Brad

Hayes

9

Hamilton

4:32:37

+0:46:48

26

+0:46:48

12

Chris

Piggott

77

Auckland

4:58:32

+1:12:43

32

+1:12:43

13

Leigh

Davis

70

?

5:16:05

+1:30:16

37

+1:30:16

14

Brian

Coombe

7

New Plymouth

5:38:11

+1:52:22

46

+1:52:22

TIME

TIME+

TIME

TIME+

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SINGLE SURF SKI FULL COURSE WOMEN PL

First Name(s)

Surname(s)

#

FROM

1 2

Katie Tracy

Pocock Wilson

27 17

Auckland Auckland

4:00:23 4:24:45

OVERALL

+0:00:00 +0:24:22

4 18

OVERALL+ +0:14:34 +0:38:56

SINGLE SEA KAYAK FULL COURSE MEN PL

First Name(s)

1 Rick 2 Andrew 3 Trevor 4 Dennis 5 Ryan 6 Jeff 7 Ben 8 Brendan 9 Bryan 10 Ken 11 Viv 12 Russell 13 John 14 Tony 15 Glen 16 Stephen 17 Mike 18 Mike 19 Steve 20 James 21 Paul 22 Andrew DNF Michael DNF Brian

30

Surname(s)

#

FROM

Martin MacDonald Tait

Dickey Castle Wells

Darby Hartigan Tourell Franklin Parker Troy

Sanderson King

Davies Fox

Hopkins Ettema Bignell Hawkins O'Connor Wagg

Ryan

Coffey

56 50 69 15 53 4 6 59 12 58 33 60 1 73 8 66 21 20 65 2 46 67 25 62

Hastings Tirau

Auckland Hamilton Auckland New Plymouth Auckland New Plymouth North Shore Paraparaumu Te Aroha Auckland Auckland ?

Taupo Auckland Auckland Auckland Taupo Auckland Auckland Christchurch Carterton Auckland

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4:22:47 4:29:47 4:58:15 5:03:11 5:04:17 5:19:46 5:31:36 5:36:55 5:37:37 5:37:54 5:42:51 5:46:15 5:50:31 5:51:23 6:01:14 6:23:33 6:26:42 6:30:03 6:42:42 6:56:15 7:36:08 7:36:09

+0:00:00 +0:07:00 +0:35:28 +0:40:24 +0:41:30 +0:56:59 +1:08:49 +1:14:08 +1:14:50 +1:15:07 +1:20:04 +1:23:28 +1:27:44 +1:28:36 +1:38:27 +2:00:46 +2:03:55 +2:07:16 +2:19:55 +2:33:28 +3:13:21 +3:13:22

+0:36:58 +0:43:58 +1:12:26 +1:17:22 +1:18:28 +1:33:57 +1:45:47 +1:51:06 +1:51:48 +1:52:05 +1:57:02 +2:00:26 +2:04:42 +2:05:34 +2:15:25 +2:37:44 +2:40:53 +2:44:14 +2:56:53 +3:10:26 +3:50:19 +3:50:20

17 25 31 34 35 39 42 43 44 45 48 49 51 52 57 62 63 64 66 67 69 70

SINGLE SEA KAYAK FULL COURSE WOMEN PL

First Name(s)

Surname(s)

#

FROM

TIME

TIME+

O VERALL

OVERALL+

1 2

Rowena Noreen

Hayes Flanagan

31 18

Taupo Auckland

5:51:28 6:09:31

+0:00:00 53 +0:18:03 61

+2:05:39 +2:23:42

TIME

TIME+

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4:18:46 4:20:58 4:24:57 5:38:52 5:52:19 5:52:20 6:57:41

+0:00:00 +0:02:12 +0:06:11 +1:20:06 +1:33:33 +1:33:34 +2:38:55

14 16 19 47 54 55 68

+0:32:57 +0:35:09 +0:39:08 +1:53:03 +2:06:30 +2:06:31 +3:11:52

TIME

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SINGLE WAKA AMA FULL COURSE MEN PL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

NAME-1

NAME-2

#

FROM

Bryce Tonga Troy Keith Tony Byron Tom

Irving White Dolman Curry Loretz Perkins O’Brien

75 34 76 40 42 43 64

Tauranga Ngaruawahia Rotorua Hokianga Auckland Auckland Gisbourne

SINGLE OCEAN ROWER FULL COURSE MEN PL

First Name(s)

Surname(s)

#

FROM

1 2 3

Craig Rod Bruce

Smith Trott Butters

54 22 35

Hunterville Wanganui Wanganui

4:36:34 4:59:00 5:49:07

+0:00:00 27 +0:50:45 +0:22:26 33 +1:13:11 +1:12:33 50 +2:03:18

TIME

TIME+

SINGLE OCEAN ROWER FULL COURSE WOMEN PL

First Name(s)

Surname(s)

#

FROM

1

Tracy

Moorehouse

30

Wanganui

4:47:35

+0:00:00 3

0 +1:01:46

TIME

TIME+

OVERALL+

OVERALL

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DOUBLE SEA KAYAK FULL COURSE MEN PL

NAME-1

NAME-2

#

FROM

OVERALL

1 2

3 4 5 6

Dave & Jerome Richard & Jonathon

Kevin & Grant Shane & Mark Peter & Ted Quinten & Ronald

Rudge/Sheppard The Boatshed café & kayaks Ruahine Kayaks Ltd Ross/Rickard Brock/Hughes Kiner

52

Wellington

4:00:41

+0:00:00 5

+0:14:52

38 57 48 19 68

Cambridge Hastings Wellington Auckland Palmerston North

4:02:29 4:05:07 4:28:28 5:55:56 6:06:27

+0:01:48 +0:04:26 +0:27:47 +1:55:15 +2:05:46

7 11 23 56 60

+0:16:40 +0:19:18 +0:42:39 +2:10:07 +2:20:38

TIME

TIME+

OVERALL

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DOUBLE SEA KAYAK FULL COURSE WOMEN PL

First Name(s)

Surname(s)

#

FROM

1 Julie & Prue

Hopkins/Fry

5

Auckland

PL

First Name(s)

Surname(s)

#

FROM

1 2 3 4 5

Christine & Paul Peter & Bronnie Rich & Vicki Marcus & Sonya Ritchie & Rae

Couldrey/Dutton Van Lith Willis

Diprose/Thompson Williams/Kurucz

24 45 51 37 74

Raglan Tarinaki Cambridge Rotorua Hamilton

5:30:24

+0:00:00 41

+1:44:35

TIME

TIME+

OVERALL

OVERALL+

4:08:23 4:25:13 4:26:49 4:41:13 4:43:43

+0:00:00 +0:16:50 +0:18:26 +0:32:50 +0:35:20

13 20 22 28 29

+0:22:34 +0:39:24 +0:41:00 +0:55:24 +0:57:54

DOUBLE SEA KAYAK FULL COURSE MIXED

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Whakanewha - Rocky Bay, Waiheke A 100% Natural Sleeping Tablet

by Kel Ashley

At the start of this magnificent summer, halfway down the southern side of Waiheke proved a great location to spend a few days. Developed 13 years ago and now managed by Auckland Regional Council (ARC) Ranger Andy Spence, the camping ground at Whakanewha nestles in native bush.

The place is stunningly beautiful. Huge pohutakawa, some over 200 years old, rivalled by equally massive puriri and nikau palms, might have been seedlings when Capt. Cook was around. Cook missed this side of the island completely. Did Waiheke’s fortified Maori pas discourage him? Perhaps he had bigger fish to fry. For us, discovering Whakanewha was well worth our ‘voyage’.

We paddled past the massive, pill-shaped rock which guards the entrance to Rocky Bay and at low tide landed on the righthand end of a white shelly beach. Trolleys, or in our case, Warehouse bags were options. Since the camping ground starts on the grass verge, we could have done better, avoiding both by landing at high tide!

Like much of New Zealand’s pre-European history, Whakanewha’s is colourful and tragic. Its Maori name means ‘to lull’, but this was often belied by bloody battles around the many fortified headlands.

The most stunning views of the bay can be had from the pa immediately behind the camp. At night the lights of the Sky Tower flicker beyond Browns Island. In this idyllic place it’s hard to believe that you’re so close to the pulsing metropolis of Auckland.

The camp is basic ARC. Heaps of drinkable water from taps, two cold showers, flush toilets, grass and trees. That’s it. Cell phone access is pretty shaky. Great! If you run low on supplies and enjoy cockles and pipis, you’re in luck. If not, there’s a supermarket not too far away at Surfdale. Be innovative — cadge a lift or paddle to Putiki, have a beer at the Irish pub (you’ll probably cringe if you’re Irish), then cadge a lift to the supermarket.

Confession time. Bar a day trip to the very lovely Awaawaroa Bay, a couple of marginally successful fishing excursions and another to Putiki Bay, we didn’t do much kayaking. At Putiki Bay the internationally famous, seriously

Campi Ground at Rocky Bay

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Andy Spence wealthy Rothschild family own a quaint historic villa with its own beach.

(We’d like to be in negotiations to take it off their hands… surely they need the money!) We morphed back and became landlubbers, enjoying the many tracks and walkways which snake through the bush of the Whakanewha Regional Park. Another visit will see more adventurous sea excursions to Ponui or Pakatoa.

But that’s the magic of Rocky Bay — or Whakanewha, take your pick. It ‘lulls’ you into feeling that there’s no better place to be. At the northern end of the bay, Andy Spence has fenced off the wetlands and beach to protect the endangered dotterel population. It’s still accessible, but signs ask you to take care.

He gathered a group of would-be greenies from the camp for an ‘educational tramp’, gently imparting years of conservation practice as he led the party on the tracks and lovingly constructed walkways created by volunteers. He gave them the credit. But without his vision, leadership and single-minded devotion, a gorse covered, cattle trodden wasteland would not have become a kayaker’s and camper’s paradise. “Being the park ranger at Whakanewha has been the most satisfying work I have ever done”, he wrote. “It has been my life’s work. It has required every skill I have learnt in my life”.

As we school children once learnt, Sir Christopher Wren rebuilt London after the Great Fire. His tablet in St Pauls Cathedral, written in Latin, reads “If you seek his monument, look about you’. On a smaller scale it’s what we can say about Andy Spence and one day, maybe, hope to hear about our work.

Oh, the sleeping tablet? After a six and half hour paddle from the East Coast Bays, you sleep pretty well.

For all your roof rack requirements

Email: sales@roofrackcentre.co.nz BAY OF PLENTY: 07 574 7415 WAIKATO: 07 847 5565

NORTH SHORE: 09 479 1002 TAUPO: 07 378 1003 WELLINGTON: 04 477 6911 HAWKE’S BAY: 06 842 1305 MANUKAU: 09 262 0209 AUCKLAND: 09 815 2072 TARANAKI: 06 769 5506 I S S U E F O R T Y f i v e • 2 0 0 8 33

Aussie Adventure on Stewart Island

A tale of Survival Sea kayaking and tramping

by Alissa Woods

Sunset at Doughboy Bay In 2001, while I was at University, a DOC ranger visiting Australia gave a presentation on working in New Zealand.

Apart from gaining 12 months valuable work experience and enjoying the novelty of living in another country, New Zealand offered a couple of outdoor adventurers the chance to fill every weekend and holiday with the best NZ has to offer.

Inspired by him, Keenan and I moved to New Zealand in September 2007 and have been big into sea kayaking. Issued with 3 weeks off over Christmas, a trip to Stewart Island seemed a perfect idea. We booked a couple of ferries, purchased two sea kayaks and spent a few weeks preparing meals and fruit for the dehydrator.

On Stewart Island, fearless and determined to tackle the unknown, we packed as much food and gear as we could into our kayaks and towed them on homemade trolleys over the hill towards Paterson Inlet. ‘Eliza’ and ‘Elaho’ reached the water’s edge at Golden Bay and our trip of a lifetime had really begun.

For three days we paddled up South West Arm into a 30 knot wind, rain and 1.5m swell, sneaking around every little point to shelter from the wind.

We stayed in hunters’ huts at Hapuatuna Bay and South West Arm, drying clothes and thawing frozen fingers and toes. At last a beautiful sunny morning with pancakes for breakfast and then we got thrashed on the water when the afternoon wind picked up. We stashed our kayaks at Rakeahua Hut and strapped on tramping packs.

For five days we tramped the interior of the island, crossing to the west coast.

Table Hill, one of the high peaks in the Tin Pot Range was our first challenge.

Unmarked Alpine tracks, Alpine bogs, dense scrub and driving rain made spirits low and progress slow. We pitched camp on the only patch of dry ground on the Alpine swampland. In the morning a break in the rain allowed us to power up to the summit for spectacular views of the remote and rugged environment. The wind was strong and I had to hold tightly onto the camera, but when a storm hit from the southern ocean, we were blown into a rapid descent. We ate a quick lunch in the shelter of our tent, put our wet wet-weather gear on and returned to Rakeahua Hut. That night 7 people shared the 6 bunk hut! In the morning we reluctantly pulled on still wet boots and set off to stunning Doughboy Bay on the west coast for a 16km walk which included climbing Mt Doughboy. The mud

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Finally the wind is in our favour!

Alissa Woods pictured became deeper and by 8 p.m. we were exhausted. It was New Year’s Eve. Greeted by friendly midgies and Oyster Catcher birds we joined four other trampers around a beach bonfire and camped under a clear sky, sharing stories and enjoying the star show until, “Happy New Year”! At 12.05am we were fast asleep.

We spent a ‘rest’ day at Doughboy fishing and exploring the rocks.

Amazingly every cast of the line brought in a fish. Then it was over. The unbreakable Ugly Stick fishing rod snapped in half. Fish for lunch was a beautiful change from dehydrated Chili con carne.

Wearing dry socks, and with energy renewed, walking back to our kayaks was a breeze. Short on food, thrown about by wind and swell, we paddled towards Oban. I faked a smile when Keenan yelled, “Are you having fun?”. But my guard was down when he disappeared behind a wave and, reappearing, caught my look of horror. We slugged it out across Paterson

West End beach stop, Ulva Island

Hapuatuna Hut, Paterson Inlet

Inlet, and camped with other sea kayakers who were hiding from the weather in a picnic shelter near Prices Point.

We scraped up our final breakfast from what remained of our rations. The last of the pancake mix, with cooked brown rice and melted ‘plastic’ cheese slices on top, was delicious, improved by a little sugar and butter offered by our new friends.

For the first time we had favourable paddling weather. On the bow of my boat we rigged a tarp for a sail with a stick for a mast, took to the water, made a few minor adjustments, rafted up and sailed back to Golden Bay. We needed only a few paddle strokes for the day.

In Oban, wearing dry and clean clothes, a well deserved pub meal topped off a great trip. We had coped with awful weather, and conditions which sea kayakers hope to avoid. Much tramping was in mud and hill climbs seemed endless. But we saw stunningly beautiful places, plants, animals, birds and fish, and we met good company. However, we must have been the only people who have visited Stewart Island and not seen a Brown Kiwi!

New Zealand, and Stewart Island in particular, offers wonderful adventures for people who love a challenge. The DOC ranger hadn’t disappointed us.

South West Arm from near Mt Doughboy summit

Alissa sailing home

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TARANAKI KAYAK FISHING CLASSIC

by Garry Harrison

Dawn at White Cliffs. Paddler- the Jaffa.

In March, 94 anglers entered for the best yet Taranaki Kayak Classic, many picking up great spot prizes for registering!

After the Friday briefing Dennis, Jimmy, Garry and Bruce, our team the Taranaki Tossers (bait that is), had an early night for a 4 am start. That was not too early. Several vehicles were already unloading at our chosen spot when we arrived.

At 6 a.m., looking forward to a perfect sunny day with very little wind, we started our paddle in darkness. One of our team had no experienced of this and was naturally nervous. On the wild west coast so was I, but was determined not to show it!

We reached a reef on the edge of a marine reserve where a snapper, which was legal but not likely to win a prize, took my first bait. It lived another day.

When the many bites we expected ran out with the sun it was time to move.

We paddled 2 km offshore to the 20 metre mark. Fortunately Dennis, our

The winning team

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visiting Jaffa, enjoyed paddling his hired Maurauder and had no trouble with the distance. We anchored and soon the lads were whooping with delight as they landed snapper after snapper from the burley trail. Close to our limit bag we increased hook and bait sizes to lure the big one, but only pannies, Gurnard and Kawahai came aboard..

We moved to the 15 metre mark, catching up with Aaron Murrfit and his team. They already had a good mix of species which later earned Aaron prizes. We baited up, had a burley trail drifting down current and for an hour caught yet more kawahai.

It had been a great day with a great bunch of guys. Flat calm glassy ocean, lots of fish BUT not the BIG one. We headed for home.

A long queue of competitors provided the weigh masters with a steady stream of fish including snapper over 6kg. The biggest for the day weighed 7.8kg. Considering the number of kingis and tuna caught in the last few weeks by members of our kayak club, it was surprising that there were none this day.

We enjoyed a lovely meal and a band kept us entertained. By 11pm most anglers had turned in, ready for another early morning start. But a bunch of good keen Wellington lads couldn’t wait. They went fishing in the dark just off Oakura beach, were dumped on landing and broke a rod. .Our team was up at 6am and on the beach at 7am, expecting moderate winds. Dennis, Jimmy and Garry were ready to go, but where was Bruce?

Other yaks were paddling while we paced up and down the beach. Just as we decided to go without him, he arrived looking the worse for wear, an aftermath of dehydration on Saturday.

In freshening wind we stayed close to home and fished Oakura beach where a thresher shark gave me a good battle before breaking off to swim another

A line up of great Snapper

day. After an hour the ocean was very lumpy. Dennis got his anchor stuck and pulling with all his might a swell caught him. Over he went. I paddled to his aid, flipped his Maurauder and he quickly climbed back on board.

Thankful for the buddy system we gathered up the floating bait and tackle, recovering everything except a loose rod. (As you probably know, every competitor must have a buddy). Drift fishing was now our best option and we caught a steady stream of kawhai.

A couple of hours was enough. It was time for a beach landing. For a while we studied the considerable waves, went for it and made it without drama. A fish n dive is very stable in rough conditions!

The weigh in was at Butlers Reef Hotel. This time there weren’t so many fish but as usual all eyes were on the hard core fishos. They brought 5-6kg snapper to the scales.

It was awesome to have both Steve and Shamus, great ambassadors for our sport, make the effort to travel to Taranaki for the competition and share their vast knowledge with the locals. For this weigh in they were empty handed. They had caught many fish, all smaller than Saturday’s, and released the lot Barney, from 90fm, was M C for the evening’s prize giving. Jim Morwood, who had just purchased a Fish n Dive , now has an Explorer as well, as the early bird draw winner. Prizes totalling $15,000 (plus lots of spot prizes) were awarded.

The last ‘prize’ was the entry draw for a Cobra Maurauder and accessories supplied by Cobra kayaks and Canoe & Kayak Taranaki, won by Jason Bond from Stratford.

It was a great weekend. 94 entries, a splendid venue, marvellous sponsors, smooth organization from Oakura Surfcasting and Kayak Fishing Club made it the best competition yet.

And the tossers (bait that is) came third in the teams’ competion for the second year in a row. We will just have to try harder in 2009.

Regards Gazza.(aka Garry Harrison)

Gazza (Club President Garry Harrison) & friend

Great prizes to be won!

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Products available in store by ordering from info@canoeandkayak.co.nz CANOE & KAYAK Third Bar For very long loads, or for the ute. The Third bar is mounted on the tow bar and has a bar across the top at the same width as a standard roof rack bar.

Room for two kayaks.

Priced at $449.00

CANOE & KAYAK Roller Loader

All three systems can have a bike bar added as an optional extra.

This version has two rollers in a V shape. Simply load the bow of your kayak in the roller, lift the stern and push the kayak into position.

Priced at $365.00 Kiwi Association of Sea Kayakers N.Z. Inc. (KASK)

CANOE & KAYAK Liberty loader This quick and easy device makes loading your kayak a breeze. Having pre-set the height of the loader and mounted it on your tow bar, you simply lift the rear of your kayak into the webbing cradle, with the nose pointing away from the car. Then lift the nose and walk it 180 degrees to rest on the roof mounted cradles. The Liberty loader acts as a third bar as well.

KASK is a network of sea kayakers throughout New Zealand KASK publishes a 200 page sea kayaking handbook which is free to new members: the handbook contains all you need to know about sea kayaking: techniques and skills, resources, equipment, places to go etc.

Prorack Kayak Cradle An exciting new upgrade to the already popular Kayak Cradle from Prorack.

KASK publishes a bi-monthly newsletter containing trip reports, events, book reviews, technique/equipment reviews and a ‘bugger’ file. KASK holds national sea kayaking forums.

Website: www.kask.co.nz Annual subscription is $35.00.

Kask PO Box 23, Runanga 7841, West Coast

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Priced at $349.00

This cradle has always been popular for the acute angles available to suit even the narrowest multisport boat. The flexible rubber pads mould to the shape of your hull to cradle your kayak perfectly.

The pivoting heads allow even pressure distribution across the surface of the pad. In addition, the cradle pad flips over for easy side loading.

The new cradle is now designed to fit the standard 25 x 20mm bar. It will slide into the ‘T’ groove in most aerofoil bars. If you have that ‘odd ball’ roof rack – Prorack have come up with a set of extra fittings to allow fitting to almost any roof rack.

Tie down points are incorporated into the base of the cradle.Tie down straps which incorporate a cam-lock buckle for speedy tightening, are also included in this kit.

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From $199.95

Products available in store by ordering from info@canoeandkayak.co.nz ADVENTURE PANTS

RASDEX ADVENTURE SEMI DRY CAG

Based on feedback from our customers, these paddling pants have been updated and improved for the new season We’ve slimmed down the cut of the legs to take away some of the bulkiness, and changed the waist to streamline things there too. Now you can be warm and comfortable when waiting in the wind, or putting up the tent, or scouting rapids, or having lunch, or just paddling - everybody who’s tried paddling pants knows how valuable they are, and now you can try them too at a very, very good price.

If you’re tired of looking at expensive dry cags or want something clean and simple that will stop all that cold water running down your sleeves, this is for you. It’s a slim-line semi dry cag with super-comfortable neoprene neck and textured breathable fabric. No unnecessary frills on this one, just what you need to keep warm and dry. Ideal for many kinds of paddling, whether you’re using a kayak or a sit-on-top, on a lake or a river, in competition or just plain having fun.

•

Unisex cut, with gusset - makes for a good fit for both male and female paddlers.

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Neoprene cone ankle seals - for a comfortable, easy-to-get-into solution (no need to be hopping around on a river bank with one foot half through a latex seal).

•

Deep neoprene waistband with wide elasticated braces - so that the waist doesn’t have to be too tight.

Fabric: A 4oz ‘Tactel’ textured nylon with a breathable, delamination-proof Exeat coating.

Colours: Blue/Black.

Priced at $244.95

Roof Racks for all occasions

• Folded neoprene cone neck - a redesigned neck using soft, supple 1.5mm neoprene for a non-restricting seal which avoids any weak points or ragged edges.

• Latex wrists with covers - includes a drainage eyelet to stop water building up between the layers.

• Neoprene waist - a deep band for a good comfortable single seal.

Fabric: A 4oz ‘Tactel’ textured nylon with a breathable, delamination-proof Exeat coating.

Colours: Blue/Black.

Priced at $229.95

ADVENTURE PRO DRY CAG This popular dry cag is turning heads all over the world. The fabric is a waterproof, breathable tactel so it’s a good step up from the more basic shiny nylon and is very comfortable to wear. The reflective piping separating the colour panels catches the light easily, helping you to be seen if you’re on the river a bit late, and looking good throughout the day. The arms are cut high and pre-bent to give you plenty of movement, and we’ve just added an elbow patch to give the most vulnerable areas even more strength.

Adjustable neoprene outer waist band - to keep a nice tight seal between you and the water.

Elasticated fabric inner waist band. Feedback from our paddlers has told us that a double neoprene waistband is hard to use, so this cag now has a new, less bulky design.

Latex neck with neoprene cone cover - the driest possible design. It’s complete with mesh drainage at the base of the neoprene cover so that water never collects between the seals.

Latex wrists with adjustable covers are easy to get on. They also include mesh drainage.

  

Fabric: A 4oz ‘Tactel’ textured nylon with a breathable, delamination-proof Exeat coating.Colours: Red/Black or Blue/Black.

   

Priced at $439.95

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Intoducing the Catch 390 by the team at Mission Kayaking NZ Ltd

Two Mission Kayaking staff competed in the Taranaki Kayak Fishing Classic on the 8th and 9th of March and here is what they had to say about the Catch 390: John Brown: “For someone who hasn’t done very much kayaking or fished from a kayak, I found it very stable and easy to paddle. It was great because I wasn’t too worried about becoming a champion kayaker; I just wanted to go fishing. The handles were great as well, really good for putting on top of the car or getting back in if you fell out, as I found out”!

Nigel Fifield: “It was incredibly stable and handled the large Taranaki swells just fine, as well as giving you the confidence to move around and fight fish without losing any gear. The seat was also really comfortable and it punched through the waves really well on the way out and surfed nicely on the way back in”.

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The new specialist fishing kayak can now be yours. Extensive research and development by Mission Kayaking NZ Ltd has produced the stable Catch 390 with features to satisfy the keenest angler. It is ideal for a beginner and upgrade kits are available for experienced fishermen. Moreover there is enough space for a DIY enthusiast to customize.

Guarding against Murphy’s Law, the Catch 390 uses front and rear bulkheads to create three sealed compartments. So when a hatch pops during a surf landing, or a rogue wave catches you with a hatch open, the chance of swamping is minimal. Drainage is excellent.

A unique feature is the watertight fishing rod chute. When negotiating large swells it keeps your rod in your kayak!

To secure your gear there are plenty of bungies and anchor points, and flush mount rod holders behind the seat are excellent for trolling.

You will punch easily through surf because the Catch 390’s hull is designed for stability and Speed.

Contact your local Mission dealer today to get your hands on the brand new Mission Catch 390.

Vital Statistics; Length 390 cm Width 85 cm Weight 28 kg Storage over 200 litres

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THULE professional range Designed with a purpose for professionals like you You know what it takes to get the job done well. So do we.

The Thule Professional load carrier system is a unique solution designed specifically for the really tough demands of on-the-move professionals.

Now you can take advantage of this rugged, fully integrated system to help make every workday easier, safer and more productive. Being able to save 10–15 minutes here and there during the week adds up. Opening up opportunities to either take on more jobs or perhaps get off work earlier.

Thule Conduit Box 317 Loading, separating and transporting conduits has never been easier.

This unique, heavy-duty Conduit Box takes care of a few of the most annoying aspects of loading conduits and similar objects. The double openings at the front and rear ensure easy access to the load, while slam locks provide reliable theft protection. Perfectl for quick, secure and efficient storage of piping. Size: 320x22x12 cm.

Priced at $1599.00

Thule Awning 326 For working under cover You may have to work outdoors despite poor weather conditions, but there’s no need to to suffer while doing it. With the Thule Professional Awning fitted to the side of your car you can keep up the good work, come scorching sunshine or pouring rain. Just pull it out when you need protection and push it back in when you’re done.

Mounts onto the crossbars and operates from the side of the vehicle.

The universal mounting system allows it to fit the majority of work vans.

Available in three lengths.

Heavy-Duty materials With aluminium profiles and tear resistant fabric in laminated PVC. Water proof and UV protection.

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Learn To Kayak Phone 0508 529 2569 to book Stage 2

Stage 1

SKILLS COURSE

A comprehensive course designed to cover the skills required to become a technically correct and safe paddler.

The course progresses so you develop techniques and confidence at an enjoyable pace with great end results.

This course is run over a weekend or by request in the evenings.

COST $399

INTRO TO WHITE WATER

ESKIMO ROLLING

This course covers the skills required to become a technically correct Eskimo Roller. You increase your confidence, allowing you to paddle in more challenging conditions. Being able to eskimo roll will make you a more competent, safe and capable paddler.

Course: 4 evening sessions COST $200

Stage 3

Stage 1

Stage 2

A comprehensive course designed to cover the skills required to become a technically correct paddler. Starting off in a heated pool and progressing through flat water to moving water, it allows you to develop techniques and confidence at an enjoyable pace with great end results.

ESKIMO ROLLING

Course: Weekend COST $349

Course: 4 evening sessions COST $200

This course covers the skills required to become a technically correct Eskimo Roller. This will increase your confidence, allowing you to paddle in more challenging conditions.

Stage 3

Stage 4

Stage 4 MULTISPORT

On this course we continue to build on the skills gained on Stage One and Two Courses. Developing your skills, technique and confidence on the faster moving white water of the Waikato River and progressing on to a Sunday day trip on the Mohaka River. Includes, eddie turns, ferry gliding, rolling, surfing and building new skills in River Rescue techniques and River Reading.

During this course we build on the skills gained on the Stage One to Three Courses.

Developing your moving water skills, technique and confidence in your Multi Sport Kayak. We start on the Mohaka River on Saturday and progress to the Whanganui on Sunday for some big water paddling. River racing competency letters are awarded to those who meet the standard and criteria as outlined on the Grade Two Competency Certificate. A copy is available from Canoe & Kayak Centres.

Course: Weekend • COST $349

Course: Weekend • COST $349

RIVER SKILLS WEATHER & NAVIGATION

OCEANS COURSE

Understanding the weather and ability to navigate in adverse conditions is vital when venturing into the outdoors. Learn to use charts and compasses and forecast the weather using maps and the clouds.

An advanced course designed to build on your skills. Covering paddling technique, kayak control, rescues, preparation, planning and decision making.

Course: 4 evening sessions COST $150

Course: Weekend/overnight.

COST $350

Stage 6

Stage 6

Stage 5

Stage 5 ADVANCED WHITEWATER

KAYAKING SURF Surfing is heaps of fun when you know how. We will spend the evenings starting off in small surf and building up to one and a half metre waves. We will use a range of sit-on-tops and kayaks to make it fun and easy to learn. Skills to be taught include surfing protocol, paddling out, direction control, tricks and safety

Course: 4 evening sessions COST $349

RESCUE COURSE You need rescue skills to look after yourself and your paddling buddies in adverse conditions. This course covers towing systems, capsized kayaks, T Rescues, paddle floats, stern deck carries, re-enter and roll.

Programme One Evening Cost $60

RIVER RESCUE

This course is designed to sharpen your whitewater skills and start learning simple rodeo moves. We will focus on skills such as river reading, body position and rotation, advanced paddle technique, playing in holes and negotiating higher Grade 3 rapids. We recommend you are feeling comfortable on Grade 2+ rapids.

Ideally you should already be paddling the mid section of Rangitaiki or equivalent.

This course is covers likely scenarios on white water rivers. It is suitable for paddlers who feel comfortable on Grade One to Two rivers. You learn rope skills, muscle techniques, team control, heads up, risk management and combat swimming. Also covered are skills required in the following situations: entrapments, kayak wraps, swimming kayakers and their equipment.

Course: Weekend • COST $349

Course: Weekend • COST P.O.A.

Awards Contact your nearest Canoe & Kayak centre to develop a personalised course to suit your needs.

For more information phone 0508 5292569

www.nzki.co.nz

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Directory: Things To Do

TAUPO Maori Carvings Half day guided trip to the rock carvings, Lake Taupo... only accessible by boat.

$90 per person (bookings essential).

Call freephone 0800 KAYAKN for details.

Waikato River Discovery

Mohaka

2 hour guided kayak trip. Experience the magnificent upper reaches of the mighty Waikato River - soak in the geothermal hotsprings - take in the stunning environment... a perfect trip for all the family...

Need some excitement? Take a kayak down this wicked Grade II river run... this is a whole day of thrills and fantastic scenery down the Mohaka River.

Price: $45 adult $25 children Special group and family rates. Call freephone 0800 KAYAKN for details.

TAUPO Accommodation

Waitara River Tours

Accommodation available to Yakity Yak club members and their families... Ideal for sport and school groups... Situated on the banks of the Waikato River our Kayakers Lodge accommodates up to 15 people, is fully furnished, with plenty of parking and a quiet location.

For those who are slightly more adventurous at heart, this is a scenic trip with the excitement of grade two rapids. Midway down, we paddle under the historic Betran Rd Bridge where we will stop for a snack.

Glow worms Cruise

River Tours

$30 per person per night.

Phone: 0800 529256 for details

Join us for a picturesque paddle on Lake McLaren and into the narrow canyon to view glow worms by night or beautiful waterfalls by day. This trip takes about 1.5-2hours and is suitable for paddlers with no experience, all gear, hot drinks and nibbles are supplied.

Price $65 per person.

Phone Canoe and Kayak BOP for bookings. 07 574 7415

Paddle to the Pub Kayaking to a local pub is a unique way of spending an evening, bringing your group of friends together by completing a fun activity before dinner and making a memorable experience. These trips are available to Riverhead, Browns Bay and Devonport Pubs.

COST: $59.00 each • GROUP DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE!

Allow 2 hours paddle only. Priced at $50.

Phone: 06 769 5506

Exploring beautiful estuaries. Enjoy a scenic trip with wildlife and great views.

Phone Canoe & Kayak on 0508 KAYAKNZ for details

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Mokau River Enjoy this beautiful scenic river which winds through some of New Zealands lushest vegetation. Camping overnight and exploring some of New Zealands pioneering history. A true Kiwi experience.

Two day trips $230.00 or one day $80.00.

Phone 06 769 5506

Twilight Tours Departs from one of your local beautiful beaches. Enjoy the scenic trip with the sun setting as you paddle along the coast line.

Group discounts available!

Phone Canoe & Kayak on 0508 KAYAKNZ for details

Taupo - Open for the summer and by appointment. Long Bay, Auckland - by appointment only. Have some paddling fun on the beach or let us run a Tour for you and your friends and explore these beautiful areas.

Price on application.

0800 529256

Sugar Loaf Island From Ngamutu Beach harbour we head out to the open sea to Nga Motu/Sugar Loaf Island Marine Reserve. View the Taranaki scenic, rugged coastline as we draw closer to the Sugar Loaf Islands. Enjoy the seal colony and experience the thrill of close up views of these fascinating marine mammals.

Allow 3 hours subject to weather. $55.00 per person. Phone 06 769 5506

New Zealand Kayaking Instructors Award Scheme Become a kayaking Instructor and Guide.

Get into gear and get qualified!

It’s fun and easy to do.

Don’t delay phone 0508 5292569 now

Customized Tours

Join the Yakity Yak Club

• Work Functions • Schools • Clubs • Tourist groups

Want to have fun, meet new people, have challenging and enjoyable trips, and learn new skills?

PLUS get a regular email newsletter and this magazine! Also, get a discount on kayaking courses and purchases from Canoe & Kayak Centres.

Then, join us!

Whether it’s an afternoon amble, a full days frolic or a wicked weekend adventure we can take you there.

If there’s somewhere you’d like to paddle we can provide you with experienced guides, local knowledge, safe up to date equipment and a lot of fun.

Contact your local store on 0508 KAYAKNZ

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Interested in a great adventure on this Magnificent River?

Give us a call and we will give you a memory of a lifetime.

Canoe & Kayak Taupo

Kayak Hire

Phone Canoe & Kayak on 0508 KAYAKNZ for details

Phone Canoe & Kayak on 0508 KAYAKNZ for details

50

Price: $125 per person. Call freephone 0800 KAYAKN for details.

Phone: Taupo 07 378 1003, Hawke’s Bay 06 842 1305

Whanganui River Trips

Phone Canoe & Kayak on 0508 KAYAKNZ to find out more

High

performance

fun

with Aquatx Cobra Kayaks and enjoy high performance fun, riding the foam, fishing or just paddling!

The Aquatx range of Cobra Kayaks meets the full range of on-water paddling needs from surfing fun, serious fishing, diving and touring, to multi-sport high performance.

Aquatx Cobra Kayaks all feature polyethylene hulls for super tough performance, with a 10 year guarantee to prove it. The self draining reinforced scuppers throughout give unparalleled hull rigidity and a drier ride.

Aquatx Cobra Surf & Fun Kayaks are specially

designed for family fun at the beach or on the river.

The light-weight but strong design means they can be easily mounted on roof racks or trailers and then simply carried to the water.

The ‘sit on top’ design with self draining scuppers means a drier, safer ride.

Call 0508 AQUATX or visit www.aquatx.co.nz 2 7 8 2 8 9

Aquatx Cobra Touring and Fishing Kayaks

are unique because they offer a range of specialist accessories to configure your kayak to your own needs for sports fishing and distance touring.

All Aquatx Fishing and Touring Kayaks can be fitted with a motor bracket for an electric trolling motor.

Plus with the largest hatches on the market, there is still plenty of room left for rod holders, scuba gear, the battery, tackle box, bait tank, and much more.

Aquatx Cobra High Performance Kayaks

are the kayaks of choice for low-cost, robust training gear. Designed for both speed and distance, Aquatx High Performance Kayaks offer a great deal whether you are new to multi-sport kayaking or you are an experienced veteran seeking a training boat.

Aquatx Cobra Kayak Accessory System is a completely configurable system with a huge range of custom options.

Call us now for our dealer locations or visit the Canoe and Kayak dealer nearest you and find out how to make your dreams a reality on the water this summer.

DISCOVER ANOTHER WORLD TAUPO

TARADALE ROAD

Acme Kayaking Limited Trading as Canoe & Kayak Taupo

Peter & Bronnie van Lith Trading as Canoe & Kayak Taranaki

ST EA

6 Tavern Road, Silverdale Telephone: 09 421 0662 Canoe & Kayak Limited Trading as Canoe & Kayak Distribution

KILLARNEY ROAD

STA TE

WIRI STATION ROAD

ATEA D RIVE

The Corner Greenwood St & Duke St, State Highway 1 bypass Hamilton Telephone: 07 847 5565 On Water Adventures Limited Trading as Canoe & Kayak Waikato

N TEN CEN

WA Y H IAL

I

NG NGAURA

TO TAURANGA BRIDGE

NORTH

MACDONALD STREET LIQUORLAND

3/5 Mac Donald Street Mount Maunganui (off Hewletts Rd) Telephone: 07 574 7415

Canoe & Kayak Limited Trading as Canoe & Kayak Manukau

Jenanne Investment Limited Trading as Canoe & Kayak Bay of Plenty

JOIN THE

New Kayak Centre Areas Available Now! Phone

AG

2 Centennial Highway, Ngauranga, Wellington Telephone: 04 477 6911 J & M Downey Limited Trading as Canoe & Kayak Wellington

KFC

MAUNGANUI ROAD

710 Great South Road, Manukau Telephone: 09 262 0209

G E RD

HIK

GH

NORTH

KA

Canoe & Kayak Limited Trading as Canoe & Kayak Hawke’s Bay

HEWLETTS ROAD

BRONCOS

L V MARTIN

KAHIKATEA DRIVE

15 Niven Street Onekawa, Napier Telephone: 06 842 1305

OR

GREENWOOD ST SH1 BYPASS

DUKE STREET

NIVEN STREET

BAY OF PLENTY

RN VE AL M

HW HIG AY 1

WELLINGTON

NORTH

TOYOYA FIRST DRIVEWAY

SOUTHERN MOTORAWAY

CO AS

TR OA D

ASCENSION PL

WAY RTH HIGH MAIN NO AD O R N TAVER

MANUKAU GREAT SOUTH RD

SANDRINGHAM ROAD

ROAD DOMINION

WAIKATO

SMART ROAD

77 Spa Road, Taupo Telephone: 07 378 1003

Unit 6, 631 Devon Road Waiwhakaiho, New Plymouth Telephone: 06 769 5506

RD

Flood Howarth & Partners Limited Trading as Canoe & Kayak North Shore

NORTH

S.H.1

SILVERDALE NORTH

Unit 2/20 Constellation Drive, (Off Ascension Drive), Mairangi Bay, Auckland - Telephone: 09 479 1002

DUKE STREET

LAKE TERRACE

DRY

NORTHERN MOTORWAY

CONSTELLATION DRIVE

R ON DEV

NORTH

FOUN

UPPER HIGHWAY (16)

NORTH

ET

NORTH SHORE

OAD

NORTH

ET

Arenel Ltd T/A Canoe & Kayak Auckland

STRE

ST ARIRO TONG

502 Sandringham Rd Telephone: 09 815 2073

HAWKE’S BAY

RIVER WAIWHAKAIHO

TRE HA S

.1

ST LUKES RD

D ROA

EHU RUAP

S.H

BALMORAL ROAD

CITY

SPA

SOUTH

TARANAKI

TANIW

U HA

KU

NU

AUCKLAND

Peter Townend 0274 529 255 PHONE YOUR NEAREST CANOE & KAYAK CENTRE

Email

pete@canoeandkayak.co.nz

www.canoeandkayak.co.nz