Issue 63

Issue 63

Sea Kayaking Paddling Hahei & Kawhia

White Water

Discovering the Upper Ngamuwahine River

Multisport

Speight’s Coast to Coast Checklist

Fishing

Getting Started

Gear & Courses 2011/ 2011/ 2012 2012 Buyers Buyers Guide Guide

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Contents White Water Kayaking

Features 6

16

48 All Black Victory - and a great weekend paddling.

Professional Development - Loads of fun & you

Discovering the Upper Ngamuwahine River - A hidden Paradise

learn heaps too.

Rotational moulding of kayaks - How do they do that?

Water safety champions 2011 cekebrated.

How to & How not to tie -Securing loads on your roof racks.

Roof Racks - Who do you trust for the right information?

Technical 20

Sea Kayaking 10

Off the map - Kawhia Harbour

Multisport 24

Speight’s Coast to Coast checklist - Things to do before the Waimak.

Fishing 14

19 28 30

Regulars 5 13

Editorial New Owners - Welcome to Dave & Laura

23 32 34 36 48

Product review - Escapade II Product - New stuff / Stocking fillers Events calendar - Go with the flow 2011 Buyers Guide What’s in a photo?

- Tips on digital photography.

Kayak Fishing - Getting started

Touring

06 Boat review

23

Paddling Hahei

Multisport

24

The Escapade II

White Water

48

Checklist

Upper Ngamuwahine River

Editorial

Issue 63

Paradise found.

The film ‘Last Paradise’, directed by Clive Neeson, was screened at the recent Outdoors New Zealand Forum. It covered the development of surfing and extreme sports and the stunning wilderness places that these took place in over the last 45 years.

It focused on: the changes to ‘land use’ in NZ and around the world over the years, the stunning locations and some options to protect these.

The message was clear. The beautiful areas we love are increasingly smothered by developments. As a kayaker I was particularly fascinated and disturbed to see the then and now of our coastlines. The pictures of stunning wilderness being enjoyed by the surfers and other extreme sports folk in the early days. And then the images of current times, with steel and concrete and beaches covered in chairs and umbrellas.

Our insatiable appetite for a home or holiday bach in paradise inevitably leads to destruction if, or more probably when, the next generation builds bigger, taller and closer. Our generation needs to consider long term human welfare, and preserve these paradises and perhaps not live so close but still have access.

What will happen over the next 100 years? I have read that the world’s population now grows at 6 times per century. Immigration, medical science and food production are likely to see this increase in NZ. Can you imagine your village, town or city with 6 times the population? I live in a seaside village with 300 people, 120 houses and baches. If the prediction is correct this will grow to 1800 people and 720 homes. That means the village is gone. Now only wait another 100 years and it will be 10,800 people and 4320 homes and the recreational space that we currently love will be under concrete and steel. But consider. Just down the road Auckland’s population of 1.4 million will be 8.4 million in 100 years and 50.4 million in two hundred years. What will it look like?

Auckland’s forefathers ‘created’ the Domain, Western Springs, Albert and Cornwall Parks, large areas for people to enjoy. Currently these handle people well enough. In contrast, long before the harbour bridge, land was set aside for North Shore schools on elevated land

overlooking the harbour. They are now surrounded by houses.

However the parks and beach reserves were not planned so well and are inadequate to cope with the current population. Long Bay Regional Reserve, at the northern extremity of the North Shore, has a 1.5 km beach, a ribbon of land along its length and over 25,000 people on a busy day. Imagine that in 100 years. You wouldn’t want to be there now on a busy day, absolutely not in the future Over the last decade concerned lobby groups have applied huge pressure and the council has recently expanded the park, but the surrounding growth continues and the back drop to the park is currently being transformed from green hills into thousands of houses. This will remove an important attraction, the feeling of being in the wilderness.

Like global warming we need to plan for hundreds of years if our descendants are to have a great life with some of the experiences we take for granted. It is up to us, and the next generation, to allocate large recreational areas and see that adjacent building doesn’t wreck them.

One of Clive Neeson’s messages is “get your children into our last bits of paradise so they’ll become the essential future guardians”.

This is such a easy thing to do and great fun to boot.

We are still blessed with stunning remote areas close to our homes, grab a kayak, learn the necessary skills to be safe and take your kids and grandkids to enjoy and appreciate and protect our paradise.

Cheers and a safe and happy Christmas and New Year Break.

Peter Townend To find out more about the film go to www.last paradisefilm.com

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: Gordon & Gotch SUBSCRIPTIONS: (see page 21) 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: Hahei Trip Photo by:Tony Barrett Contents page photo: The Professional Development team at the Mohaka. Photo by Preter Townend

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FEATURE >> PADDLING HAHEI

All Blacks Victory

by Patricia Gleason

And a great weekend paddling

Just like the lead up to the Rugby World Cup, the build up to the joint Hamilton/Wellington club trip to Hahei was much touted and, I must admit, well worth it.

After hearing so many great reviews of last year’s Hahei paddle trip, I signed up months in advance and was keen to explore the meandering coves and caves of the Coromandel from the water. Being from ‘abroad’, I am still experiencing much of New Zealand for the first time – and this was to be my first visit to this part of the Coromandel.

I yearned for a long Labour weekend of sun, unseasonably warm, glorious weather, and calm seas…not to mention an All Blacks victory!

What could be a better weekend than getting out in my kayak, meeting new folks from both the Hamilton and Wellington clubs, and cheering on the ABs? What is the saying about the best laid plans? With all my gear and kayak ready days in advance for this much anticipated trip, I should have guessed I wasn’t going to get quite what I dreamt of when I had to stop and refasten my kayak twice en route to Hahei due to the strong winds pushing it AND my car around on the road. During the second stop, I realised the tow flag had been ripped from the back of the kayak…though the rope tying it on remained…so I improvised with a rather small hanging reflector meant for my bicycle (thank you Kathmandu sale). At least I got my tent set up and everything ready just as it got dark and the crowd went off to watch the dubious Wales vs.

Australia match.

Saturday morning provided the blue skies and sun I wanted…along with the same blustery winds from Friday which were to delay the start time. At least I was away, it was sunny and warm, and I could kick back and relax. And then word came down the row from the Wellington crew that we were under a tsunami warning. I thought, “what?” They must be taking the mickey out of us.

Alas, there had been a 7.3 magnitude earthquake off the Kermedec

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This picture and two to the right: Caves and overhangs of all sizes needed to be explored.

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Finally, we hit the water Broken up into pods, we set off to explore the coast south to Hot Water Beach. The caves were awesome, and even with the weather fluctuating overcast to sunny and back again, the colours in the rocks were vibrant and inspiring. The highlight for me was all nine of my pod gathering in the roofless cave, looking up at the overhanging trees and discussing how high we might rise if a tsunami were actually to hit. Visions of clinging to the branches above with kayaks falling down amused us as we puttered about. And much puttering we did, in

Islands and all of New Zealand was under a tsunami warning. Fortunately, once the gauges at Raol Island registered such small fluctuations, the warning was cancelled and now all we were waiting on again was the wind to die down. Apparently the Friday paddle had been “exciting” with the wind, and a new kayak was appropriately christened by turning upside down, much to its paddlers’ dismay. The trip leaders did not want to have an even larger group on the water in those conditions.

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I S S U E S I X T Y T h re e • S u m m e r 2 011 / 2 01 2

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kayaks stacked up along the beach. The tourists were impressed, I think.

Sunday saw another great outing north this time, up to Cooks Beach. Cruising through the Marine Reserve, I was reminded to look down, and boy was I glad more experienced, thinking paddlers were on hand. The schools of fish were spectacular. The weather was warm, the sun was shining, and it almost made me want to go for a swim…if only the water wasn’t still very much in early spring mode! That did not stop our comrades from Wellington, however, as several of the crazy fools went swimming…not just a quick dip in the water, but were actually swimming…when we stopped at Cathedral Cove.

It was here that I realised our pod leaders might not be fulfilling their end of the bargain. Yes, sure, they had kept

Somewhere in the South Pacific (Hahei)

order to see and explore all the coves had to offer. So imagine my surprise when I discovered, that I, as a “confident beginner” paddler, was in the fast pod! My confidence shot up, which was good…and bad… as I decided to sneak through some rocks just as a wave was coming and my paddling and steering were out of synch to the rising water and SNAP went my rudder cable. Surely a paddler good enough for the fast pod doesn’t need a rudder?

The trip down to Hot Water Beach took close to 3 hours and our legs were ready for a break! Once all the pods arrived, some wetter than others, it was a sight to see 30 or so

Under the ever- watchful eyes.

It wasn’t all hard work.

the pods together safely, communicated well among the pods, and things were running smoothly. But there was a kayak group leader further down the beach, blanket spread, making fresh cappuccinos and doling out delicious looking homebaked biscuits for his group members!

When asked, my pod leader assured me that on the next trip, if I paid him what those tourists paid their leader, he too would ensure I had a fresh coffee at our stop point. Hmm…maybe I’ll stick with water enroute.

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With the groups slowly dwindling and our pod losing numbers with each day (I really didn’t think he was THAT bad a pod leader ;-), the hard cores ventured forth on Monday morning to explore two of the islands just off Hahei beach. There were sea urchins, better known here as kina, as far as the eye could discern below water on the leeward side of Mahurangi Island, the big island closest to Hahei beach. More caves on the windward side brought back memories of amusement park rides, with my kayak sneaking around dark corners in one cave before I decided I wasn’t brave enough to explore any further and made a beeline full steam in reverse for the exit. Another cave had a back exit to the cave next door, so we amused ourselves going in one side and out the other. Further along, with the entire groups meeting

up in the shallows between Motueka and Poikeke Islands, we enjoyed seeing small stingrays, and a giant grouper the size of a paddle fin.

From my peers I learned ingenious techniques for pit stops, when out on a long paddle with no place to stop. With the best weather of the weekend, it was truly a glorious day to be out on the water.

Team building Time off the water was definitely well spent, and enjoyed by all.

Saturday night saw all of us enjoy a potluck dinner, with enough food to feed the entire campground! Good times and definitely too much wine were had by most…certainly by this happy paddler. Waking to the chorus of tuis prancing about in the pohutukawa trees overhead brought life and light to the dimness Saturday’s wine had cast upon me.

Sunday’s mid-afternoon return from paddling was likely not a good thing for some, as there were hours to wait to the big match. In good club fashion, a spot was chosen and all gathered round, pulling out all the leftover snacks and munchies that could be found. Bevvies were shared and enjoyed. Some, who it may be argued were the smarter ones, ventured forth for walks along the beach or down to Cathedral Cove. In the end, we made it to match time – some just barely – and packed the TV room of the campground to cheer on the All Blacks.

While not the performance many of us were hoping for or expecting, victory was ours in the end!

The best summary of the weekend was a similar message shared by multiple paddlers from both Wellington and Hamilton. “There isn’t anyone here I don’t want to know.” That has been my limited experience with all the Yakity Yak trips I’ve been on so far, and I thank all involved in both the Hamilton and Wellington clubs, particularly Tony and Neil, for organising a fantastic weekend. Until next time…

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I S S U E S I X T Y T h re e • S u m m e r 2 011 / 2 01 2

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SEA KAYAKING >> TRIP REPORT

Off the map

By Ruth E. Henderson

In Kawhia Harbour

Overhanging limestone rocks

“There’s no island there” Sandy said, brandishing her GPS. “Yes there is”, I replied prodding my map. Having never paddled on Kawhia Harbour, when it came to organising a trip on this North Island west coast harbour – I had literally done my trip plan ‘off the map’.

This proved to have interesting consequences: the map was thirty years old and although the paper had held up, the land had not. Shifting sand bars, floods, slips, and farmers creating causeways all conspired to make a monkey of me and turn us into explorers.

We were a blended crew of eleven from the North Shore, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty Yakity Yak clubs. Meeting at the Kawhia Camping Ground we wheeled our boats out to the boat ramp to catch the tide. This is definitely one thing you can not argue with. The tide comes in the tide goes out, and out, and out! You have maybe five or six hours to play with, no more.

Three hours before high tide we managed to float our boats, and endeavoured to paddle in a channel over towards Te Motu Island.

Occasionally we slipped off the unmarked highway and ended up sanding our paddle tips as we headed for the white sands of Arapatiki Bay. These are a strange phenomenon as on the other side of the harbour the sand is black.

Then the oh-ing and ah-ing began. There were limestone rocks with topknots of trees, there were bald ones, fat ones and thin ones, tall ones and short ones. Stopping for morning tea in a sandy cove near Okura Point we stumbled upon a stupendous chasm. It was photogenic in its own right, but trying for a front cover for this magazine, we like Frank Worsley, the Captain of the Endeavour, tried to “dispose our manly (and

10

womanly) figures….as an accessory to the surrounding scenery…as kind of human metre to gauge the sublimity of nature.” Think the rocks looked better without us!

In a quest for Rakaunui Inlet we continued around towards Motukaraka rock. Mistakenly, we cruised into Kaitawa Inlet. But what a treat: as well as curiously shaped and spaced rocks, there were towering pillars, cliffs, and headland fortress’s knee deep in swards of oranges reeds.

Out into the harbour again the forecast wind of a Nor Westerly 15 – 20 knots had arrived. It was time to look at the clock and think about energy and water levels. Rafting up in the lee of Motukaraka we agreed to temporarily split up into two pods. One to have a leisurely lunch at the rock, and the rest to circumnavigate Tuapa Island, going up Tuapa creek and back via Rakaunui Inlet. The circumnavigators were back within thirty minutes…their way barred by land! After a quick scoff, it was time to do battle with the wind. Pairing up we settled in for the six km slog back to base, before the plug was finally pulled and the bathtub harbour was once more, more sand than water.

Most folk then settled into the hot shower and pre-dinner drinks routine, but a few of us ventured out to the Te Puia Springs to dig for our hot water. The biting wind and rain put a dampener on disrobing – except for Michele who was determined to tick this spring off her list.

Over a shared Indian “MTR” curry meal, discussion turned to maps and way points, wind and such; Rob got out his new Topo50 map BE32 and we compared it to my 260 Series R15. Consensus was that Ruth needs to update, however I maintained, any discrepancies between maps and GPS were irrelevant - it did not really matter where you went once across the harbour - if you wanted to explore limestone rocks,

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Limestone –

…

fat, thin, bald

Allison Orme crossing the harbour

chasms, islands, creeks, inlets and bays - this was heaven! In degrees of limestone - if the more northern harbour of Raglan was ‘Primary School’ stuff – then Kawhia was a ‘University’ offering majors.

That decided we then trooped off to the “Blue Chook Inn” to watch the rugby, after all, it was the weekend of the Rugby World Cup semi finals!

The next day the forecast was for a Northerly of 20 knots, so electing to avoid another harbour crossing and headwind homeward trip, we switched to Plan B and set out for a tiki tour of Oparau River. Crossing the bridge over the Mangaora Inlet, just past a rest area we parked at a convenient ‘Ministry of Works’ gravel dump site.

We had time to fart around waiting for the water, but once it nudged into Puti Point we were afloat. Directionally, on this day, we couldn’t really take a wrong turn; it was simply a first left.

Once up the inlet we were in a different world. The land was lush; grass and trees sported fresh vigorous growth, lambs and calves gambolled, ducks and ducklings scattered and dived as we passed by.

Mt Pirongia emerged from the clouds and the sun shone on the residue of kowhai flowers. White baiters busy with their nets greeted us from their shanties and jetties. All rather peaceful and pleasant; but the tide was turning…time to go…

Poking our bows back into the harbour it was obvious that sneaky ol’ wind had switched to a Westerly, so it was back to pairing up and just pushing into it, but this time it was only for three kms...and only 15

12

knots. And if we got a wriggle on, we’d be back in Auckland or Tauranga in time to clean up and watch the All Blacks beat the Wallabies…

Overall verdict on Kawhia? - Rae and Ork at the camping ground are very friendly and most accommodating; the fish and chips shop must be good as some people had several feeds from there; and it’s not too far from Auckland – only three hours drive.

An “I’ll be back” destination! Still heaps to explore including Te Makia, Te Waitere and Rakaunui.

Motukaraka rock – lunch spot

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NEW OWNERS>> TAUPO

Canoe & Kayak Taupo The new owners - Dave Duncan and Laura Clayton.

Dave & Laura come to the business with a huge amount of experience and have taken to their new business with lots of excitement and enthusiasm.

They aim to build on the great work Steve Kittle has done over the years and develop Canoe & Kayak Taupo into the centre of excellence for kayaking in the central plateau.

By utilising the stunning rivers and lakes within easy reach they aim to help paddlers develop their multisport, white water and sea kayaking skills to the highest level. Future plans include developing a white water kayak school, revamping the Yakity Yak Club and working with local schools to promote kayaking to the Taupo community.

A bit of history of Laura and Dave and you will see a vast amount of skill, ability and expertise that customers will find helpful, informative and fun.

Laura hails from Norsewood in Southern Hawkes Bay, and completed a Bachelor of Recreation Education in Christchurch before taking on various positions in the outdoor industry both at home and throughout the world.

www.kayaknz.co.nz

Highlights of Laura’s kayaking career include three months kayaking on the White Nile in Uganda, a Buller River Topo-duo Source to Sea trip and being a part of the Himalayian River Girls Expedition and club in Nepal.

Dave was born in the UK and has an extensive history of working and playing in the outdoors. He started life as an avid climber and Laura is trying her hardest to change him into a full time paddler!

From learning to kayak on ice covered eddies in England to sea kayaking in five countries, Dave has taken to white water paddling like a duck to water – he is already the driving force behind weekly Reid’s Farm and Ngaraparua (Fuljames wave) sessions. Dave has an Outdoor Leadership BA (Hons) from the University of Central Lancashire and has worked at many outdoor establishments throughout the world, mainly as an expedition and rock climbing guide.

We wish Steve Kittle all the best and look forward to catching up with him on the water and at the pub as he is staying on in Taupo instructing and guiding with Dave and Laura this summer.

The team at Canoe & Kayak welcomes Dave and Laura, and I know the Yakity Yak Kayak Club Members and customers will wish them all the best too.

Cheers Peter Townend

Above: Laura (Circled) in Nepal with a group of female Nepalese students and co-instructors.

Below left: Dave sea Kayaking in sunnier climes. Below: Laura is quite happy in the big stuff.

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13

FISHING>> GETTING STARTED

Fishing from your kayak - Getting started.

Fishing is great fun and simple to get started.

By John Morgan

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All you need is a 200 mm hand line, a sack, a towel and some bait.

Fit some fairly heavy nylon to your hand line. Add a weight, a swivel and then two metres of trace (lighter nylon) with one hook loose on the trace, and another tied to the end of the trace.

Hook up a pilchard, or any other bait, and drop it in the water.

When you catch a fish, wind the line onto the reel and then place the fish on the towel over your lap or spray skirt. The soft towel stops the fish flapping around and allows you to wrap it up, remove your hook and stow in the old sack.

Tip. When winding in; use the hand line to lift the weight of the fish and then wind the slack nylon onto the hand line as you bring the

14

hand line back down to the water.

You might be asking yourself ‘What about the anchor?’ I recommend Drift fishing so you won’t be anchoring. Having reached the area you are going to fish, paddle upwind or uptide, then drift back over the fishing area. Keep working where the fish are biting.

When you are bitten by the fishing bug you’ll probably want to kit up with all the bells and whistles. You’ll see fishing kayaks with everything from rod holders to fish finders and heaps in between. It is not uncommon to see kayaks with two, three or more rods and some of the fish these guys catch turn the guys and gals on their $100,000 fishing launches green with envy.

So this summer spend $10 and go fishing.

You’ll have a ball and a feed to boot.

I S S U E S I X T Y T h re e • S u m m e r 2 011 / 2 01 2

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Baiting up

Keeping those pillies on the hook.

Right: A 200 mm hand

1

line is all you need to get started.

1. Start by feeding the end hook beside the back bone.

2. Lay the hook flat in-line on the body.

2

3 5

6

3.Wrap the trace around the bait securing the hook.

4. Taking the second loose hook, lodge this one in the rear of the fish.

5. & 6. Tie two half hitches around the tail and pull taught.

7. One pillie ready for deployment.

4

7 Left and right: Laura and Dave catch a couple of pannies in the fist hour off Arkles Bay.

canoeandkayak.co.nz Canoe & Kayak have a huge range of fishing kayaks.

Come and see the experts.

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15/11/2011 8:48:13 a.m.

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15

FEATURE>> UPSKILLING

Professional Development

By Larraine Williams

Not only do you learn stuff - but it’s loads of fun too!

16

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Wow!

I was amongst thirty Canoe & Kayak instructors,

guides and trip leaders recently enjoying an action packed four days expanding our skills and knowledge in the C & K Professional Development Course at Taupo.

This photo, Left and below: With a mulitpurchase rig setup, you can pull surprisingly heavy loads.

On Monday at the pool we briefly discussed what we wanted to achieve, then Dan of BOP ‘taught’ Jill how to improve her Eskimo Rolling while the rest of us observed and itched to join in. On the lake after lunch we worked on developing sea kayak rescues and paddle strokes.

Tuesday morning in calm weather we paddled to the Maori carvings, which were awesome, with Pete shouting things like “giant wave coming from the right, brace, brace!” so we all dutifully braced into the oncoming ripple. A 20 knot head-wind on the return challenged some of us. Then we practised lighting a fire in the rain - I think I’d better work on that one. We went on to Reid’s Farm for combat swimming and throw-bagging. The water wasn’t as cold as I anticipated, but I was wearing Sharkskins under a wetsuit, with semi-dry jacket and trousers on top, so the water hardly touched my skin.

Wednesday, we were on the Mohaka River, and white water. Our newbies played Pooh Sticks in a creek, studying river dynamics and water flow. On flat water after lunch we had a go at ferry-gliding and eddie turns. Most were in sea kayaks for their first time on such a river. Experienced paddlers ran the Mohaka with Matt Barker, a senior outdoor activity lecturer from AUT. On Thursday Matt set up a system of ropes and carabiners to demonstrate single-handedly pulling a SUV with the hand brake on. “Why not take the hand brake off?” “No! That would be far too easy!”This set-up can be used to pull a stuck kayak off a rock. We then formed our groups and hit the river.

Many appreciated instructions and advice from experienced paddlers who nursed us down the trickier bits. Anxious faces gradually relaxed Plenty of time for a chat and photo.

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.

www.kayaknz.co.nz

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

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and everyone had a great day. It was my first time in a white water kayak in rapids, but I’m hooked!

I must especially thank Mad Dog (aka Mike) for giving us all great support and encouragement, and also, young Brock. At just 14 years old, mentored by Mad Dog, he is going to be a star. In charge of my group he proved to be an excellent leader, giving a confident briefing and clear instructions. On the water he was able to split his attention between Harvey, who wanted to tackle all the difficult eddies, Jane and me (who wanted a gentler ride) and reveal his exceptional kayaking skills.

It was great to see everyone learning new things and developing confidence. I’m looking forward to the next camp.

TAKING THE SEARCH OUT OF SEARCH AND RESCUE

GPS positioning 406 MGHz 121.5 MGHz Homing signal SOS strobe

Waterproof down to 10 metres Floats!

Who are you going to call when you are out of Cell Phone range?

Only $699 from your canoe and Kayak shop Your position is transmitted to the Rescue Co-ordination Centre within a few minutes and the search area is narrowed down to a few square metres.

Peace of mind for loved ones and so small it fits in a pocket!

Distributed by Bright Ideas ELB Ltd Ph: 09 271 3656 www.brightideas.co.nz

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www.kayaknz.co.nz

REGULAR>> EVENTS

WATER SAFETY CHAMPIONS FOR 2011 CELEBRATED On Thursday 24th November, at a Gala Dinner held at Te Papa in Wellington, the Sealord New Zealand Water Safety Awards for 2011 were presented.

The awards and the dinner ceremony were one of the highlights of Water Our Fatal Attraction: The New Zealand Water Safety Conference 2011. Matt Claridge, CEO, Water Safety New Zealand, said “It is encouraging to receive so many quality nominations in 2011.The water safety sector has embraced these Awards and again this year the judges were challenged with an extremely hard task of choosing winners from a large group of excellent candidates across all categories. We are truly fortunate to have such dedicated and talented people working in our sector.”

Winners of each category Award, who receive $2,500 towards professional development in the field of water safety, were presented with Sealord New Zealand Water Safety Award 2011 Trophies by Sealord General Manager, New Zealand Business Unit, David Welsh.

“Sealord are delighted to be associated with the Water Safety Awards for 2011. It is important to recognise and share successful initiatives - in the water safety sector this success is measured in lives,” he said.

Congratulations to all winners of the Sealord New Zealand Water Safety Awards for 2011: Education Category Winner Swim Safe Southland - Learn to Swim Programme Prevention Category Winner 2011 Maritime New Zealand – Folau Malu (Safer Journeys) Campaign Awareness Category Winner 2011 Christchurch City Council Recreation and Sports Unit, Swim Education Team, SwimSmart Programme.

Outstanding Contribution Winner 2011 Paul Caffyn, Kiwi Association of Sea Kayakers.

Outstanding Contribution Winner 2011 Paul Caffyn, Kiwi Association of Sea Kayakers

www.kayaknz.co.nz

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TECHNICAL>>ROTO-MOULDING

Rotational Moulding of kayaks

By Ben Jackson.

How do they do that?

The mould about to be put in the oven.

In a potter’s workshop Rotational Moulding was born in ancient Egypt. The potter had an order for pots of superior quality to accompany Ramses Tiddleas Pilesa, or perhaps another human deity, into the afterlife. The potter’s oven was hot, and his turn table could withstand the heat. He experimented and turned pottery into ceramics.

Thousands of years later American plastics manufacturers, wanting to make dolls heads, recognized the process. By the 1980s, triggered by the need for large water storage tanks, new technologies and stronger materials were developed for use in the process. In 1984 plastic, inexpensive and tough, mass produced white water and sea kayaks were roto-moulded and this

20

became the primary method of kayak construction for the next 30 years.

High quality roto-moulding of kayaks depends on the mould .Those pictured here are made from cast aluminium. The top and bottom moulds are formed in casting moulds of wet sand, solidified over the kayak to be copied (known as the plug). The plug is then removed and molten aluminium is poured into the cast. When cool, the cast is broken to remove the aluminium mould. To make an easy release possible and put a shine on the kayak, the aluminium is polished to a mirror finish.

I S S U E S I X T Y T h re e • S u m m e r 2 011 / 2 01 2

The two halves bolted together.

www.kayaknz.co.nz

Cast aluminium is used because it is porous. The plastic absorbs heat in a managed process otherwise difficult to control.

Importantly, controlled heating strengthens the kayak and enables more plastic to be added in crucial spots.

The process: Step 1: Graphics. A mix of ingredients including plastic powder and wax are etched on the mould’s side where they melt into the kayak to create a permanent stamp.

Step 2: Powder. The kayak’s weight is determined by the weight of powdered polyethylene plastic spread evenly inside the mould. For a multi-coloured kayak, for example a red/yellow Cobra Explorer, we use 18 kgs of yellow powder and only 3 kgs of red (considerably less of the dominant colour is the rule).

Grades of plastic powder are available on the market. They determine the plastic’s density and consequently the durability, appearance and finish of the boat. .

Recently cheaper Chinese boats have reached New Zealand. Be warned, if they do not use UV inhibitors in their plastic powder, and currently they don’t, they will break up when exposed to sunlight. The one year maximum warranty suggests ‘steer clear’.

Decals are put on the mould before moulding.

The appropriate quantity of plastic powder is put in the mould. Note the mirror finish.

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Heat is applied to attract plastic to certain areas before being put in the oven.

The mould is lifted out onto a rack for cooling.

The two halves are separated. You can see the kayak still stuck in the top half.

The kayak is released from the top half, and trimming takes place. (below)

Step 3: Oven. The two halves of the kayak mould, locked together securely so no air can get in, are filled with fibreglass through two breathers on top which then allow the boat to breathe during cooking.

The mould is lifted into the oven and clamped securely on the rack to rotate clock-wise and anti-clock-wise during cooking. An ‘average boat’ cooks for 30 to 40 minutes at temperatures up to 280 degrees Celsius. While cooking, hydraulic struts rock the oven up and down to move the powder around the mould. The motion is similar to a speed boat crashing through steep waves. The mould is taken from the oven, rotated on another rack for 45 minutes to cool, then split for the kayak to be removed.

Step 4: Trimming. Flashings on the kayak’s sides created by plastic cooked in the mould’s flanges are removed using a trimming tool which resembles a large potato peeler. The kayak is then lightly flamed with a blow torch to put a high shine on the plastic.

Step 5: Finishing includes fitting eyelets, handles, hatches, rod holders and rudders. Cobra Kayaks use sealed rivets and silicone to attach parts and maintain a watertight body. All boats are pressure tested to check air cannot escape and water cannot enter the hull. A final quality check and each Cobra Kayak leaves the factory with a lifetime warranty and a unique serial number. It can always be traced.

A final blast of heat to maximise the shine before fittings are attached and final quality control. (Below left & right)

Starting as a windsurf manufacturer in the early 1990s a Kiwi run operation based in one of the poorer suburbs of South East Los Angeles, California became Cobra Kayaks. Making some of the world’s finest, stable, fast, easy to use and fun kayaks, it developed strong support in America and elsewhere, especially in New Zealand.

The photos were taken in Cobra’s Auckland factory which now produces all Cobra Kayaks for worldwide distribution! Many Kiwis will be glad, and possibly amazed, that while many NZ manufacturers have been shifting production offshore Cobra has ‘come home’.

KI WAHO – INTO THE OUTDOORS W

OFFE FOR RING SP ECIA AL ORGA L TRAI L IN DU NI NISA TIONSNG/LEAD STRY DI RECT ERSH & PR PRIC IP OFES ING US FO SION EDUCAT AL US ION R MO RE IN ERS

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Ki Waho - ‘Into The Outdoors’ is a 64 page magazine published by Outdoors New Zealand. The articles are designed to foster learning, innovation, best practices, knowledge transfer and collaboration within the outdoor recreation and outdoor education sector, both nationally and internationally.

5 to give away – be quick!

NZ Kayak has 40 complimentary copies of Ki Waho Issue 4 email: james@canoeandkayak.co.nz

Ki Waho is printed twice a year in May and October and can be purchased for $12.95 incl gst and postage.

For subscription enquiries contact: Outdoors New Zealand, PO Box 6027, Wellington 6141

info@outdoorsnz.org.nz • tel: + 64 4 385 7287 • www.outdoorsnz.org.nz 22

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PRODUCT>>REVIEW

This is one of the smaller double sit-on-tops around so it is ideally suited for the local beach and exploring the estuary and lakes where distance is not the number one concern.

Designed with the smaller paddler in mind this will give years

Escapade II

A new innovation from Q-Kayaks

By Pete Townend

of fun and easy handling for the family.

A test I do when trying kayaks out for the first time is to get paddling at a healthy pace and then stop paddling and see if the kayak continues, or stops dead in its tracks. My theory behind this test is that a boat that continues gliding for ages, once paddling has stopped is slicker through the water and hence will be easier to paddle. The Escapade II did extremely well in this test. Stability with 178 kilos on board was fine for advanced paddlers but probably too much for the average family. With 150 kilos it became stable enough for the average family to have loads of fun.

The finish and layout is Q-Kayaks normal high quality and as always, practical for the paddler. The seating positions and leg room and foot rests are comfortable.

Priced at only $900 with great packages available at your local Canoe & Kayak Centre it will be one of the favourites for this year’s summer holidays.

This nifty double sit-on-top will be a great addition to the family.

Specifications: Length 3.5 m Width 750 mm Weight 26 kg Recommended Max Weight 150 kg

Whizz

Fun in the sun and surf for the whole family

Escapee Versatile - go anywhere, do anything

Escapade Multipurpose - suitable for fishing, touring and fun in the waves

Escapade II

User friendly double for the whole family

www.kayaknz.co.nz

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MULTISPORT >> EVENTS

Speight’s Coast to Coast Check List

Things to do before the Waimak.

1/ Paddle time. Get enough paddling time so that you are enjoying your local Grade Two rivers and very seldom (preferably never) swim.

Be sure you have enough control in the beginning, middle and end of the rapid to be able to take evasive action to avoid the other less confident paddlers. Scared unconfident paddlers will all of a sudden go into full reverse, spin sideways or just plain tip over and you need to be calm and controlled so they don’t cause you any problems.

2/ Check Gear. Check and re-check your equipment is up for the task. There is nothing worse than on race day morning at Mt White Bridge your Spray Deck tears from that old hole that has been looking at you for six months.

3/ Food. Take enough food and the type of food you are used to eating. Do not change your diet for race day except for the amount you take.

I remember a number of years back spending half an hour refueling and warming a keen racer. He had got very cold on a long swim after his paddle and was in a pretty bad way, not talking well at all(slurred speech in this environment means he was very cold indeed). Well, we got him into a small tent, into dry thermals. Then a quick rummage through his food bag to look for some fuel for his cold body and all we could find was small tubes of this and that. The next question was useful. “Do you usually eat these?” Response “No, I got them just for the race.” Next question “What do you usually have when you’re working?” Response “Ham sandwiches.” Last question “would you like some now?” Response “Yes please!!” As luck would have it, I like ham sandwiches too and I shared some of mine. Within half an hour he

By Peter Townend

was paddling again and said thanks and goodbye, as he took off like a scolded cat and left us in his wake. (poly-props and chocolate arrived by mail the following week) 4/ Frame of Mind.

Do at least one but preferably two trips on the Waimak. before race day. You probably recall with a bit of a giggle paddling a river for the first time. It still gets me and I have been playing on rivers for 30 years. The feeling of adrenaline and nerves and when you look at your mates they are reacting somewhat subdued or rather hyped.

You do not need this feeling on race day. You have all ready got a huge amount of hype as you arrive at Mt White Bridge with hundreds of competitors all calling for their support crews. Finding a spot on the river bank to get into the river, navigating the congestion, wondering ‘which braid do I take’ and your eyes are huge at this stage and you wonder what you are doing this for.

Well, a couple of trips prior to race day will turn the river into a good mate. You will be running and cycling before you get to the river thinking about how much fun the river trip will be. This is the ‘Mind Frame’ you want.

5/ Practice patience.

Your support crew is there to help and when things don’t go as planned ‘Do not lose it with them!!’ There is a good chance the one you are considering yelling at is your partner of 20 plus years. They have been dragged around the country for this damn race and have been running the kids in overtime taxi service covering for you to get the training done and this race out of your system. Remember you are going to ask them on the way home once the race is over if they would

Waimakariri River Trips – 7thth – 16thth Jan 2012

Booking Now

Only $399 per trip – Book at your local Canoe & Kayak centre or email rob@canoeandkayak.co.nz for reservations and enquiries.

Price includes transport from Christchurch to the River and back but does not include food or accommodation.

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www.kayaknz.co.nz

mind if you would do it again next year. So zip it when you are annoyed that your spray deck is inside out or your helmet is still in the car (1000 metres away) or it took 10 minutes to find them (bright colours are a good idea) and remember they are volunteers and you have a life after race day.

6/ Go Check, Clean, Dry. This is one of the most spectacular river trips in New Zealand and if you are prepared well you will have time to take in the scenery on the way down the river. Help protect it and our other rivers and lake by ensuring that your kayak and equipment is clean and dry and or washed with soap when traveling to and from the race. Didymo and many other weeds are transferred by water and your kayaking equipment is a perfect way for these grotty invaders to spread.

Enjoy the race.

Doing one or two runs before the big day will help you choose which braid to take.

The point of no return.

Better to be prepared.

Call us now to brush up your river skills for race day. Phone: 0508 5292569

COMPETITIVE / COMFORTABLE / A TRUE CONTENDER

Ruahine Kayaks Designers and Manufacturers of Multisport & Adventure Racing Kayaks Phone: 021 273 0550

kevin@ruahinekayaks.co.nz www.ruahinekayaks.co.nz Ruahine 11-07 V1.indd 1 ww w.kayaknz.co.nz

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e r o l p Ex

Variety

t n e m e Excit

s d n e i Fr e r u t n e Adv

g n i x a l Re

North Shore - Auckland - Manukau - Waikato

Come & Join Us g n i p Cam

Fun

Rock gardening, Hahei Photo by Tony Barrett

Bay of Plenty - Taupo - Taranaki - Wellington

TECHNICAL>> ROOFRACKS

To Tie and How Not to Tie

By Estelle Leyshon

Now the season is warming up more and more people will be transporting their kayaks to the water. Safety is a concern for many, so here we offer simple steps.

We recommend the purchase of a solid roof rack. Inflatable roof racks are available for those on a tight budget, and are great for short journeys. But a solid roof rack offers a more stable base to tie your kayak, particularly in windy conditions.

Having purchased your roof rack you need to consider how to secure your kayak on it. It is important to take into account the weight, length, shape, style and number of kayaks you wish to carry before making this decision.

Option 1 Upside down on your roof rack. This is quick and easy, but it depends on your kayak’s deck shape and the clearance between the roof rack and your car. Generally it allows you to carry only one kayak.

An exception is when one boat is secured on top of another. Take care, slippage will occur if you don’t tie them down correctly.

Option 2 Uprights/Fold-a-Poles for a kayak on its side. You’ll have space on the roof rack for other kayaks, bikes or even a roof box. The fold down uprights can be fitted permanently because they are quick and easy to put up or down with a simple push button system. Depending on the overall height of the vehicle with them on you’ll get into your garage or a multi-storey car park. They clamp onto your roof bars with a bolt system, so taking them off completely takes a little time.

Option 3 J Bars. These cup the kayak more securely than simple uprights, preventing slippage on the roof bars. They are great when it’s windy.

An extension arm makes carrying two kayaks easy, and if there is space four kayaks when set up in pairs. Attaching your straps is easy. They are incredibly solid with little movement and fold down to a degree, but not as cleanly as the fold-a-poles.

NE EW W!!

N

Option 4 Kayak Cradles - probably one of the most popular ways to carry kayaks in New Zealand. Manufacturers and styles vary; many will fit a variety of roof bar shapes, including those from other manufacturers.

Standard fixed cradles tend to be loaded from the rear. Side flip cradles mean you can load from the side. As the kayak rolls over the cradles they flip into position. These are great. They take a little bit of adjustment to get them in the right place to fit the hull but generally are very easy to use. Some have a simple twist action to release them from your roof rack so they are ultra easy to take on and off. Great when you’re in a hurry! Foam cradles are quick and easy too but are not as secure and do not always suit the hull shape.

Above all, cradles help protect the hull from damage in transit.

Features: • 30 second install with innovative ‘Master-Fit ‘ claw fitting.

• Dual side opening • 75 kg rating • 3 sizes available in Black or Grey.

• Best $ value for features – bar none.

Check them out now!

For Product Advice & Stockists Phone

0800 866322 28

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www.kayaknz.co.nz

Tying the kayak down safely is the most important part of transporting any kayak. Done poorly it can lead to disaster. First invest in some decent tie down straps. Bungy straps are definitely not suitable. They aren’t secure enough and allow too much movement.

Step 1 Pass a tie down through each roof bar or upright and lie them down the front or back of your car ready for securing.

Step 2 Load your kayak(s) so it is positioned centrally on both roof bars and is balanced.

Step 3 Take both ends of the strap over the top of the kayak(s). Do not pass one end of the strap under and the other over. Ensure the buckle end is hanging down over the boat about half way. Take the other end of the strap under the roof bar before taking it back up the boat and feeding it through the buckle on the other end of the strap. Pull down firmly. If you find yourself pulling up to get tension, you’ll need to re-position the buckle so it hangs over the kayak. The straps should be firm enough so that the kayak doesn’t move in any direction but not so tight that it dents your boat. Tie off with two half hitches at the buckle before tidying the loose ends. These loose ends may be long enough to tie off your paddle too. Alternatively you can use a multipurpose carrier for your paddles, rods etc.

Left: Ensure the buckle end is hanging down over the boat about half way.

Step 4 When a kayak overhangs, and regardless of the accessories used to mount it, you must tie the bow to the front of the car and the stern to the back to prevent the kayak from lifting in the wind. There is a huge leverage at the end of a kayak which could well rip your kayak off!

And no, this will not be covered by warranty.

If the over-hang exceeds a metre you must hang a visible flag on the boat’s stern.

Step 5 Do a final check of your kayak. Ensure straps are neatly away so they don’t bang on the roof of the car and test for any movement.

If happy, start your journey.

Left: The cradle moulds to the shape uf the hull.

Below: ‘J’ Bars cradle the kayak on its side leaving room for other gear.

Top Tips • •

Below left: Tie down the the kayak to the front of the car.

Below: These Bonnet Ties are an inexpensive solution to tying the bow down.

•

•

•

To prevent humming from roof rack straps put a twist in the strap first, this should stop them from being irritatingly noisy.

A 3 m strap will be enough for one kayak. A 5 m strap ensures there is enough to cover two kayaks coupling on their sides or one on top of the other.

When securing two kayaks side by side on a roof rack you will need a pair of straps for each boat. It is not recommended to use one long strap to do both. Do not load kayaks this way if two kayaks are too wide for your roof bars.

Remember, roof racks have a loading weight. Generally this is 75 kg, but the roofs of some cars are recommended, by their manufacturers, to take lighter loads. Be sure to follow your car manufacturer’s guidelines.

Regularly check your roof rack is secure on your car. Many people leave it on permanently and while checking that the kayaks are strapped securely on to the roof rack, they forget to check that the roof rack is still secure. This can be an expensive mistake!

Join Us For A Kayaking Adventure - River Tours

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

www.kayaknz.co.nz

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TECHNICAL>>ADVERTORIAL

do you trust for Roof Racks - Who the right information?

Let’s face it, buying a roof rack suitable for your needs is not the simple task it used to be. Cars, station wagons and SUV’s these days can each have a very different type of fitting required to mount a roof rack in the proper and safe position.

Hubco, designers of the innovative Whispbar “the worlds quietest roof rack” which is now distributed in many countries around the globe have spent years working with all the major motor companies developing the very best in roof rack attachment systems.

The result is ‘smartfoot’, simply speaking the very best of all the ideas rolled into a revolutionary fitting that allows easy mounting and more importantly the ability to change your vehicle without having to buy a completely new roof rack system.

So, who do we trust to pass on our story to the consumer?

Max Rowe, Hubco’s Sales and Marketing Manager recently introduced to New Zealand and Australia a comprehensive business and consumer focused initiative called the Whispbar Signature Store programme.

We were looking for partners who have the same passion for the industry as we do, a commitment to outstanding customer service and more importantly are driven to offer the very best roof rack solution for each individual circumstance.

Each Signature Store has the full range of Whispbar and Prorack

Discover the World with...

Auckland, North Shore, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki and Wellington are all now proud Whispbar Signature Stores.

products and stocks the most extensive range of vehicle fitting kits in the area. Max says that the chances are everything you need will be available to ‘cash and carry’ and you will have the features and benefits explained and demonstrated by experts who will ensure that only the right product is recommended.

A prerequisite is Signature Stores will have factory trained installation technicians happy to help with the fitting of your new purchase whether it is a simple DIY removable system or a more custom permanent solution. By selling and fitting on the spot, customer satisfaction is guaranteed and Hubco knows that the product is fitted in accordance with factory specifications.

Max Rowe says he is very pleased to have confirmed a number of the Canoe & Kayak / Roof Rack Centre businesses as Whispbar Signature Stores with more being appointed before Christmas. We are offering an unrivalled opportunity to sell a premium product range with full factory support and together with our partners we look forward to providing a superior consumer experience.

Visit our website www.whispbar.co.nz and look for the Introducing Prorack’s WhispbarTM. Signature Store listing on the Store Finder tab.

THE WORLD’S QUIETEST ROOF RACK The most innovative, technically advanced roof rack system that will radically reduce drag and fuel consumption. Now that’s brilliant Kiwi ingenuity!

Now available from your local Canoe & Kayak store.

Visit www.prorack.co.nz to see it on your car 30

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New Tahe Marine models arriving before Christmas

Demo kayaks available to test paddle, then talk to your retailer about what colour combinations are available - Full specs - www.tahemarine.com Greenlamd T is a “back to basics�design with classic lines, low volume, and hard chine V-bottomed hull.

This is one cool looking kayak which is fast and surprisingly easy to paddle.

Length: 545 cm - Width: 53cm Carbon/aramide Weight: 22-24kg Retractable skeg Reval an elegant package with a hard chine V hull, plenty of rocker, & up swept bow providing playful all-round performance in all conditions.

Length: 555 cm Width: 54 cm Carbon/aramide Weight: 23-25 Retractable skeg+rudder Reval Midi provides speed and manoeuvrability with stability.

Plus the hull design gives good volume in all hatches for those trips away.

Length: 520 cm Width: 54cm Carbon/aramide Weight: 21-23 kg Retractable skeg+rudder Reval Mini - Like the Reval but smaller making this model even more playful and particularly suitable for the smaller paddler who wants good speed with little effort. Lots of fun.

Length: 490 cm - Width: 54 cm Carbon/aramide Weight: 21-23 kg Retractable skeg

Wind 585 - Very fast, tonnes of storage, stable and given its length turns amazingly well. Ask someone who has paddled one.

Length: 585 cm - Width: 54 cm - Carbon/aramide Weight: 24-26 kg - Retractable skeg+rudder

Save

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Wind Solo - Innovative, fast and stable cruising sea kayak with low V shaped hull for both speed & manoeuvrability.

0 Length: 505 cm $70 Width: 54 cm Weight: Carbon/aramide 22-24 kg Retractable skeg+rudder

$700

Seaspirit - Very stable, very manoeuvrable and suitable for beginner paddlers. Enjoy the benefits of carbon aramide construction in a stable touring kayak. Length: 520cm Width: 56 cm - Weight: Carbon/aramide 22-24 kg Retractable skeg+rudder

Available at leading kayak retailers and distributed by Great Stuff Ltd. - For additional information, or your closest retailer, email greatstuffltd@xtra.co.nz

TAHEAD-NOV11

PRODUCT >> GIFT IDEAS

Seattle Latitude Dry Bags

Sharkskin Rapid Dry Top Sharkskin summer watersports top, made from technical material which dries extremely fast, SPF50+, longsleeve for sun protection, T-shirt cut to wear casual.

“The All New Sharksin Rapid Dry Top is a great value summer rash shirt. Designed to be a high quality garment with excellent UV protection, it is fabulous to have and priced under $100. The top is water repellent and so dries in super quick time making for an excellent cool summers day paddling top.” - Rob Howarth RRP $99.00

With full horizontal access, our Latitudes eliminate the hassle of having to dig vertically to get at what you want.

Built with a polyester body and heavy-duty vinyl ends, Latitudes are built to perform, but at a value price!

RRP from $59.90

Bodyline Kayaka Paddling Shorts

Seattle Paddle Float One of the must haves for any serious sea or lake kayaker. When you venture away from land, and want the security of being able to get yourself back into your kayak, a paddle float is essential.

Two chamber float gives added safety.

A 2nd chamber for use when you need extra buoyancy or if one chamber is accidentally punctured. There’s a clip on safety tether to eliminate loss in RRP $86.90 windy conditions.

Palm Universal PFD A truly universal one-size-fits-all PFD adjusts to fit a wide variety of sizes.

Features include: • Unique one-size-fits-all design • Traditional foam template covers chest

and back • YKK front zip entry • Streamlined front pockets with clip-in points • Easy Glide strap adjustment throughout • Reflective detail at shoulders, front and

rear panels Fabric: Nylon 420D Colour: Red/Black RRP $153.00

Anatomically designed for maximum fit, flex & warmth.

High-cut waist with draw cord and toggle will prevent ride-down in the back when you are sitting. A Combination of Seamate and Yamomoto’s finest light weight 2 mm neoprene for warmth, strength & durability.

Colour: Black with various accent colours.

Sizes: XS - S - M - L - XL - XXL RRP $104.00

Kiwi Association of Sea Kayakers N.Z. Inc. (KASK) Annual subscription is $35.00.

Kask PO Box 23, Runanga 7841, West Coast

www.kask.co.nz

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KASK is a network of sea kayakers throughout New Zealand KASK publishes a 200 page sea kayaking handbook which is just $15 to new members; the handbook contains all you need to know about sea kayaking: techniques and skills, resources, equipment, places to go etc.

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

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Rasdex Multisporter PFD This is the only PFD you'll find designed to such a high spec and ready to go. All other multisport PFDs on the market end up being modified by the top athletes to add the bits they need, such as a block to hold the tubes in the right place for drinking while paddling. Note: bladder not included and only available in blue.

RRP $295.95

Palm Quest Youth PFD

RRP $99.00

Safe, stylish and great value the Quest delivers comfort with enomomy. Available in adult, youth and junior sizes for the whole family.

Features include: • Traditional foam template covers chest and back • YKK front zip entry • 3D anti ride-up waistbelt • Easy Glide strap adjustment throughout • PVC free foam throughout • Reflective detail on front and rear panels Fabric: Nylon 420D Colours: Red/Black Size Options: Youth (>40 N) Red

Kokatat Light Breeze Top

Fantastic jacket for multisport or touring. Adjustable coated Lycra® splash cuffs and collar, plus bungee waist keep out wind, water and too much sun.

•TROPOS Light waterproof, breathable fabric •Adjustable coated Lycra® splash collar and cuffs •Zippered, self-draining left sleeve pocket with key lanyard •Adjustable bungee drawcord waist •Factory sealed seams Sizes: XS - S - M - L - XL - XXL RRP $195.00

Aqualung Wenoka Squeeze Lock Knife Designed to attach to a kayakers PFD this compact, rust resistant knife has a patented “squeeze lock” locking system that makes it easy to retrieve quickly when you need it, and keeps it secure in its sheath at all other times.

Blunt tip for safety, with blade, serrated edge and line cutter for various use and situations.

RRP $129.00

Made in New Zealand by World Masters Slalom Champion - Andy Fuller

Kokatat Tropos Delux Boater’s Trousers A lightweight, waterproof and breathable pant for general paddling use.

Keeps spray and splash off with neoprene waist and ankle closures.

• • • • •

TROPOS waterproof, breathable fabric Smoothskin, high-back neoprene waistband Adjustable bungee drawcord Adjustable neoprene ankle cuffs Self draining thigh pocket with “hook & loop” closure and

key lanyard • Factory sealed seams Sizes Unisex: S-XXL RRP $239.00 Colour: grey

www.kayaknz.co.nz

www.daytwo.co.nz info@daytwo.co.nz

07 345 7647

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PRODUCT >> STOCKING FILLERS

Day Two Adventurer

Rasdex Pogies

This is a great vest for racing, with lots of pockets including a huge rear pocket for your drinks bladder. The inside of the vest is lined with high wicking mesh to reduce sweating. The vest is easy to put on over your head and very light weight for those long races. Over 55N of floatation.

Red or yellow RRP $230.00

These pogies have bound edges, and they’ve used velcro neoprene. You can buy cheaper, but these will last - and they’re more comfortable! Simply velcro them round your paddle shaft, and slip your hands in and out through the wide opening. These keep the wind and water off your hands, and let you keep a secure grip on the paddle.

One size fits all RRP $74.95

Seattle Micro Dry Bag

Sharkskin Performance Top Sharkskin is 100% windproof to allow you to enjoy your watersports all year round in any weather. The new ‘performance garments’ use compression technology in the arms and shoulder area which is great for muscle recovery. The new material is lightweight, SPF30+ and breathes, making it perfect even during summer.

Compact protection for your valuables and electronics. Don’t risk getting them wet. Always carry your cell phone in a robust dry bag.

RRP $34.90

Day Two Nyloprene Deck

RRP $269.00

This deck is designed for touring or multisport. 3mm Neoprene deck section and

breathable ‘exeat’ nylon body. Big 10mm bungy around the edge for a secure fit (8mm bungy on multisport decks). Seam tape watersealed. One size fits all. Adjustable shoulder straps and waist size. Comes in five cockpit sizes to fit all cockpit shapes from multisport to big cockpit sea kayaks.

RRP $153.00

Proud sponsors of the

See us for all your training and equipment requirements.

Freephone 0508 529 2569 canoeandkayak.co.nz

Suppliers of spot prizes including the Beachcomber Ultralight, Cobra Tandem, Seattle Dry Bags and NZ Kayak Magazine Subscriptions.

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EVENTS >> WHAT’S ON

Go With The Flow

What’s coming up in your region

Centre

DECEMBER

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

Auckland

13th - Sea Kayak Skills Course 16th - 18th Tawharanui weekend 18th - Beginner’s Paddle 31st - New Year’s Eve Fireworks

11th - Club Night15th - Beginner’s Trip 17th - Sea Kayak Skills Course Surf 14th - Management Course 21st - Sit-On-Top Course for Children 22nd - Beginners trip

North Shore

14th - Wed Night Paddle 14th - Sea Kayak Skills Course 18th - Sea Kayak Skills Course Day Paddle

7th Waimakariri River Trips 2012 Coast to Coast Training Run or just for fun.

Manukau

10th - Browns Island Rolling - Every Monday evening [except Public holidays].

21st & 22nd - Sea Kayak Skills Course

11th - 12th - Sea Kayak Skills Course 18th - Exploring Northland 26th - Surfing

Waikato

11th - Ponui Island 13th - Rescues & Rolling Session

21st & 22nd - Sea Kayak Skills Course

13th - Club Night

Bay of Plenty

11th - Christmas Kayak Club Paddle, Snorkell & BBQ 11th, &18th - Wairoa River Release dates 17th & 18th - Kayaking Skills Course

1st & 2nd - Wairoa & Surfing 2 days of action.Wairoa Kayaking & Rafting / Sunday Kayak Surfing 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th - Wairoa River Release Dates

5th, 12th, 19th & 26th - Wairoa River Release Dates 5th - James Moore-Morial race 12th - James Moore-Morial canoe race

Taupo

Every Mon night Reids Farm Every Wed night (depending on flow) Freestyle sessions at Fuljames 10 -11th December – WW1 11th - Give it a go day 17th December – Christmas paddle and BBQ

23rd - 27th - Kiwi Kids Kayaking 28th - 29th - Multiport training course for Cert 2 athletes

4th - Catch a kayak competition 6th - 10th - White water School: 5 day beginner course.

11th - 12th Sea Kayak Sea Course 18th - 19th White water for women weekend course.

25th - 26th - Freestyle coaching with Josh Neilson

Taranaki

17th - Have a go day Nga Motu Beach

14th - Sea Kayak Skills Course 19th - 24th - Whanganui River Trip

4th - White Water Course 18th - Sea Kayak Skills Course

Wellington

10th - YY club Christmas party

9th - Club Meeting 7th - 8th - Sea Kayak Skills Course 21st - 22nd - Sea Kayak Skills Course 23rd - 29th - Circumnavigation Great Barrier

2nd - 8th - Abel Tasman Trip 23rd - 28th - Lake Waikaremoana

Also

10th & 11th February Speight’s Coast to Coast

3rd March NZ Ironman

9th - 11th March KASK Forum

3rd - 6th - Lake Waikaremoana 7th - Sea Kayak Skills Course 9th - Club Night 12th - Beginners Trip 19th - Surf Management Course 21st - Sea Kayak Skills Course 26th - Beginners Trip 17th - 19th - Lake Arapuni & the Waikato River 26th - Super Sunday Paddle 29th - Whangateau Harbour Fun Snorkel and Kayak day

14th - 20th April Whanganui River Trip

For more details go to www.canoeandkayak/events I S S U E S I X T Y T h re e • S u m m e r 2 011 / 2 01 2

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COURSES

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TRAINING >> COURSES

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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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

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RECREATIONAL

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SIT-ON-TOP >> RECREATIONAL

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

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

Note: Straps pictured, not included

SOT FISHPRO

Prices start at $1295 Note: Centre console not pictured

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 $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 I S S U E S I X T Y T h re e • S u m m e r 2 011 / 2 01 2

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TOURING/ DOUBLES

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SEA KAYAKS >> TOURING/ DOUBLES

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.

Prices start at $3540

Length: 5.6 m Width: 800 mm Weight: 46 kg,

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.

Prices start at $4299

Length: 5.8 m Width: 700 mm Weight: 28 kg

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 16ft (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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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 $4270

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 $4125

REVAL MINI The Reval Mini has wonderful stability and navigability even in breaking waves and strong winds. The kayak deck is equipped with two oval hatches and a day-hatch for easier entry into compartments. As the name suggests the volume of the Reval Mini is sufficient for weekend trips or shorter expeditions. The kayak is equipped with Kajaksport skeg and the original Smarttrack rudder system.

Length: 4.9 m Width: 540 mm Weight: 21 - 23 kg

Prices start at $4050

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 $4395

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 I S S U E S I X T Y T h re e • S u m m e r 2 011 / 2 01 2

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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. The broad bow allows it to ride over waves like a surf ski without losing any speed, and makes for easier control while surfing a wave.

Length: 6.4 m Width: 510 mm Weight: 16 kg kevlar

Prices start at $3890

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 I S S U E S I X T Y T h re e • S u m m e r 2 011 / 2 01 2

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WHITE WATER >> JOSH NEILSON

Discovering the Upper Ngamuwahine River A hidden paradise

By Josh Neilson

Sam Roil - Double Drop.

Photo by:Josh Neilson

I have been documenting my kayaking from the beginning and I now have books full of photos from under the local bridge learning to do ‘whippy turns’ and my first heli trip on the upper Mohaka River.

It started with a 35mm film camera and as technology progressed so did my cameras. Photos were soon accompanied by video and the library of footage soon grew from a few Megabytes to well over 10 Terabytes. Where would we be without digital imagery?

Of course it was going to be hard to capture everything, often due to long days on the river and people more interested in ‘bombing’ down the river with only essential scouting stops. Appreciating these, and

What’s in a photo?

By James Fitness I don’t know about you, but I find it hard to keep up with the speed of technology’s advance.

Many of us will remember the 110mm film with auto focus, one of the first ‘pocket ‘ cameras. For the flashier photographer, there was the 35mm SLR, with settings for Africa, and auto focus of course.

Digital photography fathered smaller cameras with way more settings, while only the size of your memory card limits the number of photos you can take. The point and shoot facility means there is little need to consider lighting, focus, or distance. When you can see the image on the screen, you’ll probably get a photo.

Of course the bigger and more expensive the size and quality of the camera and therefore the lens, the better the images you can record.

Unfortunately mobile device cameras such as your phone are restricted by lens size and are unlikely to enlarge well.

You’ll increase the number of photos you can store by reducing the

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knowing how much people like to see good photos of themselves and their friends running sweet white-water, I always carry the camera just in case.

Recently, Sam Roil came banging on my door. “Get up Neilson, it’s rained all night and we’re going creeking!” With the rain still coming down hard and the temperature in single digits, the speed in which I was dressed, fed and out the door to pack the car was surprising.

We drove up past our local Kaituna run, now at open gates due to all the rain and headed toward the Kaimai’s. The rain had not reached the best drainages yet but there was sure to be some water somewhere.

The next stop was the upper Ngamuwahine River. At the take out we met up with Cole O’Connor-Stratton and Laurence Brown, Tauranga

quality. But beware! This affects your ability to produce quality prints.

Camera manufacturers describe photo quality by size e.g. 3264 x 2448 pixels, or 1600 x 1200 pixels. Basically, this means ‘the bigger the pixel number, the larger the photo you can print while maintaining quality’.

The unwary can trip up on digital photos viewed on the computer.

On screen there’ll be no problem. BUT, what happens when you take a stunning shot and print it to be framed or submit it as a cover shot for NZ Kayak Magazine? It’ll be fuzzy or pixelated.

I suggest that you take high quality, large photos (i.e. more pixels) and get a larger SD card. When you take a rubbish photo – delete it.

To determine photo quality look at the file size or how big the file is when transferred to the computer? An average image of 1MB (megabyte) or higher should give you a good print. 3 - 4MB is best for a front cover.

Also, check that the shutter speed is fast enough to be used from a moving kayak or when shooting moving objects? Other problems can include misting, water, and dust, especially on small lenses.

This is only a brief look into modern photography. Hopefully it will help.

I S S U E S I X T Y T h re e • S u m m e r 2 011 / 2 01 2

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locals, and took to the hills from there. The Kaimai Ranges are littered with great kayaking from the popular Wairoa River to the newly explored and hot favourite, Wainui River. After a short 4x4 drive, we abandoned the truck and walked to the river.

Sam was the only one in the group to have paddled this run before, so we followed him, as the river made its way through some amazing bush and into the first set of rapids. Paddling over the rocks in here was like kayaking over a cheese grater and we soon made a conscious effort to avoid rocks at all cost! Sam informed us that we had a long run ahead of us. We seldom stopped to rest, let alone capture a photo, as we bombed down some nice white-water. After some time on the water we came to the crux section. We walked round the first portage and set our boats down to scout the first section of runnable white-water. With my injury time still hot on my mind, I opted to walk and shoot photos while the others dropped over a rapid called ‘Handle bars’. This involved a tight entry and a 90% chance of going over the handle bars and landing on your head, hence my decision to walk.

Around the corner I set up camera and watched as the others came down the next drop. This drop is much nicer, but is inaccessible unless you run ‘Handle bars’ first. With no real imagination it got called ‘Double drop’, given the drop is followed by another in close succession. Sam came down, leading the way for the young boys, who were supposed to be in Math class at this time. They were probably paying more attention to Sam than they had ever paid to Math, following Sam’s sweet lines.

The rain had totally given way to a bluebird day and the gradient kept up as we made our way down the river, catching the odd eddie to check on each other and back into the flow again. Before long we were back into farm land and onto the lower part of the river.

This was my first flood run in the Kaimai’s and it was a good day! A little more water and a better shoulder would have made my day even better. But it was definitely nothing to complain about!

After another short 4x4 ride, we were back on the main road to Okere Falls with a short pit stop for some much needed fast food!

At home Sam and I pored over the photos and although the days can be long with heavy boats at times, it’s at the end of the day when you can share the shots you got and the memories that it makes it all worthwhile. Another few photos to add to the ever growing collection of waterfalls, friends and awesome adventures!

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Cole O’Connor-Stratton Double Drop.

Photo by:Josh Neilson

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Laurence Brown on the Double Drop Photo Josh Neilson

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