Waterline - September 2018

BOAT | F I S H | WAT E R S P OR T NZ

River Mutton.

Photo: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media Services

SPRI N G 2018

with over 20 years experience

SEABOSS BOATS

have developed a range of 7 Standard Sizes, customised and finished to your specification

Thompson Marine Ltd

31 Fairy Springs Road, Rotorua

0800 95 95 90 ~ 07 348 4997 office@seaboss.co.nz 2 | waterline Spring 2018

www.seaboss.co.nz

The region’s favourite watersport and boating magazine, Waterline.

Bigger, brighter and with increased circulation, Waterline is making more of a splash in the booming marine market, with a new look and a wider reach.

It’s the flagship of the region’s boating community, embraced by clubs, active boat owners, fishos, divers and watersports enthusiasts.

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Teenage masters of whitewater

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Deliverance, Coromandel style

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A family affair on the sea

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That first breath underwater

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Keeping guard

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Spearing his way to the top

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Stop and smell the ocean

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The art of grabbing crays

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Support your local Coastguard

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Fresh water, more fish

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For all enquiries contact: Kathy Sellars on 07 928 3053 kathy@sunmedia.co.nz

www.waterline.co.nz waterlinenz Editor: Brian Rogers Advertising: Kathy Sellars, Jo Delicata, Sue Wilson Graphic Design: SunMedia Ltd

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Waterline is a SunMedia Ltd publication © All material is copyright and may not be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher.

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River Mutton.

Chris James

Two names New Zealanders can expect to be hearing a lot more in media coverage of World and Olympic competitions in coming years are those of canoe slalom siblings Zack and River Mutton.

The name of Mutton is more than familiar already in the world of whitewater. Father Kenny is a legend wherever brave souls gather to ride the rapids. There’s a good chance a fair few of them are doing so in a vessel he crafted, and they may even have learnt the requisite skills from him as well.

Son Zack has been established in the sport of canoe slalom for a number of years, distinguishing himself at a string of Junior World Championships.

Now it’s daughter and kid sister River’s turn to add further lustre to the name. She has just set this year’s junior worlds in Italy alight for New Zealand, becoming the country’s first medallist in an individual paddler event at that level when she scored bronze in the extreme slalom final.

Not bad for her first global outing.

A glance at the Mutton family bio suggests it’s no great surprise they excel in the tumultuous waters of the canoe slalom course.

The family home is at Okere Falls, on the Kaituna River, between Rotorua and the sea. It’s a river perfect for whitewater paddling, and the sport’s adherents flock to the area. Top

exponents have long made a pilgrimage there to train - providing more inspiration for the aspiring Muttons.

The water runs almost literally through their home – follow a path down the back garden and you’re there – and paddling runs in their blood. Kenny’s CV includes European freestyle kayak champion in 2000.

He put Zack and River in their own boats almost before they could walk, and they’ve since spent more hours paddling from their back garden than they could possibly remember.

Eighteen-year-old Zack got his first experience in European whitewater racing at the age of 14, and made the national junior slalom team the following year.

The Olympics is definitely the goal for him; 2020, 2024, he’s got a few to go for, he says - he’ll just keep training and see what happens.

The course ahead is not quite so clear for 16-year-old River.

Canoe slalom competes with her other great sporting love: weaving through gates of a different sort on the ski slopes. It’s handy to have summer and winter covered, and in an ideal world she’d be representing the country at the Olympics in both ski and canoe slalom.

Reality is setting in though and it looks like the summer sport might just be winning out. Opportunities to train on European ski slopes during our summer had to be passed up to focus on the whitewater in Italy.

And now she’s a medallist, looks like she may just have made the right decision.

Photos: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media

Zack Mutton.

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as as ire ylinder SERVICES 6

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ire ylinder SERVICES

Coromandel style Brian Rogers

It’s been a fantastic season for kayak fishos, despite some vicious winds.

Many paddlers have snuck out for successful snapper and kingi sessions between the blows. And even during some of the stormy days, kayak fishos have found some sheltered pieces of coastline for productive close-in fishing action.

A couple of recent excursions by the Waterline team made use of protected coastline on the eastern seaboard of the peninsula, while the westerly wind was thrashing the gulf side of the Coromandel coast.

The Stealth Fisha was shoved full with softbaits, lures and gear, while our mates Rob and Karen decided to go a bit more traditional and loaded up their Canadian canoe in fishing mode.

After some sage advice from Rob Fort at the kayak fishing shop in Coromandel, and picking up yet more fishy gear, we decided to head for Stony Bay and the Department of Conservation campsite there. Not necessarily based on any lofty fishing theory, but because the girls wanted to take a hike, and the bay seemed the most protected from the relentless westerlies.

The trip into the wilds of Coromandel took on a ‘Deliverance’ theme as the Canadian, atop its camping trailer, wended its way along the twisty peninsula roads. You could almost hear the banjo. Stories unfolded of the Moehau Man and we passed a sign of children running. They looked scared.

The campsite was pretty quiet outside of the peak months with only a handful of campers so the super-friendly ducks were pleased to see some new suckers. We tried not to encourage them, but the persistent little blighters simply moved in and made themselves at home, trying to scavenge at every possible moment and taking regular dumps right where we wanted to walk. One even climbed into the frying pan when it was left on the ground for a moment. If only they knew how that was tempting fate.

With a bit of ‘shoo’ and threatening talk about the “first weekend in May”, we convinced them to go see the Germans in the next site, who might be vegetarians.

For $13 a head per night you get spectacular views, simple but tidy long-drop toilets and cold water showers.

Boiling the drinking water is recommended as there’s no guarantee of it safety. We had enough clean drinking water on board the van, so only used the tap water for washing. There’s some fascinating history on the origins of the bay and its first settlers and farmers. The office has a copy of the family history which is a good yarn. waterline Spring 2018

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Groups of walkers arrived and left, bustling along with their daypacks and walkie sticks. Some doing the one-way trip from Stony to Fletchers, others doing the double whammy return trip. From the comfort of my camp chair with cup holder, they looked a bit buggered.

Reconnaissance Once established in camp we trundled our boats down to the water’s edge; an odd combination of the long, slick Stealth and the voluptuous load-capable Canadian.

The first trip out was mostly sightseeing and reconnaissance, with Rob and Karen cruising along in the Canadian with a bit of extra push from a trolling motor. The Canadian concept is not known for speed, but loadcarrying capacity and our mates looked very happy in their camping seats and all the comforts of home. The Deliverance jokes kept coming.

Softbaits behind the Stealth produced a kahawai and Rob picked up a few on lures.

The gulp lures were being demolished, losing tails and chunks, so consequently much of their water action. My guess was leather jackets or other little nippy pests. So a change of lures and a couple of random casts near the weedline coming back into the bay resulted in a nice snap, who took a liking to the bruised banana Z Man. Straylining the gut The next day was a fishing proper mission while the girls headed for the hills. Rob had brought along a bag of pillies, so we headed out near the mouth of the bay and straylined into a promising-looking gut.

The snapper were eager and keen, smaller ones at first and, after a few throwbacks, the size improved to a good takeable measures. The odd kahawai rocked in to liven things up and we even picked up a nice blue cod.

Just enough for a swanky camp dinner, we headed back to camp and a wander around to get re-acquainted.

Lovely spot, great views especially from the higher west end plateau, but a bit further to the beach and the boats. On other trips we’ve camped at the east end, closer to the water and possibly a bit easier access but the views from the high point were just stunning.

As the sun set and the wind eased we enjoyed a sumptuous fish dinner and sundowners, before open mic night. It’s always good to have at least one accomplished musician on a mission and fortunately we had Rob, notable muso of Whitianga and his guitar to entertain. Alas, he did not bring the banjo. Even the ducks were impressed and gave up their new friends from the Fatherland to chime in.

Massive hits Another day on the water and the wind was still being a pain, but it wasn’t so bad close in the bay. The snapper kept coming, nothing earthshattering from a size point of view but we were happy taking a few in the late-30s for an easy feed.

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Straylining was most successful. On occasions I deployed a ledger rig with a couple of flashers, just enough lead to make sure the baits dropped deeper to the bigger fish. It also enabled a better cast, to get the baits away from the boats as the larger fish seemed a bit shy of any movement and noise from the surface. A lighter piece of trace on the sinker end also took some of the grief out of the inevitable snags, meaning the flasher rigs could be recovered.

A troll around the bay resulted in some massive hits. We were really only thinking kahawai for sashimi and fresh bait, but no one had told the mega kingies about this plan. They were smashing our lighter gear, hitting hard and towing the kayak around like a water ski. Spooled and out-dragged, I had to abandon the trolling on light gear for their sake and ours.

There was still a small swell running, enough to make it interesting around the rocky coastline and the numerous blow holes. Rob ventured the Canadian close in for a photo, sometimes disappearing in a haze of spume.

Heavier gear The next outing in the Stealth I was better armed with heavier trolling set up and quite prepared to hang on till we hit Cuvier, if it came to that. But the big kingies were smarter than that, leaving the big poppers and lures but still smashing the softbaits and giving the braid a work-out. One of the best runs was a hit on a trolled whole pillie, but after a reasonable tussle the fish made it to ground and the hook pulled. Still, exhilarating stuff to be trucking around a bay at four knots with a monster yellowtail as a tractor. Landing one on the kayak would have been a great end to the trip, but it wasn’t to be this time.

Probably just as well considering it’s just a few months from a bit of surgery and the old winding muscles are still recuperating.

Packed up and on the road, we headed back in different directions, Rob and Karen enjoying a swim with dolphins at Little Bay to top off a great trip, with great company.

Cheeky duck!

Thanks to DOC and the camp managers for the facilities and hospitality and to kayak fishing guru Rob Fort for his helpful advice.

No thanks to the ducks.

The art of Canadian canoe fishing.

Yes! we have success.

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Unique drone for long-lines “It’s fast, easy to use, and catches plenty of big snapper.” That’s from a proud Aerokontiki owner.

The Aerokontiki is a unique fishing drone for taking out longlines. It flies up to 25 baited hooks out at least a kilometre, and after dropping the line via a simple remote-controlled switch the drone has an autopilot system that returns it to the take-off spot on the beach.

There are several drones on the market for fishing but what makes the Aerokontiki perform above the rest is its power and strength. Designed and made by Kyle Parshotam, founder of Envirobotics Ltd in Auckland, this drone flies a large number of hooks and sinkers out into the sea way beyond the surf and can do so in very blustery winds.

Any keen fisherperson of any age can operate an Aerokontiki.

One of its fans is 68-year-old Max Vertongen from Manawatu.

“When I retired from being the NZ cycling team’s coach I took up fishing and have owned several different kontikis during the last 15 years or so; and the Aerokontiki is the best.”

Max goes to Waitarere beach near Foxton on the West Coast and says he can get the line out effectively and simply on his own without any help before breakfast.

“With my old motorised kontiki, which went under-water, I used to have to wade out in the current and it was really heavy,” says Max. “I looked at a few drones but most were small and couldn’t handle the wind or fly out with much weight attached to them.”

Max says the Aerokontiki takes out up to 25 hooks, can fly further than 1km and usually results in a plentiful supply of decent-sized snapper and gurnard along with a few kahawai.

“I caught a snapper that was about 18lb a few months ago and that was pretty amazing.” Max says being able to fly the Aerokontiki above the waves prevents problems, such as battling the sea current or losing bait in the water while getting the hooks out.

“It takes just a few minutes to get out and I have an electric winch that I bring the line back in with. I basically fish from the same place every time.

“Sometimes I catch nothing but other times I might get at least six decent snapper in one hit.”

Max likes to try new technology for fishing and when he heard about the Aerokontiki there was no going back. “I like gadgets and when a friend of mine asked me if I had heard about the Aerokontiki I was a bit dubious because I thought being a bit older and not a techie person it may be difficult. But when he recommended it and I saw the Aerokontiki work I thought: ‘That’s me!’”

That was about three years ago and Max is now onto his second Aerokontiki. “It has been upgraded and I have upgraded with it.

“I started off with six hooks and have now progressed to the point where I fly it up to 1200m out and take the maximum number of hooks allowed – 25.”

How does he get the long line back in to shore? Unlike most Aerokontiki users, who use a powerful game reel like Shimano Beastmaster 9000 with a maximum drag of 25kg, Max uses an electric winch attached to the back of his vehicle which he parks on the beach.

“It’s simple, strong and easy to use – like the Aerokontiki. For example, I’ve easily wound in eight legal-sized snapper from one drone trip, and a couple of kahawai with the winch. “Parallel to that the beauty of the drone – even for a person of my age – is that it is so easy to fly, and guide the line according to the current.

The drone is in and out within about five minutes. Within no

time it’s back sitting where it was flown out from.”

Another huge advantage in buying a fishing drone like the Aerokontiki is the rare after-sale service that Kyle and his team offer.

“When I was starting with the drone I could ring Kyle and he would talk me through everything. He does maintenance and any repairs, as well as upgrades on it.”

Max, like other avid Aerokontiki users, recommends the drone for its reliability, strength and ease of use, and of course it also catches plenty of fish.

Max with his 21lb snapper.

Max’s catch hauled in with his electronic winch.

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The sun shines again...

Chris James

Even after Storm’s restoration began many a mile has passed beneath its reassuringly deep, solid 1908 vintage, full-length keel.

Not under any propulsion of its own though, and no water bubbled past its appealing plumb bow.

The tale of Storm’s arrival in this country, and fall into need of new impetus in its rehabilitation, is a long one – but suffice it to say unless that special breed of boatie whose drive is to keep a piece of our nautical heritage alive happened along, the future wasn’t promising.

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Two of those people are Coromandel musician-turneddraftsperson Ben Parsons, and his mate Mike. They needed Storm, just as Storm needed them.

“We had the idea that we might want to do something like that for quite a while, and so we had our ear to the ground,” says Ben, in his characteristic laconic manner.

That idea had come to Ben and Mike – a “carpenter and ascetic,” says Ben – as they did a lot of thinking and dreaming while sailing together on the 21ft Hartley they’d had in Wellington.

“We sailed it around the Cook Strait and sold it in 2014,” says Ben. “It’s still on its mooring at Oriental Bay.”

on Storm’s cloudy future Sailing to Tonga on a square-rigged 100ft steel boat at an average of three knots are among Ben’s other sailing experiences – maybe a helpful activity for developing the kind of patience needed for a project like this.

He heard about Storm and went to meet owner James.

Storm was found The boat was wedged in a yard in Whitianga, and over the years a number of sheds had been built up around it. Even the extraction from the yard was going to be a big ask, never mind the restoration itself.

Nevertheless, something fell into place in Ben’s mind – and he knew his search was over.

Storm is a craft with a tale to tell, as so many of its vintage are. Built on the east coast of England in 1908, it spent its early life fishing the roguish waters of the North Sea. At some point Storm came into the possession of James’ uncle. Under his ownership it managed to see a bit of the world.

A journey as far as the Mediterranean and up the River Nile is one James had a record of.

Storm’s arrival in this country is not quite such a romantic story, however.

It was brought over stuffed with gear in a shipping container on the deck of a ship.

Even though Storm was still in need of a substantial amount of work to get back in the water, Ben and Mike were in luck.

By the time they spotted it in that yard in Whitianga James had been at the task for 10 years, and had knocked off much of the hard work below deck level.

“Basically,” says Ben, “we got it at the point where the hull had been done, rebuilt in a lot of the structure”.

“They did it in England before they came back over.”

As far as possible they’d kept the original character of Storm intact in the work they’d done, and planned.

“James had actually harvested a spar for the main mast out of a spruce tree that his grandfather had planted.

“So there’s a bit of history in it. People put a lot of their lives into it in that way I guess.”

James had an old local boatbuilder working with him as a guide and advisor, ensuring the restoration was completed to true craftsman’s standard. About four years ago, however, the boatbuilder died; and James found his will to persist with the project on the wane. Hence his willingness to let it pass into Ben’s custodianship.

Beautiful craftsmanship One of the attractions for Ben was the craftsmanship, and the fine materials they used, when they built boats like Storm in England a century and more ago.

“It’s all beautiful oak,” he says.

Since her restoration has continued in New Zealand, however, local materials have been mixed with the originals – to wonderful effect, Ben believes.

On entering the cabin just about the first feature that strikes you is the replacement knees – fashioned out of pohutukawa. Without doubt one of the most eye-catching features of the boat.

“They’re quite a beautiful piece of work,” says Ben. “It’s the way it was done. I know a couple of old boatbuilders and they were saying there’s a couple in the Auckland Museum and they did it the same way.”

With the deal done the first task for Ben and Mike was clearing up around the boat and tidying sundries.

The hull of inch thick oak had been faired and strip planked

with cypress, then fibreglassed. Ben and Mike finished that part of the job by painting the hull with three coats of epoxy and then polyurethane.

They built the forecastle and deck fittings, and attended to the oak planking of the bulwarks.

Three months of weekends, and thousands of kilometres of travel, were invested in task of getting the hull seaworthy again.

Sooner or later they had to face the challenge of extracting Storm from the yard where they had found it, hunkered down among the sheds. Removing them wasn’t really an option, but a crane brought in from Hamilton got the job done, swinging it over the sheds and onto the truck that delivered it down to Whitianga marina.

So Storm is once again afloat, tethered to a mooring in Whitianga, but still a formidable task list remains.

To be continued next issue...

Storm’s pohutukawa knees.

Storm getting a lift with Waikato Cranes.

Storm arriving at the marina, assisted by Heavy Haulage & Contracting. waterline Spring 2018

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SPECIALISTS IN: › Padi Training from 8 years old to instructor › Local Boat Charters › Dive the Rena › Mayor Island Live Aboards › Full onsite servicing › Free diving gear and servicing › Extensive retail shop with leading brands

For all things Diving in the Bay of Plenty 14

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CONTACT US: Phone: (07) 578 4050 213 Cameron Rd Tauranga www.divezonetauranga.co.nz facebook/divezonetauranga divezonetauranga

A family affair on the sea For Whakatane diver Paula Massey, 25, her expeditions under the sea have always been a family affair.

It starts from about 7am in the morning when the family wakes up ready for a day on the sea.

Mum, Sharlene, is already awake sorting lunch and organising all of the diving and fishing gear – because the day is not just about diving, but a chance for the whole family to enjoy the sea.

“I’ve been diving since I was about 13 years old. It was actually my stepdad, Robert, who taught me how to dive,” says Paula.

The boat is loaded, regulators and tanks double and triplechecked and they set off to one of the family’s favourite dive spots. The dive flag goes up and it’s game time.

“Robert and I are the only divers in the group, so while we’re under the water the rest of the family are fishing from the boat.

“Raurimu Island is one of our regular spots.”

Paula says it hasn’t been too big a task finding a compromise for both the fishers and divers of the family, with Robert having dived in the Eastern Bay of Plenty for most of his life and knowing all of the good spots.

“My Poppa has a GPS with all of his secret fishing locations on it and we’ve found we can literally go to any one of them and both the fishing and diving is always good.”

On top of catching a lot of crayfish it’s also a great way to get in some sightseeing, says Paula.

“It’s so full of life down there and so many people don’t always see it.”

Paula is a competent diver with qualifications in open water instructing.

“I sat my open water certificate when I was 16 years old and continued to pursue dive education at Dive Zone Tauranga.”

And it’s not just the Eastern Bay of Plenty she frequents.

“I’ve also done a lot of diving in Pilot Bay and Brewer’s reef in Tauranga.

“Pilot Bay is really silty in my opinion – only because it’s in the harbour, but overall there isn’t too big a difference between those spots in Tauranga and the ones back home.

“All the fish life is the same, and the reefs are quite similar.”

She says it’s important for those wanting to take on the hobby, to be prepared for it first.

“Go with someone who knows the area and if you’re not confident it’s good to do an introductory course first.

“These kind of courses can teach you about safety procedures, what to do in emergencies and how to calm your breathing, which is always helpful. It helps knowing you’re safe while you’re doing it.”

Sam Gardner

Paula is a trailed open water instructor.

The best of both worlds - great sightseeing and healthy populations.

Paula Massey at Lake Rotoma.

Photos: Diving Eastern Bay SG.

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Passion and ingenuity get kids afloat Chris James

Brody out sailing at Otautu Bay.

Piri Pearsall enjoys a windy day in Colville Bay.

It almost sounds like the name of a movie.

Along the lines of ‘The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society’.

But the Colville Youth Sailing Academy is not fiction. It’s very real – and doing a wonderful job for the kids of one of the country’s most far-flung and sport-starved communities.

If it were a movie – and that’s not a bad idea actually – the hero would be Spike Mountjoy. He’s the academy’s founder and commodore. Spike decided that he was ‘the someone’ who could do something about the lack of organised recreational opportunities for the young’uns in little Colville town, the northernmost and most isolated population centre on the Coromandel Peninsula.

“It came out of wanting to give those young people an opportunity to develop those skills that come with sport,” says Beth Pearfall, who is one of the academy’s learnto-sail coaches.

“Particularly like in sailing where you’re out there and you’re learning self-reliance, learning about the weather and everything that comes with that. And also being part of an academy where you can progress, you can learn.

42 Dive Cres, Tauranga | 07 571 1161

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“It was formed really by Spike’s passion for sailing.”

Spike lit the match, but many others, like Beth and Alex Hall, a highly experienced racing sailor from the United Kingdom, who’s settled in the area, fuelled the fire.

They all agreed this was something the Colville community – home to a school with a roll of 36, one shop, two cafes, community hall, post office, the Colville Social Service Collective, medical centre and fire station, and not enough houses for all who want to live there – could pull together for the younger generation.

Following an informal start it was Yachting New Zealand’s offer to run a coaching course in April last year that got the ball rolling more officially.

“We had eight local people come and they did two days of coach training,” says Beth. “So we got a whole lot of Yachting NZ qualified learn-to-sail coaches.”

The academy makes a point of catering for kids who like racing and those more into just pottering around.

“My sailing background has been in cruising, not racing,” says Beth. “So we’re like: ‘Let’s take the boats and sail up the coast a bit and have a fire on the beach’.

Colville Youth Sailing Academy sailing in Colville Bay.

“Others are better at racing, so they’ll set up a course and have them practising tacks, etc.

“Some of the kids are really into racing and want to learn how to go faster. That’s what they love. And others, they just want to play on the water and go around the rocks and see what’s over there. “So it’s nice to be able to offer those different things.”

Eleven-year-olds Kiahui and Piri sum up the thoughts of the kids.

“It’s fun and a great way to spend your weekend,” says Kiahui. “Good to learn another new thing.”

“I like sailing,” says Piri, “because I get to be in the elements and in the water and I can see sting rays and fishes”.

Getting boats was no problem, with a number of generous donations. Just P-classes and Optis at this stage, along with a Viking – like a mini Laser. A few bigger boats for the older kids, who’ve progressed past the little sail trainers, to use would be wonderful, says Beth. But there’s a problem with that.

“We’re being offered boats quite often and we can’t take them because we don’t have anywhere to put them.

“At the moment all our boats are stacked up in Alex’s garage. And every time we have to get the boats to the bay it’s a big palaver. It means sailing doesn’t happen as often as it could.”

So a permanent base, with things like appropriate storage space and good washdown facilities, is the major item on the academy’s agenda.

And for a small organisation, even one so rich in human dynamism, it’s a big ask.

It’s something, Beth says, the academy could do with some help on.

“It would be massive for us in making it more possible to offer the sailing. Because at the moment the set-up is actually three hours.

“We do it because we love it but it is a lot of work.”

While funds and resources are short, one thing they have in plenty is local support.

“It’s an amazing community effort,” says Beth. “Sometimes the firetruck will come down and hose down the boats, so that makes our washdown easy.

“One of the grandmothers of the kids is sewing reusable bags that you can take to the supermarket.

“We’ve got a screenprinting machine and printed a bunch of Colville Youth Sailing Academy logos, and she’s sewing them onto the bags and selling them at the local store to fundraise for us.

“Money’s a problem for us up here, but there’s so much community spirit and it’s such fun.

“For those moments and those opportunities that we’re able to give the young people here, it is really special.”

Get in touch with the Colville Youth Sailing Academy through their Facebook page or call Beth on 021 237 8678 if you’d like to help, or donate. Or perhaps get started with making that movie.

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That first breath

underwater

Kurtis Large.

Taking that first breath underwater is a moment never to forget, say a keen group of students who have just passed certification.

Opito Bay in the east coast near Whitianga.

Mahurangi Island off Hahei.

Students on their first boat dive.

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At the beginning of last year Te Aroha College offered Smart Days, run every Thursday in Term 2 and 3. The school offers lots of courses such as flying, mountain biking, hunting, digital studies and many more activities. One of the options was scuba diving.

“I had been interested in doing diving a long time as my dad is a diver. The theory side of it was a lot harder and took a lot more time than most of us thought,” says Kurtis Large.

“There were five sections and each one took about four hours to complete. But practical was absolutely amazing. Starting in the pool and taking that first breath underwater is a moment I will never forget.”

The group then ventured out for their first shore dive at Opito Bay on the east coast near Whitianga and then finally a boat dive.

“We passed and became PADI Open Water divers.”

Then this year the advanced open water was offered for people who passed open water course and offering the open water course for new people.

The advanced course had no way near as much theory and a lot more practical, say the students.

“Darrell Bird, Emily McKeague, TK Parson, Paige Thomson and the team at Divezone Whitianga are absolute legends and amazing instructors. They are all super helpful and really patient with us, learning things in and out of the water. Teacher incharge Hanna Sharps has been awesome from day one. She’s been driving us up to Whitianga and back every week when we have diving and has been a huge mentor and support to all of us,” says Hayley Robinson.

“This course is an amazing opportunity, it gave my friends and I a chance to get out of the classroom and try something new. Instead of sitting in a classroom and reading a book we are breathing underwater and trying new things. Doing this at our age is a great opportunity because diving can lead into other jobs and careers, it is an international ticket and it is wicked fun.”

By Kurtis Large and Hayley Robinson, Year 10 students

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Keeping guard over Rotorua’s Chris James

When you become a Coastguard volunteer you probably accept everything – from towing tired kayakers to consoling victims’ loved ones after fatal accidents – are what you sign up for.

Shaking hands with Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace? Probably not so much.

But they’re all part of Barry Grouby’s Coastguard experience.

Barry’s been a member of Rotorua Lakes Coastguard for about 10 years, he reckons.

Along the way he became a volunteer, and now has reached the exalted position of president.

Actually, he didn’t quite get to shake the Prince’s hand.

“We were probably a couple of metres away from him and Camilla,” says Barry. “There was something like 5000 people there so even though we were that close it was very hard to get close enough to make eye contact and get a shake of the claw. But never mind, we still enjoyed being at the palace.”

Barry with volunteer Elton Ngawhika on Rotorua Lakes Coastguard’s 8.5m Orca, Rescue.

The BayTrust chopper assists in a rescue.

Barry was one of three Coastguard volunteers whose outstanding service to the organisation was recognised with an invitation to London to attend a reception in honour of Coastguard’s Patron, the Prince of Wales, as part of his 70th birthday celebrations in May. Probably, it’s fair to say, not what he expected when he joined up.

“No not at all. I joined to become a better boatie. For me boating was – probably like a lot of people – just put it in the water and jump on it and away you go.

“That’s all I knew. So I wanted to broaden my horizons and learn a bit more.

“I didn’t expect it to take me to Buckingham Palace at all!”

The learning curve Barry’s been on since joining up as a novice boatie 10 years ago has in a way been echoed by Coastguard’s own.

“We were chucked in the deep end back then. It was sort of: ‘Here’s a pager and here’s some gear – we’ll see you at the next rescue’.

“It’s all changed now. We make sure our volunteers are well trained before going to a rescue.”

Rotorua Lakes Coastguard operate primarily in an 8.5 metre Orca built locally by Orca Engineering. It’s an alloy pontoon boat specifically designed for rescue services.

“It’s a great boat,” says Barry. “If we had to upgrade we’d probably if we can look at another Orca.”

He’s attended upwards of 50 rescues around the lakes and waterways of the Rotorua region in the Orca. Of those, he reckons, about 10 have been majors.

He’s dealt with horrific accidents, and gruesome injuries.

“I’ve seen a fair bit,” he says. “But that’s not the bad part. The hard part is looking at the family members who’ve lost someone. That grief of seeing them Rotorua Lakes Coastguard’s baby Orca, Makoia Rescue.

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is probably worse than anything really.”

Boating on the Rotorua Lakes is not as straightforward as it looks. They can be millponds one minute, then choppy and dangerous the next, causing real problems for boaties in kayaks or open dinghies.

Heavy weather on lakes can be more dangerous than the open sea due to the shorter troughs between waves.

And when Lake Rotorua cuts up rough there’s not a lot of shelter available.

One of the other quirks of Rotorua Lakes boating was behind Barry’s most dramatic rescue.

“In Rotorua the maps you get on your GPS aren’t accurate,” he says. “So people navigating using those maps thinking that’s the contour of the lake are going to get into trouble.”

That’s what a couple were doing on Lake Okataina in their brand new alloy boat, in the dark, around 11 o’clock at night. Cruising at 15 to 20 knots, Barry believes, they drove straight into a cliff face.

“He went out through the windscreen and suffered severe facial injuries. His partner received several lacerations and three broken bones in her leg.

“Once they realised they were conscious he didn’t know what the VHF channel was for Rotorua so he ended up going through every channel calling mayday and was picked up by a local on a scanner. It was that person who rang the police.

They were lucky, Barry says. They were not in great shape.

“The relief in their faces when we turned up was a picture in itself. It was like ‘we’ve been saved’, you know?

“That was a great feeling.

“And that was just really not knowing how to use the equipment on your boat correctly.”

But Barry’s not joining the chorus saying boaties are getting dumber. “No

Co-ordination with Rotorua’s BayTrust Rescue Helicopter is a key part of Coastguard operations.

I actually think boaties are getting better.

I’d say that we’re slowing down a little bit.”

They’re increasingly getting the word on lifejackets, and other essential safety gear like VHF radios.

“So I think the message is definitely getting out there.”

As is the value of joining Coastguard.

Barry says when non-members get a tow, they also get an invoice. But they also give them the option of joining up.

“We find most people take that option, because they think if this happens again I don’t want to be embarrassed, I’ll just call Coastguard and they can come and get me.”

And then, next time – if there is a next time – the tow is free.

New volunteers are always very welcome too, and not only fit, able people, says Barry. “There are other roles within Coastguard – not just being on the boat,

we’re always looking for groundcrew.”

The payoff for volunteers is not just the feeling of helping fellow boaties, and occasionally saving a life or two. There’s also the camaraderie.

“Definitely,” says Barry. “We’re all a close group. We all get on very, very well.”

To do the right thing and join Rotorua Lakes Coastguard – before you need a tow – phone 07 348 9022 or email: rotoruacoastguard@xtra.co.nz

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BOAT OF THE MO

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Warning to boaties:

Know the dive flag Brian Rogers - Waterline Owner/Editor, Coastguard Skipper

The problem with diving is not what lurks beneath; it’s more what threatens on the surface.

The difficulty for skippers isn’t anything new, it’s been an issue since Jacques Cousteau was a boy in a shortie.

Divers are barely visible above the surface. They’re weighted so they’re weightless. Often in black or, these days, camo wetsuits.

Spearfishers, especially, do their best to not be seen.

Nor are they looking around to see who is going to run them over. They’re looking downwards for fish and concentrating on the underwater terrain. Managing their breathing.

They’re not constantly looking over their shoulder for a fizz boat doing 30 knots.

And most of them go to a lot of trouble to make sure other boaties know they’re in the water.

But as a diver, I know that many skippers are oblivious to diving activity.

The Alpha flag on a boat is supposed to be the first, quite obvious clue. A float in the water, It should sometimes with a be common dive flag on it, is knowledge, but another. Concerned clearly isn’t. Here’s people on a support a reminder to all boat waving and boaties that divers lurk yelling at a fast around this flag. approaching boat can be another, fairly blunt, clue. Yet many times I’ve watched at water level as a boat speeds within metres of all those signs, ignorant of the risk posed to the person in the water.

Even the most precautious divers can be a victim of boat strike, as the courts heard this month. A boatie has been ordered to pay $17,500 in reparation after seriously injuring a diver who he ran over in the water.

Carl Allan Whiteman of Auckland pleaded guilty to one charge under the Maritime Transport Act of causing unnecessary danger or risk to any other person. He was sentenced in the North Shore District Court on July 23.

Maritime NZ Northern regional manager Neil Rowarth said the diver suffered significant lacerations to his head that needed eight staples. He also suffered a broken arm and lacerations to his arm that required numerous stitches. As a result of his injuries he was unable to work for 12 months. He was a self-employed arborist.

“If the diver had been hit at a slightly different angle, this could easily have been a fatal accident,” says Neil.

“Recreational boaties must understand skipper responsibility.

“Every boat has a skipper, they are legally responsible for the safety of people in and around the boat, and must know the rules of the sea.

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“In this case, the skipper was speeding and not keeping a proper look-out.”

From a Waterline point of view, pun intended, the diver did as much as humanely possible to make himself obvious to boats in the area. Yet all those points seem to have been missed by the approaching skipper.

Maritime Rules impose a speed limit of 5 knots (9km/hr) within 50 metres of a person in the water and 200 metres of a boat flying a dive flag. That’s about quick walking pace. The rules also require every vessel to maintain a proper look-out to be fully aware of the situation and risk of collision.

The accident was north of Auckland between Ti Point and Omaha, on February 5, 2017. A prominent sign at the boat ramp alerted skippers that the area was popular with divers and snorkelers and emphasised the need to keep a proper lookout and proceed at a safe speed.

Conditions were described as ideal for boating and diving, it being a sunny day with fairly low wind.

The diver, also an Auckland man, had swam about 200 metres from Ti Point with an orange buoy and blue and white dive flag attached to his spear gun by a 20 metre line.

He was spearfishing near a weed line popular with divers.

Mr Whiteman and three passengers left the Omaha boat ramp in his 3.5 metre inflatable powerboat. He said he saw the orange buoy but did not “register” the dive flag on the buoy. He assumed the buoy marked a crayfish pot and did not alter course or slow down.

The diver was looking down for fish no more than 20 metres from his buoy and flag, when he was run over by Whiteman’s boat travelling at between 10 and 15 knots (19 to 28km/hr).

Mr Whiteman turned his boat around to help the diver, and one of the passengers called the Police. They took the diver to Ti Point wharf where they were met by Police and an ambulance.

“The skipper was inexperienced and had no boating qualification,” says Neil. “This was his first boat and only the third or fourth time he had taken it out on the water.

“I urge every new skipper to get training and help from a boat club or Coastguard Boating Education. It’s not hard, it’s not expensive and you get to meet boaties and have some fun learning.

“What you learn makes you, your family and friends, and others in the water safer – and if you see a dive flag, slow down.”

Ratahi’s colourful life to continue Ratahi has been a familiar sight around the waters of Tauranga, Whakatane, and the Bay of Plenty for 80 years – and in that time has taken countless fishos out for a day on the water and a good full bag of fish.

For many years Jerry Williams, reputedly Tauranga’s first fishing boat charter skipper, was the man at Ratahi’s helm on those expeditions. He commissioned O’Rourke Brothers of Auckland to build Ratahi as a replacement for his original vessel Omokoroa, which his flourishing business had outgrown.

Ratahi was Jerry’s own design. He planned it as a purpose-built fishing boat with an overall length of 46 feet, a 15ft beam and shallow draft of three feet. He gave it high bulwarks, a permanent awning to shelter his paying passengers from rain and sun and, most importantly, a toilet!

The boat was built bit-by-bit, plank-by-plank, by O’Rourkes as Jerry could afford it. Eventually Ratahi was finished and arrived in Tauranga in September 1938.

Business boomed now that Jerry had the ultimate fishing boat to go on out to nearby reefs and catch a feed of fish.

When not fishing, Ratahi was a very busy vessel. Tasks included collecting cream from Hunters’ Creek and delivering fertiliser up the Wairoa River, returning with a load of wool.

Barging sand from Matakana, maize and even cattle from Motiti Island, and rugby teams up to Katikati were among other jobs Jerry took on.

He was also known to do Mayor Island trips with holidaymakers, along with ferry work and harbour cruises.

Over the years Ratahi has received plenty of TLC, with several upgrades and improvements. It’s a comfortable vessel with plenty of space to give 20 anglers a rewarding day on the water.

Ratahi – a piece of Tauranga’s maritime history.

Ratahi and barge photographed off The Strand foreshore, circa early-1940s. Photo N Williams.

Photo: M Strang.

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Spearing his way to the top Free diving to crazy depths, spearing the biggest fish, competing all over the world, and solving all your household electrical needs are just a few things that come second nature to 24-year-old Todd Herbert of Whitianga.

Todd at the 2017 National champs for under-18s in Ruakaka, winning first place.

Eli Herbert with Todd at Stewart Island at Christmas-time 2017, being taught how to spear fish. He shot two butterfish.

Todd with a painted crayfish at Minerva reef 2018 (on the way sailing from NZ to Fiji).

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Growing up in a family that spent more of their time in the water than out of it, Todd has been spearfishing and free diving since age five when he would accompany his dad Herb in the weekends.

“My dad has a kina and paua diving business…so ever since I was five years old, he’d chuck me in a wetsuit, put me in a mask and snorkel and say: ‘Righto, jump in’. Growing up I had my older brother there to lead the way, he was always getting bigger fish, going deeper and so I had someone to look up to and try to beat.”

“I shot my first fish when I was five, it was a leatherjacket. I shot my first Kingfish when I was 10 at Whale Rock, Mercury Islands – it was almost the same size as me!”

At age eight, Todd started competing in spearfishing, and took out the New Zealand Under 18 championships at age 12. By 16 he was representing NZ in Tahiti, and at age 17 he was winning both under 18 and open titles. He now holds seven New Zealand under 18 spear fishing records and is a qualified electrician.

“One of my proudest moments was winning the Mercury Bay open, it’s the second biggest spearfishing competition in NZ. I won both the under 18 and the open division when I was 17. To get the fish and then give the fish away is the best part, giving it to someone who doesn’t have the opportunity to go out and get some fish for dinner,” says Todd.

In 2016, Todd and his brother Dwane were on the NZ Spearfishing team for the world championships, held on the island of Syros in Greece.

Unfortunately, after a strike of bad luck during training sessions, Todd was unable to compete and his older brother Dwane got ‘the bends’ – Nitrogen Narcosis – after a series of 40-plus metre free dives and was unable to finish the competition.

“We turned up to the island six weeks before the competition started.

We were given three areas to choose from to scout, each was a few kilometres long. We were one-week-and-a-half into it when I did a 48m dive and got a lung squeeze. The dive took me about 2.10 minutes and I came to the surface and about a minute later I started coughing foam and blood,” says Todd.

Despite their misfortune, the NZ team still managed eighth place out of 25 countries.

Todd is currently working with yachts in Europe and eventually hopes to have his own boat and offer remote spearfishing charters around the world. While Dwane is in Portugal, training for the next world championships.

Maddison Brown

Callum Relph, Rowan Virbickas, Todd Herbert and Toby Herbert at the 2014 Nationals, in Whitianga, winning first place.

Bay Association of Sea Kayakers BASK paddlers on a day trip.

BASK has been on the kayaking scene for more than 20 years and currently has 100 members of all ages and backgrounds, with a fairly even split between male and female.

We have a common desire to explore and share the breathetaking scenery that our country has to offer from its harbours, lakes, coast and rivers. Trips are tailored to suit the abilities and desires of all members so if you only want to paddle on a clear and calm day, socialise with like-minded people, take in some scenery, have a latte or soak in a hot pool along the way then we have trips suitable for you.

If you’re an adrenalin junkie and want to test yourself on one of our rivers we have members who do that too, including paddling at the Vector Wero Whitewater Park in Manukau, Auckland.

If you enjoy the challenge of paddling 30km to 50km a day along our beautiful stretches of coastline and circumnavigating the numerous off shore islands…then yes, we have members who organise these trips as well!

If you would like to join an overnight camping trip or one of our multiday trips paddling Stewart Island in the far south or Cape Reinga in the far north, including the various beautiful harbours, lakes, rivers and coast in between…then yes, we have members who organise and participate in these too!

A recent BASK trip on Tauranga Harbour.

What are the benefits of kayaking?

• The ability to access bays, islands, fishing spots, hot pools and other beautiful places not normally or easily accessed by land or boat.

• A great form of exercise while you’re sitting down and watching the changing scenery including experiencing sights, aromas and emotions that you may not have experienced before.

• Being immersed in an aquatic environment instills a calming effect, a connection with nature which enables you to unwind and declutter your mind making you better able to deal with day-to-day life at home and work.

• To enjoy meeting and spending time with like-minded, environmentally aware and fun loving people.

• BASK has skills training, rescue practice and pool training days which are all covered by your annual membership.

Want to know more?

If this sounds like the sort of club and people that you would like to associate with, contact us at: www.sportsground.co.nz/ bayseakayak Or: www.facebook.com/groups/227309180756

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Tauranga’s Vessel Works

NZ Marine Industry Association’s Peter Busfield at the official opening of Vessel Works.

Tauranga’s new marine precinct has hardstand capacity for up to eight 350 tonne vessels.

The Bay of Plenty marine industry’s new boatbuilding and maintenance base at Tauranga’s Sulphur Point is now open for business, providing a better service to boaties as well as business, employment and tourism benefits to the region.

Vessel Works, as the facility is branded, is an $11.4m joint venture between local government and business partners involved in the project. These include Hutcheson Boatbuilers, Pachoud Yachts, Pacific 7, Specialised Metal Fabricators, and Super Yacht Coatings. Its development was announced in 2014 as a response to the loss of key facilities, including the Port of Tauranga slipway, resulting from the construction of the second Tauranga Harbour Bridge.

The centrepiece of the development is a 350 tonne travel lift – easily the largest and most sophisticated in the country. In addition to its lifting capacity it has greater-than-usual width. which allow it to handle multihull vessels.

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maintenance operators conveniently on-site.

“We think this is a huge opportunity for Tauranga and for New Zealand,” says New Zealand Marine Industry Association’s executive director Peter Busfield.

“Around the world, in Australia and in Europe, they’re building precincts like this – so it’s great to have New Zealand right up there with the professionalism that a brand new precinct brings.”

Peter is impressed with the potential of Vessel Works to compete in the lucrative global marine service industry.

“When you build a situation like this with the haul-out facilities the work will come. That’s proven worldwide. And already I returned from overseas last week and spoke to a customer coming to Tauranga to have their refit done.

“So it’s not only local boats or NZ boats but this will bring in export earnings to Tauranga. In the Southern Hemisphere, NZ is known as the best quality for refitting and servicing large vessels, and now with this facility we’ll be able to grow that business.”

Peter sees Vessel Works as complementing rather than competing with Auckland’s marine service infrastructure.

“Absolutely. Auckland is oversold – there aren’t enough facilities. So you’ll have boats from Auckland coming down here and boat-owners will be pleased to have these facilities.”

The modern, clean environment is one of the striking features of the facility for Tauranga Mayor Greg Brownless.

“The first thing that struck me is that it’s a complete change from the boatyards of old, which were notorious for rubbish, oil, tar, you name it, lying around and polluting the waterways.

“But this is just so clean, and I think by keeping it clean it means it’s going to attract a good quality boatbuilding industry here; servicing people’s boats, sending them away, and not impacting on our harbour detrimentally.”

Greg believes the precinct will create around 130 new permanent jobs directly, in addition to the flow-on effects for employment and training opportunities in downstream businesses.

Don Mattson, who is managing director of long-standing Tauranga company Hutcheson Boatbuilders, says the main thing

brings big boating benefits for his business – and, more importantly, the local marine service community – is that they now have their own facility.

“We’ve had very good facilities at the bridge marina and the Sulphur Point marina, but this gives us the next step that we’ve been missing for a number of years. We can get some of our old customers back, and also look for new customers.

“Our customer base has always been Tauranga, and Whitianga, Coromandel, Whakatane, Gisborne, Napier. We’ve always had a regional group of clients, and we’ll get those back in time.

And with this we can go for bigger boats, and retain some old customers from Tauranga who’ve moved up into bigger boats and would have gone out of town for servicing.

“The other thing is that with the wide beam travel lift we can handle sailing catamarans. For years Tauranga’s never been able to haul them out, but we’ll be able to do that now.

“So that’s a growth area for Tauranga.”

The development of Vessel Works means they’ll be looking to increase their new construction inventory, says Don. “Our focus for many years recently has been repairs and maintenance, and that’s a big part of our business and an important part, which we want to grow. But we’re looking to grow back into new builds, and also working with importers in assembling imported boats.”

Peter further highlights the tourism benefits the Bay of Plenty region can expect from the development.

“With the America’s Cup we’ve got the focus on NZ, and we’re going to be short of facilities. So I’ve got the feeling that

Tauranga Mayor Greg Brownless effortlessly controls the 350 tonne travel lift at Vessel Works.

Tauranga – you’re going to be booked out. It’ll be good for the business people that are here, and for the whole region.

“You’ve got the largest travel lift in NZ, and then lovely bars and restaurants and golf courses and wineries.

“And you’ve got the surf beaches, Mount Maunganui, and the other regions from Whakatane to Rotorua; so it’s a great opportunity for some of those international superyachts in particular to experience this region while they’re having their boat refitted in the new Vessel Works Sulphur Point marine precinct.”

Chris James

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Dek-king’s got it all over the real thing The nautical world will always keep room in its heart for real teak decks.

But only on the boats of seriously diehard traditionalists.

For the rest of us, modern technology is providing increasingly effective synthetic substitutes.

They look and feel like the real thing but come at a fraction of the cost, need nowhere near the same level of maintenance; and, most importantly for many, go much easier on the planet’s precious ecosystems.

Probably the most convincing teak deckimitating product on the global market is the British-made Dek-king. And the extra good news for boaties in the Bay of Plenty and neighbouring regions is Dek-king New Zealand is based in Tauranga, at Hutcheson Boatbuilders.

If you’re contemplating installing a teak deck on your vessel and you’re not aware authentic old-grown teak is an increasingly rare and unsustainable resource, you should be. And while plantation-grown teak is plentiful, opinions vary on the quality and durability of it.

What is undoubtedly true, however, is

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that it is eye-wateringly expensive.

Dek-king, however, is 100 per cent recyclable material, sustainable, and the advantages are numerous.

Firstly, it has the look and feel of real teak, but greater durability so will not deteriorate in the same way over time.

It’s fully welded, so it becomes a waterproof membrane, and doesn’t require re-caulking.

The only maintenance needed is keeping it clean, usually just with a scrub. If you happen to get particularly bad stains you can actually sand them off. It’s so tough you will hardly reduce the thickness.

It’s lighter than real teak, and doesn’t get as hot. It has more soundproofing, and probably more heat insulation as well.

Six colours are available, so you can have a brand new deck look or a grey weathered one – or something in between. And one quality Dek-king claims to be unique to their product is its authentic woodgrain fleck effect, just like on natural teak.

Installation is also a key factor where Dek-king leaves real teak for dead.

It might be a half-day job to make the

patterns on the boat, then once the panels are made up the time required to lay the matt on the boat varies depending on the surface preparation required, but typically might be around two days.

Contrast that with real stuff. Your boat could be out of action for a month or six weeks, and imagine the labour costs involved with that?

With such a list of advantages, and a price-tag getting down towards one-third of genuine teak, it’s no wonder synthetic options like Dek-king are the way the world is going.

Dek-king, or the real thing?

Patterns are made on the boat, then panels made up in the workshop, saving hours of labour.

Stop and smell the ocean Early morning Tauranga Harbour.

Phill Phish

Fishing, like life, but way more important, should hopefully be more about the journey than the destination.

As what was purely a way of providing food and sustenance for humans has rushed headlong into the realms of a popular culture with a huge internet, media and social media presence.

And in what is now a solid, multi-million – possibly billiondollar business, it would be nice to think that people are still remembering to consider just how fortunate they are to be able to interact so closely with the natural environment instead of focusing on the kill and the reaction that might come from a social media post.

We are the humans – and man and woman have always hunted the biggest game. It’s what we do, the bigger the capture the longer we ate for.

A recent trip to the Auckland Boat Show and a day spent amongst the frenzy of the Southern bluefin tuna run off East Cape got me considering that the focus is shifting from the nature to the result.

As fishers we will put ourselves in situations whereby we see the start of the day, the end of the day and a whole lot that goes on in between.

Magnificent sun rises and sunsets, glassy calm seas, and weather – both good and bad. For the last while we have really put some effort into capturing more of the little moments that go into catching a fish than that of having the angler standing with his or her prize catch. Of course we still do the ‘big hero’ shoot; its part of it and with catch-and-release sport fishing becoming a huge part of our sport, that glory fish photo is very important.

But I’ve found the results of looking at the smaller moments have been very satisfying and have provided a different perspective of what is going on.

May be take some time next time you’re out to soak up the nature, and to stop and smell the ocean.

Plate Island snapper ready for release.

Mayor Island top water Kingfish.

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The art of grabbing crays The picture of a cooked crayfish (rock lobster) on a platter, is enough to make mouths water, worldwide.

This lavish seafood option is, for most, purchased at a premium price at a top quality restaurant or from the seafood market for a special occasion. As a freediver I consider myself lucky to have the option to head out on the water and catch some crays, cook them up and share with my family and friends.

I come from Queensland, Australia, where the rules that regulate the take and possession of crayfish are a little different from those in New Zealand. The main differences between QLD and NZ are that in QLD: • Crayfish cannot be taken while using underwater breathing apparatus.

• There is a closed season when spawning occurs.

• There are more than five species commonly encountered (only one of these has a size limit).

• Boat limits apply (maximum of 10 crays in possession per boat regardless of the number of persons on board).

• Crayfish can be taken by spear.

• Possession of live crayfish by a recreational fisher is prohibited.

So when I’m in Queensland, I spear crays without even blinking an eye!

However, having a wife from Auckland, we visit New Zealand many times a year and in New Zealand of course crayfish cannot be taken by spear. Enter the challenge, grabbing crays. I am relatively new to the art of taking crayfish by hand, however, love the game. There are three main methods that I’ve employed to get these tasty bugs while I’m freediving in New Zealand.

1. The cray snare My initial attempts at grabbing crays didn’t go so well. The crayfish would escape deep into the cracks, holes or caves where they would hide and I would be left with antennae or a leg at best. My friend lent me a crayfish snare to use as they thought it might improve my odds. They weren’t wrong. It is incredible how unresponsive the crays are to a snare sliding down beside them. Once the snare was down behind their tail it was just a matter of opening the noose, placing it around the tail and snaring them as you pull them out of their shelter.

This method is used most by scuba divers targeting crays. However, the cray snare can be a great option for freedivers if you carry it on your floatline while you are spearfishing or carry the snare in your hand while strictly targeting crays. Moreover, the snare can get to crays hiding deeper in cracks than what your bare arm alone will allow.

2. Shaft block After using the snare, I realised that crays are not as afraid of a thin piece of metal as they are of a hand and arm. I adapted the snare technique to involve the use of a speargun shaft to block the escape path of a crayfish while taking the crayfish with your hand. Obviously, you need to remove the shaft from the gun somehow before trying this. Then guide the blunt end of the shaft gently in behind the cray to block their escape path and grab them

Photo: Michelle Witte.

Make sure you have a good set of gloves. Photo: Michelle Witte.

with your free hand. This method works well when crays are in a tight crack where their exit back further into the hole can be blocked by placing the shaft at the mid level of the crack behind them. The shaft does not completely block their exit, nonetheless allows you enough time to get a hold of their head or antlers (the thick base of their antennae). This method does not work well if the crayfish sees you on your first dive and you need to surface and then return after you have unloaded the shaft from your gun.

Often you will dive back down to see the crayfish has backed deep into its hole. Then in accordance with Murphy’s Law a solid kingy will swim right up to you while you are floating around with an unloaded shaft in your hand!

3. Hand grab By far the most utilised method to take crayfish when I am freedive spearfishing in New Zealand is the good old fashioned hand grab. Every time you go to grab a crayfish the conditions are slightly different and you must adapt to each situation accordingly. Like anything the more you do something the easier it gets. However, there are a few tactics that I have developed that can come in handy.

When you first see a crayfish and they see you, I recommend grabbing them on that dive (on return dives the crayfish is likely to be deep in a hole out of reach). Often a crayfish will come out of it’s shelter slightly when it first notices you as if to make sure what they have just seen is real. When crayfish are approaching you it is a good time to grab them. It is as though they take a second to change gear from forward into reverse which gives you enough time to snatch them up. I recommend driving your hand hard at them in the direction that you know they will be escaping.

It is essential that you get a good grip of their antlers or head.

Some crayfish may need a shake from side to side to persuade them to come out of their shelter. Good gloves are a must (the Atlantis G20 dive gloves are perfect and will outlast other gloves on the market).

Some crayfish will be in caves or large cracks where it is unclear which direction they will take to escape. In these instances it is sometimes possible to grab them from the top of the cephalothorax (head). Sometimes in this circumstance you can even keep them looking at one of your hands while you slide your other hand around behind them. A fast hand movement towards the top of the crayfish head (preferably from behind the antennae) is required. It is beneficial to apply a bit of pressure to pin the cray against the rock while you get a good grip.

Every so often you will get lucky and find a spot where the cray has nowhere to go. To ensure the capture, I recommend maintaining as much intensity with your grab as you would when a cray is at the entrance to a deep crack. You don’t want to spend the rest of the day kicking yourself for missing an easy grab on a good cray.

by Bart MacKenzie www.wildblue.co.nz

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Support your local BOP Coastguard units Simon Barker - Health & Safety and Training Officer

Outside of the Auckland Region, the Bay of Plenty is probably the most active boating area in the country.

Coastguard units around the country serve their local communities – and that is no different for the eight units in our area, from Whitianga in the north through Tairua, Whangamata, Waihi Beach, Tauranga, Maketu to Whakatane and Opotiki in the east. All of our units are independent entities with their own management committees, volunteer boat crew and radio operators.

On top of the day-to day-operations, each unit needs to consider its equipment maintenance programme, volunteer recruitment strategy, training programme, in adherence to the national coastguard framework, and fundraising activities. These are just some of the activities undertaken on a voluntary basis.

Across the eight units there are about 280 volunteers running five radio rooms and manning a total of 11 boats. In any given year these people give thousands of volunteer hours in support

of the coastguard cause. And in many cases, there is considerable out of pocket costs associated with this work. Every one of these volunteers does this because they believe in what their units do, and it’s their way of giving back to their communities while undertaking a rewarding and enjoyable vocation.

These units are in addition to the regional support office, currently located at Mount Maunganui, which also has a small number of radio operators running a back-up radio hub supporting those smaller units in the eastern region and further afield, as well as a number of paid support staff.

All of our Coastguard units encourage the boating public to support them. Show them your support by making sure you join your local unit’s membership scheme, which is always excellent value in case you need their service.

And remember to make use of the radio services when you head out to sea – and, to close your trip report, so we know you are safely back.

We all want you to enjoy your day on the water and return home safely at the end of it. Happy boating everyone and here’s to a great summer ahead of us.

Unsafe lifejackets

Kapok filling or cotton straps

Old lifejackets with kapok filling or cotton straps are unsafe, likely to fail when used, and should be destroyed.

That’s the message from Maritime NZ. General manager Maritime compliance Kenny Crawford says these old lifejackets should be replaced as soon as possible with modern foam-filled or inflatable lifejackets and destroyed so they cannot be reused or on-sold.

“Check, replace, destroy.”

These lifejackets are decades old and have not been made since the 1980s. However, an unknown number are still being used.

“Kapok is a cotton-like fluff that is no longer used in lifejackets because it naturally loses buoyancy over time and if it gets wet will absorb water and pull you down,” says Kenny.

“Cotton straps rot over time, even if the lifejacket is not used, and will tear or break off. The lifejacket will come off in the water,” says Kenny.

“If one of these lifejackets has been used in the past and floated, then it should still be replaced as soon as possible and destroyed. It will have deteriorated and might not float now.

“Even if these lifejackets are in their original packaging, have

never been used and look in perfect condition replace and destroy them. They are too old and are unsafe.”

Kenny says these old lifejackets complied with international rules when they were manufactured, and many of them have the old standards ‘S’ logo on them. However, they no longer comply with the modern New Zealand standard.

Boaties would originally have bought the lifejackets new in the 1980s and even earlier.

“They will have been used in summers and stored over winters again and again,” says Kenny.

“They may have been passed down in families and to friends or sold second-hand.

“They are turning up on TradeMe and at the ‘Old4New’ lifejacket upgrades that are funded by Maritime NZ and run by Coastguard in summer.

“TradeMe, Coastguard and many others are helping us get rid of these old lifejackets.”

On Maritime NZ’s advice, TradeMe has removed several old lifejackets from auctions and will continue to do so as more are posted for sale.

“Now is a great time to ‘check, replace, destroy’ old lifejackets before the weather improves and boaties start getting back out on the water,” says Kenny.

“If you have this message, pass it on. Tell your family and tell a friend.” waterline Spring 2018

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Kaituna River re-diversion pre-construction - pano of Te Paika paddocks to become wetland and Maketu Estuary. Photo: Andy Belcher

Te Tumu Cut (Kaituna River mouth) surfcasters and Ford Road boat ramp users have been looking for new fishing and launching spots since the Ford Road end was closed on August 1.

“The Maketu Hoe Waka Club has temporarily relocated from Ford Road to Kaituna River Road during the construction period.

“That means they’ll be training upstream of the Bell Road boat ramp more often than before,” says Pim. See more information about the project at: www.boprc.govt.nz/kaitunarediversion

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Kaituna catchments manager Pim de Monchy says the long term benefits will be worth the short-term inconvenience.

“The Kaituna River re-diversion project aims to restore the health and mauri (life force) of Te awa o Ngatoroirangi Maketu Estuary. It will improve fish breeding areas, and see upgraded recreation facilities. But to deliver that, we’ve needed to restrict public access during construction work,” says Pim. Ford Road end and the Ford Road boat ramp are currently closed to vehicle and pedestrian access. An upgraded new carpark and fishing platform will open at Te Tumu Cut by December 20, 2018, in time for surfcasters to enjoy it this summer. An improved new boat ramp facility will be available at Ford Road by June 30, 2020.

In the meantime, the Bell Road boat ramp will be the only public launch site for boat access to the lower Kaituna River.

Pim says regular ramp users should expect to see large waka ama canoes upstream more often from now on.

We’re bringing fresh water back Ford Road and boat ramp closures To enable construction work:

Work to partially re-divert the Kaituna River and make Te Awa o Ngatoroirangi Maketū Estuary healthier has begun.

n

Ford Road access to the Kaituna Scenic Reserve/Te Tumu Cut carpark will be closed to all vehicle and pedestrian access from 1 August - 20 December 2018. Traffic restrictions will remain in place at Ford’s Cut bridge until 30 June 2020.

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Ford Road boat ramp and the stop bank on both sides of Ford Road will be closed to the public from 1 August 2018 - 30 June 2020. Please use the alternative boat ramp at Bell Road during this time.

See www.boprc.govt.nz/kaitunarediversion or call 0800 884 880 for more information.

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Paua poaching sentence

Rare spirit opportunity The Spirit of Adventure Trust offers young New Zealanders the chance to make voyages of personal discovery on board their tall ship, Spirit of New Zealand.

Occasionally they’re able to give adults a look-in as well, with a bucket list experience amidst the yard arms, belaying pins and fore to ‘gallants of a traditional sailing vessel, as they relocate the ship from one port to another.

“These short voyages provide a rare opportunity for keen adventurers to fulfil an ambition to sail on a tall ship, enjoying an authentic taste of life at sea,” says the trust’s website.

This November it’s Tauranga’s turn to see the Spirit of New Zealand in port, and older salts of the Bay of Plenty have the chance to join the barquentine for such a voyage, departing for Napier on November 14 and arriving three days later.

No experience is necessary, so don’t let that stop you.

Full details are available at: www.spiritofadventure.org.nz/ voyages/voyage/public-coastal

The jailing of a man over paua poaching offences sends a strong message that the illegal gathering and selling of paua on the black market will not be tolerated, says the Ministry for Primary Industries.

Kaitaia man William Rini Wikitera, 42, received a year-long jail term when he was sentenced in the Auckland District Court on two charges under the Fisheries Act. Wikitera, who has previous convictions for paua poaching, was one of two people before the court for paua-related offences committed between March and August 2015.

Drownings avoidable The sinking of the commercial charter vessel, Francie, provides a tragic illustration of the importance of lifejackets and the crucial decisions a skipper has to make.

Maritime NZ director Keith Manch says seven passengers and the skipper drowned when Francie sank trying to cross the bar as it returned to Kaipara Harbour at about 2pm on November 26, 2016. Three passengers survived. The report found: “The forecast weather conditions, in combination with the state of the tide, were not suitable for the Francie to head out over the Kaipara Harbour bar and make a safe return”.

It also found: “It is virtually certain that everyone on board would have had a better chance of survival if they had been wearing a lifejacket, and virtually certain that more people would have survived had the lifejackets been fitted with crotch straps”.

EPA reminds boaties of antifouling ban Boaties need to be aware of new rules banning the use of some antifoul substances.

The Environmental Protection Authority is reminding the boating community of the ban now in force on antifoulings containing diuron, octhilinone and ziram.

The restrictions on manufacturing and importing products containing the chemicals came into force in June last year, but the EPA is keen to remind boaties any affected antifouling paints they may have, can still be used.

“Retailers can continue to sell and use remaining stock, and the public can continue to use the last of their products if they wish,” says Dr Stephen Cobb of the agency’s Hazardous Substances Group.

The EPA decided in 2013 the chemicals were too toxic to marine life, and gave manufacturers and importers a four year window to find substitutes.

“These paints are slow-release toxic coatings,” says Stephen,

“and when numbers of boats are moored together in marinas and harbours, the substances build up to concentrations that can affect people and the environment”.

“There are now alternatives which are less toxic to marine life in high concentrations.

“An EPA decision-making committee decided in a reassessment that the risks from some antifouling paints outweigh the benefits under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act.” EPA senior communications Aadvisor Mark Wardle says they believe the boating community is playing ball.

“We are not aware of any retailers, importers or manufacturers breaking the new rules around antifouling paint,” says Mark.

A fourth chemical, thiram, is also in the EPA’s sights, but as it is more widely used in antifouling products and is considered less toxic than the initial three manufacturers have a longer window to eliminate it. It will be banned from June 2023. waterline Spring 2018

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Pelin 6.8 all aluminium pontoon boat with 135 hp Honda four stroke outboard

Dive/fish professionally custom-built centre console vessel. Used primarily for Waterline Magazine photography, it’s had an easy life and lived indoors between assignments.

Between jobs it has doubled as an exceptional dive/fish/ski boat, with copious space.

Full walk-around for fishing and a heap of deck space. Uncluttered and simple.

Eight separate sealed air compartments and completely sealed underfloor buoyancy, self-draining floor with large-bore duckbills.

Deck self-drains, bimini and accessories.

Easy towing and manoeuvring on a galv single-axle trailer, submersible lights, spare wheel and jockey wheel.

Lighter, faster and better handling than other pontoon hulls. Similar to Stabicraft, Kiwicraft etc but better ride. Very stable at rest.

$35,000 ono 38

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Email: brian@thesun.co.nz or phone 0274 996 747

Go adventuring With pace, grace and space Here’s a boat with some stories to tell.

This magazine’s photography boat ‘Waterline 1’ has taken us to some amazing places. With pace, grace and space!

Waterline 1 is on the market as we’re now using a Sealegs.

It’s time for the big aluminium pontoon to find a new home and new adventures.

She started as a custom designed and professionally-built dive boat, and was snapped by ‘Waterline Magazine’ for photography work. Powered with a velvety smooth Honda 135hp four-stroke, the Pelin is an absolute delight to drive.

All controls are light and responsive. Hydraulic steering is fingertip light and the handling impeccable.

The vessel has covered everything from sailing events to major breaking news stories. The Pelin was the first media boat on scene at Astrolabe Reef when the Rena was wrecked, snapping scene photos before the exclusion zone was in place, the belligerent crew still strolling the decks drinking coffee.

It’s the perfect boat for a dive trip to Mayor Island, a trip she’s made comfortably and safely many times. It’s good to know there’s a capable hull and unsinkable, solid pontoons around you when weather kicks up on the way home.

As the original ad for the boat advised: “Don’t go to sea on an airbag.”

Waterline 1 has notched up a few classic coastal trips too, to Whitianga from Tauranga by sea several times and daytrips to the Mercs, Aldermen and Motiti Islands.

In between the photography assignments, the whole family and their mates have enjoyed many days out on the Pelin. Whether fishing out of Tauranga or playing on boards up the harbour, it has proven a versatile all-rounder.

Layout is simple and uncluttered and easy washdown, with self draining cockpit.

The entire rig on a galv trailer is single axle, so easy for one person to push around the yard and manoeuvre in the shed.

There’s more specifics in the advertisement in this mag.

Phone Brian 0274 996 747 or email: brian@thesun.co.nz waterline Spring 2018

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One-stop marine shop

From small beginnings repairing outboard motors out of a van, MasterTech Marine’s Karl and Kirstine Rastrick now operate out of a purpose-built workshop and showroom at The Lakes.

The couple have been in the marine industry for more than 25 years.

In 1999 Karl started servicing and repairing outboard motors out of a van. Within 12 months the business had taken off, requiring a move into a building in Koromiko Street and later, into another building at Sulphur Point where the business grew for another five years.

MasterTech Marine is now located in a purpose-built workshop and showroom at The Lakes, selling leading brands from the US and Japan, including Mercury and Suzuki, and has been the

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recipient of at least 10 awards for sales-related excellence.

Karl says companies such as Mercury and Suzuki are innovative and forward-moving, investing in their product, performance, service and reliability.

“We understand the product, and because we use and test the product, we can give our clients honest advice.”

And it seems the growth rate in the business has still not levelled off. Karl and Kirstine are extending the workshop by another 50 per cent to make it the largest undercover marine showroom in New Zealand. This will allow them to house the newest equipment for faster turn-around.

“If it happens fast and effectively, it saves the client money,” says Karl. “We aspire to be the best.”

Karl has extensive technical know-how, a deep passion for the marine industry and a steel-faced determination to ensure that his clients get the best marine experience possible.

MasterTech Marine aims to be a one-stop-shop where clients can get the best advice, safety gear, and training on how to use their vessels as part of the sales service.

“This is the least we can do to ensure that we look after their interests on a large and significant investment,” says Karl. “We produce information and programmes that helps our clients look after their equipment.”

Karl and Kirstine are also heavily involved with Coastguard and support the ‘Old for New’ lifejacket initiative.

MasterTech Marine supplies and installs radar, autopilots, and GPS Fishfinders and is a pro-store accredited agent for Minn Kota systems.

at The Lakes

ADVERTORIAL

These are a clever little electric trolling motor set-up that will keep your boat on your desired location without the need to drop an anchor. This dynamic positioning system will even move you to a location against the weather and tide (within limits). Some models will even self-deploy at the push of a button.

MasterTech Marine also stocks an extensive range of boating and outdoor products and works with like-mined suppliers to ensure their collective buying power offers the best value for clients.

“Everyone wants to get the best deal they can,” says Karl. “My goal is to make that happen for them at one place. As our group buying power is gaining popularity and people are learning that they can access pretty much anything, our website sales are also increasing rapidly.”

Goods can be ordered online at: www.boatingandoutdoors. co.nz and either delivered or collected from the showroom. Layby is also available.

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Club Events ers Rotorua Angl n io at Associ

7 October & 11 November Childrens Fishing Days for children between 6 and 14 years old at the Fish & Game Grounds in Paradise rotoruaanglers@gmail.com

Tauranga Anglers Clu b

17 September Speaker MR Jim Tamlyn of Kilwell rod factory, Rotorua 22 September Club trip – Rotorua day fish out 15 October Wader safety at Dive shop pool followed by speaker Bert Robinson Phil Sinclair

ort Tauranga Sp b lu C g in sh Fi (Inc.)

Tauranga Ya ch & Power Bo t at Club

23 September Club Opening Day 4 October Basic Skills Night

Ph 07 578 5502

adio Tauranga R b lu C g Sailin

a Whangamat s rt o Sp an Oce Club

Ph 07 576 3823

Ph 07 578 6203

plotter sounders 23-25 November Club trip to Lake Rerewhakaaitu 3 December Xmas BBQ and casting competition

philsinc@kinect.co.nz 5-7 October Monster Trout Tournament 6 November Melbourne Cup Festival – sweepstakes, noodle races & more 7 November - 7pm “Believe it or Not” Quiz with Will Johnstone from the Hits 17-18 November Snapper/Kingfish Tournament (reserve 24th-25th November) www.tsfc.co.nz

11 October WOW 1 25 October WOW 2

office@yacht.org.nz

Ph 0274 514 240

15-16 September Lake Aniwhenua 25 September Club AGM 7.30pm St Johns Rooms, Arawa St, Alan Collins

rotoruaanglers.org.nz

on Rotorua area Flyfishing at present October Club trip is to Lake Rotoma for Tiger trout and Rainbows 19 November Speakers are Conder Marine on fuel and electronics eg chart

Sailing remote control yachts on Lake Taurikura Saturday 11am until 4pm

Graham Roberts

Whakatane Trout Fishin g Club

Ph 07 357 5247

1-31 September Tarpaulin Makers Albacore/Hapuka Tournament 5 September - 7pm “Believe it or Not” Quiz with Will Johnstone from the Hits 29 & 30 September Interclub Tournament TSFC vs MMSFC 3 October - 7pm “Believe it or Not” Quiz with Will Johnstone from the Hits Courtenay Robinson

Valley Road, Rotorua. You must pre-book you spot. https://fishandgame.org.nz/eastern/news/childrengiven-chance-to-catch-a-rainbow-trout/

07 312 4966

www.yacht.org.nz

Wednesday 1pm until 4pm Scoria Close, The Lakes, Tauriko, Tauranga

nz777gar@gmail.com Whakatane 7 October Barbeque Lake Rotoiti acjc@kinect.co.nz

May to 31 October Whangamata Ocean Sports Club Winter Fishing Series Phil Keogh

0274 865 520

www.oceansports.co.nz

DOES YOUR CLUB HAVE UPCOMING EVENTS? PROMOTE THEM HERE FOR FREE! email kathy@sunmedia.co.nz with your upcoming events and contact details before 10 November for our Summer Issue 42

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Classifieds Batteries - Battery Direct NZ www.batterydirect.co.nz sales@batterydirect.co.nz Phone 0800 267 468.

Boat Maintenance - Matamata Motor Trimmers & Upholstery. Boat clear, canvas work, upholstery. Phone 07 571 4421 Cnr Mirrieless & Cross Roads, Tauranga.

For Sale - Lasers for sale - Two to choose from. One classic older beach boat, perfect for cruising around the harbour/lake. $1000. Another highly spec’d Laser, former national champs boat. Been in storage for several years. Heaps of gear, several sails and spares. Also a complete Radial rig and sail, never used. Would suit aspiring racer as this boat has plenty potential. $5000.

No beach trailers. Both Lasers in Tauranga. May deliver in BOP-Coromandel. Ph 027 4 99 6747.

For Sale - Bonito Aquarius Trailer sailor, 22 feet, Suzuki 8 HP 4 Stroke outboard, electronics, full set of sails, tandem trailer. Very tidy. Ph 027 449 6543.

For Sale - Volvo MTR 200 HP x 1 $11,500.

130 HP $4,500 or to be run in. May Trade.

Phone 07 843 392 or 027 620 9712.

For Sale - Steel x 10ft. Little B46 Tauranga Ph 07 843 4392

launch 30ft use. View Marina. $18,000 or 027 620 9712.

Mooring for Rent - The strand. Prime spot. Up to 9m. $36 p/w. Omokoroa - up to 12m $29 p/w.

Phone 027 557 0400.

Wanted - Volvo 200 or 230. Phone 07 843 4392 or 027 620 9712.

List your classified here! Contact Jo on 07 557 0506 or jo@thesun.co.nz

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