The Sea Canoeist Newsletter

No. 121 February - March 2006 THE SEA CANOEIST NEWSLETTER

COASTBUSTERS 2006

Billy Bowman, age nine, smiling after his first successfull handroll in a sea . His coach in the water was Greenland style expert, Turner Wilson

The Journal of the Kiwi Association of Sea Kayakers (N.Z.) Inc. - KASK

1 No. 121 February - March 2006 KASK LRB3 - KASK HANDBOOK GISBORNE Sea Kayakers Club For a copy (or trade orders) of this John Humphris, 3 Matthews Rd, Gisborne KASK, the Kiwi Association of Sea mother of all sea handbooks, Ph: (06) 868 4657 Kayakers (N.Z.) Inc., a network of contact Paul Caffyn, RD 1, Runanga, email: [email protected] or New Zealand sea kayakers, has the 7854. West Coast. [email protected] objectives of: e-mail: [email protected] Website:www.geocities.com/ 1. promoting and encouraging the Price: $24.00 gisborne_sea_kayakers/ sport of sea kayaking New members: gratis NEW PLYMOUTH KASK Contact 2. promoting safety standards Make cheques out to KASK (NZ) Inc. Bob Talbot, 3. developing techniques & 10 Ranfurly St., Waitara. equipment THE LRB3, or the Little Red Book Ph: 06 754 4191(H) or 0274 457038 4. dealing with issues of coastal 3rd. Edition, is a mammoth compila- email: [email protected] access and protection tion on all aspects of sea kayaking in WELLINGTON Network 5. organizing an annual sea kayak New Zealand, by many of the most Mike Wilkin forum experienced paddlers in the Universe. 23 A Ilam Grove 6. publishing a bimonthly Following a brief introduction, the Kelson, Lower Hutt newsletter. handbook is divided into six sections: Phone: (04) 565 0880 - Kayak, & Equipment email: [email protected] The Sea Canoeist Newsletter is pub- -Techniques & Equipment Website: www.wskn.wellington.net.nz lished bimonthly as the official news- - The Elements letter of the Kiwi Association of Sea - Trips and Expeditions SOUTH ISLAND Kayakers (N.Z.) Inc. - Places to Go MARLBOROUGH Articles, trips reports, book reviews, - Resources equipment reviews, new techniques, Helen Woodward Ph: (03) 579 5669 letter to the editor, and moments when SEA KAYAKING the word 'Bugger!' was said singu- [email protected] larly or often {referred to by some as NETWORK ADDRESSES NELSON - KASK Contact incidents} are sought to enliven the NORTH ISLAND Nora Flight pages of the newsletter. NORTHLAND Club Ph: (03) 544 7877 PO Box 755, Whangarei email: [email protected] Send in a plain brown envelope, or via Brian Lamerton CANTERBURY Sea Kayak Network cybermail to: Ph: (09) 437 2858 Andy & Deirdre Sheppard Editor: Paul Caffyn, email: [email protected] 53 Kent Lodge Ave RD 1, Runanga. 7854 AUCKLAND Canoe Club Avonhead, Christchurch. 8004 West Coast .N.Z. PO Box 9271, Ph: (03) 342 7929 Ph/Fax: (03) 7311806 Newmarket, Auckland. email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] email: www.CanterburySeaKayak.orcon.net.nz [email protected] OTAGO KASK Annual Subscription HAURAKI Kayak Group Rob Tipa (03) 478 0360 $35 single membership Pelham Housego PO Box 46-146, Herne Bay, Auckland [email protected] ($105 for 3 years; $175 for 5 years) SOUTHLAND Sea Kayak Network $40 family membership. WAIKATO KASK Contact Evan Pugh, RD2, Putaruru Stan Mulvany $35 overseas 03 215 7263 A subscription form can be [email protected] Ph: (07) 883 6898 email: [email protected] downloaded from the KASK website. Website: www.sskn.uniformnz.com Cheques should be made out to: RUAHINE Whitewater Club 71 Salisbury St., Ashhurst. K.A.S.K. (NZ) Inc. & mailed to: SKOANZ KASK Administrator Ph: 06 326 8667 Fax: 06 326 8472 www.q-.co.nz/pages/club.asp Sea Kayak Operators Assn. NZ PO Box 23, Runanga. 7854 Suzanne Dent, Administrator West Coast BAY OF PLENTY - KASK Contact Iona Bailey, Tauranga SKOANZ PO Box 1222 Correspondence/Queries to: Ph: (07) 576 1492 email: [email protected] Christchurch Linda Ingram Ph/fax; 03 329 8317 KASK Administrator ROTORUA- KASK Contact John Flemming, PO Box 1872, Rotorua email: [email protected] PO Box 23, Runanga. 7854 Website: www.skoanz.org.nz West Coast Ph/fax: (07) 347 9950 email: [email protected] Rotorua Kayak Club Send address changes for receiving KASK Website: www.kask.co.nz the newsletter via email to Linda at: 7 Mahana Place, Rotorua [email protected] Ph: (027) 292 3138 email: [email protected]

2 The Sea Canoeist Newsletter

INDEX EDITORIAL ers’. KASK is indebted to both these Coastbusters 2006 ladies for their contribution to sea EDITORIAL p. 3 As you will read from the reports, this kayaking in NZ. symposium was a great success. My COASTBUSTERS 2006 thanks to Cathye Haddock, Ruth Susan Cade was re-elected as presi- Overview Henderson and Debbie Dunsford for dent, and Iona Bailey and the editor by Paul Caffyn p. 4 providing their views of the weekend both remain on the committee. Pro- Pod Scenarios with rather a short deadline. After files on the new committee members by Ruth Henderson p. 8 spending two weeks travelling with are included in this newsletter; for Vignettes guest speaker, Justine Curgenven, I Phil Oster, Julie Reynolds, Nadia by Cathye Haddock p.13 have penned a profile of this remark- Lehmann and Kerry Howe. With a The DoC Session able young lady. Congratulations to full strength committee, KASK will by Debbie Dunsford p.17 Paul Hayward and the Red Team for endeavour to raise its profile over the organising a superb weekend. next 12 months. PADDLER PROFILE Justine Curgenven Newsletter The Graham Eggar paddle trophy by Paul Caffyn p.10 The lateness of the last newsletter was award for outstanding contribution to partly due to tardiness on the part of sea kayaking over the past 12 months FIRST KAYAKING TRIPS the editor and partly due to the Massey was made to the trio of Graham by Kerry Howe p. 9 printery experiencing problems with Charles, Mark Jones and Marcus the binding. My thanks to Susan Cade Waters for their first circumnaviga- KASK for mailing out newsletter 120. An tion of South Georgia. Profiles of new committee members editor’s delight to is have a surfeit of p.15 material and that is the case for this The Graham Eggar paddle trophy newsletter. award for outstanding contribution to CALENDAR p.16 the KASK newsletter was made to Kerry Howe has penned a lovely story Bob Wishart for his superb story, ‘A THE ‘BUGGER!’ FILE of his very first kayaking trip. And I Touch of Fiordland’, of a paddle from Swan defending its nest already have two more for the next the Hollyford River down to Doubtful from Alan Byde p.17 newsletter from Kevin Dunsford and Sound, which featured in newsletter Brian Begley. As I explained to Brian number 117. In the view of the editor BOOK REVIEWS at Coastbusters, the newsletter is just the graphic descriptive writing of this ‘Hooper Bay Kayak Construction’ not for experienced expedition pad- trip, highlighted with capsizes in surf, review: Alan Byde p.18 dlers, but is for all phases of paddling mixed with a touch of humour, was ‘Sea Folk and Ocean Paddlers’ experience. We all have to start off the best article of the past 12 months. review: Sandy Ferguson p.18 from scratch, and if you have a grand story of either your first kayak or first National Pleasure Boat Forum DVD REVIEW paddling experience, please put fin- The next meeting is in Wellington on ‘This is the Sea 2’ ger to keys and pen a story. 9 May. If you have any issues with review: Kevin Killilea p.19 respect to kayak safety to be raised, KASK AGM please get in touch with the editor. HUMOUR p.19 The gender balance of the committee changed dramatically following elec- MNZ Cook Strait Safety Package tions at the AGM, and I will no longer At the check in booth for the ferry have to wear a frock to ‘face to face’ sailing back to the South Island, the DEADLINE committee meetings (I was the only lass noticed a kayak on my roofrack, bloke in the previous committee). Of and passed me a kayaking safety pack- For the April - May concern however is that the bulk of age, which included the KASK safe newsletter the new committee is from that island sea kayaking brochure. Well done to 15 May 2006 north of Cook Strait! Sue Tucker of MNZ for her initiative in organising this safety inititiative. Helen Woodward, who organised the successful Anikiwa KASK forum, Sea Kayaking Pilgrimage stood down from the committee as did This should be a great weekend in the THANKS Cathye Haddock, who played a vital Marlborough Sounds. The date is 29 To all the contributors behind the scenes role in the KASK to 30 April, and the site of the Vikings application to Water Safety NZ for dress up, from 6pm on the Saturday funding grants, and worked on the sea night, is the Ratimera Bay DoC camp- kayaking section for the book ‘Out- site, in Ruakaka Bay. door Activities, Guidelines for Lead-

3 No. 121 February - March 2006

After Freya’s demonstration, John COASTBUSTERS Kirk-Anderson took to the water in 2006 her tight fitting kayak, wearing one of the Greenland style parka/sprayskirts, by Paul Caffyn and was shown the ropes by Freya. Although John is the last person to be This sea kayaking symposium was an called timid, he was setting up for a outstanding success. Long term plan- roll when Freya firmly pushed his ning by Paul Hayward and his red head over while pulling on the deck- team achieved a smoothly run show, lines. A rather quick capsize. with some 165 paddlers attending. Paul enticed four Greenland style pad- Greg Stamer has been paddling since dling experts from the USA and the his teenage years. He started in Cana- gorgeous Justine Curgenven from the dian style but took to sea kay- UK, the lass who recently paddled aks and developed an interest in Green- around Tasmania. Kiwi speakers in- land style paddling. In 2000 he at- cluded John Kirk-Anderson who tried tended the annual kayak games in recently to round Stewart Island, Sue Greenland. Paul Hayward Tucker from Maritime New Zealand and Joe Rogers from the Coastguard. Turner Wilson (cover photo) has been bundled him downstairs. The paddler paddling for 10 years. He had an op- did state to the ladies that he was not The Milford school venue worked portunity to try a Greenland style pad- wearing a stitch of clothing, but he well for the Friday and Saturday work- dler and has never looked back. He was carried down to the party where shops, panel discussions and keynote noted he had been waiting for 45 years the sleeping bag slipped (was pulled speakers, as well as the evening nosh to visit New Zealand. off?) to reveal the paddler in all his on the Saturday. Lake Pupuke proved glory. Tony went on to note that the ideal for the pod built kayak trialing Cheri Taylor spoke of paddling in paddler was none other than John and race, as well as a grand spot to Greenland only six months after tak- Kirk-Anderson, and that one of the observe three of the Greenland style ing up sea kayaking. Her interest is in kidnappers was in fact keynote speaker paddling experts to show their stuff the traditional style paddling, bracing Justine Curgenven. John Kirk- on the water. and rolling techniques. Anderson reckoned that Justine did not recognise him the previous day On the Friday evening Tony Dumper Tony Dumper began an introduction with his clothes on. And then Justine introduced the overseas speakers, prior to John Kirk-Anderson by speaking piped up, “ Ladies, it was worth it!” to a slide/video show of Greenland about a Kiwi paddler who was attend- paddling and annual kayak games. ing a BCU (British Canoe Union) Prior to the slide show on Greenland course at the Nigel Dennis Anglesey paddling, paddlers were dispatched to had been paddling centre. The paddler was upstairs in a one of 25 pods, for a briefing on the for the past 10 years. A former gym- bunkroom, catching up on some sleep Sunday scenario session, and discus- nast, she was keen on skydiving, but while a party raged downstairs. A sion on the challenge to build a corru- got pregnant and raised her kid in the bevy of beautiful female paddlers gated plastic kayak, with a race on the back of a kayak. She has been on the unceremoniously dragged the paddler Saturday afternoon. This session was sea kayaking symposium circuit and - who was in a sleeping bag - and a good ice breaker and a chance to loved doing various moves in and out meet other paddlers and learn of their of her kayaks. Freya brought with her Cheri Taylor experience. two Greenland style kayaks, a folder that was constructed with help from Saturday was a full on day of work- German friend, and a lovely black shops, lectures and panel discussions. carbon fibre Japanese made boat, that Justine talked about filming on the broke down easily into four sections water, there were sessions on rolling for air travel. During the Saturday for women, yoga, physiotherapy, and afternoon Greenland paddling session, gadgets. John Kirk-Anderson gave a Freya stood in her kayak cockpit, pad- slide show on his attempt to round dle balanced on her head, then placed Stewart Island which I rather enjoyed the paddle across the cockpit, and for his humour and thoughts on why amazingly did a headstand. Then she he had to give up on the attempt. John brought her legs down onto the pad- has promised a report and photos on dle, and finished the move with a this trip for the newsletter. One of his forward roll onto the kayak foredeck. slides showed a download of his GPS tracklog during his breakout from Lit-

4 The Sea Canoeist Newsletter

noted several key matters for kayak- ers to consider, the first an under- standing of weather, particularly the threat of strong offshore winds. He noted there were now continuous VHF weather forecasts available for the Hauraki Gulf, channel; 80 for the in- ner gulf, and 82 for the outer gulf.

Joe stated that in the gulf with so much boat traffic, kayak visibility was a key issue and that chopper flags were an absolute must. At night he noted that the rounded hulls of sea kayaks did not show up at all well on Vincent Maire, awarded with a radar screens and an all round white Greenland paddle for his organisation of light was essential for night paddlers. previous Coastbusters Joe noted that reflective tape on the structing sea kayaking is to have his kayak, clothing, paddle and lifejacket clients leave their boats on the water, made night searches so much easier - swim to shore, and then he asks them an exercise showed that the visibility to check exactly what they have on Kevin Dunsford demonstating his them for survival and communication pump’s waterproof battery kit to a kayak at night with a helicopter spotlight, was three times greater when in the event of losing their boat. tle Hellfire Beach on the west coast of the reflective tape was used. the island. The maximum speed he Sue Tucker spoke of the need to keep achieved was 32.1 kph. He went on to Following a recent major search in the a cellphone in a waterproof bag or confess that this remarkable speed gulf, after a sit-on-top kayak was found ziplock bag, as so many boaties have was achieved when a whopper breaker floating without paddler by a yacht - been found dead in the water, with a flipped his Nordkapp over in a rather the search involved three police craft, cellphone on their belt. I related the sudden backwards loop! a rescue helicopter and six CG vessels story of the Dunedin paddler who had - Joe recommended having your name an out of boat experience in Port Taking part in a safety panel work- and contact telephone number either Chalmers, during winter, and his life shop, along with Sue Tucker of Mari- in the kayak cockpit or on a sit-on-top was saved with a cellphone in a plastic time NZ and John Kirk-Anderson, we kayak. The missing paddler did contact bag, attached by a line around his heard from the northern region Coast- the police the next day, but if his details neck. He called 111 and then had to guard boatmaster, Joe Rogers, of 30 had been on the boat, it would have direct the rescue boats in the big chop kayak related rescues conducted by saved a lot of time, money and effort. to pick him up. Sue also noted if you CG in the past 12 months including ever have to call in a rescue, you need three major search and rescue opera- John Kirk-Anderson noted that one of to know your precise position. tions in the past three months. He the exercises he conducts when in- Comment was made also of the su- Freya Hoffmeister instructing John Kirk-Anderson in Greenland rolling perb visibility of the bright pink safety sausages, that are carried by divers. Joe noted that a cyalume chemical light stick or torch can be inserted in a safety sausage, before inflation, to assist searchers at night.

Mid Saturday afternoon, the 25 pods got together again for assembly and testing of the corrugated plastic kay- aks. Materials provided included precut sheets, duct tape and a sharp thingy. A race out and around two kayaks provided much laughter, with only one or two capsizes.

The KASK AGM was held at 6pm, and after dinner and drinks, paddlers were ready for Justine’s presentation.

5 No. 121 February - March 2006

Vincent Maire was called from the crowd and presented with a Green- land paddle for his sterling work over the years with organising previous Coastbusters.

With a combination of powerpoint slides and video clips, Justine Curgenven took paddlers through her sea kayaking career and the equip- ment she used to film material for her ‘This is the Sea DVDs’. Her enthusi- asm for sea kayaking was obvious and her show had to be one of the high- lights of Coastbusters.

Sunday morning, paddlers drove out to Sullivans Bay for a morning of pods tackling various scenarios. Ruth Henderson has penned a story on this. Returning to the beach, grilled snaggers and salad were waiting, and this was a great opportunity for so- cialising. Paddlers were reluctant to leave, as Turner, Freya, Greg and Cheri were in the water providing coaching on Greenland style rolling.

In retrospect, Coastbusters was over all too quickly. The line up of speak- ers was second to none, and the venue proved ideal for both lectures and on the water demonstrations. My con- gratulations to Paul Hayward and the red team for a great symposium. Nearing the start of the corrugated plastic kayak race

A show and tell session at the Milford School with Lake Pupuke in the distance

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Rhyanon Murray, Justine Curgenven and Ruth Henderson at Sullivans Bay Pods returning to the beach at Sullivans Bay after the Sunday scenario session

7 No. 121 February - March 2006

There were SIMPLE ones, but inter- selves. These produced a plethora of Coastbusters estingly they probably gave the great- ideas, made for great teamwork, and 2006 est day-to-day benefit. For example – the successes will be added to the checking each other’s kit - its storage individual and collective memory Pod Scenarios and accessibility. Having pointed out bank – for summoning FAST, if we or others potential problems – I will, in are ever involved in such, or similar The Blind Leading the Blind fact, interrupt this report to go and put rescues. On the day, our solution to or not as the case may be. a tie on my pump before I fail to towing a disabled kayaker thru the Story and Photos retrieve it in a surf landing. Hopefully surf involved having one person hang- other members of my pod will simi- ing onto his boat till he was thru by Ruth E. Henderson larly have now tied down whatever safely, then fitting him with a paddle they had floating free and vulnerable with both blades encased in blown up When I received the email that sug- to the greedy sea – the most common paddle floats to act as an . gested that I had been ‘identified’ as important article being their paddle Our man reported that this made him being ‘a suitable candidate’ for Pod float. feel very safe. We also tried out hav- leaders’ duties at the 2006 ing two tow, not just the disabled Coastbusters, I had conflicting emo- There were the WHAT - IF scenarios paddler but having one kayaker either tions. – such as having to tow someone to side of him railed over, with an arm safety who was unable to help them- over the middle kayak, making a raft Something akin to the pride my father felt when answering the summons of Ruth’s pod leaving the beach at Sullivans Bay ‘Your country needs you’ wartime posters and being found fit…. And then fear that I would be found out - found deficient and rejected for front line duties– not as he was, for ‘flat feet’ but for being unable to read without glasses. Normally this is not a problem – I print everything at a 14 font size or memorize where I am going between lunch or piddle stops….but nine, on-the-water or on- the-beach detailed scenarios? No chance.

On the water scenarios are all about solving problems: Problem: – eyesight. Lots of written instructions. Solution: – buy cheapo magnified x 3 specs and put in BA front pocket; borrow an extra compass; delegate. Kayak rescue scenario Outcome: Every member of my pod participated, co-operated, assisted me and each other and we had a great day learning lots from not just the exer- cises but each other.

With 18 pods of 8 to cater for in a relatively small area, Pod Coordinat- ing Organizer Neil Watson and assist- ants, Steve Levett, and Ross Brunton had to be pretty imaginative for this year’s Coastbusters. Because they want to get a bit more mileage out of their work and re-use their scenarios some other time I will not divulge much detail about any one. They were all fun and useful.

8 The Sea Canoeist Newsletter

formation. This also worked well, and was not much more work than towing one person.

Inevitably there were WET ones…and when we wanted rough - typically the sea was calm, so the textbook rescues worked perfectly with no golden rain- bows for us. But one chap discovered the disadvantages of ‘sandshoes’ when trying re-entry and we all were very aware of the discomfort of too much knobbly stuff on our aft deck. For instance my hinged light/flag mounted on some old LP records, with a bungie tie on top of my Skua’s back hatch makes for easy raising and lowering – but would make John Wayne self- rescues more comfy if positioned un- der the fitted bungies at the rudder end Assisted rescue after an out of boat experience of the stern. But, as a team we worked out our programme. And yes, we had the MATHEMATI- problem using both measuring sys- CAL ones – taking the guess out of the tems and they both worked….we got A big thank you to all the guys and ‘ by golly’ and getting where you aim to where we were meant to be going in girls who put so many hours in over for. I know its ‘wrong’ but personally the estimated time… ten months of organizing, plotting and I am a kilometre and topographical planning to produce such a 10 star map kayaker (and tramper) so I al- And got back to base for the nosh up event. ways find the nautical mile and knot of sausages and sauces with a salad on thing difficult. the side, ready for the afternoon’s Ruth Henderson My First Sea Kayak Day Trip by Kerry Howe

It was a long, long time ago. I lived in 12 kilometres. But it seemed pretty chart. It was all very serious and pur- Palmerston North and owned a white extreme to me, and I had come well poseful. water ‘general purpose’ kayak. I joined prepared with enough food for sev- the Ruahine White Water Club. I didn’t eral days, full cooking equipment, I was very tired by the time we reached really like rivers, so tried to paddle on litres of water, many changes of cloth- Pukerua Bay and lamented the fact the sea whenever I could. But the river ing, emergency/survival gear – the that it was not a one way trip. The kayak would never go straight. I bolted works! And why not? There were all journey back was pretty much the a great big aluminium skeg onto it. those wonderful waterproof hatches same – I instigated lots of rest/tea/ Then I couldn’t turn it. to fill with equipment, so I did. food stops.

At that stage club member and kayak We headed out around the point. David Finally back at Plimmerton, and full maker Max Grant offered to sell me a said it was a light chop. I thought the of a sense of accomplishment, I brand new Puffin sea kayak (with a seas were mountainous. After about boasted about the achievement in my few minor flaws in it). It weighed a 20 minutes I was pretty tired, so I said new plastic boat to an unsuspecting tonne and I always strained myself it was time to head ashore for a break passerby who had foolishly asked how when getting it onto the roof rack, but and a cup of tea. David dutifully fol- far we had come. David, I later real- I loved it. Another club member, David lowed me. I not only made tea, but ised, had been very long suffering that Herrington, whom I didn’t really heated up soup, and poured hot water day. Unbeknown to me he was a top know, kindly offered to take me out on instant noodles. long distance sea kayaker and had on a first trip with the new beast. crossed Cook Strait very many times. I think we made about two more land- Poor devil. And he had never uttered We drove to Plimmerton, north of ings before getting to Pukerua Bay – a word other than gentle encourage- Wellington. The plan, said David, was you know, for a pee, for more food, ment throughout the start/stop day. to paddle around the coast to Pukerua and more cups of tea. I almost wore Bay and return. It should only take a my stove out. I took compass bear- Kerry Howe few hours. The return distance is barely ings, and marked our progress on the

9 No. 121 February - March 2006 PADDLER PROFILE

Justine Curgenven by Paul Caffyn

Kiwi paddlers at the 2006 Coastbusters were fortunate to hear Justine speak- ing on the Saturday night of her sea kayaking experiences, with a mixture of slides and video clips from her two DVDs. After picking Justine up from Christchurch airport, we spent two weeks paddling, filming and doing a few slide shows on the long drive up to Auckland to attend Coastbusters.

As a result of sales of her two ‘This is the Sea’ DVDs world wide, and a host of speaking engagements at sea kayak gatherings in the USA and the UK, Justine must be the best known fe- male sea kayaker in the world today. In exchange for filming the reclusive West Coast paddler Kayak Dundee, I subjected Justine to interrogation un- der powerful spotlights to shed some light on her background and how she first got started with both sea kayak- ing and filming.

The name Curgenven sounds Justine at Waiona Bay, Tennyson Inlet. Scandinavian, however one of Justine’s early descendants changed his surname but apart from a desire to play hockey Back in the UK, Justine’s best friend from Lane to Curgenven, which was a for the English team, she was not sure Cheryl invited her to a Jersey Canoe small hamlet in Cornwall. where life would take her. Accepted Club meeting. Cheryl had just returned by St. John’s college, Cambridge, buzzing from an Operation Raleigh Justine grew up on Jersey, one of the Justine studied science, including ge- expedition, and her enthusiasm rubbed Channel Islands south of the UK. Liv- ology and philosophy, and played off on Justine. To join the Jersey Ca- ing in the country she enjoyed explor- hockey for the English University’s noe Club’s outings, Justine bought ing local paths and coves on the team. Life at university was full with her first kayak, a 3m plastic Dagger beaches, gaining an appreciation of studying and sport. She learned that Response for £100. During a sea kayak the outdoors. At the age of 12, she was no-one else was going to help her and symposium held on Jersey, she quickly sent to a boarding school in Dorset that she had to really set her own goals found the plastic boat was not a patch where she remained until she was 18. and strive towards them without prod- on real sea kayaks and borrowed a Justine thrived at school and was a ding from someone else. proper boat for the rest of the week, rather good athlete, playing in all the attending paddling skills and naviga- sports teams, such as hockey but she Her only outdoors experience during tion workshops. Her first serious trip recalls that the most important thing the varsity years was through geology was a 12 mile crossing to the island of she learned from the schooling was field trips which she thoroughly en- Sark, which she survived and found the ability to think independently. joyed. Emerging with a degree and a great pleasure with beach camping total of nine Cambridge blues, she and chatting with other paddlers. After trying unsuccessfully to enter again headed downunder, this time both Oxford and Cambridge universi- with a boyfriend and spent eight For the next two years, Justine worked ties, Justine headed out to the Antipo- months tiki- touring in New Zealand. for a television company and gradu- des where she taught at an Anglican It was through tramping trips that the ally paddling began to take over from girl’s school at Tamworth in NSW. seeds were sown for enjoying the great her love of hockey. Attending a Scot- She enjoyed travelling in Australia outdoors. tish sea kayak symposium, she first

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came to grips with paddling in strong trip, when she paddled a three piece tidal streams. Moving to work at Nigel Dennis Explorer kayak. Though Southampton, Justine met Fiona only a nine day trip, weather and sea Whitehead, a paddler with expedition conditions were torrid at times, and as paddling under her sprayskirt, and she the days slipped by, Justine was start- took Justine under her wing for the ing to take fewer risks and turning next 12 months. At an Anglesey sym- back before things got too critical. posium, Justine paddled the great tide races off North and South stacks, and Back in the UK, Justine sought the was inspired by speakers such as Pe- help of Tony Smith to be able to film ter Bray, who was planning a paddle surfing in the big tide races off Angle- across the Atlantic Ocean, Nigel sey. He came up with a suction pad Dennis who paddled around the UK mounted monopod that could be in 1980 with Paul Caffyn, and Trys moved to shoot from various angles. Morris, a Welsh kayaking coach. Combined with a waterproof micro- These people were doers and not just phone and small camera, Justine was talkers. able to set the camera recording, and surf the tide races to her heart’s con- Fiona and Justine decided to attempt a tent. It was certainly a new slant to Rugged up for windy weather at Waiona trip around Wales, via the coastline, filming paddling with a handheld cam- Bay, Marlborough Sounds canal and river systems, Justine’s first era. were in touch with paddler and author serious expedition. Averaging 40 Jon Turk who had completed a long miles a day, apart from the canals Fiona Whitehead was keen to paddle trip from Hokkaido up the Kamchatka where portaging around locks slowed across the Bering Strait, between Peninsula to St. Lawrence Island in them down, Justine’s experience was Alaska and Russia, and she and Justine Bering Strait. Jon reckoned paddling steadily growing, and although Fiona Justine with Steve Knowles at Mt. Maunganui, ready for film in the surf. was the leader for the trip, Justine was beginning to form her own opinions with respect to decision making on the water. A highlight was a day pad- dling topless. Fiona, who Justine noted was rather generously endowed bust wise, was experiencing serious chafe from her lifejacket and stripped off to the waist. Justine thought if it was good enough for Fiona, it was appro- priate for herself to also to paddle topless. Lifejackets were donned only when people were sighted.

Not long after the Wales trip, Justine moved to Nigel Dennis’s Anglesey sea and surf training centre. She was working as an independent film pro- ducer, but still felt she was more of an explorer than a sea kayaker. Viewing a glossy brochure on Iceland, Justine pondered on the best way to see that island. Planning a horse trek through the country side with her mother was the plan, but then synchronicity stepped in. A sea kayaking company in Reykjavik had emailed Nigel Dennis with a request for paddlers who could do some coaching. And Justine decided she would undertake a solo paddle to the western fjords of Iceland. The June 2003 ‘Sea Kay- aker’ magazine featured a wonderful 14 page story and photographs of this

11 No. 121 February - March 2006 the Kamchatka Peninsula would be a concept would not work, it has. Justine Nigel Dennis. She felt that if they great trip, provided you didn’t mind did not dare to expect the world wide could organise and pull off the big bears and big surf. interest in her first video/DVD. trips, then she could do it as well. When asked about company during Justine planned and led a three week Late 2004, Justine set off with Trys trips, Justine noted she preferred to expedition to the peninsula which fea- Morris and Gemma Rawlings to at- have company, particularly at night. tured in the February 2005 ‘Sea Kay- tempt a first all female circumnaviga- aker’ magazine. Together with Hamas, tion of Tasmania. A 30 minute docu- The future? No more big trips planned, an Israeli paddler, and Alexsey who mentary of this trip features on but Justine has commenced work on was a Russian tourist guide, Justine Justine’s second DVD, TITS 2 (This TITS 3, which should feature a good pulled off a very successful trip, which is the Sea Two). Days of headwinds part on New Zealand. The day after she filmed. Encounters with both surf on the north-east coast set the timeta- Coastbusters, Justine flew back to the and brown bears were highlights, as ble well back as well leaving despond- UK to carry on filming a series on was in retrospect being carted off by ency in the team. A stranding on vast endangered wildlife for Welsh TV. Russian soldiers on a tank - kayaks, tidal flats on the north-west tip was paddlers and kit - to the local military also a major downer with many miles I thoroughly enjoyed two weeks trav- base. Phone calls and discussion be- of towing kayaks to and from the sea. elling with Justine. On the West Coast, tween Alexsey and the military re- An out of boat experience for Gemma the surf was too big for wave skis, and solved the problem, and the team was on the west coast and a rescue in big as she wanted to go caving, we went dropped back by tank at the precise seas was the worst moment. The swell up Fox River and into the vast cham- spot where they had been picked up. was huge for the rest of the west coast, bers of Babylon. During three days of but they successfully completed a bril- paddling in Tennyson Inlet, although Justine found the Kamchatka area was liant trip. it didn’t rain, strong winds were an so special, not only with the beautiful incessant paddling companion. At- scenery but also the fact it was so So in retrospect Justine was not in- tempting to round one point into a seldom visited by people. At a light- spired by reading adventure books, rather fresh south-easterly we were house, where she was able to drop in but by falling under the wing of pad- buffeted by 50 knot plus winds; the mail, there has been no visitors for dlers such as Fiona Whitehead and williwaws and spray flying off the the past eight months. The keeper spread his mail out on a table, and Justine filming while the weka is about to steal the bread rolls. took great pleasure in slowly opening each envelope.

Justine’s film footage was used by National Geographic for a 50 minute documentary titled ‘One Risk Too Many’, as part of an adventure chal- lenge series. (Her first ‘This is the Sea’ video/DVD also featured a 10 minute segment on the expedition.)

Back home again, Justine continued to work as an independent film maker, producing promotional videos for paddle and kayak manufacturers, these videos first showing her footage of tidal race surfing and an interview with a well known sea kayaker. Fol- lowing glowing feedback on these videos, Justine felt she had the ability to put together what she calls her first inspirational sea kayak video, and made a major step forwards in decid- ing to produce and market her own videos. Invited to the USA to speak at various symposiums, she filmed some of the high profile paddlers such as Greenland paddling expert Greg Stamer, and . And despite many folk saying her

12 The Sea Canoeist Newsletter

chop. There was no chance of pad- Rolling for women dling during the strong gusts, and at Coastbusters Cheri led this session, supported by one point while I was desperately 2006 Freya. The room was full of women trying to stay upright, I caught a and about four men. We learned about glimpse of Justine coolly filming the Vignettes taking advantage of our feminine maelstrom. from Cathye Haddock anatomy and disposition for rolling. For example, with big bums and hips Filming wekas and seals at close quar- The venue and narrow shoulders, many women ters was a bonus for Justine in the The Coastbusters sea kayak sympo- have a naturally low centre of gravity inlet. At a lunch stop, she was filming sium was held at a Takapuna School, - compared to a man with narrow hips a family of wekas but the camera was which overlooks Lake Pupuke. The and broad shoulders. This is a big downed rather rapidly as a weka school had a big hall, ample class- advantage for rolling. stealthily snuck up behind her and rooms and outdoor areas for work- grabbed a three day supply of bread shops and of course the lake with Cheri and Freya told us that in their rolls. A chase up a steep slope, through grandstand viewing for the Green- many years instructing people in tight manuka scrub led to a successful land rolling demonstrations. There Greenland rolling techniques, 99% of recovery of the rolls. Pity I didn’t was also plenty of off-road parking women could relax easily, utilising have the camera at the time. for cars and boats on the school field. loose body positioning and technique to roll. Where as many men did not I had to admire Justine’s dedication to Workshops relax easily, were stiff and often re- filming. She will go to great lengths to Coastbusters invited a group of Green- lied more on brute strength to roll. get the shot she wants. At Mt. land experts and enthusiasts over for Maunganui, while I was filming from the gathering. Turner Wilson, Cheri Cheri and Freya demonstrated the roll- the security of land, Justine swam out Taylor and Greg Stamer from the USA ing sequence on dry land with people with an underwater housing to film and Freya Hoffmeister from Germany supporting and rotating the qayaq in Steve Knowles surfing. A strong rip shared their passion and skills for mid air. They used slow, loose, re- nearly led to her swift passage out into Greenland qayaqs and qayaqing. laxed movements in the boat, mim- Shark Alley. icking many of the yoga movements I attended a sequence of workshops we had learned earlier. For paddlers who have heard Justine on the Saturday, which led me through chortling, her website, an excellent progression for giving We all had turns at sitting in the Green- www.cackletv.com is an appropriate Greenland rolling a go on the Sunday: land qayaqs. Instead of knee braces name for the sound of her laugh. It o Yoga for rollers and foot pegs, the Greenland boats certainly could be heard above the o Rolling for women have a thick closed cell foam ‘apron’ crowd noise at Coastbusters. o Greenland rolling demonstration that slides in under the cockpit. Once o Practical Greenland rolling coach- seated as far forward as you can get in To sum up, a highly motivated pad- ing session (one on one) the cockpit, you slide the ‘apron’ back dler who is sharply focused on film- over your lap. This gives you a snug ing and producing inspirational sea Yoga for rollers fit and excellent contact with the boat. kayak DVDs. Cheri led the yoga for rollers session The back of the seat has a closed cell in the school hall, supported by Turner. foam ‘ramp’ from seat to top of She was surprised to see over 50 peo- coaming behind your back. This gives Kerikeri paddler, Lynnis Burson, at CB 2006 ple ready to participate in the session. you good back comfort and support We were young and old, male and when laying back on the deck during female, novice and experienced yogi some rolling techniques. and sea kayakers. She told me she had offered this workshop at sea kayak I found the techniques affirmed the symposia in the US and had four peo- techniques I had been learning in pool ple turn up. She commented that kiwis sessions last winter, with a few help- had an open-mindedness that was re- ful refinements. freshing. We spread out, shared mats around and went through a progres- We learned that most available sea sion of stretches to prepare for the kayaks were too big for most women Greenland rolling technique, which and some men. This makes learning were suitable for any rolling practice. to roll much harder than it needs to be. You could hear a pin drop in the room Cheri and Freya showed us an ‘apron’ as we followed each exercise in uni- they had made for a conventional sea son, with quiet ‘yoga music’ in the kayak. It was much thicker than theirs distant background. and gave paddlers a good fit into the larger boat to make rolling a lot easier.

13 No. 121 February - March 2006

Greenland rolling demonstration perfected and I was just buzzing. lows of this 40 day expedition, plagued Straight after the women’s rolling ses- with head winds and a test for the sion, we got to see demonstrations of During the weekend I met some Wel- team’s endurance and judgement. the Greenland rolling techniques on lington Greenland paddlers. They Lake Pupuke, commentated by Greg. meet and practise weekly and invited The three women ‘busted’ stereotypes Cheri and Freya in Greenland boats me to come along. I am making my- of expedition paddlers having to be and Turner in a conventional sea kayak self an ‘apron’ and can’t wait to prac- men with beards. A cheeky shot with (Albatross I think). It was encourag- tice the techniques in my own boat. the three sporting impressive fake ing to see the techniques worked in beards, followed by an equally cheeky conventional boats as well as the much Challenge shot of the girls in spunky bras said it lower volume wooden and skin boats. I would like to challenge NZ boat all really. manufacturers to design or import All three paddling along with their some smaller sea kayaks that are more Justine’s DVD ‘This is the Sea – Two’ boats upside down, was an impressive suited to small paddlers. includes footage of the Tasmanian sight. Freya, dressed in sleek black to expedition, along with sea kayaking match her black skin boat, finished Justine Curgenven in Japan, Norway, Newfoundland and with a graceful headstand in the cock- I was inspired to meet Justine Wales. I bought a copy of this, along pit of her boat on the middle of the Curgenven, adventurer and documen- with ‘This is the Sea’, covering her Lake. Now that’s balance! tary-maker, at Coastbusters this year. Kamchatka and other exploits. Now all I need to do is buy a DVD player! Practical Greenland rolling session I attended Justine’s ‘Photography’ The DVDs are available on Justine’s I was fortunate to have a half hour workshop hoping to gain some tips website one-on-one rolling lesson with Freya for taking photos with my digital cam- www.cackletv.com at Sullivan’s beach on Sunday after- era. Justine soon put us right on the noon. aim of the session, which was to show us her deck-mounted, fully waterproof I had watched her previous two pupils camera ‘kit’ for documentary making go through the progression with her. on the water. She also gave us some The woman prior to me had never great tips for taking movie footage, KASK rolled before and under Freya’s ex- ensuring good variation on angles, pert tutelage, rolled on her first and distance from subject, still shots and NEWSLETTERS subsequent attempts. There was much putting it all together. Back copies for most of the KASK excitement, cheering and clapping newsletters are available from the from the growing audience standing We got to see the results of Justine’s editor. I have a file with all the news- close by in the water. film-making as she was the after din- letters from the early days as PDF ner speaker on Saturday night. Justine files, and can burn on to a disc. When it came to my turn, Freya gave an inspiring presentation on her checked on my previous experience earlier life, her professional TV train- Get in touch via email or phone (see and took me quickly through the pro- ing and career, and her love of adven- page 2) for availability. gression. We did the butterfly roll, ture. She took the brave move a few forward finish roll and sculling roll. I years ago to combine her passion for relaxed into it and found the slow, adventure with her craft of movie- loose movements and focus on body making. She has made documentaries positioning very easy to master. After on river kayaking, sea kayaking and BOOKS 15 minutes she told me I had the right mountaineering in many stunning lo- I have one copy left of the superb hand roll 100% perfected. cations for National Geographic Chan- ‘Eastern Artic Kayak’ book by Eugene nel and BBC TV. Arima and John Heath left. Plus an I was about to get out and let the next assortment of new and secondhand person have a turn. But Freya had Among her many adventures, Justine paddling books. Email for a copy of different ideas: onto the left hand roll! has sea kayaked solo in the West the cattledog. I had never rolled on that side before Fjords of Iceland, done an expedition and had built up some fear of failure. in Kamchatka (Russia) and in 2004, ‘The Dreamtime Voyage’ is now out However, without thinking too much, circumnavigated Tasmania with her of print, but plenty of copies of ‘Ob- I trusted Freya’s guiding instructions two friends Trys and Gemma. Her scured by Waves’, both limpbound and just did it. A mirror image to what presentation took us with her on the and the signed/numbered hardbacks I had done before. I went through the Tasmanian trip and gave us the thrill- still in stock. The North Island book is whole progression on my left side. I ing sensation of surfing the 5 metre almost out of print, but a few copies never missed a roll and had a smile the swells. You could feel the adrenalin left. size of my face each time I came up! and almost taste the salt! It was a Freya said I had the left side 85% moving rendition of the highs and

14 The Sea Canoeist Newsletter

friends who are very active paddlers and scared myself shitless in a 1.2 KASK so we have had some great trips and meter swell, with a poorly adjusted Profiles of new Committee adventures over the years. I suspect seat and tingling toes I had to turn Members there are very few islands, beaches back after an hour. Upon my return to Julie Reynolds and lakes in the Taupo to North Auck- Auckland I put myself through a roll- I’ve been asked to write a brief bio to land area that we haven’t tackled. I ing course and broke the 10 minute quickly introduce myself to those of still need to spend time in Northland learning time (however you have to you who don’t already know me. This and in the Wellington Region to be keep practising). should be interesting; I’m not really able to say I’ve covered New Zealand sure how to begin. I guess you’ll want but it’s on the list. By April 2004 I had experienced 30 to know my paddling credentials and knots in the Manukau and had under- whether I can be of any value to you as As for my role with KASK - It’s taken a weekend trip to Great Mer- a KASK committee member. simple. I’m young (or younger any- cury with others and did a circum- way). I’m blonde. I’d say Hot but the navigation of that island. I was defi- I’ve definitely set out paddling with jury’s out on that. What more could nitely hooked. I paddled every week- my paddle around the wrong way, yes there be. Nah seriously, I have a back- end I could, the gnarlier the weather I’ve also fallen out of my boat before ground in business administration, the more excited I was! leaving the beach, and getting onto mentoring and marketing. These are the beach through surf has not always skills that hopefully can be put to use My first leader role was almost im- been done with style. to enhance the sport behind the scenes. promptu and involved 28 paddlers to I believe in what KASK does with the Rangitoto and back, then in May 2004 I’ve been lucky enough to be able to likes of Maritime NZ, the Pleasure I won the Open Men’s Plastic Sea tick off the list an incredible number Boat Forum and Water Safety and Kayak division of the Cambridge to of paddling destinations around New hope that somehow going forward I Hamilton race (I got second last year Zealand. While I lived in Christch- can help with KASK’s hope to marry in the composite race). I also won a urch I was able to paddle in a lot of all of this with the great stuff all the spot prize in 2004 of a Contour 480. fabulous areas, Stewart Island, Milford local clubs and operators do. With that and my Penguin, I traded up Sounds, West Coast, East Coast, Abel to my ‘Ferrari’ kayak - a beautiful Tasman, Marlborough Sounds, Fiord- Phil Oster kevlar Torres from QK. Having re- land and a few lakes as well. Since I bought a lightweight Penguin in cently added a thermarest cushion, I moving to Auckland I’ve found it September of 2003 and within a week have the speed of a Ferrari and the even easier to hit the water. As all you had tried a paddling jaunt in the comfort of my Range Rover all in one. fellow Auckland paddlers will know Manukau Harbour. This went really I love my boat! we can’t move far from our doors well, considering that I had not been without being tempted, sometimes in a kayak since 1978 (I think). The By the end of 2004 I had paddled 445 cruelly, by bodies of water. weather was typical Manukau - nautical miles and spent 156 hours on choppy and probably a 10 -15 knot the water. In May 2005 I damaged my My partner Scott is a very accom- wind. The was a high frequency wind shoulder stern ruddering for 1.5 hours plished kayaker and instructor and we cell and after half an hour I realised I (badly) in the Waitemata Harbour and belong to the Yakity Yak Club in had no idea on what to do if I fell out, had to have a 6-month break. The first Manukau. We have a great set of so discretion being the better part of paddle after that was with Emma (my valour, decided to retrace my strokes, girlfriend - also a keen paddler) on Julie Reynolds, rugged up for winter sticking to where I could see the bot- Phil Oster at Sullivans Bay paddling on the Waikato River tom. While out there that day I found that I really had a taste for choppy and rough conditions, but prudently washed my kayak and gear and put it away until I had completed a skills course. On Nov. 23, 2003 I attended a skills course with North Shore Canoe and Kayak and the Sunday paddle was cut short by 15 to 20 knot winds, however I was determined to con- tinue and returned with the instructor (Tony Dumper) and another guy to get the ute and to recover the others, patiently waiting at the Narrow Neck bus stop for us to return.

That Christmas I tried a solo out from Kikowhakarere bay in Coromandel

15 No. 121 February - March 2006

Lake Titicaca in Peru (I’m not sure Kerry Howe how many people have paddled at Kerry Howe has been sea kayaking 10,000 feet) and following that, in Jan for about 20 years. He has sea kayaked 2006 we took a 8-day paddling tour extensively around the top of the South around some of the lakes, dams, la- Island, in many locations in the lower goons and in the Caribbean Sea, while North Island, and in recent years has in Cuba. solo kayaked from East Cape to North Cape including to and around Great Currently I am involved in organising Barrier Island. a Auckland to Cape Reinga expedi- tion involving a dozen people and He has written many articles on sea training by doing 40 km every kayaking trips, safety issues and equip- other weekend. ment. His articles have appeared in the Seacanoeist Newsletter, the KASK Having now been elected onto the Handbook, NZ Kayak Magazine, Wil- KASK committee I look forward to derness Magazine. He has been the injecting some new and hi-powered editor of the Auckland Canoe Club energy into the organisation and rais- Nadia Lehmann Newsletter. ing it’s profile to be a truly representa- me take part in many day trips along tive and professional body for every the coast of the North Shore. In De- He has also recently published Coastal sea kayaker in NZ. I will be focusing cember 2004 I moved here, bought Sea Kayaking in New Zealand. A Prac- on raising the membership to 1000 by my sea kayak and am now a regular tical Touring Manual, (New Holland, the end of the year and assisting in the solo and group paddler, at every 2005). This publication has been en- internal and external communication chance I get - which is never often dorsed by Coastguard Boating Edu- methods of KASK. I believe there is a enough. cation. lot of unrealised potential to continue to develop KASK as the preferred I am involved in the maritime industry For his day job, he is a Professor of network for kayakers and a national having gained my NZ Commercial History at Massey University, Albany organisation for representation to gov- Skippers ticket, (in addition to having a Campus, Auckland. He has written 8 ernment agencies. UK commercial ticket) and am an ac- books on aspects of New Zealand and tive volunteer with the Coastguard. Pacific history. I am a landscape designer and More recently, I put my name down to constructionist, and have been run- be a Safe Boating Advisor for MNZ. Kerry Howe ning my own business in Auckland for 5 years, having moved there from In the immediate future, I want to Tauranga in 1991. It wasn’t until I got bring more awareness of KASK to into kayaking that I discovered the other kayakers, and continue to raise real Auckland and ever since I have the safety profile, this being a major pitied those poor buggers who can’t issue and in all our best interests. get onto the water! To me the sea holds both a physical and spiritual Based in the Bay of Islands, I would truth; it takes no prisoners, life origi- be happy to hear from other paddlers, nated in it, and if you mess with it, you and will work with the committee in die and it doesn’t care either way. supporting and encouraging sea kay- aking in NZ, which is what KASK is Nadia Lehmann all about. I have always had connections with the sea, taking part in ocean swims with the local swimming team and CALENDAR either windsurfing, diving or sailing CALENDAR in any spare time. Then in the mid Vikings & Virgins Sea Kayak Pilgrimage: 29 - 30 April 2006 90’s when I moved to the UK, I took Ratimera Bay DoC campsite, Ruakaka Bay, Queen Charlotte Sound up wave skiing and have become Assemble in Viking Regalia at 6pm on the Saturday night. hooked on paddling (any previous For further information, phone AJ on (03) 546 6702 or (027) 674 6879 paddling would only be to get my or the editor via email or (03) 7311806 windsurfer back to land when I was exhausted or had unfavourable wind Rescue Clinic for Sea Kayakers: 8 April 2006 conditions). Lyttelton Harbour Cost: $120 per person Previous visits to New Zealand saw For more details or to book, contact:John Kirk Anderson [email protected] or 021 634 448 Stephen Counsell [email protected] or 021 123 6080

16 The Sea Canoeist Newsletter

There was shallow gravel bottom on COASTBUSTERS The ‘Bugger!’ my left. I capsized away from the 2006 File attack presenting the bottom of the grp kayak to the hissing head and spread webbed feet. My shoulders The Dept. of Conservation from: Alan Byde rested on the gravel, face above water. Session. Cob swan defending nest, by Debbie Dunsford Llyn Padarn With a great thump his feet hit the bottom of the hull. His outspread port Two Department of Conservation staff Llanberis is in the high hills in North wing hurtled over the gunwale inches and about 50 sea kayakers attended Wales. It stands beside Llyn Peris above my head. He pitch-poled up the what was a lively forum about how (Lake Peris) which empties in to Llyn bank into the hawthorn bush. sea kayakers and conservation activi- Padarn. At the western end of Padarn ties, land and personnel mesh together. the river Seiont flows usually grade 2 There he struggled, wings and neck It was good to see that, over the past to 3. There are many narrow rocky caught in the thorny branches, his decade, sea kayakers have become spouts. great power trapped. I pushed off the recognised as a distinct recreational bottom and sat up. My first intention group with specific needs (like The headwater of the Seiont is nar- was to go and release the poor fellow. trampers) and that the individual con- row, rocky bank left side and wide Then sense set in and I realized that if servancies and national office are all reed-grown marsh on the right. In the he had another chance to destroy me, aware of us. marsh a swan pen (hen) had settled to he would. We left thoughtfully. produce cygnets. The cob, male, The DoC staff present were informa- spread his wings and lowered his neck, That was Easter 1962. Anglers will tive, frank and keen to find out from extended his beak and hissed. I urged defend ‘their’ water violently. In the us what we want from the conserva- the lads to paddle away swiftish. This late sixties there were several con- tion estate. It was acknowledged that swan meant business. On his first high frontations between protest paddlers KASK has played an important part in speed approach, great webbed feet and anglers to which the police were raising awareness of our sport through clattering on the water, aiming straight called. The sergeant of police, who its submissions on recreational policy at me, I used the flat of the paddle and reported that the kayakers (hospital- especially at individual conservancy whacked it hard down with a crack ized) caused the problem, was secre- levels. like a pistol shot. He put on the brakes. tary of the local angling club. The North Wales Police authority dis- While the discussion was wide rang- The next run was longer and he came missed conflict of interest questions. ing, the main message we took away much closer. On my left was a steep Access was and probably still is a was probably that DoC recognises the bank with hawthorn bushes and long difficult problem in the UK. It looks growing numbers in the sport and the grass with a barbed wire fence be- to me as kayaking continues to gather northern conservancies at least are yond. My group were paddling slowly enthusiasts, that Kiwi kayakers will actively planning development of backwards watching the attack. A third have to deal with Access questions on some basic campsites to suit us. Hav- time the cob hurtled toward me. A NZ lakes, rivers and coast. ing said that, while intentions are good, blow from its wing can break an arm. the ever-present problem of funding means that these plans often have what seem like excessively long timeframes.

One way to speed these developments up would be to actively lobby DoC so that sea kayakers have a higher profile and appear to be well organised. An important point was that the DoC na- tional office seems more receptive to lobbying of this kind from national At associations rather than individuals Coastbusters, or local clubs. So it is important to a black swan continue submissions on policy under claimed the umbrella of KASK wherever pos- territorial sible. The meeting ended with a rights over number of people offering to help one of the launching with local submissions in their district ramps on when the opportunity arose. Lake Pupuke.

17 No. 121 February - March 2006

way Bay. He first built the gunwale Title: ‘Seal-folk and Ocean frame right way up then turned it over Paddlers (Sliochd nan Ròn)’ BOOK and fitted ribs and stringers. The REVIEWS Hooper Bay kayak is built the same Author: John M. MacAulay way. Oceans apart, stern Nature dic- Published: 1998 tates the same construction. Title: ‘Hooper Bay Kayak Publisher: The White Horse Press Construction’ ISBN: 1-874267-39-1 Judging by the sturdy timbers used Content: Softcover Author: David Zimmerly this is a heavy craft. It is a weight Size: 110pp Published: 2000 carrier, large for a solo paddler and Reviewed: Sandy Ferguson Publisher: Canadian Museum of must carry windage. The overall shape Civilisation is superb, perfect design. If I were to I’ve read articles before in Sea Kay- 100 Laurier Street, PO Box 3100, attempt this kayak now I’d use marine aker Magazine, summer 1987, and in Station B, Hull, Quebec, J8X 4H2 ply overall with thin laminates for the the Scots Magazine (see also S.C. n/l ISBN: ISBN 0-660-17511-8 cockpit rim, bow post, deck beams 120, page 16), about kayakers, possi- Content: Softcover, profusely illus- etc. It depends on what you want to bly originating from Greenland, found trated with b&w photographs do, make a true copy, lashings and all, and taken to shore or found on shore Size: A4, 107 pp. or something you can carry to the in Britain and Europe. This book gives Price: NZ$51.95 water? fuller accounts and added informa- Availability: Boat Books, Auckland tion. It also has possible answers to To order by e-mail: There is a similar kayak on show in the question of how it could be possi- [email protected] the Hagley Park museum in Christch- ble, considering the distance, that a Reviewed: Alan Byde urch, but it has taken a reverse rocker kayak could be paddled from Green- which would make it unusable. The land. Some were brought from Green- Paul Caffyn handed this book to me Hooper Bay craft has an almost straight land by whalers, some may have been today and asked for a crit. The illus- run keel, little or no rocker. There is and released before reaching port and tration on the front cover is of the negative sheer on the gunwales which there is the suggestion that some might most sensible bow grasp I have seen. I find attractive. It is the opposite of not have come from Greenland and The stern handle is not a circular hole the Igdlorssuit West Greenland kayak might have originated from Norway. but a level extension of the aft deck with high raking bow and positive beam. There are some things which sheer that was the inspiration for the Northern Norway is a prime candi- satisfy the soul. As my carpenter un- Nordkapp. date as the area that these people may cle told me “If it looks right, it is have come from and there is then the right.” This high quality ‘paperback’ book is question of whether these people built presented as an academic museum and paddled kayaks similar to those 1964 I bought ‘The Bark Canoes and paper. It is up there with the ‘Greats!’ used in the Greenland region. Skin Boats of North America’. The design which caught my eye then Alan Byde The book includes recollections of which one day I thought I’d build is incidents dating back over the centu- the Norton Sound kayak, p198. ries, folk tales and descriptions of Hooper Bay is only a short distance various kayaks seen or still available from Norton Sound. The detail is com- for inspection. In no way is MacAulay plete, lashings, pegs, wedges, meth- pedantic about a specific origin of ods. Dick Bunyan the builder used tales or kayaks but puts forward vari- driftwood which he split and shaped ous possibilities other than Greenland to beauty. A photo of lashings alone for the origin of the mermaids, reveals the quality of the craftsman mermen, selkies and kayakers. There who made it. is an extensive reference and bibliog- raphy section for those who want to The book is complete with great draw- follow up on subject. ings and photos. One, p104, shows how to make a hand adze from scrap Also a site that might be worth check- high carbon steel. At Karaka Point ing on is: near Picton, there is a Maori figure ttp://www.amphibiouspaddler.org/ holding a hand adze. I admire good history/hcka.html tools and this is one I fancy. Hopefully it will be worked on in the In 1969 I helped Mikey Conneely to future as at present it is fairly empty make my Irish curragh ‘Saint Caoman’ but has reference to the Historic Ca- on Inishere in the Aran group, Gal- noe and Kayak Association.

18 The Sea Canoeist Newsletter

one a very much seat-in-the-cockpit her and speaks in a clear voice “I DVD REVIEW feel. The participants are all accom- know we’ve been married for twenty plished paddlers who show how it’s years, but I want a divorce.” Title: ‘This is the Sea-Two’ done. Be advised this is not an instruc- The wife says nothing, keeps looking Produced by: Justine Curgenven tional film. It’s pure entertaiment at the road ahead but slowly increases Available from: www.cackle tv.com which showcases numerous desir- her speed to 45mph. or Boat Books, or NZ Kayak shops able sea kayaking destinations. If you The husband speaks again. “I don’t Reviewed by: Kevin Killilea enjoy this sort of viewing, you’ll find want you to try and talk me out of it,” Price: NZ$ 45 this one worthwhile. he says, “because I’ve been having an affair with your best friend, and she’s There’s another new adventure sea The main feature of this video is the a far better lover than you are.” kayaking video available from Justine first all woman continuous orbit of Again the wife stays quiet, but grips Curgenven of Cackle TV Produc- Tassie, of which Justine was one three the steering wheel more tightly and tions. participants. It conveys the commit- slowly increases the speed to 55. He ment and effort necessary to pushes his luck. “I want the house,” he Some of her work has been featured succesfully complete such an expedi- says insistently. by the BBC and National Geographic, tion. And watch for the Pom in a Up to 60. ! “I want the car, too,” he so one is assured its a high quality kayak with a rudder! continues. production. The first similarly named 65 mph. “And,” he says, “I’ll have the video dealt with parallel subjects in Available from discerning sea kayak bank accounts, all the credit cards and equally interesting locales. This video shops, Boat Books and the editor has the boat!” deals with a variety of kayak experi- the left over stock of TITS1 and TITS2 The car slowly starts veering towards ences and environments. Many of from Justine’s visit. Email for infor- a massive concrete bridge. them are about the adrenaline type of mation. This makes him nervous, so he asks paddling such as surfing in tide races. her: “Isn’t there anything you want?” One examines Greenland style kayak The wife at last replies in a quiet and and paddle exploits of DougVan HUMOUR controlled voice. Doren, including underwater rolling “No, I’ve got everything I need,” she footage. Another documents a six says. This is an oldie but a goodie month, seven thousand kilometer “Oh, really,” he inquires, “so what A nice, calm and respectable lady cicumnavigation of the four main is- have you got?” went into the pharmacy, right up to lands of Japan by a party of two. There Just before they slam into the wall at the pharmacist, looked straight into are several other travelogue type pres- 65 mph, the wife turns to him and his eyes, and said, “I would like to buy entations from Newfoundland, smiles. some cyanide.” The pharmacist asked, Canada; Manitou Islands, Michigan, “The airbag.” “Why in the world do you need cya- USA; and Norway’s Lofoten Islands. Moral of the Story: Women are clever. nide?” The lady replied,“I need it to Don’t mess with them. poison my husband.” The technical quality of the filming is very good, as often the camera is Last Wish The pharmacist’s eyes got big and he fastened to a special personally de- Tom and Jerry have been adrift at sea exclaimed, “Lord have mercy! I can’t signed mount on her kayak. It gives in a liferaft for days. All hope seems give you cyanide to kill your hus- lost, when lo and behold, a bottle band! That’s against the law! I’ll lose floats by. Tom retrieves it from the my license! They’ll throw both of us water and uncorks it. A genie appears. in jail! All kinds of bad things will “Thanks for releasing me guys, I’d happen. Absolutely not! You CAN- love to give you the traditional three NOT have any cyanide!” wishes, but I’m down to my last one. What would you like?” The lady reached into her purse and Parched with thirst, and without think- pulled out a picture of her husband in ing, Tom says, “Turn the ocean into bed with the pharmacist’s wife. The beer.” In a flash, the ocean is beer and pharmacist looked at the picture and the genie is gone. replied, “Well now. That’s different. “Great,” says Jerry, “now we’ll have You didn’t tell me you had a prescrip- to pee in the boat!” tion.”

Marriage joke A Married couple is driving along a highway doing a steady forty miles per hour. The wife is behind the wheel. Her husband suddenly looks across at

19 No. 121 February - March 2006 MAILED TO

If undelivered, please return to: KASK , PO Box 23, Runanga, West Coast. 7854

KASK MEMBERSHIP POLICY Current membership fees are: - $35 for ordinary membership - $40 for family or joint membership - $35 for overseas membership - new members receive a free copy of the handbook - members should endeavour to renew by 1 August - the KASK financial year runs 1 August to 31 July the following year - a subscription due notice and up to two reminders are sent out with the newsletters between June and October - if a membership renewal is not received by 30 September, membership lapses - new members who join between 1 June and 31 July automatically get their membership credited to the following year, receiving a 14 month membership - the KASK committee puts its emphasis confirming renewals from existing members from July to October; and promoting new KASK memberships from November to February.

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