The Last Heli for the Summer

With one day up his sleeve Jamie was keen to hit the coast before heading back to welly so after a big weekend in chch we headed to the coast for a day mission into the Arahura. But we had one small problem getting there so after hunting around until 11pm that night we found a super keen Simon, this was to be his first coast mission and what a good introduction to coast boating.

Upper Waiau

Here is a trip me and a few boys did a at the end of last year

Pre-expedition planning, or lack of it, showed as boats were packed and boat-carrying systems fitted for the two hour walk( cos we were so fast) to the put-in. After labouring up Maling Pass with a hail-beating norwesterly in our faces and nearly 30kg loads on our backs the sight of the river 6km away and 400m below us was surprisingly refreshing. Down in the valley, two hours of scraping down the humble beginnings of the Waiau saw us cold and tired as we pulled in to first gorge. From here class III+ boulder gardens provided plenty of entertainment up untill our camp for the night, which there just so happed to be a hut not to far up in the bush,
Day two: Still more bouncy wave-trains and boulder gardens brought us into the 'Narrows'. The guidebook offers the advice 'don't swim in the Narrows' and the reason became obvious as we scouted the first 500m of narrow bedrock gorge with some sizeable hydraulics and no opportunities for bank rescue. The crux move, called The Weir, was successfully run,. The next section was the narrowest on the river, the whole river moving through a slot less than 6m wide pushing off both sides for probably over 20m.
From here unique bush-clad gorges with fun rapids, it was with great reluctance that we paddled out of the mountains to the open valley and the Hope River confluence.

ABLE TASMAN

Well, what can I say about this place if I was to describe it in one word I couldn’t so don’t ask all I can say is that it is a must do you can make it as hard or easy as you want.

tonga island

With a strong crew we were keen to go where no cpit crew had dared beforerite to the top (mutton cove). Day one was around 15km which in sea kayaking terms is quite along way around about four hours following the coastline. This part of the leg was a grate introduction to what Able Tasman had to offer from rugged coast lines to peaceful bays.

Day two was another big day up to Mutton cove rite at the top of the east coast of the south island. The day started with another amazing sunrise caped off with our first introduction to the seal colony on Tonga Island the day could not have got any better from here once again followed the stunning coastline rite to mutton cove just in time to get the tents up and enjoy the warm water before tucking into a feed.

Shag Harbor

a kick ass sting ray

Day Three bigger than the pervious day we started with a walk to separation point then back down to camp with 17km ahead of us and knowing that bad weather was approaching we had to bust a move down the coast line and then back into Tonga Island where the seals were really putting on a show. With the weather really giving it to us we paddled for shelter in mosquito bay.







Making Kava "nz style"

Day Four from mosquito bay apple tree bay was a day filled with everything the weather could offer from cloud swept sky’s to a mad mile. The day was long but yet one of the better with a trip into Cleopatra fall for a nice cool swim and crashing waves, high winds what more could you ask for, for a white water paddler. Arriving at apple tree bay where the famous wheeler cheese cake was severed with white wine. the top of the southDay five was the shortest of the days with a five o’clock wake up call and on the water by six we set sail for Marahau paddling in the dark and watching the sun rise over you shoulder was something to withhold. Arriving at Marahau at around seven just in time for the high tied.

heading for home

North Island Kayaking

“Bro it was mean, we just did laps on the Kaituna all holidays”

These were that words that I heard all the time when the crew came back down to study after the holidays. So I decided to put my A into G and head up north for a week paddling to see what all the fuss was about. It all started back before exams when Ben Craddock and myself decided to head up but after new years bens funds become some what depleted and it didn’t help that his van got stolen again and sold to a scrap metal place so with Ben fighting off guard dogs to get his van back, I took off up north with a mate who just happened to be driving to Napier so with 7.30am start we finally arrived in Napier 14 hours later just in time to hit the piss in Havelock.


Me just after droping the falls

With a 4 hour trip in the morning to the Wairoa the night was some what cut short at 3.30am. We arrived at the Wairoa at around lunch time and managed to get 4 runs in before they shut the water off. After waiting at the hospital for Sam to get 9 stitches in his eyebrow from a wee slip up on the river, we rolled onto Papamoa for the night.

Kaituna hole

From Papamoa we went to hit the famous Kaituna up we were there for 2 days and managed to get 10 or so runs in over the 2 days. Big ups to Libby for letting us crash at her place
On the Wednesday we busted a move and headed south to the Rangitikei after 5 hours of driving we were glad to see some water. Levels were low but never or less it was still a mean day with 20 more cfs this run would be one of the best runs in the north.
Thanks for the sweet trip crew

Swiming in the dam .... so much fun