Issue 66
When things go wrong What do we do?
Ni Sa Bula: Kayaking Fiji Heli-boating in the Kawekas Rounding the bottom of the North Island $7.50 NZ $7.50 AUST
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Contents
Features
6 When things go wrong, what do we do? Incident on the Whanganui. 10 Ni Sa Bula: Kayaking Fiji.
Sea Kayaking 14 18
Rounding the bottom of the North Island. The Kiwi Quest - Paddling Paterson.
Multisport 28
Ferry Spotting - Double Cook Strait crossing.
White Water Kayaking 30 48
Mid Winter Heli-boating in the Kawekas California’s best run? ... perhaps.
Technical 22 33 34
Photography tips – composition Insight - Inspired - Innovation- Yakima Tying a Bowline
Regulars 5 35 36
Tara Mulvany leaving Oreti Beach, Invercargill, in her Q-Kayaks standard Skua which she is using to complete her circumnavigation of the South Island.
Editorial Events calendar - Go with the flow Buyers’ Guide
Tara and her partner Sim (Simon ) began their circumnavigation of the South Island earlier this year starting from Invercargill. They are kayaking in a clockwise direction and have completed kayaking around Fiordland, up the West Coast and across the top of the South Island. They are at present making their way down the east coast of the South Island. Their progress and story can be seen at; http://winterkayakers.blogspot.co.nz
Q-Kayaks Skua!
For all the kayak specs. and stockists, visit www.q-kayaks.co.nz or phone 06 326 8667
1st Plastic Sea Kayak -Trans Taupo Race 2010 - 2011 Circumnavigation around the South Island. Skua1208 v1.indd 1
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Editorial
Issue 66
Whanau Friday In past years my Dad hosted weekly family dinners on
Friday nights. A typical menu was homemade potato crisps, crackers and cheeses, then grapefruit with sugar, rye bread with pickled herrings or prawns, a roast, desserts, coffee and chocolates. Preparations took Dad two days for up to 20 friends and relations of all ages to sit around the table for a couple of hours. We caught up on the week’s news, heard what the kids had been doing and watched them being proud of their achievements. Older relatives told stories about the past and current issues. Then a group continued conversations, laughed and solved problems while sorting out the kitchen till it was cleaner than it had been all week. Dad ‘passed the port’ and whisky. These dinners stopped when two days preparation each week became a bit much for Dad. Like many things in life it is not until something is taken away that we realize how valuable it is. I realize that recently I’ve seen him, my sisters, brother and their partners, nephews and nieces less and less. As most parents will know, if the kids had their way they would watch TV or play on the computer, but our young ones really enjoyed these evenings once they got into them. We saw them grow in confidence through exposure to the older generation’s interest in their achievements and thoughts. Conversation gave everyone a sense of belonging, added to security while shared thoughts increased enjoyment of life. Why, you might wonder, am I writing about this. It’s because thinking about Whanau Friday, I’ve realized that getting together reinforces relationships, remedies problems, supports those who need it, strengthens us through knowing that people are interested in and proud of our achievements. Morals and humour develop on
the way. I find kayak trips are very similar. Adventuring in amazing places, talking with each other, sitting together at meal times or around a fire in the evening I’ve learnt heaps, fixed problems, laughed and enjoyed the company of others. On the 1st of September New Zealand Kayak Magazine launches a new web site containing articles and information which will make adventures for you, your family and friends easier to plan. We wish to bring more information together to support the kayaking community in exploring our great country safely. You may have an article or photo which adds to the collective knowledge and we and our readers would appreciate your input. Please go to www.kayaknz .co.nz/submissions to add your photos and stories or contact me at pete@canoeandkayak.co.nz Thanks for reading and supporting the NZ Kayak Magazine. Cheers Peter P.S. Treffery and I have taken on hosting Whanau Fridays, recreating the atmosphere and creativity of Dad’s dinners for friends and relations. PPS Now Dad can help with the dishes after 30 plus years of escaping them. LOL
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. 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 31) New Zealand – 6 Issues = $40 Overseas – 6 Issues = $60
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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: Lynda Langridge paddling on the Waikato River, near Little Waipa Domain. Photo by: Ruth E. Henderson
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WHEN THINGS GO WRONG, WHAT DO WE DO? By Peter Townend
At 12.10 pm on a beautiful day, Bruce was paddling a shallow, braided section of Ngaporo Rapid on the Whanganui River. He lost concentration, hit a rock and broached. In capsizing we think he fended himself off the bottom with his hand and was swept downstream. Within a minute the closest club member Larraine asked him “Are you okay?” “I’ve hurt my arm but I don’t think it’s broken”. “Keep your feet up and hold onto your kayak.” Martin, who had been following Bruce, arrived. The two of them endeavoured to get Bruce out of the cold water and back in his kayak using a ‘scoop rescue’. With an injured swimmer and a fully laden boat this failed. They were on river left where a steep cliff made landing impossible so they began to tow Bruce over to river right, where there were many paddlers already on shore. The current was pushing them downstream away from help, so Larraine called, “Hold onto my kayak Bruce” and paddled hard. Peter, standing waist deep, hurled throw bags. They fell two metres short. Martin pushed, Larraine grabbed a rope and all were pulled ashore. Six club members got Bruce out of the river into a chair on the boulder strewn beach. Peter, the group leader, suggested Harry (a doctor), assisted by Glenda (a nurse), take care of Bruce . Bruce was conscious and lucid. A skeletal survey showed the only injuries were to Bruce’s right shoulder and upper arm and possibly to his right elbow. Sensation and perfusion to his distal right limb remained normal. Specifically he had no neck trauma or chest pain. His pulse rate was 70 beats per minute and regular. He was immediately well wrapped in a sleeping bag and a survival blanket. Harry reported her findings to Peter and Russell who all agreed that evacuation by helicopter was Bruce’s only safe option. A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) was activated on the elevated western side of the river at the camp site. This site was chosen because the 100 metre high cliff on the eastern side could have prevented
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reception by the low orbit eastern satellite. At 12:25 Bruce was stable but very uncomfortable. Harry was confident that the source of his pain was the injuries to his arm and shoulder. Peter confirmed with Harry that there was capillary refill in his right arm and hand (demonstrating blood supply to his arm and hand was not compromised). The leaders considered the possibilities that the Rescue Centre might suspect an accidental activation. So a decision was made that another PLB should be set off from a different location to remove any doubt. At 12:40 Bruce was given small pieces of cheese to line his stomach before being given a potent non steroidal anti inflammatory tablet. This was done because his medical history was unknown at that stage. (He may have had previous gastritis or a stomach ulcer which might have been aggravated by the medication). He was then given two Panadol 500mg tablets and one Arcoxia 120mg tablet.
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At 12:45 Bruce started shivering. Bruce was fed 200 grams of chocolate and 150 - 200ml of tea with sugar and warm Raro drink. Bruce was covered with a second sleeping bag, a second survival blanket, four hand warmers and two hot water bottles. A thermal beanie and possum wool gloves were put on him. The group formed a barrier to shield him from the breeze and then used a tent fly to trap heat. Five people under the fly created a warm environment. One person supported his head on a pillow, others supported his feet which had been resting precariously on boulders and another stopped the chair from tipping. Harry supported his injured arm and shoulder. At 13:00 the leaders, concerned that the PLBs might not be working, decided that a party should paddle to Pipiriki to raise the alarm. At 13:15 Russell left with 11 sea kayakers and two paddlers in a canoe, 14 in total. Chris offered additional analgesia in the form of Codalgin (one tablet contains 500 mg paracetamol and codeine phosphate 8 mg) Harry gave Bruce two of these tablets. At 13:40 when a low flying aircraft was sighted, we fired a distress flare but there was no response. At 13:45 a third PLB was activated on the ridge behind the camp. Taking advantage of the breeze, a smoking fire was lit to try and attract attention up stream. Bruce was stable. Harry and Peter considered options. At 14:25 two more flares were fired to attract a passing jet boat. The captain of the first jet boat agreed to contact emergency services. At 14.35 while the first jet boat was still in sight disembarking paddlers, we used another flare to flag down a second jet boat. Its captain Ben on the ‘Bridge to No Where’ Jet also agreed to contact emergency services. It was obvious at this time that it was going to be a very late trip off the river with the remaining paddlers once Bruce had been sorted. So Ben was asked if he could stay on the river until we were all safely at Pipiriki; he happily agreed and popped up several times to check on us. Both jet boats left at the same time. At 14:50 Bruce wanted to lie down. As any movement caused Bruce additional pain, he was given two more Codalgin tablets prior to being moved. Two table tops were placed on the very uneven bouldered ground and covered by a black plastic wrapped mattress to make a comfortable level surface on which to lay Bruce. He was then moved carefully and settled in the recovery position on his left side with his right elbow and shoulder supported at all times. At 16:20 A helicopter was overhead. We secured loose kayaking equipment and extinguished the signal fire. Steve Owen, the advanced paramedic was lowered from the helicopter, assessed Bruce and agreed he had a significant injury to his right upper arm and/or
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Pictured: Main picture - The helicopter had just landed, we waited... Opposite bottom - Pete was throwing lines to Larraine, while she paddled hard. Above - Bruce being carried out of the river. Right - The patient bundled up on the table tops to keep warm.
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ISSUE SIXTY Six • Winter 2012
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shoulder. He inserted an intravenous canula into Bruce’s left hand and administered 50mg of Fentanyl (a potent analgesic) intravenously in preparation for moving Bruce onto a stretcher and into the helicopter. At 16:25 the helicopter landed. Bruce was carefully transferred by Steve and four others into the helicopter. Harry left with him in the helicopter heading for the ambulance which was waiting at Whanganui Airport ready to transport him to Whanganui Hospital. At 16:30 in Raetihi, Russell had cell phone coverage. He dialled 111 and learnt that the PLB signal had been picked up and a helicopter had been sent. At 16:40 the remaining group paddled to Pipiriki with Ben’s jet boat from ‘Bridge to Nowhere Lodge’ in company for the last few rapids. At 17:45 all were off the water At 22:00 we regrouped at Taumarunui Holiday Park and discussed the day’s events. Midnight = Sleep!
Observations A serious accident dominates attention. But it’s important that the group leader is certain that everyone is accounted for. We had a head count of numbers off the water when Bruce was still in it and, after lunch the number departing with Russell was checked. Everyone was kept busy, keeping Bruce warm, supporting him, preparing lunch and warm drinks, fire building. It’s obvious that whoever is best qualified for each role should be in charge. To avoid confusion the group leader needs to determine who this is and delegate unambiguously. Having delegated, the group leader remains the ultimate, overall authority. He or she keeps in touch to discuss options and determine the next step. With a doctor on board first aid will almost always be handled by him or her. But contact needs to be maintained and action agreed because the group leader’s experience, authority to order action and
responsibility for the whole group remains. We used a personal ‘number off’ system when the final group paddled out. As light faded we portaged all rapids to avoid the risk of having a swimmer. Ben rode shotgun in his jet boat. The best satellites to receive signals from PLBs are low in the eastern sky. Consequently we placed the first on the western side of the river; the second placed upstream on the shingle bank, was intended to eliminate Rescue Centre uncertainty about an accidental activation. After 90 minutes it seemed possible that the PLBs had failed to get a signal out. Joya and two young billy-goats climbed the ridge behind the camp to set off a third. Our other efforts to obtain assistance were the dispatch of paddlers to raise the alarm, to light a signal fire adding green material (leaves etc) to create smoke, to use flares on sighting an aircraft and jet boats. Support was asked of Ben, in his jet boat from the ‘Bridge to Nowhere Lodge’ to be on the river till we were all ashore at Pipiriki.
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ISSUE SIXTY Six • Winter 2012
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Equipment used was: 4 mini flares, 3 PLBs, 2 sleeping bags, 2 survival blankets, 2 hot water bottles, 1 water heater, 4 hand warmers, 1 tent fly, 1 chair, 2 tables, 1 bed roll, 3 large plastic bags, fire lighting material. On later investigation we learnt that the first two PLBs were faulty. Clearly we need to check electronic equipment regularly. The third worked and raised the alarm. This was a reminder not to rely on one means of communication. Adventurers may be wondering why the PLBs failed. One had been exposed to water on a PFD collar for several years. It was a submersible model, but water still got in. Its owner had, like many of us, not read the instructions. When activating it he didn’t know what would indicate that it was working! The other was frequently tested and developed a fault which caused it to go into test mode rather than help mode. Both units were returned to the suppliers. One was replaced, the other reset.On a wilderness trip cell phones or VHF radios may not have coverage and this is where a PLB is needed. However adding a mountain radio or satellite phone offers great peace of mind, especially when dealing with an injury and needing a doctor’s help. On this trip Harry, Glenda and their helpers gave Bruce the best possible care. But in the absence of these trained professionals the ability to get a doctor on the phone would be very reassuring to all. Because we initially relied on the PLBs we didn’t immediately send three, fast paddlers for help, light a signal fire, or look for cell phone coverage on a hill. The rescue off the water was quick and appropriate. Care while waiting was great. The team pulled together throughout the afternoon including a very fast paddle to Pipiriki just on dusk after the helicopter had left. Bruce is recovering well. Told to “Lay off the paddling for a while” he got round the restriction last month by not-paddling to the pub in a double with Peter and the Manukau Yakity Yakers.
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A huge thanks to all involved. We had an accident and that is always depressing. But when we lead active adventurous lives it’s sometimes unavoidable. On this occasion the team was well within its comfort zone and the overall outcome was excellent. As a ‘thank you’ a small pile of cases of Tui Beer were dropped off to Ben from the ‘Bridge to Nowhere’. If you have a few spare dollars please make a donation to the Palmerston North Rescue helicopter at www.rescue.org.nz/make-adonation/palmerston-north. These guys are the best when you are ‘Up the creek without a paddle’
Pictured: Opposite - We were all kept busy tending to the patient, preparing lunch and warm drinks. Above - The patient being loaded on to the helicopter. Below - We had to bunker down as the helicopter landed, having tidied the landing pad.
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Ni Sa Bula: KAYAKING Fiji
In 2002 I raced the Eco Challenge Adventure Race in Fiji. We won it but it was epic in every sense of the word. Leaving Suva we trekked through dense jungle, bamboo rafted the Waimanu River, scaled Mount Monavatu (913 m), paddled the Navua River and mountain biked greasy clay trails to reach Lautoka five days later. We endured intense heat, monsoon rains, tropical illness, navigation errors and gear failure, but we reached Lautoka, eventually. Now in 3rd place we felt we could take control of the race. Ahead of us was our specialty discipline, paddling. Leaving the beach on dark we had five ocean passages to complete ranging from 10 - 25 km. Lautoka to Vomo Island, then onto Waya
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By Nathan Fa’avae
Island, back to Vomo, to Beachcomber Island and finally Denarau Island near Nadi to the finish. It wasn’t all just paddling. We landed on Waya Island to discover we had a 12 hour trekking stage to complete before we could depart. Waya Island is part of the Yasawa Island Group, a chain of volcanic mountains that stretch over 100 km. Passing through in the race I locked vivid images into my memory. We climbed to the top of a rocky pinnacle to abseil off and all I could see below was white sandy beaches, turquoise lagoons and rugged landscape of green-forested hinterlands, framed by coconut palms. I vowed to return to these remote islands, only sparsely populated by a handful of villages camouflaged into the natural surroundings. Having done a successful circumnavigation of Kadavu Island (south of the main Fijian Island Viti Levu) a few years ago and rating that as
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Pictured: Left - One one bow riding, the other asleep! Below left & Below- Yawasa Island
one of the best sea kayak trips in Polynesia, I felt a strong pull to return to the Yasawa Islands, a decade on from my initial visit. From experience May - July is an ideal time for the islands and also a stylish winter escape from New Zealand. The search for kayaks began. We made contact with South Sea Adventures who run guided trips there and other parts of the world. Thankfully for us, they allowed us to rent kayaks which is not normally a service they provide. An exception was made for us based on the fact we had Three young children and joining a guided trip would not be ideal for us (or the other clients), plus we have extensive experience having owned our own sea kayak company not to mention many global trips completed by paddle. The plan started to hatch. Sail for six days to Tavewa Island (Blue Lagoon) on a yacht then collect kayaks for an 11 day paddling trip, the goal to paddle around the main island of Yasawa, which is infrequently done due to the trade winds blowing uninterrupted between main islands Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, leaving the east coast of Yasawa Island highly exposed. Further south is sheltered by Viti Levu. The kayak base manager didn’t rate our chances very highly, given our paddling team. I was in a double with my two younger children aged five and seven (neither paddled) and my wife had our nine year old, who paddled a little in another double. He summed it up dubiously as a “very ambitious trip”. Heavily loaded up with supplies we noticed a lull in the constant trade winds. (From 25 knots to 15 knots). Luck or good planning had us take on the east coast first rounding Nacula Island and finding a campsite on a very small island in view of Yasawa Island. I’m sure the images will speak louder than any description I can sequence. The high temperature of 25 - 30 degrees can be inferred by my pfd strapped close at hand on my deck. Day Two we woke to abating winds, so seized the window and headed to the north east coast. We struck gold. The wind died away to merely a waft. It was one of those trips where you end each day thinking “this trip can’t get any better”, only to find yourself saying the exact same thing the following day. Yasawa Island itself is quiet, peaceful and other than one resort and a small airstrip I suspect is largely unchanged from a century ago. All
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the local people we encountered treated us as royalty with many laughs. Rounding the top of Yasawa Island we got some appreciation for what it would be like when rough, even on a relatively calm day, the swell and wave size (two metres) was significantly bigger on the cape, stunning as it was. Now on the sheltered western side, Vawa Island was home for Three days midway through the trip. A private tropical island is something I adapt to fairly fast. Cooking on small fires, snorkelling hourly and sipping fresh coconuts consumed our time when not kayaking. While nestled in the shade, we read a number of books. Back on the water we toured south past Matacawalevu Island and went around Yaqeta Island before heading north to our departure point at Tavewa, where there is a ferry service to Nadi Marina. Camping involved visiting the local village and requesting permission from the Chief or Mayor. We’d just ask someone and they’d take us to the appropriate person. The ceremony was called a sevusevu. We would give them a bag of kava (we took 12 x $20.00 bags) and they would welcome us to the village and allow us to camp on their land. It was also our chance to get fresh water and often buy fresh supplies, fruit, vegetables and fish. Other highlights included paddling and cave diving at the huge limestone dome Sawa-i-Lau Island. Snorkelling in the Drawaqa passage in hope of seeing Manta rays didn’t eventuate but the coral and fish life was abundant. We enjoyed some short trail walks through plantations and stopping at Coral View resort for a cold coke was rather pleasant too. Speaking on behalf of my children, the actual kayaking was a means to an end for them. They’d often doze while we paddled, springing into action when we hit the beach; a playground of infinite possibility. Here they’d busy themselves until the moon
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came up and it was time to retire to the tent. Approximately 130 km later with all but empty kayaks we completed the trip we embarked on. It was a rewarding feeling of accomplishment. While it was paradise, it wasn’t always a holiday. We had some hard paddling, moderate swells and surf landings. We survived a mass mosquito ambush at one camp and got drenched a few times by rapidly moving storms. Between you and me, it really was blissful. Floating about in a kayak in Fiji, paddle in hand, sun on back … who can complain? Vinaka Vakelevu Pictured: Opposite page - Snorkelling was stunning as was the camping. Rght & below - Sawa i Lau Lagoon
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Rounding the bottom of the North Island - a sea kayaking challenge not to be missed By Max Grant
Bordering on Cook Strait, the Yakity Yak Club’s trip around the bottom of the North Island had all the making of a sea kayaking challenge not to be missed. Geared up and ready to go, Andy Blake, our trip organizer, gathered us on the Makara beach for our final briefing. “This trip is for experienced intermediate kayakers who have all their own safety equipment, know how to use it, and gear to spend the night out under canvas if things turn bad.” Andy made it clear in his briefing that he expected each of us to be of a standard to cope if conditions changed and that we were able to assist anyone who got into difficulties. But a clear blue sky and flat sea made for perfect conditions as 10 of us started down the coast towards Ohau Bay. Melanie and I had left Palmerston North at Five am that morning. A quick look on the internet told us to expect near perfect conditions
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Pictured: Top left - One of the locals seeing us off at Ohau Point. Bottom left - Andy giving his briefing with Mel & Martin listening intently. Right - wind turbines along the Makara hillside Bottom - The lunch stop with the Cook Strait cable sub station in the background
down the western coastline, but there was a sizable southerly swell which could make for a rough landing at Owhiro Bay. Good progress saw us on the beach at Ohau Bay for morning tea, waiting for the outgoing tide to assist our paddle to Oteranga Bay, our planned lunch stop. From Ohau Point the shoreline became very rugged while the skyline was broken by dozens of wind turbines along the coastline. They all pointed south – a southerly swell and a southerly breeze – mmm I thought. “Could be interesting later on when we round Tongue Point.’” Oteranga Bay is where the Cook Strait cable reaches the North Island. We had landed beside the old jetty and weren’t there long before a security van approached to find out who we were and why we were there. For security reasons the area is under 24 hour surveillance, but a quick explanation from Andy on who we were and why we had landed had the authorities convinced that we were not a threat to national security. With the Karori Rock Lighthouse now in full view, the sea was still flat as we made our way along the coastline after a much appreciated lunch stop. Further out we could see white caps breaking in the tidal flow
going through Cook Strait. It was comforting to be in the shelter closer to shore. First commissioned in 1915, the Karori Rock lighthouse, about 1 km off Tongue Point, stands 20 metres high. We spent some time kayaking around it with cameras out to capture pictures of this unusual lighthouse perched on top of the Karori Rock. Towards our destination at Owhiro Bay, there was a one metre swell. The tide was coming in, which would mean paddling into a tidal current having rounded Sinclair Head. As we got closer we could see huge waves smashing into the reef just off the Head. Taking a wide berth to
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Pictured: Right - Max Grant kayaking by the Karori Rock Lighthouse. Below - Paddling out from Sinclair Head to avoid the rough stuff. Max Grant is in the forground. Opposite page - This is taken just after leaving Makara
avoid the chaos, we found ourselves paddling into a threatening Three metre swell and a rip current. Struggling to make headway towards Owhiro Bay, paddling was full on, but once around the reef and closer to shore conditions were much better. It was Four pm and paddling in the shadow of the cliffs along the
shoreline, I became more concerned that we may not make it to Owhiro Bay before dark. Huge breakers were dumping onto a very rocky beach. I was preparing myself for a very rough landing. Nearing Five pm we reached the southern end of Owhiro Bay and the Te Kopahou Reserve Visitors Centre. Andy beckoned us to follow him in. We paddled just to
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seaward of reefs with waves smashing over them, to a gap leading to a small beach where a stream ran out of the hillside just south of the Visitors Centre. Finding a beach there amongst all those rocky out crops was surprising and it was sheltered enough for a straightforward surf in. Within half an hour we were changed, had eaten, and were loading
up the trailer for our ride back to our vehicles at the Canoe & Kayak Centre. Thanks Neil for driving us to Makara and back from Owhiro Bay. And a big thanks to Andy for organizing such an adventurous trip. We’re looking forward to your next adventure – crossing Cook Strait isn’t it?
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p.m. I S S U E S I X T Y S i x • W i n t e r 6/08/2012 2 0 1 12:22:01 2 17
The Kiwi Quest Paddling Paterson
Noreen and I limped out of the bush at Fern Gully road end; one of her boots was held together with a spare shoe-lace, my body was held together by determination. “Thank Goodness that was over” was all I could think of. I had done it. I was done! I had completed my self-imposed challenge to do or re-do all of New Zealand’s Great Walks in my 50’s. I had to admit the last couple of walks which had been dismissed as ‘daisy-picking, walks in the park, on six-lane highways’ in my twenties were a struggle thirty five or more years later. But the last park, and the last walk, Rakiura was in the bag. Lugging gear on my back could become a not so fond memory; I’d stick to stuffing it in my kayak!! Yee hah – it was time to catch up with the boys, have an indulgent long hot shower, then a celebratory blue cod meal at the Oban Pub followed by a restful few days doing day trips whilst we waited for Jim to turn up on the ferry with our kayaks.
By Ruth E. Henderson
Back tracking a bit – six months previously, the pressure was on; I was running out of time to complete my dream. Figuring that if I was going all the way to Stewart Island, I may as well make the trip a biggie - add a week’s paddling in Paterson Inlet and invite a few hiker-paddler friends along. As I planned on freedom camping on the kayak leg I needed to make it a tight group. First on board was Charlie Barker, rapidly followed by his mate Dave Cook from Rakaia. We settled on two weeks that included Auckland Anniversary and Waitangi Day to give us the best of summer’s weather and the least days off work, and although that was months out, in a flurry of activity we booked flights, ferries, backpackers, huts, kayaks etc. to make sure we didn’t miss out. Then Noreen Flanagan and Jim Hawkins jumped on board and the equation changed as Jim, being a non-tramper offered to drive our kayaks and camping gear down. The guestimate cost was a bit more than hiring, but the convenience and luxury of having one’s own kayak and kit was huge. So, while Jim was still towing a borrowed trailer (thank you Nick) with boats, wheels, paddles, fishing tackle and a couple of big bags each of all the other stuff, we had the leisure to rest, recover and do some reconnaissance; to contemplate alternatives to returning around Ackers Point in perhaps 30 knots (it was fair screaming the day, Noreen and I looked). It was reassuring to see that if necessary we could walk out, on a road from Golden or Thule Bay to Oban, collect our wheels or persuade someone with a Ute, to pick us up, or we could walk out on Ryans Creek or the Rakiura Track and hire a water taxi to fetch our boats. This possibility wasn’t idle speculation as Dave had once been stranded in the Inlet for over a week. Jim arrived all smiles; he’d had a calm crossing compared to our white knuckle 35 – 40 knot in four metre swell, journey across the 35 km of the Foveaux Strait the previous week. We spent the afternoon morphing from hiker – backpackers to kayakers. The Stewart Island Backpackers were pleasantly relaxed about us taking over the courtyard
between bunkrooms with five kayaks and kit strewn about. They were also very accommodating about us leaving our tramping packs and surplus gear in a lock-up room. The whole town from the welcoming Terri the Tuck Tuck shuttle driver, to the grocery storekeepers, to the DOC information centre staff were very friendly and helpful. I guess with 40,000 tourists per year (110 new ones a day) and their livelihood dependant on it, they knew how to be nice here! After splashing out for a dinner at the Crepe Parlour, alarms were set for six; we were raring to go. The next morning, we paddled out of Half-moon Bay in the silkiest of seas. Ackers Point was silent; Ringaringa Point was slurping noisily as we slid between it and Native Island. Giant bull kelp were furling and unfurling like living, writhing sea serpents as the tide surged in and out from the rocky coastline. Regrouping we agreed to head over to Ulva Island, whilst it was so calm. Now a wildlife sanctuary, Ulva Island once had the most southern Post Office in the world and used to raise a flag to signal saw millers in the inlet or settlers at The Neck that mail had arrived. We hauled out near the jetty and walked to Post Office Bay and across to Boulder Bay in search of wildlife. Stories are legendary of abundant birdlife and people stumbling over kiwi in the daylight. We had our toes pecked by South Island robins, heard
Pictured: Top left - Jim amidst bull kelp. Bottom left - Millers Beach, arrival at our base camp. Above - Forest overlooking Paterson Inlet. Below - Windswept flora at North Arm.
Join Us For A Kayaking Adventure - Specialty Tours
Taupo Maori Carvings Half day guided trip to the rock carvings, Lake Taupo... only accessible by boat. A leisurely paddle of about 3 km to the rock carvings. The largest is over 10 m high and from below in a kayak it is imposing.
$85 per person (bookings essential). Phone 0800 KAYAKN for details.
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.
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.
Phone Canoe & Kayak BOP for bookings 07 574 7415
Sugar Loaf Island From Ngamutu Beach harbour we head out on the open sea to Sugar Loaf Island Marine Reserve. View the scenic & rugged Taranaki coastline as we draw closer to the Islands. Enjoy the seal colony and experience the thrill of close up views of these fascinating marine mammals. Allow 3 hours subject to weather. $70.00 per person. Phone 06 769 5506
a few tui and bellbirds but the place was hardly an aviary. We’d seen as many birds, especially woodpigeon and kaka, in the mixed native and exotic roadside plantings and gardens at Oban. Perhaps we Aucklanders were spoilt with Tiri Tiri Matangi, and the developing sanctuaries at Tawharanui and Shakespear Regional Parks? Crossing back to dawdle amongst the Faith, Hope and Charity group of islands we were accompanied by shags, Caspian terns and black backed seagulls, but saw little other life apart from a solitary seal. Once as far down the coast as the oddly named, but picturesque Dirty Island the urge to set up camp turned into a race for the best tent site at our destination, in the Prices Inlet. As the bush goes right to the water’s edge, camping space was at a premium! I had chosen Millers Beach as a base camp for its central position; close enough to Ulva Island, the North Arm, South West Arm, Big Glory Bay and the islands or islets in between for several day trips. It also had a jetty, a shelter and not one, but two long drop loos. The DOC headquarters did suggest we sought permission to camp, as it is privately owned, but they could not provide us with a phone number… Ruth continues her great adventure in our next edition. Ed
Rakiura Facts
• The smallest, greenest, least built upon southern most permanent settlement in all of Polynesia • Approx. 75 x 45 km and roughly triangular in shape • Lies within latitude 46 - 47 degrees south • 25 km of roads • 29 km Rakiura track • 125 km NW circuit track • 70 km Southern Circuit track • 755 km coastline and 170 satellite islands or islets • Paterson Inlet has 160 km of coastline and 20 islands • Population 402 in 2006, 253 in 1901
Pictured: Top left - Dave in silky seas around Ackers Point. Bottom left - Faith, Hope and Charity island group. Below - Bull kelp framed by mutton-bird shrub and manuka.
Photography tips – composition By Ruth E. Henderson
Issue 66 Sometimes all you have time to do is to is to take a snapshot - a term originally used by English Hunters to describe a quick shot with a gun - but with a little thought you can compose your shot, create a picture to be proud of, and now, with digital photography, if on review it isn’t what you want, you can try again. If you don’t have time, if you are ‘taking pictures out of the bus window’, maybe you are on the wrong tour? Or as John Kirk-Anderson asks in his chapter on Photography in the “KASK Manual for Sea Kayaking” – are you a photographer who kayaks or a kayaker who takes photos? You may have to leave the ‘speedy Gonzales’ and go in the ‘cruising down the river’ pod.
What is the subject? It is all about using your eye. If you can see it, you can photograph it. But the camera sees everything, it is up to you to include or emphasize important material or exclude extraneous material. When composing a picture, your first thought should be – what is my focus or subject? Your brain and the camera need to zero in on the story you wish to tell.
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When things go wrong What do we do?
Ni Sa Bula: Kayaking Fiji Heli-boating in the Kawekas Rounding the bottom of the North Island $7.50 NZ $7.50 AUST
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Frame it Look at how you can best improve the picture. One of the easiest things to do is to add a foreground, a frame, to lead the eye into the picture and enhance it. On land the simplest and most obvious object is a tree, but be innovative, use a cave entrance, a flag, a fellow paddler.
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Rule of thirds Next, look at raising or lowering your focus: A picture split in two equal halves is usually not as pleasing as into thirds. Once you remember this, it’s so easy – just tilt your head a smidgeon, shift the horizon. Or think of making the sky or the foreshore your focus.
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Horizontal vs. vertical Try turning your camera ‘on its ear’ to take vertical or ‘portrait’ shots; they are the ones to make the front cover of a magazine! Unfortunately, kayaks, unless rearing over a wave and coming straight at you do not often lend themselves to vertical shots. Tall shapes; yachts, trees, cliffs, people are obvious choices for ‘portrait’ shots, but take both, decide later.
Subject position If you have a person or other object as the focus, still think in thirds plus the direction of travel. Since we read from left to right and top to bottom, this is the most familiar and comfortable viewpoint, so put your subject on the left. No, they will not necessarily move! It is up to you to shift your camera focus either slightly, just moving your hands or a lot by shifting your feet. Yes, you move, not your subject! This is not always easy when you are on the water –most paddlers will not willingly change direction! To get them travelling from left to right in your camera screen, it may be up to you to get on the other side of them. Then having switched sides maybe the sun is in the wrong position or the background is cluttered… Sometimes it’s a case of “two out of three, ain’t bad”.
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And consider - a scene that may look best in the horizontal or ‘landscape’ format, taken in the ‘portrait’ format may be perfect for a front cover needing a plain or non-busy top and bottom for the logos and footers. (see opposite page) Ed note: And this would be even more perfect for a front cover if the subject was facing you.
ISSUE SIXTY Six • Winter 2012
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Viewpoints
Remove the clutter
Don’t just look straight ahead. Maybe the thing of most beauty or interest is at your feet or above the treeline. Look within a scene for shapes; rounds, oblongs, squares, triangles. Step sideways and look again, move your feet, see the parallel, converging, horizontal or vertical lines or layers or curves. See the patterns.
Do a ‘double take’ – take another look. Sometimes it is easy to tidy the scene by removing something; that discarded paddle jacket, the loose paddle, the twig. Sometimes it is beneficial to add something; a leaf to the kiwi footprint to give scale or an artistically placed fern frond for a close up shot of fungi on the forest floor.
Shift the telegraph pole!
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We all do it; take pictures of people with telegraph poles or trees growing out of their heads or the horizon dividing them in half. These ones are easy to correct, and no I do not mean in Photoshop. Move your feet and shift your focus. Pay attention! In the case of kayakers, the usual problem is paddle shafts or blades either obscuring or slicing faces in half. Tricky to correct when wanting non-posed action shots. My only remedy is to be speedy and then slow – by this I mean paddle fast, ahead of your target and be patient! Wait for them. Get your timing right; be familiar with the timing of your camera. (You may need to turn the preview mode off to avoid that two second delay before you can re-shoot, or set your camera to a multiple shoot mode.) Pre-focus by slightly depressing the shutter, then when the blade on the same side as you is in or about to enter the water, CLICK, CLICK, CLICK. In future issues I’ll look at perspective, lighting, subject matter, and photo-journalism.
Remove the clutter
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 Six • Winter 2012
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LIVE THE DREAM
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Seaspirit $3,290 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. www.canoeandkayak/seaspirit www.canoeandkayak/seaspirit
Find out more and organise a demo paddle: Phone Great Stuff on 022 049 5434 or Canoe & Kayak on 09 476 7066 during business hours and discuss Tahe’s kayak range plus if you wish a personalised demo. More Specifications: www.tahemarine.com * 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 TAHEAD-July12
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North Shore Auckland Manukau Waikato
A New Look New Website A New Era! Coming 24th September There are changes afoot - Not only have we modernised the Yakity Yak Kayak Club logo, but come 1st September there will be a new Yakity Yak Club website too. We have had many compliments over the years on our current Canoe & Kayak website, but it has been a site of many personalities. A club site, a kayak magazine site and an on-line store. We are separating these roles into three separate sites to ensure each can focus and service the visitor better. When searching a subject, our search engine will check all three sites to give you all available information on the subject. The search engine will bring up trip cards, articles, product reviews, products and much more.
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Bay of Plenty Taupo Taranaki Wellington
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Ferry Spotting
Double Cook Strait Kayak Crossing
A group of adventure racers and multisporters completed a successful double-crossing of the Cook Strait on Saturday May 5th. The route Sophie Hart, Richard Ussher, Nathan Fa’avae, Dan Busch and Todd Jago took was from Picton to the North Island and return. This involved a 30 km night paddle on Friday to Tory Channel entrance of the Cook Strait. Pending conditions the group aimed to depart the South Island at 8:00 am on the turn of the tide with 28 km of sea between them and the landing point at Oteranga Bay. Expected to take between three and four hours, they planned an hour’s break before the return crossing, timing the tides to enter Tory Channel. The final paddle would be 30 km back to Picton, a total distance of approximately 120 km. Watching the weather closely all week the team decided on Friday to give it an attempt. The Cook Strait had been in gale force conditions all week withfour metre swells and 30+ knot Southerly winds but the easing forecast predicted Saturday to be one metre swells with a 10-15 knot Southerly. Not ideal conditions but manageable. The forecast for
By Morgan Jefferies
Sunday showed easing weather. Nathan Fa’avae comments “During the Godzone Adventure Race clean up Sophie mentioned it’d be good to have another mission so I floated the idea of a Cook Strait trip. She’d said a few times she wanted to do it. Having already done it twice I guess I became somewhat of a trip leader. Rich, Dan and Todd had all voiced desire to do the trip so I let them in on the caper. It’s an exposed stretch of water and I only wanted to do it with a small strong team. Except for Todd (who comes from Blue & White water / Outrigger background mainly), we’d all come off King of the Harbour (NZ Surfski National Champs) and other summer events so we were in good shape for a serious crack”. Departing Picton in sea kayaks at 8:00 pm after Rich reportedly shouted the crew Subway, they made good progress to the heads in three hours with a following current out of Tory Channel. At midnight they bivvied on the beach with a good view of the Strait in the moonlight. “About 4:00 am it started to shower lightly and wind picked up” Fa’avae says “I began to think it was going to be a hairy one, but given the forecast and the level of the team I was confident we’d do it”.
Over 800 competitors will vie for places in the 31st Anniversary Speight’s Coast to Coast race on February 8th and 9th 2013.
Grade Two certification and brush up courses run through out the year. Contact your nearest Canoe & Kayak Centre for details.
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ISSUE SIXTY Six • Winter 2012
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An early rise and hot coffee in hand, the team conferred and made a plan, head out and see what it’s like. The entrance to the channel is a turbulent piece of water on any tide and set the tone for the trip, immediately drenching the paddlers as they ventured away from land. Under a cloudy sky the team made way in fair conditions, a building swell and head wind. After three hours paddling they got within 4 km of the landing point only to be pulled off course by Karori Rip. “We knew the rip started to flow south at 10:00 am but I didn’t think it’d effect us as much as it did. We were paddling on an east bearing to land but by the time we lined up the beach we were on a north bearing. It was a giant vacuum sucking us south. I know the tidal streams are notorious but I’ve really only paddled with them before, not tried to cross them” Fa’avae states. After a break, some minor kayak repairs and a more favourable tidal flow, the team set off on the return voyage. Now with a tail wind gusting to 20 knots and a rising swell the group enjoyed some ocean wave surfing to reach the South Island in Three hours, an hour faster than the outward trip. “The return crossing presented another test. With a low sun directly ahead, it was hard to make out definition in the land. We had a bearing but were aware the tidal flow was going north, essentially putting us on a pendulum to reach Tory Channel. It was a fair bit of guess work for a few hours so it was a welcome sight when we got closer and spotted a ferry coming out the entrance” Fa’avae adds. By the time they reached Tory Entrance the tidal stream was at full flow but was flowing in the same direction that the party needed to reach safety. Mariners have for decades warned of the dangers of the Tory Channel entrance and the team got a taste of what takes place. Richard Ussher explains, “About 3 km from the entrance the tide in the Cook Strait started to drag us north, quite unexpectedly. It took quite a bit of work to line up the entrance, paddling against the flow with a fair sized swell to contend with. We were mindful to stay out of the ferry path since one was to enter the channel about the same time as us. Being close to land and among the currents created some very dynamic water hydraulics, with whirl pools, rips and overfalls. The waves crashing onto Arapawa Island sent white water high up the rocks creating a very dramatic environment. I think we all paddled through that section with our eyeballs wide open. It was a superb paddle, it was good the Strait made us work a bit for the crossings; it wouldn’t have felt right
if it was dead calm. I thoroughly enjoyed it.” Once inside the heads the team made camp at the whaling station (plagued by rats), before a leisurely paddle back to Picton on Sunday. Perhaps Sophie Hart’s facebook comment sums up the trip well and has Tui slogan potential. “Was super cool, crazy piece of water, lots of currents and strong tidal flows. Lucky for me, I just sat in the double and didn’t really have to do too much!” “Yeah right!”
Pictured: Opposite page - Dan Busch This page top - North Island ahead. Above - The Cook Strait ferry skims the horizon.
COMPETITIVE / COMFORTABLE / A TRUE CONTENDER
Ruahine Kayaks Designers and Manufacturers of Multisport & Adventure Racing Kayaks Phone: 021 273 0550
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a.m. I S S U E S I X T Y S i x • W i n t e 25/07/2011 r 2 0 1 10:23:11 2 29
Mid Winter Heli-boating in the Kawekas By Laura Clayton
Heli-kayaking on the Ngaruroro River is a multiday trip that every passionate kayaker should add to their bucket list! Combine crystal clear waters, world class wilderness kayaking, great fishing, hut access, consistent Grade Two Three rapids for over 30 km and the fact that you helicopter in‌ makes it a trip of a lifetime! Tihoi Venture School embarks on this journey twice a year with a selected group of aspiring young kayakers. This June I was fortunate enough to be asked to instruct on this fantastic programme and experience the river first hand.
The journey began at the Tihoi campus on the Western side of Lake Taupo, where we drove past the snow covered Mount Ruapehu, then 1 and a half hours east of Taihape on the Gentle Annie Road. At the Kuripapango Bridge we met the helicopter and began to shuttle our group, kayaks, equipment and food for the next four days up the river. Flying up the Ngaruroro valley with strong swirling winds and
Pictured: Top - Loading at Kuripapagno, the start of the adventure. Above - Dean about to Take off Left - Josh looking comfortable Opposite top - James showing how it should be done! Opposite bottom - Obligatory group shot on the water.
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would hold up. Everyone excelled and after five hours on the water we reached our next haven ‘Rocks Ahead Hut’. Day Two from Rocks Ahead Hut to Kiwi Mouth was the best day for white water kayaking. The group were excited by the bigger rapids, must make eddies and big holes that had to be boofed over! The rapids were consistent with not many flat stretches in between so everyone was feeling the pace at the end of the day. Day Three led us to Cameron Hut, and all the boys thought the kayaking was quite easy this day. I think they had just improved so much that they didn’t realise that the rapids were just as hard, if not harder than the first days kayaking. In the three days of kayaking we had easily clocked up 15 hours sitting, so we started a well needed run to stretch our legs… and to the boys surprise an impromptu swim halfway through. The brave ones swam across the river to the other side and back! A warm fire and food greeted us back at camp and random strong updrafts kept Chris (Chopper pilot and Tihoi director) on his game and left most of the crew white knuckled and wide eyed! The scenery from the chopper was breath-taking with huge mountains, deep valleys and thick native bush surrounding us in all directions. The rapids were consistently dotted throughout the stunningly clear waters… everyone was excited to get on the river! After staying the night at Nga Awapurua Hut our group of eleven boys and three instructors, embarked on the first day of our wilderness kayaking expedition. The flow was higher than usual which was ideal as not too pushy but the majority of the rocks were covered so clear lines could be identified and run by the boys. The kayaking was tight and quite technical for Grade Two and it was a good test to see how the boys
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everyone felt refreshed for doing so. We awoke on the final morning to a beautiful heavy frost, and the horror on the boys faces when they saw their wet suits frozen solid around their washing line! It was character building stuff… dunking the wetsuit in the freezing river to defrost before putting it on. A lot of people say that boys arrive at Tihoi and men leave well, this was definitely one of those times that helped prove that point! Other than that one frost and a couple of patches of snow showing on hills around us, we were very lucky with the weather as clear skies dominated the entire journey. Previous years have seen snow, heavy rain and strong winds but we luckily just had a bit of cool water. By the end of the journey a number of the boys had pulled off live rolls and were playing in waves and holes happily! Considering the majority had only been kayaking for one week before the trip, they all improved dramatically and were looking like solid kayakers! If you have ever wanted to do a heliboating trip but the West Coast seems a bit daunting, then the Ngaruroro is a must!
Pictured: Left - The boys watching each other’s lines Below - Packing kayaks in the morning Bottom - The view from Cameron Hut.
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ISSUE SIXTY Six • Winter 2012
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Organise food drops at each hut! Make sure at least one person knows the route as the huts are not always visible from the river. Pack all your warm weather clothes, loads of thermals, a thermos and have your fire lighting equipment on hand at all times. You are a long way from civilisation, so be prepared with a comprehensive first aid kit and working communication devices. Never hang your kayaking equipment outside on a clear night! Take pogies and a waterproof camera!
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Insight - Inspired Innovation- Yakima All over the world, there are trails to
blaze, rivers to tame and mountains to shred. So, for more than 30 years Yakima has been making sure when people head out to places they love, it’s easy to take everything they need to make the most of the great outdoors. We’ve done away with disorganised car boots, dishevelled backs of SUVs and haphazard Ute beds, and replaced them with the finest gear transportation systems on earth. Thanks to us, families needn’t suffer from toy deprivation during camping trips, grown cyclists needn’t cry in shame after getting chain grease on car upholstery and kayaks, skis and snowboards needn’t gather dust in the garage. We hold incredibly high standards for our products, after all, we use them all the time and there’s no way we’re going to use anything except the best. We make Yakima accessories more functional, durable and beautiful than anything else on the market but we don’t come up with our innovations in a vacuum. We constantly talk to our fellow outdoor enthusiasts to find out everything they
want in a rack, and everything they don’t. We follow them around (in a totally non-stalker way) and learn every little detail that will make their experience easier and more enjoyable. We call this approach “Insight - Inspired Innovation.” and it’s the main reason our products are so great and our brand is so successful. So, if you find yourself in the market for a carrying solution that helps you get to the things you love to do, you can rest assured when you buy a Yakima product, you have the finest gear-hauling solution money can buy. The great news is that the whole Yakima range is now available in NZ and Australia, call in to your local Canoe & Kayak / Roof Rack Centre store and take a look at the future in roof top or rear of car carrying solutions. Check out our websites for more information and alternative stockists, www. yakima.co.nz or www.yakima.com.au.
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 Six • Winter 2012
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Tying a Bowline
The bowline is the one of the most useful knots to know. It can be used for putting up tents, to attaching a towline to a kayak. It can even be used as the basis for a body harness. Once tied and pressure is on, it will not come undone, yet it is easy to undo, regardless of how much weight has been put onto it. Standing part of rope or the Fixed end.
1. Make a loop in the rope. Note: the working end exits on top of the loop (circled).
Working end - or the tail end of the rope. 2. Pass the working end through the loop from below. (Under)
4. Pass the working end under the standing part.
3. Pass the working end over the side of the loop.
5.The working end is then passed over the knot and down through the loop.
The rabbit comes out of the hole, around the tree and back down the hole. 6. Pass the working end under the small loop...
and lay alongside the newly formed loop.
7. Holding the standing part, the working end AND the side of the newly formed loop, pull to complete the knot.
When complete, the knot should look tidy with no kinks or twists.
To release a bowline: WITH THE WEIGHT OFF, turn the knot over ...
Locking bight
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and place your thumb on the locking bight.
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Simply twist your hand to ‘break the back’ of the knot. Note: a bowline cannot be un-done while still under pressure. www.kayaknz.co.nz
EVENTS >> WHAT’S ON
Go With The Flow
What’s coming up in your region
Centre Auckland
August 17th - Friday Paddle 19th - Tiritiri Matangi 21st - Sea Kayak Skills Course 26th - Beginner’s trip Rolling - every Tues evening
North Shore
12th - Mid Winter Swim 26th - Super Sunday Paddle 31st - Matakana Moonlighting
Eskimo rolling every Monday and Schools Canoe polo every Wedneday evening Manukau
12th - St Heliers to Browns Island 19th - Paddle Skills session 25th - Circumnavigate Rangitoto Island - Paddle to Rangitoto and climb to summit
Rolling - Every Monday evening [except Public holidays].
September 09th - Circumnavigate Rangitoto 12th - Club Night 17th - Kayak Repairs evening 18th - Sea Kayak Skills Course 23rd - Beginner’s trip Rolling - every Tues evening 8th & 9th, 22nd & 23rd - Sea Kayak Skills Course 30th - Super Sunday Paddle 30th to Oct 3rd - Multisport Grade Two Certificate Block course w/e 2 & 3 combined
October 14th - Beginners Trip 19th - Urupukapuka, Bay of Islands, Labour weekend
Rolling - every Tues evening 6th - Coromandel Kowhai weekend 7th & 8th, 20th & 21st - Sea Kayak Skills Course 6th &7th - Multisport Grade Two Certificate Eskimo rolling every Monday and Schools Canoe polo every Wedneday evening
2nd - Bottle top Bay to Drury 6th - Club Night at Manukau Centre 9th - Eastern Bays exploration 22nd - Bucklands Beach to St Heliers / Kohimarama 25th - Demo Afternoon/evening at Bucklands Beach Rolling - Every Monday evening [except Public holidays].
4th - Club night
Rolling - Every Monday evening [except Public holidays].
Waikato
25th - Games Night
22nd - Lake Tarawera Camping
6th - Sea Kayak Skills Course
Bay of Plenty
11th - Multisport Training & Grade Two assessment 18th & 21st - Leaders Training 25th - Okura Estuary & Marine Reserve
2nd - Aniwhenua River 8th - Anzac Bay - Sea Kayak Skills Course 14th - Waiheke Island 21st - 23rd Home & Leisure Show
13th - Motu Challenge
Taupo
11th - Grade Two Cert - Discover Sea Kayaking Course 18th - Discover White Water Kayaking
1st & 2nd, 15th & 16th, 22nd & 23rd - Multisport Grade Two Certificate 8th – 11th - Professional Development weekend
6th & 7th - Sea Kayak Skills Course 6th & 7th, 13th & 14th,20th & 21st - Multisport Grade Two Cert. 13th & 14th - White Water Beginners Course Rolling - Every Friday evening
Rolling - Every Friday evening Rolling - Every Friday evening Taranaki
Wellington
Also
11th & 12th - Sea Kayak Skills Course 18th & 19th - White Water Course
1st - Whakapapa Release - Grade Two to Four
Rolling - Every Wednesday evening
Rolling - Every Wednesday evening
18th - Sea kayaking skills course 25th - Petone fireworks display
1st - Sea kayaking skills course 7th - Lake Rotorangi-Wellington 15th - Sea kayaking skills course 28th - Lochmara Lodge, Marlborough Sounds.
1st week - Lake Manapouri/ Doubtful sound 13th & 14th - Kawhia Harbour Labour weekend - Mohaka White water Grade Two to Three Rolling - Every Wednesday evening 18th - 24th Marlborough Sounds
8th - 10th March 2013 - KASK Forum at Raglan
For more details go to www.canoeandkayak/events
TRAINING >> COURSES
BUYERS GUIDE
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SKILLS COURSE 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.
KAYAK SURFING 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.
ESKIMO ROLLING 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.
OCEANS COURSE 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
CANOEANDKAYAK.CO.NZ INTRO TO WHITE WATER 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.
RIVER SKILLS 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.
MULTISPORT & WHITE WATER 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.
ADVANCED WHITE WATER 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.
RIVER RESCUES 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.
WEATHER & NAVIGATION 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
ISSUE SIXTY Six • Winter 2012
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SIT-ON-TOP >> RECREATIONAL
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PLAY 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
ESCAPE 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
EXPLORER 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
NAVIGATOR 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
CANOEANDKAYAK.CO.NZ TANDEM When one is not enough - the Cobra Tandem. One of the lightest twoseaters 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. With deck space for up to five storage hatches, 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. Length: 3.8 m Width: 915 mm Weight: 26 kg
Prices start at $995
FIRE FLY 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
ESCAPEE 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
ESCAPADE 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
ESCAPADE II 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 tri-keeled 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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SIT-ON-TOP >> FISHING/ INFLATABLES
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MARAUDER 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. The keel design and tracking channels in the hull make for excellent tracking. 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
FISH N’ DIVE The Cobra design team have created the Cobra Fish N’ Dive multi-platform 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. There is no other kayak on the market this size that offers as much storage space. 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
Prices start at $1145
TOURER 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
Rudder & hatch are not included in base price.
Prices start at $1295
PRO FISHERMAN 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
CANOEANDKAYAK.CO.NZ ESCAPADE F 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 surfing landings. Price includes 3 x rod holders, running line, sea anchor, low back seat and an aluminium paddle. Length: 3.5 m Width: 750 mm Weight: 32 kg
SOT FISHPRO The SoT FishPro is an ideal fishing kayak. The newest edition to the SoT ultralight is the centre storage compartment. 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. Length: 4.2 m Width: 680 mm Weight: 18 kg
INFLATABLES
Prices start at $875 Note: Centre console not pictured
Prices start at $3000 HELIOS I 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 TWIST I 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
SUNNY 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
K40 TASMAN 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 Six • Winter 2012
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SEA KAYAKS >> TOURING/ DOUBLES
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KIWI 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 for multi day trips, it’s the perfect craft 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
SHEARWATER 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
SKUA 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
TASMAN EXPRESS 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
CANOEANDKAYAK.CO.NZ SOUTHERN ENDEAVOUR 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.
Length: 5.6 m Width: 800 mm Weight: 46 kg,
Prices start at $3540
BEACHCOMBER DUO 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.
Length: 5.8 m Width: 700 mm Weight: 28 kg
Prices start at $4299
SEABEAR II PACKHORSE 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. Length: 5.9 m Width: 850 mm Weight: 40 kg fiberglass, 38 kg kevlar
Prices start at $5995
K50 PACIFIC 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
NOVACRAFT - CANOE 16 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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SEA KAYAKS >> COMPOSITE
BUYERS GUIDE
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GREENLAND T 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
REVAL 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 relatively low rear deck helps prevent weather cocking in windy conditions and allows easy rolling. 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
WIND SOLO 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
WIND 585 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
CANOEANDKAYAK.CO.NZ KEKENO 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
SEABEAR WAITOA 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 $4545
BREAKSEA 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 TASMAN ELITE 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
FOVEAUX EXPRESS 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
SOUTHERN SKUA 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 Six • Winter 2012
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SEA KAYAKS >> MULTISPORT
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HURRICANE 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
MAXIMUS Fast ocean going Racing Sea Kayak. The broad bow allows this kayak to ride over waves like a surf ski without losing any speed. It is easy to control while surfing. In adverse conditions a low profile reduces buffeting by the wind. The Maximus gives maximum speed and good stability in moderate sea conditions.
Length: 6.4 m Width: 510 mm Weight: 16 kg kevlar
Prices start at $3890
EXCALIBUR 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. Like the TriBear, Excalibur handles white water rivers or flat water easily, and its proven hull shape has helped create winners. The gel-coated construction gives the kayaks needed sun protection. 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
BEACHCOMBER ULTRALIGHT 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
CANOEANDKAYAK.CO.NZ REBEL KEVLAR 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
SWALLOW 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
INTRIGUE 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
GLADIATOR 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
FIREBOLT 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
ADVENTURE DUET 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 Six • Winter 2012
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California’s best run? ... perhaps.
By Josh Neilson
We often talk about which is the best run in California. There is a mixed bag of single day and multi day runs making the top list, but we never really come up with a winner. Maybe this is because we haven’t done them all yet or because there are so many great runs to choose from. One Monday, Lu Urwin and I landed in San Francisco and headed inland to Coloma to catch up with some friends. Tyler announced that we needed to leave for Dinky Creek the next day. I had always wanted to do this one, but had missed it on many occasions. Lu needed to do some school work, so Tyler and I met up with Daan and Jess for a little mission south. By 10 pm we had driven all the way to the Kings River and parked up on a dusty side road for the night. We planned to set shuttle early the next morning. At 8 o’clock we rose and drove up the river to see if any raft guides had time to drive the Two hrs in and then Two hrs back out for us. It didn’t take much convincing to get John onboard and on the road to Dinkey Creek. Thanks to a range of maps and directions, we made good time to the trailhead. In front of us was a two hour hike downhill and then two days of spectacular kayaking. The hike near wiped us all out, carrying heavy boats and a severe lack of fitness, but we had to hold it together because it was non-stop
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action from here on out! Slide one woke us up and set the pace for the day! We knew we only had to make it about a mile (1.6 km) downstream but it was going to take us all afternoon to do that! Steep as! By mid afternoon we were at the main drop of the day. ‘Willies slide’ is a two part boof then slide into a sloping thirty footer. We all had good lines and then it was off to the next horizon line for more vertical action. We arrived at camp by late afternoon and we set up on a nice beach to watch the sun go down, only to be replaced by the roar of the fire. Over night the river would rise over a foot (30 cm). We were soon in our sleeping bags for what could be described as a very, very poor night’s sleep, due to over stimulation and a severe case of jetlag! Morning two was an early start, to complete the remaining six miles (9.6 km) to the take out before nightfall. The gradient did not let up all day and we slowly made our way down hundreds of sweet drops. We stopped for a bite of lunch just below the cleanest drop on the river and laughed at how many rapids there were, and how many we still had to go! This place is priceless! By mid afternoon we pulled into the take out, with the car waiting for us. We quickly threw a few beers in the river to cool down and packed up the car. The atmosphere was second to none at this point. We all had stories to tell about rapids remembered and were all fired up for some fast food after a trip of freeze dried food and protein bars. I am hesitant to say that this is the best run in Cali for me. There are so many sweet runs but I think if I had to choose one river that stood out, this would be it. Seven miles (11.2 km) non-stop, overnight, granite boofs, slides, warm days, amazing kayaking with good friends! You can’t get better than that.
www.kayaknz.co.nz
ISSUE SIXTY Six • Winter 2012
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