Issue 65
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Contents Feature 24 Whanganui River 2012
Fishing 6 8
Cobra Kayaks Classic Fishing Competition 2012 2012 Taranaki Kayak Fishing Classic.
Sea Kayaking 10 14 20
Kayaking Kaleidescope: Kuratau to Kinloch Lakes Tarawera and Rotomahana More than just a kayaking trip. Lake Waikaremoana
Multisport 18
A New Years Resolution - Getting into multisport.
.
White Water Kayaking 48 Paddle to the beat. - Music blaring, waves standing and paddlers carving them up.
Technical 28
Photography tips -A great start - The apparatus 30 Towing - Part 2 32 Rack it up this ski season 50 To make a Daisy Chain with no flowers. Tieing the knot.
Regulars 5 34
Editorial Product review - Tahe Marine Wind 585 35 Events calendar - Go with the flow 36 Buyers Guide
Editorial
Issue 65
The call of the weka, the blow of a dolphin, the splash of a mullet, the sound of a thousand kahawai boiling to surface, the song of a bell bird, the whoosh of a wood pigeon, the warble of the tui and the grey warbler. This is part of the life of a kayaker and part of being a Kiwi. I’m not trying to be a poet here, but this was just last week in the Hauraki Gulf! I have not heard a weka in years and there they were, Mum and two chicks and several singles charging around the campsite and trying to imitate the call of a kiwi baritone early in the morning. And then “look what’s that over there” it was a pod of dolphins on a mission but doing back flips just for fun right in front of the campsite. The previous evening we were diving for tuatuas and eating them straight out of the shell. The week before a big feed of mussels opened up on the embers of a fire and our fingers juggling the pain with the anticipation of the feed. The entry back into NZ through Auckland Airport has the song of the New Zealand forest and it pulls on ones heart strings when coming home. My father recounts a story of his time in the navy in the 1950`s “The Royal New Zealand Navy’s cruiser Royalist, Lord and Lady Cobham’s vice regal yacht for a month of State visits to the South Pacific Islands, slowed to dead slow. Under the quarterdeck awning the ship’s company entertained each other and Their Excellencies. Lights out, a dim spotlight revealed the Governor General with his hands cupped over his mouth. The mystified total silence was broken by the call of the morepork. The spotlight under the awning brightened slowly. We were listening to New Zealand waking with the sounds of the bush and rural New Zealand coming from our Governor General. The applause was thunderous. What is it about our home that is so compelling that in many of us just a sound can evoke such strong emotions? The thing I know for sure is that it is being out and about, hearing and seeing with all the
EDITOR: Peter Townend Ph: 0274 529 255 / (09) 476 7066 Email: pete@canoeandkayak.co.nz PUBLISHER: New Zealand Kayak Magazine is published five times per year by Canoe & Kayak Ltd. PRINTING: MHP Print DISTRIBUTION: MagMag SUBSCRIPTIONS: (see page 32) New Zealand – 6 Issues = $40 Overseas – 6 Issues = $60
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other senses engaged, gives one memories that last for a life time, and it only takes a small sound to remember the feeling that was generated years before. I was recently thanked by a young kayaker for the stories I told around the fire one night. It occurred to me at the time that it was an old well told story that was passed onto me and I was just repeating it for the entertainment of the group. The result however is a memory for a young kiwi of sitting around the fire listening and laughing and being at home in his land. Don’t let another day go by without planning an adventure to get to know your land and find yourself in the process. Cheers Peter Townend This issue is dedicated to the awesome team of Yakity Yak Kayak Club leaders headed by Neil Watson who have been working with the Auckland Council to get the Auckland Kayak Trail up and going.
Copyright: The opinions expressed by contributors and the information stated in advertisements/articles are not necessarily agreed to by the editors or publisher of New Zealand Kayak Magazine. Pricing: At the time of printing the prices in this magazine were accurate. However they may change at any time. CONTRIBUTORS: We welcome contributors’ articles and photos. Refer to www.canoeandkayak.co.nz/guide New Zealand Kayak Magazine ‘Contributors Guidelines’ for more details. ALL CONTRIBUTIONS TO: James Fitness Email: james@canoeandkayak.co.nz New Zealand Kayak Magazine Front Cover: and contents page: Whanganui River 2012 Photos by: Harry Martin
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FISHING >> FISHING COMPETITION
Cobra Kayaks Classic Fishing Competition 2012 By Dave Atkins
After a short safety briefing on the Friday evening, it was an early start for some on Saturday 14th April. The competition officially opened at 5 am. Nobody could have predicted the incredibly good weather that day; bright sunlight, not a breath of wind, no swell. It hotted up to be a great competition. With over 60 entries and several categories, including heaviest snapper, kahawai, kingfish and trevally to compete in, the odds were good. Since this was solely a kayak fishing competition no other craft, including mother-ships, was allowed. Kayakers, for their own safety, had to ‘buddy up’ with someone else, but many went out as a group of four. Because the conditions were so good a large area was accessible. Not far from Tauranga Harbour there are great holes and reefs renowned for good fishing. One competitor even went as far as Motiti Island about 6 km offshore to try his luck on the reefs .
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Most caught their limit in a short time and were satisfied with the size and weight of their catches. Two pm at the Tauranga Fish and Dive Club was the exciting weigh in time seeing who had caught what . After drinks and nibbles we had prize giving. There were many entries for the heaviest snapper. Shelley Cooney’s 5.86 kg catch won. Andrew Temara caught the only kingie, but that was enough to win. Other prizes went to Don Roser for the heaviest gurnard (0.48 kg), heaviest trevally at 1.9 kg went to Scott Scherer, and heaviest kahawai (2.84 kg) was Craig Beatie’s. The spot prizes from sponsors, Cobra Kayaks, Canoe & Kayak Bay of Plenty, Killwell, Bodyline and more, meant that all competitors had a chance to win something. The ultimate prize was a full spec Cobra Marauder fishing kayak with paddle and buoyancy aid. The very excited winner was Nick Clayton from Wellington. In his excitement he jumped into the kayak, collapsed its stand and tumbled it to the floor. Good thing Cobra Kayaks are so robust It was a great day. We look forward to another competition dedicated to kayak fishermen in the Bay of Plenty next year.
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Issue Sixty Five • Winter 2012
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FISHING >> FISHING COMPETITION
2012 Taranaki Kayak Fishing Classic. By Garry Harrison
Roger Zieltjes on his Marauder
Once again the kayak classic lived up to its reputation as the leading kayak fishing comp in NZ, with entries from as far as Greymouth in the south and all parts of the North Island.
with several over 10 kg. The TARANAKI KAYAK CLASSIC was started 6 years ago by a bunch of dedicated kayak fishos from the OAKURA SURFCASTING AND KAYAK FISHING CLUB. It has grown from 60 entries in year 1 to 190 this year. The boundaries were increased this year from Patea in the south to Maracopa in the north which gives anglers lots of great possies
It was great to have so many entries from Auckland this year. Thanks guys, it was great to have you in the NAKI and we look forward to hosting you again. TARANAKI turned on great weather with just a little rain on Sunday before the prize giving and a small northerly to make Perfect conditions and a view of the things interesting on the Sunday. mountain. What a day! We had a record 1.9 tons of fish weighed in over 2 days, not bad considering anglers can only weigh in three fish of each species per day. The actual number of fish caught may have been a lot more. And all this despite a full moon and most fishing calendars saying stay home and sharpen your hooks. The skill level of kayak anglers is increasing all the time. The market is well supplied with specialist kayak fishing gear and awesome fishing kayaks and NZ is leading the way. With rising fuel prizes and the global economy the future for the kayak fishing industry and for this event looks bright. We’ve believed Taranaki was a big snapper and sportfish Mecca and so it was proved by a steady stream of huge snapper, some good kingies and lots of tuna presented to the weigh master. The winning snapper went 13.5 kg, the second place 11.5 kg
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to choose from. We also introduced a Manufacturers Cup this year to encourage all the kayak manufacturers to enter factory teams. After all NZ leads the world in fishing kayaks and we should celebrate this. With ladies, teams and junior anglers prizes along with eight fish classes and lots of spot prizes, most anglers came away with something from the prize pool. Once again we had an auction of fish and we raised a record $3600.00 for Coast Guard Taranaki. EGMONT SEAFOODS were on hand to fillet the catch and SUSHI NINJA then turned it into mouth watering sushi, raising money for the JAPAN earthquake appeal. This year we also had Matt Watson and the ITM FISHING SHOW filming the event for his popular show. The prize giving kicked off with the ROOF RACK CENTRE early bird draw and Peter van Lith was on hand to draw the lucky winner who collected a new roof rack and other goodies from OAKURA TRAVEL. SHAMUS THE ENTERTAINER kept the crowd Tony Hurring with the winning 13.5 kg snapper.
Garry Harrison & Roger Zieltjes with their best catches of the day.
entertained and helped hand out many thousands of dollars worth of prizes and spot prizes. The highlights were the Sons of Anchovies winning the teams prize, and team Viking Blue winning the Manufacturers Cup - but watch out guys. Team Cobra, Oceans, Barracuda, and Mission will be after you. The evening finished with spot prizes for all those who have entered before but never won a prize. Planning is underway for next year and we promise to make it even bigger and better next year. The 2013 event is set for March 2nd & 3rd. See you all then.
Dennis O'Callaghan from Auckland landed this nice 7.7 kg fish from his Marauder.
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SEA KAYAKING >> LAKE TAUPO
KAYAKING KALEIDOSCOPE: KURATAU TO KINLOCH
By Phillip Donnell
Arriving at Cherry Bay
Lake Taupo (619 sq.km.) is the greatest body of fresh water in Australasia, but can become as rough as many a salty ocean. Its 180 km shoreline contains countless beaches, cliffs, nooks and crannies which take a lifetime to thoroughly explore. The western shores are isolated and not very accessible by road. Hence, few are aware of their stark and spectacular scenery. Jump in a kayak, however, and you have a unique opportunity to view a littoral unlike anywhere else in New Zealand. Our ambition was to kayak the periphery, from Kuratau in the southwestern corner of the lake to Kinloch on the northern edge. This involves 12-15 hours of paddling, excluding breaks, and traverses two fairly distinct wind zones. In the southern reaches of the lake, southerlies prevailed, but once we turned into the Western Bay 20 knot nor’westers hit us. The majority of this journey is also bordered by high cliffs, subject to katabatic wind gusts strong enough to flip a boat. All things considered, an extended spell of anticyclonic weather is essential for
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Cliffs near Werohanga Point
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Late lunch on a rock shelf, Te Hapua Bay
safe and enjoyable travel. The lake water is cold but pure enough to drink, especially if taken from open waters. Having deposited a vehicle at Kinloch, we set out from Kuratau late morning, which gave us only just enough time to get to our first overnight destination, Cherry Bay. The precipitous cliffs were unrelenting, except for occasional gaps at Te Hape and Te Hapua. South of the former, the great bluff Rangitukua hosts a kiwi sanctuary. We ate lunch on a rock platform before craning our necks beneath the vast 300 m rock walls of Karangahape. By mid-afternoon, the scenario changed from wind-assisted to wind-resisted as we greeted the gulls and shags of Motuwhara Island. For a couple of hours, we battled fierce head
winds, but the lack of landing places gave us no choice than to press on. As the sun was setting, we were relieved to reach the haven which would be our first night’s respite. Cherry Bay had several campsites and a toilet. Vessels were moored cheek to jowl along the beach. We had paddled for 5.5 hours. The next day dawned calm and cold. We were woken at an unearthly hour by boaties who failed to appreciate the acoustic qualities of amphitheatre coves. Even an ordinary conversation in that setting can irrevocably banish sleep. A 30-minute paddle took us to the scenic gem of the entire trip, Whanganui Bay. Crystal clear water, white sand, a craggy backdrop, and quaint shanties all contribute to the beauty and
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Rangitukua Bluff and Te Hape Bay
Kiwi Association of Sea Kayakers N.Z. Inc. (KASK) Annual subscription is $35.00.
Kask PO Box 23, Runanga 7841, West Coast
www.kask.co.nz
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KASK is a network of sea kayakers throughout New Zealand KASK publishes a 200 page sea kayaking handbook which is just $15 to new members; the handbook contains all you need to know about sea kayaking: techniques and skills, resources, equipment, places to go etc. 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.
Issue Sixty Five • Winter 2012
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grandeur of this idyllic spot. It is also a favourite with rock climbers. After lingering for some time, we moved on to Waihaha, where camping requires a permit, the Queen’s Chain does not apply, and the locals were not particularly welcoming. It is possible to divert 5 km up this river to view the impressive Tieke Falls (37m). However, time was against us, so we progressed below cliffs, on which vegetation squeezed into any suitable fissure, to Otupoto Falls, tumbling into Waihora Bay. Permission is needed to camp at its eastern end. It had been 4.5 hours of paddling since we’d left. When the fizz boats departed, we revelled in the solitude and silence. The prominent peaks of Tongariro National Park graced the glowing skyline. An alternative camping spot for our second night could have been Boat Harbour, on the tip of Kawakawa Point, our first pause on Day three. It is only 100 m across, and provides complete shelter. Numerous campsites dot the bush at the back of the beach, and the harbour is often crowded with upwards of 30 vessels. If you want a quieter place to rest, head 200 m north to another delightful little inlet. It took us an hour to traverse the wide semi-circle of Kawakawa Bay to the excellent camping and picnic ground at the far end. A walkway from Kinloch terminates here, and a half-hour ascent to the clifftop lookout affords panoramic vistas. The eastern cliffs are fantastic. Contorted layers of
lava at the waterline give way to fractured ignimbrite blocks, with one part remarkably reminiscent of the Outback. A final burst around Te Kauwae Point ushered us into Whangamata Bay. Such is its indentation that the golden poplars of Kinloch looked very distant. Although we had only been paddling for 3.5 hours, it seemed much longer. Once landed, the fragrance of coffee wafting from the “Tipsy Trout” café coaxed us indoors, a suitably indulgent conclusion to a memorable expedition.
Boat Harbour, Kawakawa Point
Breakfast at Cherry Bay
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Issue Sixty Five • Winter 2012
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>> BAY OF PLENTY
Lakes Tarawera and Rotomahana More than just a kayaking trip.
By Suzanne Boslem
Certainly not as cold and wet as Scotland!
When my husband Ian and I immigrated to New Zealand from Scotland it was with the sole aim of changing our life. You don’t move to the other side of the world and take your old life with you – else why bother? We gave up a lot (family, double glazing, central heating), but we hoped to gain more. One of the first things we did when we arrived last April was to mosey into Canoe & Kayak centre in Wellington. We’d kayaked while on holiday in New Zealand in 2010 and loved it. Yes, you can kayak in Scotland but
a) its cold and rains a lot and b) its cold and rains a lot. We’d only gone in for a look, and before we knew it Andy had signed us up for the skills course ( he bribed us with his amazing carrot cake muffins) and within nine months our new hobby and new life is shaping up nicely. The trip to Lake Tarawera was our third outing. After battling gusts and waves on Marlborough Sounds on our first trip, I thought we’d be in for an easy ride on a lake. Yeah right! Despite offerings of beer to the Lake God (although I think it’s fairer to say he stole it thanks to Bruce’s poorly ‘weighted cooling-in-lake’
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Waikato River Discovery Glow Worm Kayak Tour
2 hour guided kayak trip. Experience the magnificent upper reaches of the mighty Waikato River - Soak in the geothermal hot springs - Take in the stunning environment... a perfect trip for all the family...
Adult $45, Children $25 Special group and family rates. Call 0800 KAYAKN for details.
Issue Sixty Five • Winter 2012
Join us for a picturesque paddle on Lake McLaren 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 $75 per person.
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technique), we didn’t get on the water until day three. Day one was spent travelling and shopping for chicken, and day two was too gusty. So trip leader Neil moved the days about and we stayed on dry land, tramping to the stunning Tarawera Falls instead. None of which was a hardship, but we were glad to get on the water on day three. A decent kayak from Boatshed Bay to Te Rata Bay was a combination of strong winds and calm inlets. When we reached Hot Water Beach, it was more like the Gold Coast than a DOC campsite thanks to a father and son bonding session and groups of young people water-skiing, so it was tough to find camping spots. Still, we all got a bath in the hot water pools, once we got used to the top metre being burny hot and the bottom metre being freezing cold. And for dinner, the Lake God offered us up a few trout. We didn’t even have to catch it – our fellow campers had more than they could eat so we were happy to help out. Ian and I hadn’t been camping for four years, so it was good to get under canvas again. And thanks to the earplugs even the teenagers’ midnight antics didn’t keep us awake. Day four was the major highlight, though. It was a short paddle to the portage track to Lake Rotomahana. Never has a 1.5 km trek up an easy incline been so frustrating and so funny. I was one of three to try a spot of off-road kayaking – it may be the quickest way to the water, but I wouldn’t recommend it. And the tree across the track just took the biscuit. Lake Rotomahana isn’t easy to get to, but that’s part of its charm, along with the abundant birdlife and geothermal activity. We had it to ourselves except for the pleasure boat that transported a few Japanese tourists around the lake – not the only encounter we’d have with the Japanese, but more of that later! The gusty winds continued but again, punching through headwinds and choppy white-topped waves (who knew lakes had waves!) was always followed by sunny sheltered calmness. I’d like to say the portage back was easier with practice but, judging by the swearing,
Our Japanese friends enjoying the thermal spring.
Beautiful clear skies.
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and the UK might have a lot in common, but I’ve found that it’s the differences that make it interesting (and itchy). The last paddling day started easily enough. Te Rata Bay is nicely sheltered, but we could all see the chop out on the lake and there was going to be no direct route over for us. We gritted our teeth and kayaked south into the headwind until we could cross safely. Kayaking will be a key part of our new life here – all Andy and Neil have to do is persuade us to buy the kayaks. We’ve got the skills and the roof racks…it’s only a matter of time. Although I reckon we should probably buy a house first with double glazing and central heating – Scots have gone soft!
Pictures: Left - Wheels were a great help... most of the time. Below - Speed was not a causal factor on this hairpin bend. Thankfully no-one was injured in the incident. Right - They’ve certainly got central heating sorted in these parts.
tired people and portaging don’t mix. If kayaks were meant to have wheels, they’d have a motor as well. And now for the bizarre bit. The fathers and sons had left Hot Water Beach, but instead we were met by a group of Japanese in pyjamas who turfed us off our landing beach. They soon clambered back onto their luxury chartered yacht, changed into towels and sailed out all of three metres in their rubber dinghy to fall into the hot water and shout loudly at each other. Turns out they were filming a TV comedy – it made us laugh, although probably more at them than with them. We spent a relaxing evening watching the sun set casting amazing colours onto Mount Tarawera. It was also my first encounter with sandflies. Scotland has midges, but having never had an insect bite in my life, I didn’t think I needed insect repellent. Wrong. New Zealand
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>> SPEIGHT’S COAST TO COAST
Getting into Multisport.
by Laura Clayton
Perhaps you’ve been inspired by this year’s Speight’s Coast to Coast athletes, perhaps you’ve always been interested in competing or maybe it’s a New Year’s Resolution. but whatever your motivation to get into Multisport, now is the time to kick start training for 2012/13 summer events. The race is ONLY 8 MONTHS AWAY… Where do you start? That’s easy. Go to your local Canoe & Kayak Centre and sign up for a Grade Two Certificate course. Many multisport events, including the Speight’s Coast to Coast, require all kayakers to have their Grade Two Certificate before registering for the event. So take the first step, sign up and you are well on your way to achieving your dream! The Grade Two certificate is the qualification which ensures athletes can competently and safely run Grade Two rivers while being completely self-sufficient. The Taupo Canoe & Kayak Centre runs this course over three weekends every month until December, when registrations close. It progressively builds participants’ confidence, skills and knowledge in a river environment, starting with basics in the pool. Technically correct paddling strokes on flat water come next and soon you’ll be racing down the river able to rescue yourself and, if needed, your peers.
You’ll need to equip yourself with essentials! Good kayaking clothing designed for racing conditions is much better than restrictive wetsuits and old woollen jumpers. The team at your local Canoe & Kayak Centre can help select the most appropriate equipment to suit your racing goals, your body shape and your budget. Essential clothing includes a light weight breathable splash jacket, lots of thermal layers (top and bottom), neoprene shorts or long pants and soft sole booties. Essential safety items include a helmet, PFD (Personal Flotation Device) first aid kit, throw rope , duct tape, airbags and dry bags. Before you purchase a kayak consider how much use it will get. Do you only want it for racing or perhaps for recreation as well? Will you be its only paddler? If you solely want to be fast look into the range of Ruahine composite kayaks. They are designed for speed. If you are getting into racing, but want something more forgiving and stable, a plastic sea kayak is an excellent option. It is very stable and a great entry level kayak. Crucial minutes will be wasted when you cannot handle a tippier boat in race conditions and swim. If buying a kayak is out of your budget, most Canoe & Kayak Centres have kayaks you can hire for your training and racing. Enabling you to
COMPETITIVE / COMFORTABLE / A TRUE CONTENDER
Ruahine Kayaks Designers and Manufacturers of Multisport & Adventure Racing Kayaks Phone: 021 273 0550
kevin@ruahinekayaks.co.nz www.ruahinekayaks.co.nz Ruahine 11-07 V1.indd 1 18 Issue Sixty Five • Winter 2012
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than swim! Make sure your white water skills are strong through joining training/guided trips on the Mohaka River (between Taupo and Napier) and sign up for a couple of days on the Waimak familiarisation trips in preparation for the big day. These are open for Grade Two certified paddlers only. They fine tune your skills while you learn the river and hit the fastest lines. It will be race day before you know it! Make sure you have packed all your compulsory race equipment, that you’ve got a great support crew and stretch! It’s going to be a long but great couple of days.
fly without hassles, kayaks can be transported to the Speight’s Coast to Coast start. Equipped with your Grade Two Certificate and all your kayaking gear it is time to get out practising! Training on flat water is great for your fitness and you should aim to clock up a minimum of eight hours a week. An Eskimo rolling course saves crucial time and energy when you roll rather
For more information regarding Taupo Grade Two Certificates give me a call at Canoe & Kayak Taupo 0800 KAYAKN – or drop into or call your local Canoe & Kayak Centre. We are NZ’s specialist multisport training and equipment providers.
Call us now to brush up your river skills for race day. Phone: 0508 5292569 www.kayaknz.co.nz
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Lake Waikaremoana by Irene Wallmannsberger
Playtime at Waihirere Falls
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Issue Sixty Five • Winter 2012
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Lake Waikaremoana (Sea of Rippling Waters) and Lake Waikareiti are located in the 225,000 hectares of Te Urewera National Park, which is the largest untouched native forest reserve in the North Island. The area is approximately 600 metres above sea level, giving rise to a climate that can be cool, wet and changeable. After meticulous preparation by Estelle, keen sea kayakers met at Canoe & Kayak Bay of Plenty to car pool, acquire the last few articles of essential gear and arrange rendezvous points for what is known to be a challenging drive. Access can be gained from Wairoa in the east or via Murapara from State Highway 5 (our route). Horror stories abound, about the road beyond Murapara. With precipitous drops, rock falls and pot holes, numerous washouts narrowing the road to one way, not to mention the horses and pigs grazing on the side of the road, this is a “no mistakes” road. Lake Waikaremoana was formed about 2200 years ago by a huge landslide, which blocked a narrow gorge along the Waikaretaheke River. Water backed up behind this landslide to form a lake up to 248 metres deep. The lake level was lowered by five metres in 1946 for a hydroelectric development. As we neared Lake Waikaremoana and our first destination, the Mokau Inlet, the weather improved. At the Department of Conservation campsite we met the other members of our group who had travelled independently. Quickly kayaks were unloaded, gear, lunch and valuables packed for the short afternoon paddle exploring the Whanganui arm of the lake. After the traditional group photo we headed out of Mokau Testing their courage and Inlet and into the Whanganui Inlet following the lake’s their wet weather gear. edge. With clear skies we could see the ruggedness of the terrain. Huge bluffs dominated steep, bush covered slopes with bush right to the lake’s edge. The race was on. I don’t think there was a declared winner, despite the At the Waihirere Falls the stream flows over a rocky outcrop dropping competitive banter. several metres to the lake below. Behind the waterfall is a small, We had covered fifteen kilometres. With kayaks reloaded and gear shallow cavern. Here it was playtime. The intrepid paddled directly stowed we headed away to the Waikaremoana Motorcamp. under the falls, testing their courage and their wet weather gear. Others En route, the Mokau Falls are a spectacular sight from the viewing bay. had fun negotiating a path under an overhanging fern, into the cavern The Mokau Stream flows out of a narrow valley, falling thirty seven and out the other side. Robbie provided tips and moral support for the metres. Also at this point the much smaller Tauwhare Falls flow under unsure. Estelle was well positioned to capture great photos of kayakers the road and drop forty five metres to the river bed below. These are at play. visible from the bridge over the Mokau Falls. Further up the inlet the Hopuruahine Landing (DoC campsite) provided The Motorcamp is situated in Opourau, Home Bay, nestling between the an ideal landing spot and a grassy area for us to enjoy a welcome late lake and the surrounding bush. It has a range of quality accommodation lunch. The slippery grass bank was ideal to try a seal launch, thanks to and facilities to suit all levels. Robbie who gave the kayaks some extra momentum. The bunkhouse was well suited to be the social hub. After dinner we We continued up the inlet, crossed over, then followed the opposite gathered to share the day’s highlights and plan the next day’s activity. lake edge back toward the Mokau Inlet. With the breeze and some As well, we surprised Robbie and Mike with champagne and a card in gusts of wind behind us Dave, Tim and Estelle popped out their sails. celebration of their engagement. On Saturday we could not believe our luck; another clear day and only
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Issue Sixty Five • Winter 2012
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ripples on the water. Despite this we had packed extra food and shelter in case of an enforced, unplanned overnight stop. Waikaremoana is known for unpredictable weather, strong gusty winds and rough waters, especially through the Narrows (Te Kauangaomanaia). Once launched, we headed out as a group across the lake to Matuahu Point at the entrance to the Whanganui Inlet. In a sheltered bay we regrouped. Some had a quick shore stop. (Shore, yes, but not sand, just solid rock.) Stunning views of the Panekiri Bluffs, the surrounding bush covered hills and distant peninsulas sparked a discussion of the benefits of exploring the area from the water in a kayak. A strong gusty wind was blowing down the Whanganui Inlet. As a group we spent a few minutes in the shelter of the point practising railing and bracing into the wind, watching for changes on the water surface indicating gusts and sharing tips for a safe passage across to Te Taraoamohanga Point. More experienced kayakers buddied up with newer paddlers. Encouraged, we headed out into the rougher water. All made it across without swimming. There were happy, relieved smiles all round. For some it was their first experience of rougher waters.
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Issue Sixty Five • Winter 2012
From here we followed the lake’s edge toward the Narrows. We found a sheltered bay that accommodated all sixteen kayaks and was not too challenging to land on. Sitting on the shore under manuka we could appreciate the scenery, soak in the sun and enjoy the company of friends. It was so peaceful. We were lucky: The Narrows were calm, with little wind, so we paddled on beyond Te Upokoohinewai Point. Our goal achieved, we turned back and toward the Whanganui Inlet. Again we regrouped, buddied up, and practised. The crossing was a little rougher, but once more everyone
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crossed without difficulty. From here, we took the direct route crossing the lake back to the Motorcamp. In total we had paddled twenty six kilometres. That distance was a first for some. It was a much quieter evening. Everyone was happy with their achievements. The plans for the following day were discussed. Instead of paddling, we chose to walk to Lake Waikareiti, as the weather conditions were thought to be deteriorating. Lake Waikareiti was formed by a massive landslide about eighteen thousand years ago. A ten kilometre wide slab slid off high ridges in the northwest. The lake contains an island (Rahui) which in turn has a lakelet (Tamaiti). The lake is pollution free, with amazing water clarity. The track starts near the Aniwaniwa Visitors centre and is well graded. Rising about three hundred metres it takes about an hour one way (longer for some of us).This forest is mostly red and silver beech with massive rimu towering through the canopy. There is a day shelter at the Lake. Row boats may be hired from the Visitor Centre if you wish to explore the lake further. We enjoyed lunch at the lake’s edge then headed back down. On our return some made a short detour to view the Aniwaniwa Falls (translated as rainbow). These falls, steeped in Maori legend, are a collection of
three waterfalls. Back at Motorcamp we shared highlights of the weekend. We had been lucky to have had such good weather. Visiting Lake Waikaremoana and the Te Urewera National Park is worth the time and effort spent in planning and getting there. The unsealed road ensures that the area isn’t over populated. Our farewells said; we left this magnificent lake with its dramatic bluffs, clear waters and beautiful native bush.
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Issue Sixty Five • Winter 2012
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Whanganui River 2012
LIVE THE DREAM
NEW & EXISTING TERRITORIES AVAILABLE THROUGH OUT NEW ZEALAND Leaders in the kayaking industry Over 20 years experience Full training and ongoing support Call Pete Townend pete@canoeandkayak.co.nz or phone 09 476 7066
North Shore - Auckland - Manukau - Waikato
Whanganui River 2012 Annual Yakity Yak Kayak Club Trip What a change on last year’s wet weather. This year we had blue skies and clear nights. It was a bit cooler than last year, but with no rain, yeah! High jinks with lots of laughs on a low river made for a great week away. You just can’t beat the experience of an extended period in the bush for renewing friendships, making new friends and helping people out. We have hundreds of photos which tell the story, letting your imagination fill in the gaps. Thanks to the great team of leaders and clubbies who as always pulled together to make this a contender for the trip of the year, if not the trip of a life time. I’m already thinking about next year’s trip. Cheers Peter Townend Thanks to Brent & Wai Southen for their hospitality at Tieke Marae Pictures by or supplied by: Harry Martin
Co
Bay of Plenty - Taupo - Taranaki - Wellington
me & Join Us
>> PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography tips A great start - The apparatus
By Ruth E. Henderson
The other night after doing a ‘slide show’ I was asked “What camera do you use?” Funnily enough I had to stop and think, cos I’ve been through a few lately, (note waterproof cameras do not swim, they sink). The answer that should have been on the tip of my tongue is an Olympus Tough TG-810. It replaced the drowned Olympus TG-310, which replaced the rusted Canon Powershot A620... But the make and model really is irrelevant. The real answer is whatever is in my hand. It could be my daughter’s camera handed to me at a grandchild’s birthday party, or your camera given to me to take your picture… My point is that the camera, any camera is just a tool. You the operator create or compose the picture. Or as Frank Hurley the photographer on the ‘Endeavour’ wrote in 1911 “Regard your camera as an artist does his brush. Think that you hold a piece of apparatus worthy of the same possibilities as the artist… Your camera is but a piece of mechanical apparatus. You are its intellect.” But, before we look at the art, let’s look at the brush.... A professional photographer will have different cameras, several lenses, and tripods for different situations. Most of us will have only one, so choose a camera that suits your main purpose. This will involve compromise. Perhaps one day we will be able to have a camera that has a viewfinder as well as a screen, is waterproof and floats, takes standard torch batteries available anywhere in the world, and is a slim-line compact jobbie that fits in your rear jeans pocket, and doesn’t break when you fall off your bike and land on your butt. Meanwhile I’ve gone for a camera that is
waterproof, shockproof, and compact. I miss the viewfinder and convenience and cheapness of AA batteries! But do love being able to slip it into my buoyancy aid pocket and not worry about it when I get creamed in the surf. Have a play; be familiar with your camera’s basic functions. If you want to be able to capture the action anytime, anywhere, be able to find your way around it in the dark or without your reading glasses. Know how to turn the flash OFF – very useful for those moody or natural light shots or at concerts when flash is not allowed. Know how to quickly set it to multi-shoot mode – in case the dolphins start cavorting around you. Make sure you load it up with a decent sized memory card especially if you want to take movies or photos for printing or publishing. I use a
Left: Be able to use your camera in the dark – good at concerts!
Join Us For A Kayaking Adventure - River Tours
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River Tours
Mokau River
White Water Paddling
Waitara River Tours
Exploring beautiful estuaries. Enjoy a scenic trip with wildlife and wonderful views.
Enjoy this beautiful scenic river which winds through some of New Zealand’s lushest vegetation. Camping overnight and exploring some of New Zealand’s pioneering history. A true Kiwi experience.
Need some excitement? Take a kayak down a wicked Grade Two river run... this is a whole day of thrills and fantastic scenery down some of New Zealand’s best rivers.
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 Road Bridge where we will stop for a snack.
Phone Canoe & Kayak on 0508 529 2569 for details
Phone Canoe & Kayak 06 769 5506
Phone Canoe & Kayak on 0508 529 2569 for details
Allow 2 hours paddle only. Priced at $70. Phone: 06 769 5506
Issue Sixty Five • Winter 2012
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4GB card, and carry a spare. Set the image size or resolution high enough, so that if you do get a pearler shot, and want to mount it on the lounge wall it can be printed at A3 or even A1 size. I set my camera at image size 8MB and compression Fine. At this setting I can take 626 photos on a 4GB memory card. Enough for most weekends! If I do need more, then I can change the compression to Normal and get 1224 shots. When downloaded, the 8MB raw image compresses down to about 3 - 4MB as a JPG. This size will keep James happy when you send in photos to accompany stories in this magazine, and if they are suitable allow him to use them for an A3 centrefold or A4 front cover print. Another reason for setting your camera at a high resolution is that it allows you to crop a photo. Occasionally you want to trim or crop the
got in the way of a good composition. Apart from the stuff that came with my camera, the other hardware I use is a battery charger that works independently from my camera/ computer. I’m often away from my computer and some times four
Essential accessories – spare batteries, battery charger for power mains or car cigarette lighter, spare memory card
full sized image at 3MB
(Mags Ramsey portrait) cropped to enlarge the subject, At 370KB it is still large enough to print a 4 x 6” photo.
photo to enhance the subject or make the subject more dominant. Sometimes you just cannot get close enough to the action and need to get rid of surplus foreground, or a stray elbow or boat that somehow
batteries are just not enough! Being very conscious of losing photos or computer files by fire, theft or other misadventure, after downloading to my computer I always save my photos to a USB external drive which is kept in my emergency ‘grab bag’ and once a year before cleaning up my computer files, I put the past year’s photos on discs and store those at ‘Mum’s’. This means that at any one time my photos are in at least two storage devices and places. Other extras I consider essential are a tripod (love my Gorilla) and when on the water, a float. Do test these; the fancy anchor shaped ones are not buoyant enough for the average compact camera. A lens cleaner is a good idea, and if you do have a waterproof camera use the brush to clean the invisible dust off the seals every time you open it. Lastly I use a card reader when downloading my photos. It is simpler than using the camera and its various leads. Beside which, I’d just hate it if my camera was tied up doing its laborious dual thing of downloading and charging the battery and I looked out my office window and saw some orcas cruising by! Next issue I’ll talk about composition.
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Send us your photos. Unable to get close to the action (Sue Levett rolling) cropped of extraneous material
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Issue Sixty Five • Winter 2012
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>> TOWING
Towing – Part 2
Co Written by Steve Smith and Peter Townend
Ben & Emelie demonstrate a tow. Note the daisy chained tow line allowing a longer tow if in rough conditions.
In Issue 64 of the magazine we tested three towing methods; the bungee direct tow system, the short/direct tow and a ‘dog leash’ tow. We looked at some other options and tested a further three methods; again exploring the pro’s and cons of each. These include the cowtail, cockpit rim tow and pouch / tow-belt tow. The conditions were fairly calm in each case and we experimented with short and long tows. Jargon; PFD stands for ‘Personal Flotation Device: also known as a buoyancy aid and incorrectly as a life jacket. A life jacket has flotation behind the head to help turn the wearer face up, which helps an unconscious person in the water. Instructor’s PFD and Cow Tail Tow Line Using a cow tail tow line you can short-tow a partner in need of assistance, stop your kayak drifting away after a wet exit, clip onto a paddle allowing you to tow it back to the owner and clip into a throw line for a long open-water tow. It is also very useful to remove an injured person from the water in an assisted swimming rescue. The rescue team uses a throw rope clipped onto the rescue swimmer’s cow tail. He or she swims to the injured party and the team pulls both to safety. A cow tail consists of bungee cord inside a webbing tube, a carabiner and a fixed ring. The ring is attached with a quick release system on the Instructor’s PFD . The Instructor’s PFD is designed so that when: 1. The tow needs to be disengaged quickly, the rescuer can get free. 2. When the quick release buckle is undone, the rescuer is still secure in his or her PFD. 3. The PFD is constructed to take the stresses of towing and will not damage and fail when stress is put on the tow point. 4. That the anchor point for the carabiner on the PFD is designed to automatically release under pressure. The fixed ring of the cowtail is threaded onto the PFD’s webbing belt.
The quick release buckle on the PFD.
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To ensure correct fitting the PFD webbing belt must be threaded through the fixed ring on the cowtail so that it sits between the two vertical webbing loops on the back of the PFD. Then thread the webbing belt back through the remaining webbing loops on the PFD. The quick release system allows the wearer at any time to detach from the cow tail and paddle or swim away. This must leave the PFD still firmly attached to the wearer. In other words the PFD uses clips, zips and cinches to firmly fit the PFD to the paddler and does not rely on the tow system belt to stay on the paddler. Short tow with cow tail. A cow tail can be deployed quickly to the bow of a kayak that needs a short tow to move to safety. Or used as an extended tow using an extension of rope. This line could be daisy chained to reduce its length until required, or a throw rope is another simple tool which gives more options for a tow and keeps loose rope packed up out of harm’s way. PRO’s • Compact and easy to stow • Multiple applications • Ease of towing Con’s • Training is required to ensure proper safe use. Cockpit rim tow This was tested and worked well enough. It does however have the potential to become dangerous if the loop around the cockpit comes free and ends up around the Rescuer’s body. For this reason we feel it has not met the standard required to be promoted as a safe tow system. Tow-belt pouch A tow belt is a compact self-contained tow system that incorporates a length of towline, bungee web strap and storage bag. If your PFD does not have an integral tow line attachment then a tow belt pouch is a useful piece of equipment to have. The tow belt pouch is worn around the waist and sits between the bottom of the PFD and above the kayak’s cockpit. To deploy, the towline is connected with a carabiner to the bow handle of the kayak being towed. If the tow system needs to be released then the tow-belt worn
The cow tail sits between the two vertical webbing loops on the back of the PFD.
Issue Sixty Five • Winter 2012
The tow belt sits nicely below the PFD
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A short tow.
The tow pouch is easily removed. around the waist can be removed using the quick release buckle. It is again possible to shorten the tow system by daisy-chaining the towline Pro’s: • Quick & easy to deploy. • Compact. • Doesn’t require boat-mounted hardware. • Quick release buckle allows for safe release if necessary. Con’s: • Additional piece of equipment to carry • Could be cumbersome with some kayaks with a higher back rest. • Quick release buckle could be difficult to locate as it can sit below the PFD and clothing. • Takes time to re-stow after use. • Longer tows are less comfortable than using an Instructors PFD with a fitted system as the weight of the tow is not cushioned by the foam of the PFD. • Not suitable for river work as the weights for many rescues can over stress the stomach where the system is located and as mentioned above that the quick release can become hidden under the PFD itself and other clothing. In summary A tow line is an essential item of safety kit for any kayaker and as we’ve shown there are numerous variations. Some brief examples of when you might need to use a tow system: • A tired paddler, in need of a rest or support in getting back to shore. • An injured or ill paddler, in need of help to get to safety. • A swamped boat, which needs to be towed away from a hazard while it’s pumped out. A tow-line should fulfill these requirements:: • Safe, foolproof, strong, reliable. • Simple to deploy – ideally you should be able to release the line from its stowage in one action. Undoing clips and hooks and opening bags is easy in calm conditions, but practice in more challenging conditions is required.
trouble just as easy as you can get others out of trouble. Hence good equipment, training and practice will give you the skills to look after your family and friends. Editor’s note; My favorite system is a throw bag and Instructors PFD (The Palm Extreme EV is my current favourite). I like this system because it is simple and flexible and does not have loose ropes that other systems have. It also is the same equipment needed for rivers and sea, not that we would use a long tow on rivers. I, and many other Instructors treat towing as a last resort. Good trip planning and the knowledge of what individuals can handle should prevent the need in most cases. You should aim to never over extend people to the point that they cannot look after themselves,. When they need a tow the group’s safety can be compromised in other areas. Towing someone should be treated as an incident. Review your trip planning and the paddlers’ skills to see how it could have been avoided.
Steve Smith has worked for many years with Canoe & Kayak and has just left the role of Manager of the Manukau Branch to follow a new career path. We wish him well and look forward to seeing him and his family on many club trips in the future. This is also a chance to welcome back Stephen Taylor as the new Manukau Manager. Stephen also has a long record of working with Canoe & Kayak and has recently been in the store on Sundays. We wish him well in his new role and look forward to seeing him out on the water as well as in the shop.
Before towing another kayak you should verbally communicate with the paddler in distress. It is important to ask the paddler what is wrong, confirm that they won’t panic when you get within reach of them. If the paddler is hungry, thirsty, over-heated, or cold you can sometimes provide some immediate relief to ease the situation. Actions, such as providing some food or drink or locating warmer clothing until they can be towed to shore can help. It is vitally important that these towing techniques are taught by qualified instructors and then practised by the kayaker so they are proficient in the use of the equipment and the safe conditions to employ them. If you decide to make up your own system then get it checked by a qualified kayaking instructor to confirm A short tow that it is safe. You in action. can get yourself into
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Issue Sixty Five • Winter 2012
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>> SKI RACKS
Rack it up this ski season By Julie Landsdown Kayaking is my main love but winter brings its own excitement and as a keen snowboarder I always look forward to the opportunity to hit the slopes. After last years’ fantastic snowfall I’m even more determined to get to the white stuff this coming winter. With so much gear in tow I decided it was time to check out my snowboard/ski carrying options as my car is always filled to the brim. Wet boards and bindings are not a good idea inside your car so a roof top option was much more sensible. All the main roof rack manufacturers have designed solutions for carrying your skis or snowboards and offer different options depending on how many you wish to carry and what sort of budget you have in mind. On
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closer inspection the cheaper ski/snowboard carriers are definitely designed for the budget conscious. Simple looking and heavier (without aerodynamics in mind) we found that the two board options were a tight squeeze and wouldn’t necessarily fit every width of board. There are also uplifted versions that accommodate These budget ski racks boards or skis with bigger bindings are easy to use. which was good. The opening button was small meaning gloves had to be removed in order to open the carrier. They clamp on to square roof bars and if you have an aero bar you need to buy an additional adaptor. They weren’t the quickest to take on and off as a result. They are lockable, however, and would do the job but other options were more appealing and for a bit more offered better value for money. The aluminium ski/snowboards carriers were definitely more stylish, lighter and had better features. Notably we liked the Rhino-Rack Series of ski racks that would adapt to pretty much every shape of roof rack bar with adaptors and could extend in height by 35mm giving ample clearance for large bindings. Their 554 series was great for four skis or two snowboards and was easy to set up and use. However, Thule’s Xtender 739 ski rack was a great idea, taking up to six skis or four snowboards. The large button made it very easy to open with gloves on. It was light and its main feature was that it slides out over the side of the car for easier loading and unloading. Me being short, this was a great idea and meant my clothes didn’t get dirty on the side of the car. It had the height clearance for my bindings and it was more aerodynamic, which is good on the fuel bill. We were very impressed with it. However, the new Yakima ski racks that have just arrived in New Zealand offered a more funky design option with the
practicalities and the budget in mind. They too offer a basic carrier but it was the ‘Fatcat’ 4 & 6 that impressed us the most. They have the lowest profile of all the carriers and look very smart. The universal mounting meant it adapts to most roof bar shapes (without the additional cost of an adaptor) and the supersized button was the easiest to use with gloves on. The integrated binding lift meant you could extend the height up or down depending on what you were carrying and what binding size they had. Locks were included and in all we thought it offered good value for money without compromising on design. We found the bonus with any of these ski/snowboard carriers is that you can also use them for transporting your fishing rods. Great in my eyes, as I’m tired of that fishy smell in my car. With winter just around the corner it’s time to get organised and get ready for the next ski season. Check out all the options and get advice from the staff at the Roof Rack Centre to see what will work for you.
The Thule Extender Bar.
Introducing the top selling roof rack accessory range from the USA. 30+ years of bringing products to the market, that work when you need them to.
Available in store now or phone 0800 4776 722 See the full range at www.yakima.co.nz www.kayaknz.co.nz
Issue Sixty Five • Winter 2012
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Tahe Marine Wind Solo 505 By Ian Cheeseman I have to admit right now that I am a fan of the Wind 585, so I jumped at the chance to take the smaller Wind Solo for a day paddle last weekend. I wanted to know what would I gain from the smaller 5 metre hull form. Well, the quick answer is quite a lot given the big savings in initial cost. The Wind Solo, like most of the Tahe kayaks, has a narrow V hull form with soft chines and at 560 mm in width is somewhat narrower than most NZ sea kayaks. In this case there is little rocker which means maximum water line length and hence speed. The kayak with moderate primary stability and good secondary stability requires little effort to maintain good speed. It tracks very well without using the skeg or rudder and rails easily. Given the low hull form it is unlikely that the Solo will be greatly affected by strong winds. To put the speed in perspective I had no trouble leaving all the plastic sea kayaks behind. The Wind Solo may not be quite as fast as the bigger Wind 585 but it will be way faster than most of your paddling friends’ kayaks. The weather was calm last weekend so I can’t comment directly on rough water handling, but can see no reason why it should be any different from the larger 585 which handles well in all conditions. A comment based on the 585 is that in large following seas the tail gets pushed around more than would be the case with more rocker in the hull form. But this movement is easy to correct with either the rudder or the skeg and is a small price to pay for the added speed of the longer water line length. Manoeuvrability is fine with the skeg up. The Smart Track rudder works well and the foot rests can be adjusted while you are seated
in the cockpit. Always a nice feature when you are jumping into a new kayak. The hatch configuration and ease of use are great. The day hatch, which Tahe calls a mini box, is directly in front of you when paddling and is just so right. All sea kayaks should have one of these. Just the place to keep drink bottle, snacks and sunglasses at hand. The hatch interior is quite narrow but this means it does not take up much cockpit room. I personally found the cockpit roomy while still being narrow enough for my knees to lock comfortably into the side of the hull. The seat is comfortable though I should say that I always personalise my kayak seats. I added a few small pieces of extra foam in my personal 585 seat. It now has all day comfort. The hatch covers lock directly onto the hull with no neoprene cover to fuss over. As with all the Tahe kayaks the finish is first class. All the little details have been thought through, everywhere inside and out is beautiful. Just what you would expect from a large European manufacturer. The Wind Solo is a straight up touring sea kayak. It combines easy to maintain speed and stability with great comfort and good storage capability. Given the type of paddling most of us do around the New Zealand coast and in our lakes, this kayak has the right performance and features to suit how most of us paddle. If you are ready for a new sea kayak I suggest taking the Wind Solo for a test paddle. Like me you may find yourself the owner of a Tahe kayak. Editors note: Ian Cheeseman is the local importer for Tahe Marine and is an avid kayaker. These views represent his personal opinion. Larraine paddling the Wind 585 on Lake Pupuke
Factory Specials Composite Kayaks Wind Solo $3,490 www.canoeandkayak/windsolo
Seaspirit $3,290 www.canoeandkayak/seaspirit
Special Offer, Limited Time, Limited Numbers*
Wind Solo - Innovative, fast and stable cruising sea kayak with low V shaped hull for both speed & manoeuvrability. Length: 505 cm - Width: 54cm - Weight: Carbon/aramide 22-24 kg. Skeg+rudder.
Seaspirit - This kayak is designed keeping in mind stability and the easy manoeuvering. The kayak hull is designed with a shallow V-bottom with hard chine and flared sides, which will secure stable performance. Length: 520cm - Width: 56 cm - Weight: Carbon/aramide 22-24 kg - Retractable skeg+rudder.
Find out more and organise a demo paddle
More Specifications: www.tahemarine.com
Phone Great Stuff on 022 049 5434 or Canoe & Kayak on 09 476 7066 during business hours and we can discuss Tahe’s kayak range and sort out the most suitable kayaks to demo. * Offer open while present stocks last. Limited colours available. Distributed by Great Stuff Ltd. For additional information, www.greatstuffltd.co.nz or email greatstuffltd@xtra.co.nz
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Issue Sixty Five • Winter 2012
TAHEAD-MAY12
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>> WHAT’S ON
Go With The Flow
What’s coming up in your region
Centre Auckland
May 13th - Huia to Cornwallis 15th, 19th & 20th - Sea Kayak Skills Course 20th - Beginners Trip - Circumnavigate Ponui Is from Kawakawa 21st - Navigation Course 22nd & 26th - Rescues, Tows & Advanced Paddle Strokes Course Rolling - every Tuesday evening
June
July
1st - 4th - Lake Tarawera - Queen’s Birthday weekend 4th - Tiri Tiri Matangi 5th, 9th & 10th - Sea Kayak Skills Course 10th - Beginners Trip 13th - Club Night 17th - NZKI One Star Assessment 21st - Navigation course 26th - Navigational Exercises 26th, 30th & 1st July - Sea Kayak Skills Course Rolling - every Tuesday evening
1st - Beginners Trip 2nd, 4th, 5th, 9th & 11th - Day Skippers Course 17th, 21st & 22nd - Sea Kayak Skills Course 22nd - Beginners Trip
1st - 4th Aroha Island and Keri Keri Inlet 1st - 4th -Queens Birthday Weekend - Lake Tarawera 9th - Multisport Grade Two Training 13th & 16th - Sea Kayak Leaders Training 23rd - Multisport Training Camp
21st - Multisport Grade Two Training
North Shore
23rd & 26th - Sea Kayak Leaders Training 26th - Multisport Grade Two Training
Manukau
26th & 27th - Dacre Cottage overnight 23rd & 24th - Tawhitokino Overnight trip camp and Tree Planting 16th - Whanganui reunion Dinner and pictures. Every Monday - Pool training and Every Monday - Pool training and Yakity Yak Enrolment night at Lloyd Yakity Yak Enrolment night at Lloyd Elsmere Pool 7.30 to 9pm. Elsmere Pool 7.30 to 9pm.
Rolling - every Tues evening
1st - Paddle to the Riverhead pub
Every Monday - Pool training and Yakity Yak Enrolment night at Lloyd Elsmere Pool 7.30 to 9pm.
Waikato
19th & 20th - Sea Kayak Skills Course 26th - Kawhia Harbour
2nd - 4th - Queens Birthday Weekend - Mahurangi 9th - Paddle to a cafe
Bay of Plenty
19th & 20th - White water/ Multisport skills course Weekend 1 19th - Motiti Island 20th - Aniwhenua Beginners WW Trip. 25th - The Tangaroa Challenge 26th - Lake Rotoma Beginners Trip.
3rd - Queens Birthday Weekend - 3D Rotorua Offroad Winter Multisport Festival 23rd & 24th - Multisport Training & Grade Two Certificate Assessment Weekend 2 3rd - Motuhoa Island
7th & 8th - White water/ Multisport skills course Weekend 1
Taupo
26th & 27th - Sea Kayak Skills Course
2nd - Multisport Grade Two Certificate weekend 1 9th - Multisport Grade Two Certificate Weekend 2 16th - Multisport Grade Two Certificate Weekend 3
5th,, - 6th & 12th - 13th - Multisport Grade Two Certificate training
Rolling - Every Friday evening
Rolling - Every Friday evening
Rolling - Every Friday evening
28th - 30th - Mokau to Kawhia Rolling - Every Wednesday evening
1st - 4th -Queens Birthday Weekend - Club trip to the Rotorua lakes. Rolling - Every Wednesday evening
Rolling - Every Wednesday evening
26th & 27th - Sea Kayak Skills Course
2nd - 4th -Queens Birthday Weekend - Club trip to Taupo
Taranaki
Wellington
Also
13th - 17th - Nelson Lakes
31st August - 2nd September - Matakana Moonlighting (North Shore) 19th -22nd October - Labour weekend - Urupukapuka, Bay of Islands (Auckland Club) 17th - 18th November - Park to Park in pairs... (North Shore)
For more details go to www.canoeandkayak/events
>> COURSES
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BUYERS GUIDE
nz
Our most popular course. Come and learn all the skills you need to become a confident and competent kayaker. Over the weekend you will learn paddle skills, rescues and what’s more you’ll meet other awesome people like you! All paddlers who complete this course become members of the ‘Yakity Yak Club’. Don’t have a kayak? Don’t worry, all paddling gear and even a yummy lunch is supplied.
Surfing is fun when you know how, and guess what? It’s easy! We’ll start you in small surf sit-on-tops and build your skills until you’re a pro. Surfing builds confidence for all kayakers, plus it is a great way to spend a day at the beach. All paddling gear provided, just bring a smile.
Learning to Eskimo roll is easy. With the right techniques you’ll be rolling in no time. Learn in a heated pool over four evening sessions, starting in a white water kayak and progressing to a sea kayak. If you’re learning to surf, having a confident Eskimo roll will double the fun! And you’ll look impressive too.
This weekend course will build on your skills in a realistic environment, based at a remote camping site. Along with paddling technique we cover trip planning, preparation and decision making on the water. A must for paddlers planning overnight trips or multi-day expeditions.
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www.kayaknz.co.nz
White Water paddlers must have a solid base of skills and this is the course to get you started. This weekend course starts in a heated pool, progressing from flat water to moving water, always at a pace you are comfortable with. It’s a great way to meet paddlers and build your skills together.
Designed to build on skills learnt on the Intro Course, this weekend focuses on building your confidence on fast moving water and culminates in a Grade Two river paddle on the Sunday. The course will help you fine tune eddie turns, ferry gliding, rolling, surfing, and introduces new skills in river rescue and river reading techniques.
This course is a comprehensive package of instruction and coaching designed to progressively build your kayaking skills to Grade Two racing certificate level. Run over three weekends, your confidence on the water and river reading skills will help make your day a huge success.
Ready for Grade Three Rivers? Sharpen up your white water skills and be prepared to negotiate higher Grade Three rapids with confidence. Learning some simple rodeo moves, advanced paddle technique and playing in holes will help you achieve your goals in advanced white water paddling. This weekend course has a strong focus on safety and sound decision making.
Are you a confident paddler in Grade Two rivers? Before you make the big move to Grade Three you must have the skills covered in this two day River Rescue Course. We will teach you the skills required to cope with entrapments, kayak wraps, swimming kayakers and their equipment.
There’s not always a TV for a weather forecast where we end up, so knowing how to understand the weather is an important skill. You will learn how to forecast weather using maps and the clouds. Navigate using charts and a compass over four evening sessions. Another essential course for paddlers getting right out there.
www.kayaknz.co.nz
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>> RECREATIONAL
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The Play is the perfect kayak for the family. The Play is lightweight and compact, simple to transport, load and unload and can be quickly launched and easily manoeuvred. Stability is provided by a shallow V-shaped hull that enhances manoeuvrability and tracking. The clean deck design, comfortable cockpit area make it easy to use. Three foot positions for different length legs make it an excellent choice for sharing by the whole family or a group of friends. Length: 3.1 m Width: 710 mm Weight: 18 kg
Prices start at $545
The Escape is the perfect sit-on-top to throw in the water at a moments notice for a float, a quick fishing trip or to catch a sunset. Perfect for women, children and average size men. The Escape can be outfitted with Cobra’s large ‘A’ hatch, as well as the 10” round hatch. It has plenty of space for rod holders on the side rails and gear in the tank well. Length: 3.2 m Width: 790 mm Weight: 17 kg
Prices start at $795
We think that the Cobra Explorer is as close as you can get to the perfect all-purpose boat and one of the driest sit-on-tops you’ll find. Stable and fast with superb tracking, it is versatile for all sizes, shapes and varying expertise of paddlers. A great day trip kayak for exploring those hard to get to inshore caves and coves. An oversized external rear tank well holds all types of sports gear or picnic supplies. For fishing and camping there is a flush foredeck with plenty of space for a large storage hatch. Length: 3.4 m Width: 790 mm Weight: 18.2 kg
Prices start at $895
The Cobra Navigator, with its longer cockpit, is perfect for taller paddlers and anglers who are looking for the features of a larger kayak, but still want the manouevrability and easy use of a smaller boat, while maintaining stability, speed & tracking. The navigator can be fitted with Cobra’s ‘A’ hatch, as well as our small rectangular hatch. It has plenty of space for rod holders on the side rails and for gear and accessories in the tank well. Length: 3.8 m Width: 790 mm Weight: 22 kg
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Prices start at $995 www.kayaknz.co.nz
When one is not enough - the Cobra Tandem. One of the lightest two-seaters on the market, it is more manageable than other tandems and can be easily loaded on top of the car. The Tandem is easy to manoeuver and offers a fast stable ride. The top deck design allows for both a forward and rear seat. There is plenty of room to stow cargo. Reconfigured, the Tandem also makes a great fishing kayak with room for the long-line or the crayfish pot plus up to six rod-holders.
Prices start at $995
Length: 3.8 m Width: 915 mm Weight: 26 kg
Here is a little cracker! The Firefly is designed so the kids can have fun. Little and light, easy to handle and stable. The kids will love it, if they can get Dad off it!
Length: 2.4 m Width: 700 mm Weight: 16 kg,
Prices start at $535
A great general-purpose kayak. The Escapee’s upswept bow and long keel enable the kayak to ride well over waves especially in choppy conditions. Its straight tracking gives good forward speed. You can have loads of fun in the surf carving in and out of the wave, or you can go for a leisurely cruise without realising just how far you’ve travelled. Length: 3.3 m Width: 740 mm Weight: 23 kg,
Prices start at $775
The Escapade is a multipurpose kayak suitable for touring and fun in the waves. The Escapade has an innovative tri-keeled hull to give greater speed and stability especially when loaded with scuba diving equipment or fishing gear. The hull shape and upswept bow also ensure good surfing in the waves. Fit a rod holder to this kayak and you won't see Dad for hours! Length: 3.5 m Width: 750 mm Weight: 27 kg
Prices start at $975
The Escapade II is an extremely versatile kayak that can be paddled by one or two people. It is a multipurpose kayak suitable for touring, fishing or simply having fun in the waves. This kayak has an innovative flatter trikeeled hull to give greater speed and stability, plus there are two moulded in holders to take fishing rods. The kayak has storage in the front and a centre hatch and can be fitted out with an extra hatch at the stern. The hull shape and upswept bow also ensures good surfing in the waves. Length: 3.5 m Width: 750 mm Weight: 26 kg
Prices start at $900 See More On-line: Download a free ‘QR App’ onto your smartphone and scan the ‘QR links’ above or visit our website www.canoeandkayak.co.nz
www.kayaknz.co.nz
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>> FISHING/ INFLATABLES
BUYERS GUIDE
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The Cobra Marauder has been extensively remodelled and is now a pure performance fishing kayak from every angle and offers excellent stability. Ample rocker provides manoeuvrability and smooth paddling as well as stability during surf launches and landings. A user friendly deck design offers you more than enough options to truly customize the Marauder to fit the way YOU want to fish, and you’ll see why the Marauder is raising the bar on what a fishing kayak should be. Length: 4.3 m Width: 780 mm Weight: 28 kg
Rudder & O hatch are not included in base price.
Prices start at $1345
The Cobra design team have created the Cobra Fish N’ Dive multiplatform fishing kayak. Ideal for day fishing, the kayak features one centrally located seat and a smaller reverse companion jump seat near the bow for another passenger or additional gear. A large well is located in the stern and holds up to three tanks. Scuba divers love this unique arrangement that allows for heavy loads and provides a stable exit and re-entry platform. Length: 3.8 m Width: 915 mm Weight: 28 kg
A performance sit-on-top touring kayak. Designed for the athletic paddler who wants to paddle with maximum efficiency and speed. A great fishing boat that is stable and easy to paddle. Very popular with free divers for its speed through the water. The low profile of the Cobra Tourer cuts down on the windage, enabling paddlers to maintain high speed and straight tracking with easy handling. Easily equipped with an optional rudder system. Length: 4.6 m Width: 710 mm Weight: 23 kg
Prices start at $1145
Rudder & hatch are not included in base price.
Prices start at $1295
For long reach fishing expeditions the Pro Fisherman is the ideal kayak. More than 300 mm longer than the Fish N’ Dive, the Pro Fisherman has a narrower beam and is lightweight at 24 kg. This means a fast manoeuvrable kayak, able to handle more challenging sea conditions. It comes standard with covered side storage compartments, covered bait well, tank holder, front bungy and rudder system. Length: 4.15 m Width: 730 mm Weight: 24 kg
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Prices start at $1945 www.kayaknz.co.nz
The Escapade F is a great starter kayak suitable for fishing and diving. It’s an innovative tri-keeled hull that gives greater speed and stability, especially when loaded with scuba diving equipment or fishing gear. The hull shape and upswept bow also ensures good surf landings.
Length: 3.5 m Width: 750 mm Weight: 32 kg
Prices start at $875 Note: Centre console not pictured
The SoT FishPro is an ideal fishing kayak. The large center well keeps things at easy reach with a lid designed to enhance the working area and a bait board lid with separate storage tray. An optional internal rod chute for protecting rods in surf is in development. Standard features include centre console, 2 hatches, bulkheads, 4 flush mounted rod holders, Railblaza Star Ports & saddles for thigh braces, seat or backrest.
Prices start at $3000
Length: 4.2 m Width: 680 mm Weight: 18 kg
INFLATABLES
Helios I offers plenty of storage space under the front and the rear decks, the adjustable foot rest provides a good brace. The decks are provided with elastics for stowage of small items that you would like to keep handy. Also available as a double. Length: 3.1 m, Width: 710 mm Weight: 13.5 kg
Prices start at $1595 A single seater sit-on-top kayak that you can take out of your carry bag and get onto the water in minutes for spur-of-the-moment exploring! Made out of a revolutionary lightweight and durable Lite-Pack® material, Twist I weighs only 6 kg and is undoubtedly the lightest inflatable kayak made of quality reinforced materials. Twist has an extremely stable hull with comfortable back and foot rests. You can stow your dry bag and gear in the secure cargo space at rear. Also available as a double. Length: 2.6 m Width: 790 mm Weight: 6 kg
Prices start at $1095
A sit-on-top kayak with modern sports design. The Sunny keeps on course well and is suitable even for beginners. With the symmetrical design and the simple seat fastenings, Sunny can be reconfigured from a double kayak to a properly balanced single in moments. Sunny includes: Two padded seats, 70 ltr backpack-able Dry bag / Carry bag, foot pump, repair kit and manual. Length: 3.8 m Width: 800 mm Weight: 16 kg
Prices start at $1895
Incept sea kayaks bring a totally new dimension to the world of touring kayaks for ocean, lake and gentle river kayaking adventures.These inflatable sea kayaks offer the convenience and portability of an inflatable without compromising the performance expected from a hard-shell. Incept inflatable sea kayaks pack down into light, compact airline baggage including kayak sprayskirts, seats, pedals, rudder and pump. Length: 4.4 m Width: 670 mm Weight: 15 kg
www.kayaknz.co.nz
Prices start at $3036 ISSUE SIXTY Five • Winter 2012
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>> TOURING/ DOUBLES
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The fantastically stable and manoeuvrable Kiwi has room for an adult and small child. It has two dry compartments for gear. Light, super comfortable and fast for its length. An awesome, all round kayak. The Kiwi comes standard with front & rear hatches and bulkheads fitted, while the excel & lightweight models are fitted with a retractable rudder. The ideal kayak to use in the outdoors for fishing and duck shooting. Length: 3.75 m Width: 740 mm Weight: 20 kg Std, 23 kg Excel & 18 kg lite.
Prices start at $1365
This comfortable performance orientated sea kayak suits all sizes of paddler. It handles well in rough conditions, it’s a fun boat to paddle. A modern deck on the Shearwater allows more leg and foot room. Combined with a new seat and padded backrest, the Shearwater offers maximum comfort for all day paddling. The rudder system is mounted to the hull of the kayak giving excellent strength and allows easy lift. Length: 4.8 m Width: 610 mm Weight: 26.5 kg std, 23 kg lite
Prices start at $2650
For expeditions where distances are to be covered in varying sea conditions. Because the Skua has a low deck profile it performs extremely well in windy conditions, while its longer hull gives it greater speed and allows it to respond in a following sea to surf the waves. The Skua has several new features to ensure maximum safety on the sea, including new adjustable thigh braces, paddle holder, rescue system and an easily accessible day hatch behind the cockpit. Length: 5.2 m Width: 600 mm Weight: 27 kg std, 24 kg lite
Prices start at $2890
The Tasman Express is an exceptional performance sea kayak. At 5.3 metres long, this sleek looking craft maintains good forward speed, especially when loaded with gear. Its low profile and flared bow enables this kayak to perform extremely well in adverse or windy conditions. An aerodynamic rudder blade is fitted to prevent drag and increase forward speed and turning performance. Length: 5.3 m Width: 620 mm Weight: 29 kg std, 25 kg lite
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Prices start at $2890 www.kayaknz.co.nz
The Southern Endeavour double is the ‘mother ship’ of Q-Kayaks’ fleet. Its length, combined with a wider beam, allows for excellent stability and positive forward speed. This kayak is fitted with all our latest paddle rescue fittings, stainless steel towing bar and moulded in paddle holders at the front of each cockpit.
Prices start at $3540
Length: 5.6 m Width: 800 mm Weight: 46 kg,
The Beachcomber Duo has great lines, looks fantastic, and performs unbelievably well. Its low windage design offers an easy to control double kayak. It has a fast hull and excellent tracking. The kayak has ample storage with the expedition model even offering extra storage compartments between both paddlers’ legs.
Prices start at $4299
Length: 5.8 m Width: 700 mm Weight: 28 kg
Cruise in Comfort and Safety! With its Flowtech Progressive Chine Hull, this is the choice of tour operators and keen double-paddlers. Large central hatch, as well as bow and stern storage: perfect for extended expeditions along the coast, as a duo or part of an exploration group. Easy and stable handling for kayakers of all levels. Designed to take paddlers of different weights and still give maximum performance.
Prices start at $5995
Length: 5.9 m Width: 850 mm Weight: 40 kg fiberglass, 38 kg kevlar
Incept sea kayaks bring a totally new dimension to the world of touring kayaks for your ocean, lake and gentle river kayaking adventures.These inflatable sea kayaks offer the convenience and portability of an inflatable without compromising the performance expected from a hard-shell. Length: 5.35 m Width: 670 mm Weight: 20 kg
Prices start at $3680
The Nova Craft 16 ft (4.9 m) Outfitters SP3 canoes are ideally suited for lake and river exploring. An awesome camping and exploring canoe. *Note: NZ models have plastic seats.
Length: 4.9 m Width: 915 mm Weight: 34 kg
www.kayaknz.co.nz
Prices start at $2385
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>> COMPOSITE
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COMPOSITE
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BUYERS GUIDE
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This is the kayak you have to try out if you are into Greenland style of paddling. This must be one of the most well recognised kayaks on the market today. With the classic lines and low volume it has given many paddlers the joy and the interest of trying something new, or going back to basics. Tahe Marine Greenland style kayaks have a particularly low volume and a tight fit to your body, which gives you full control of what you are doing and provides you with the feeling of being closer to water than ever. Length: 5.45 m Width: 530 mm Weight: 22 - 24 kg
Prices start at $4590
The Revals’ hull with rocker and upswept bow provides a dry and smooth ride over waves with precise and confidence inspiring handling and stability. The elegant Reval is ideal for the medium to large sized paddler looking for a versatile easy to use boat that is agile enough as a day boat but with plenty of carrying capacity for multi day trips. The kayak is equipped with Kajaksport skeg and the original Smarttrack rudder system. Length: 5.5 m Width: 540 mm Weight: 23 - 25 kg
Prices start at $4400
The Wind Solo is a good all-around kayak, suitable for a range of experience and a variety of paddling conditions. It is equipped with three hatches and spacious storage compartments for all the equipment You may need. The Wind series comes with a rudder/ skeg combination.
Length: 5.05 m Width: 540 mm Weight: 22-24 kg
Prices start at $3490
This kayak has been designed keeping speed in mind. Therefore it is the fastest sea touring kayak in Tahe Marine range, that can be used for marathons, exercise and longer expeditions. Due to the length and the hull design this kayak is best suited to more experienced paddlers. Tracking is excellent, due to the hull design. The kayak has as standard the Kajaksport skeg system or/and the original Smarttrack rudder system. Length: 5.85 m Width: 540 mm Weight: 24 - 26 kg
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Prices start at $4570 www.kayaknz.co.nz
The Kekeno kayak is designed with comfort in mind and is perfect for exploring, whether you are taking on the foaming waves of the east coast or the calmer waters of the country’s lakes. The Kekeno is ready to handle all the conditions and our unpredictable weather.
Length: 4.0 m Width: 630 mm Weight: 21.5 kg fiberglass, 19 kg kevlar
Prices start at $3595
The SeaBear Waitoa has been modernised to give today’s paddler modern comforts on the proven hull design. The SeaBear remains the classic touring kayak but has combined this with high standards in deck design.
Length: 5.5 m Width: 600 mm Weight: 26 kg fiberglass, 24 kg kevlar
Prices start at $4395
The BreakSea is round-hulled with soft edges - this means lower primary stability, but great secondary stability - and it tracks nicely. It can be paddled with the rudder, or if you’re keen, you can test your skills by leaving the rudder stuck onto the deck.
Length: 5.2 m Width: 540 mm Weight: 22.5 kg fiberglass, 21 kg kevlar
Prices start at $4495
A true high performance sea kayak with maximum rigidity. Fully constructed of kevlar with a mix of carbon through the cockpit area, this model weighs only 22 kgs. The Tasman Express Elite is also a narrower kayak with less volume than the polyethylene models, which combined with the lighter weight, make this a kayak which will maintain a greater speed in all conditions. Length: 5.3 m Width: 600 mm Weight: 22 kg kevlar
Prices start at $4590
The Foveaux Express is a responsive and playful sea kayak. Q-Kayaks’ original composite design, with a redesigned deck configuration, gives it the sporty look and practicality of a third hatch. The dolphin nose with flair, allows lift in the ocean swell while dispersing the water, and the low peaked deck performs well in strong crosswinds. A fun, nimble kayak. Length: 5.0 m Width: 600 mm Weight: 19 kg kevlar
Prices start at $4460
The Southern Skua has a low deck profile enabling it to perform extremely well in windy conditions, while its longer hull gives it greater speed and allows it to respond in a following sea to surf the waves. It gives maximum stability in the open sea.
Length: 5.4 m Width: 600 mm Weight: 22 kg kevlar
www.kayaknz.co.nz
Prices start at $4590 ISSUE SIXTY Five • Winter 2012
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>> MULTISPORT
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New, fast, and not so tipsy. The hurricane gives you the very best balance of speed and stability. The sleek deck is designed to be less vulnerable to strong cross winds, while the raised bow provides extra lift to prevent the front of the kayak being submerged in rapids and small waves. The Hurricane is user friendly with an adjustable seat and footrests, plus it is fitted with front and rear end loops for ease of lifting. Length: 5.9 m Width: 490 mm Weight: 12 kg kevlar
Prices start at $3170
Fast ocean going Racing Sea Kayak. The Maximus gives maximum speed and good stability in moderate sea conditions. The broad bow allows it to ride over waves like a surf ski without losing any speed, and makes for easier control while surfing a wave.
Length: 6.4 m Width: 510 mm Weight: 16 kg kevlar
Prices start at $3890
Used in New Zealand’s ultra-rough Speight’s Coast to Coast annual race across the South Island, the yearly ‘Motu Challenge’ in the North Island, and many other multi-sport events, Excalibur is the kayak for competition at the highest level. The Excalibur handles white water rivers or flat water easily, and its proven hull shape has helped create winners. The kayak is light and manoeuvrable yet offers good stability and great speed. Length: 5.7 m Width: 550 mm Weight: 15 kg kevlar
Prices start at $2945
One of the most popular kayaks for the Speight’s Coast to Coast. The Beachcomber has been developed using the best innovations from existing kayak designs to attain the finest quality and performance achievable in recreational ocean kayaks. These features have been streamlined into a new, high quality, rigid and safe kayak for both novice and professional users. Length: 4.9 m Width: 600 mm Weight: 17 kg
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Prices start at $3099 www.kayaknz.co.nz
The Rebel is designed for paddlers of both genders up to 75 kg. At 5.65 metres long, the Rebel is half way between the length of the Swallow and the Firebolt and is faster than them all.
Length: 5.65 m Width: 450 mm Weight: 11 kg kevlar
Prices start at $3210
The next step up from the entry level kayaks. Fast with good stability. Medium skill ability is required to enjoy racing this kayak. A very popular Coast to Coast kayak.
Length: 5.4 m Width: 480 mm, Weight: 12 kg kevlar
Prices start at $3000
This kayak is ideal for the beginner/entry level kayaker who is looking for a quick, light kayak with great stability. Also suitable for first time Coast to Coasters.
Length: 4.95 m Width: 540 mm Weight: 12 kg kevlar
Prices start at $2900
The Gladiator is the latest design from Ruahine and is our top seller. This exciting new kayak meets the needs of the larger novice/ intermediate paddlers looking for a lively, railable, stable, safe kayak with a good turn of speed. It is fitted with our larger cockpit, making it very suitable for the larger/heavier paddlers from approx. 80 kg upwards. Length: 5.9 m Width: 530 mm Weight: 13.5 kg kevlar
Prices start at $3210
The Firebolt is fast, smart looking and has excellent balance between speed and stability. It has an easy paddle entry, a fine ‘cutting’ bow, a low foredeck and a wider rear deck for more secondary stability. The Firebolt is faster and more stable in white water and less vulnerable to strong winds in open water. Suitable for paddlers from about 70 kg upwards. Length: 5.9 m Width: 450 mm Weight: 12.5 kg kevlar
Prices start at $3250
The Adventure Duet racing double is suitable for use on rivers, lakes and the sea. It has decklines, bulkheads and hatches and is great for recreational paddling and adventure holidays or adventure racing where one wants to carry gear in a lighter weight, fast double. The Adventure Duet is ideal when one paddler might be stronger than the other ( such as a mix of gender and/or generations). Length: 7.0 m Width: 550 mm Weight: 26 kg kevlar
www.kayaknz.co.nz
Prices start at $5760 ISSUE SIXTY Five • Winter 2012
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>> JOSH NEILSON
Paddle to the beat! Music blaring, waves standing and paddlers carving them up.
I remember leaving 4th form camp at the Mohaka with so much excitement for the weekend ahead. We were off to Taupo to watch the 1999 Freestyle World Champs at Full James rapids on the Waikato River. It was the first time I had seen the wave and there were people everywhere walking, talking and breathing kayaking! After a few days of being totally inspired by all the top guys we met Charles Sage at the Bliss-Stick tent and without much persuasion on his part we had decided to all buy a new FJ2 when they came out. After all, I knew I had to have this new creation if I was ever going to be able to paddle like the guys we were watching and win a freestyle event at Full James. After a tragic event on the last day, we left feeling a little dull but with a head full of inspiration. As time passed it was decided that there would be a memorial event for Niamh Tomkins who died at the 1999 event and every year friends would head back to the wave to compete. I started off in juniors and over the next 10 years competed and narrowly missed the title at every event. After a few years off, due
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to land access issues, this event was revived and taken over by Lou Urwin and Brendan Bayly. It is now known as Freestyle Jam at Full James or FJ @ FJ and doubles up as the NZ Freestyle Champs and team selections. This year I thought I was going to miss out of the competition due to work commitments, but last minute that changed, and I was off like a rocket, down to Taupo from Okere Falls. The weather was a little grey but the BBQ was going, the tunes were pumping and everyone was there for a good time. Unfortunately the dam power guy forgot to turn on the water for us and we sat there looking at an empty river. With a few phone calls Brendan had us on the water and it was a good start. Experience showed its face early with Bernd Sommer and Andi O’Connell showing everyone how to stay on the wave for the full 45 second rides. For once my judged rides were better than my practice rides and I was stoked to be back competing after time off injured. Tyler Fox showed the Kiwis how the Canadians paddle, leading the pack into the finals and we were all feeling the pain after many rides with lots of rolling and the familiar jet of water up the nose after each attempt. After my first ride in the finals, I was on my way to another near miss,
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flushing off the wave before pulling a single trick. As Tyler and I sat waiting for our next ride we noticed the music had stopped. We used some vigorous hand gestures and before I pulled onto the wave again the music blared out. The beat of the song got me back in the swing of things and the moves started to come off. That could have been the ride that did it I think. A mixture of good mates in the eddie and good music to paddle with and, after many years of trying, I had finally won my first freestyle event at Full James. The event was definitely not as big as the one I first saw there in 1999, but ever since then, it has been a goal to win there. Brendan and Lou have kept an awesome event running and it was great to see good numbers from the novice and juniors too.
Sean Curtis took out the novice men’s, followed closely by Chris Kemper. Andre Sperling pulled off some sweet moves that would have placed him well in the men’s too. Polly Green from Okere Falls took out the Women’s, followed by Courtney Kerin who travelled up from the South Island for the event. Courtney is currently over in USA getting ready for the Freestyle World Cup later in the year. So all up the weekend was a huge success and everyone had a great time! A huge thanks to Lou and Brendan for keeping these events going and to sponsors like Canoe & Kayak Taupo, for having faith in NZ’s competitive kayaking scene. If you like the sound of this weekend come along next year for some coaching and a little fun competition in the sun at FJ.
Photos clockwise from far left: Andre Sperling doing a blunt in the Junior Finals Julian Stocker from Switzerland in the finals.
Josh Neilson Photos : ©Rob Sperling.
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Issue Sixty Five • Winter 2012
49
To make a Daisy Chain with no flowers. Standing part of rope - or the Fixed end.
1. Make a loop in the rope
3. Repeat this process of making a bight and passing through the loop just formed.
Bight
2. Make a bight in the rope and pass through the loop from below.
4. Hold the standing part and bight firmly and gently pull to tidy the knot..
5. Repeat item 3 & 4. until most of the rope has been ‘daisy chained.’
7. To release the daisy chain: simply unhook the loop from the carabiner and pull. This daisy chain is 50 centimetres long. The rope used was 170 cm! 50
Issue Sixty Five • Winter 2012
6. To finish: hook the final loop through the carabiner and pull taught.
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