THE SEAThe Sea CanoeistCANOEIST Newsletter NEWSLETTER

No. 127 February - March 2007

The Journal of the Kiwi Association

 of Sea Kayakers (N.Z.) Inc. - KASK No. 127 February - March 2007

David Winkworth with the forum organizing committee ladies: from Luxury camping at Mistletoe Bay left, Iona Bailey, Cathye Haddock, Chris & Lyn Roberts, Brent & Helen Dale Susan Cade & Helen Woodward KASK KASK FORUM 2007 ANAKIWA

Kristin Nelson. with Stephen Counsell’s anti-Polar Bear spray.

Evan Pugh, the only bloke Paul Hayward with on the 2007 forum committee his haul of photo competition prizes

Minimalist camping style Ross & John

Mike Wilkin - Paddle float rescue demo

Mistletoe Bay, the morning after the campout

 The Sea Canoeist Newsletter INDEX EDITORIAL Well I do indeed remember the night at EDITORIAL p. 3 Andrew McAuley Bundeena; the NSW Sea Kayak Club LETTERS TO THE EDITOR So near and yet so far, seems to sum up called it a ‘Living Legends’ evening. Re Auckland Kayak Trails how close Andrew McAuley came to Andrew gave a talk on his recent 300 from: Jim Dilley p.4 completing the first solo kayak cross- mile Gulf of Carpentaria crossing, and Paddle Leashes ing of the Tasman Sea. Martin and I marvelled at how he had spent six from: Mike Scanlan p.12 Fiona Fraser, and I, were at Milford days and nights in the cockpit of his Four Letter Words on 10 February, ready to paddle out single kayak. I can’t recall my slide from: Chris Hinkley p.13 and meet Andrew early next morning, show, but I clearly recall some of An- Day Hatch Lids when news broke of the emergency drew’s slides, particularly his naked, from: Dave Winkworth p.13 VHF radio call. Martin and Fiona spotty bum after he arrived at Gove, TITS 3 - new DVD have written a moving account of and our posing as body builders. from: Sandy Ferguson p.13 their involvement with our plans to meet Andrew and how the rescue What transpired, beginning early 2007 KASK FORUM subsequently unfolded. evening, Friday 12 February, leaving Personal Perspective Andrew in the sea with only his VHF by John Kirk-Anderson p.14 In New Zealand, Australia and over- radio, has raised a lot of unanswered Feedback from: seas, I have been staggered at how questions. The next newsletter will Paul Hayward p.14 Andrew’s audacious solo paddle, and hopefully be able to answer some of T Fenwick & P Grimes p.14 disappearance so close to Milford, those questions and provide further Session Ramblings touched so many people, from all details on the kayak, equipment and by David Winkworth p.15 walks of life. communication equipment. Surfing Session by Chris Hinkley p.17 Following Martin and Fiona’s account, KASK FORUM - ANAKIWA Evan Pugh, the only bloke Twenty One Year I have included the tributes from the John Kirk-Anderson’s personal per- on the 2007 forum committee by Alan Byde p.20 three of us that were read out at the spective (page 14) says it all. The Sydney memorial service. On behalf forum was over far too quickly! The EXPEDITIONS of KASK, I sent a sympathy card to venue, the speakers, the weather, the Andrew McAuley Vicki McAuley. Dave Winkworth tucker, the overnighter at Mistletoe Trans Tasman Website Diary p. 5 and I sent a separate card. Martin and Bay, the practical sessions, the photo A Beer in the Hand is Worth Fiona also arranged for flowers at the competition, all were outstanding. Two in the Bush Sydney memorial service. by Martin & Fiona Fraser p. 5 FORUM PHOTO NSW Memorial Service Vicki McAuley emailed a note of COMPETITION by Elizabeth Thomson p.11 thanks that left me decidedly misty- Paul Hayward scooped many of the eyed: awards, but David Fisher, Susan Cade SLAP Round Australia Diary Hi Paul, and Kerry-Jayne Wilson also received Update from Sandy p.12 I just wanted to express my heartfelt awards. Photos and details in the next thanks to you for your lovely cards newsletter. OVERSEAS and messages of support. And also, thank you for the beautiful flowers GRAHAM EGARR PADDLE How a Kiwi rolled his that you, Fiona & Martin sent. I TROPHY ANNUAL AWARDS: way to Delaware was deeply touched by that very by Ben Dorrington p.18 kind gesture. The president of the - For outstanding service to Sea Kay- NSWSKC, Elizabeth Thompson, aking: Sandy Ferguson TRIBUTES read out your very touching mes- Mike Rowley sage at the Memorial Service, and - For outstanding contributions to the by Max Grant p. 4 thank you so much for that. Andrew KASK newsletter: Cathye Haddock & Andrew McAuley would have greatly appreciated it. John Kirk-Anderson. Martin & Fiona Fraser p.11 He was very much looking forward to seeing you at the end. Paul Caffyn p.11 KASK AGM 2007 - 08 KASK committee: Susan We were planning on driving up to HUMOUR p.22 the West Coast to visit you before we Cade as president, Julie Reynolds, headed home. Andrew always had Paul Caffyn and Evan Pugh. Reports COVER: from left, Nigel Foster, the utmost respect and admiration presented at the AGM to follow in the John Kirk-Anderson & Kristin for you (as do I). We have a photo next newsletter. Nelson. Photo: P. Caffyn of you with Andrew stuck on our fridge - doing that muscle pose at Bundeena that night both of you NEXT NEWSLETTER gave a talk for the NSWSKC - do DEADLINE you remember that? 16 May 2007 Vicki McAuley

 No. 127 February - March 2007

Harbourmaster’s Office AUCKLAND KAYAK TRAILS Re: Kayak Trail Auckland Regional Council Anyone willing to be part of a group Feasibility c/- Marine Rescue Centre to respond to the request from Jim from: Jim Dilley, 3 Solent Street Dilley, please get in touch with the Private Bag 92 012, Auckland editor. This is a grand idea and needs Auckland Harbourmasters Phone: +64-9-362 0396 some thought before feedback is sent Office. Email: [email protected] back to the ARC. Date: 20 February 2007 http://www.arc.govt.nz

The Auckland Regional Council, Coastal Funding Committee, have TRIBUTE asked me to contact kayak groups within the Auckland Region for as- MIKE ROWLEY sistance in developing a project. The Committee have been presented with by Max Grant a project for funding that aims to es- Born in England in 1932, Mike moved crossing of Cook Strait with fellow tablish a kayak trail within the waters to New Zealand in his 20’s to eventu- kayaker Bill Anderson. of the Auckland Region. ally settle near Dannevirke. Mike served many years as both Presi- The Committee feel they would like In the early 60’s Mike and a group of dent and Secretary of the R.W.W.C. to ensure participation of user groups, friends started making canvas kayaks and was also involved in organising and interested parties, and also ensure in a back shed. This venture developed the KASK forums at Worser Bay and the use of expertise and knowledge into producing some fibreglass kayaks Hawkes Bay. He had his Masters available. At this point the funding, and becoming a founder member of the Ticket in Shipping and often spoke if approved, would be available from Ruahine White Water Club to take part on navigation. July this year and would be to provide, in kayak trips, including sea trips to amongst other things, the following Kapiti Island and Cape Kidnappers. In Mike was also an executive member information: 1984 he built and modified a fibreglass of the N.Z.C.A. and was awarded a recreational double which he and John life membership of the Ruahine White 1) Establish if a kayak trail would be Craven successfully paddled across Water Club in 1992 for his services a worthy facility in the South Eastern Cook Strait. to kayaking. He was the first person Part of the Region. to be awarded a life membership of 2) If the area had existing facilities that In 1986 Mike and John teamed up the RWWC. could be used, adapted, enhanced to with Bill Anderson and Max Grant accommodate the kayakers overnight and they completed a magnificent two This was also a time when he started camping, launching etc. week adventure in Fiordland. Their becoming involved in triathalons, 3) The land owners, facility owners trip started in Deep Cove from where mainly the Mountains to Sea and the and parties with an ongoing interest they kayaked out of Doubtful Sound Coast to Coast. Looking for new faster in the project. and down the coast to Dusky Sound kayaks to compete at these events, he 4) The publicity required to make users and back. A couple of years later this produced a triathalon kayak which aware of the trail. trip was followed by a 10 day kayak he called the Destiny. This was the 5) The degree of input and assistance through Queen Charlotte, Pelorus and first of several triathalon kayaks Mike any group may wish to have. Kenepuru Sounds. Several trips were designed and made, all of which led 6) Costs involved in the project to embarked on during this time, one of to the forming of his present day ensure a suitable outcome. the most spectacular being a night company, ‘Ruahine Kayaks’.

If you would like to be involved, or Our last paddle with Mike was our can offer information and support 20 year Fiordland reunion trip to to this project, or guidance on more Lake Tarawera*. It was a marvellous suitable locations, or are able to put weekend and we are so pleased to have me in contact with interested parties been able to have shared it with such please contact me. Andrew White good friends. Mike was a man with will be our contact in the ARC for a big heart, a man of great integrity this project. He can be contacted on and he will be sorely missed by his phone: (09) 366 2000, kayaking mates. email: [email protected] * KASK newsletter No. 123, has a reunion report from Mike, plus Bill Many thanks for your help and Anderson wrote about the 1986 trip assistance. Jim Dilley, Mike Rowley at Rautiti, 2005 Deputy Harbourmaster Photo: Ken Mercer

 The Sea Canoeist Newsletter

receive tonight’s report. Big sigh of an e-mail that we sent asking about relief when it came through! the ETA for Andrew. Her response EXPEDITIONS was that he should be in on either He’s right on target. You have to hand late 8th or early 9th of Feb and how it to him — that’s some pretty impres- great it would be if there were a bit of sive navigation to be right in line for a welcoming committee there to meet Trans-Tasman the mouth of Milford Sound. him. Our double kayak doesn’t really From: Andrew McAuley’s constitute a whole committee, so we Website Diary Conditions are looking OK for the last put a message out on the Canterbury couple of days. Fingers crossed they e-mail network that we would be going 5 Feb 2007 - So near, and yet so far! stay that way! down and anyone else interested might Winds and currents were all conspiring like to get in touch with us. against us today! Andrew has been For your interest, the tally of equip- battling through strong SE currents ment failure thus far - tracking beacon 7/2/07, Wednesday. The ETA had ex- and feeling like he’s going nowhere. (carked it after first capsize 3 weeks tended out to Saturday the 10th, so we And that’s not far from the truth - looks ago); secondary sat phone (suffered were able to take our time getting down like he’s been drifting in the wrong same fate in same capsize); watch to Mission Control in Te Anau. We direction overnight. The net result was (no longer knows what time it is, so left at 0745hrs on the Thursday 8/2/07 a mere 25 km progress for the day. he’s figuring if it’s dark, it must be for the drive down from Christchurch You’d almost call that soul destroying, time to transmit his report!); broken with the kayak and all the gear loaded but I know it will take more than that pivot arm on Casper (apparently not up. We got into Te Anau at 1700hrs, to break Andrew’s soul! affecting his performance); cracked settled into a campground then made lens on bullet camera (we’ll have to contact with Vicki and her team. They The good news is he’s on course, and look at stripey footage!). That’s all we were staying at a campground on the the currents will dissipate closer to know of ... we’ll get the whole story Milford Sound side of town. We were the coast. in a couple of days! warmly welcomed, they appeared quite surprised that anyone would 6 Feb 2007 - The waiting game! travel so far to meet someone that they Waiting! Waiting! Everyone is on A Beer in the Hand had never heard of before now. the edge of their seats waiting! It’s is Worth Two something I’m getting pretty good at in the Bush It was a small team, Vicki, Finlay by now! Last week we were expecting their three year old son, Jen a docu- Andrew in on Wednesday or Thursday. by Martin & Fiona Fraser mentary maker, Andrew’s sister, her Now it’s looking like Saturday. baby and Andrews father. They were This is our personal view based on already fielding interviews from vari- He seems to have escaped the main notes we took at the time on how ous modes of media, TV3’s Leanne force of that dratted current, and man- events unfolded as Andrew McAuley Malcolm was spending some time aged to clock up 50 km today. It was neared Fiordland at the end of his solo, with them. calm out in the Tasman this afternoon, trans Tasman kayak expedition and the although a light NE headwind made it subsequent search for him. Over dinner we established that every- a hard slog for most of the day. Only thing was still continuing as planned 200 km to go. This last stretch is tak- We will buy anyone a beer who can and everyone seemed relatively calm. ing an eternity! I’m sure Andrew is kayak the Tasman solo, and in late The ETA was still Sunday at 9am, thinking the same! January we were wishing that Andrew although we weren’t sure what time wasn’t paddling so fast because we Andrew was running on. His watch February 8, 2007 - ETA Sunday! couldn’t quite swing time off work was broken so he was using GPS With only 120 km to go, Andrew to go down and meet him. By early time, we weren’t sure if it was on claims he’ll see us ‘Sunday 9am in February we could see from the Aussie time or Kiwi time or indeed sharp!’. His friends all know that he’s progress on Andrew’s website that he if it changed automatically into the not renowned for his punctuality, but was likely to be paddling into Milford relevant time zone. here’s hoping! Sound at about the same time that we would be on annual leave. With some Our plan at this point was to paddle We, the landcrew, have been anxiously booking rearrangements and some out on Saturday the 10th and stay awaiting his daily situation reports. fast talking at work we realised that at Anita Bay in the outer reaches of Yesterday he alerted us to the pos- we could be down there to escort in Milford Sound so that we could try to sibility of loss of communication the first person to cross the Tasman spot him when he came through the — he’s down to one remaining sat in a kayak. heads Sunday morning. The others phone and can’t charge the batteries were planning on only a short paddle for some unknown reason. We were 6/2/07, Tuesday. To our surprise Vicki out from Deep Water basin. hoping, but not really expecting, to McAuley replied within minutes to

 No. 127 February - March 2007

Sound, but the problem with landing there, apart from the access, is there was no margin of error if Andrew got blown South. He may miss New Zealand altogether!

There was also discussion about the emotional roller coaster that all the team members had been going through for the whole month. For instance, when Andrew was weathering a seri- ous storm his message regarding his position arrived 4 hours late. The person that they had advising weather conditions was pretty blunt in his pre- dictions, but Paul didn’t want to worry Vicki so he didn’t pass on how bad the weather really was. The phones were running hot as they speculated Andrew setting off for the second time, from Tasmania. The anti-capsize as to why Andrew hadn’t contacted device, Casper, is mounted on the stern deck, immediately aft of the cockpit. them. A message came through that Andrew was stuck in his kayak unable 9/2/07, Friday dawned quiet and it was night to be there, 11 hours of driving. to paddle for 48 hours because of the a day of waiting to see what was going He gave us some advice on alternative 9m waves. He was rolled over more to happen next. There was no point camping spots in Milford Sound. than once. We could only imagine how going over and feeding the Milford horrible it must have been for him out sandflies early so we all stayed in Te Vicki took Finlay for a trip over to there, on his own, in a cockpit with Anau. We wandered over to Mission the glowworm caves keeping him movement so restricted that he cannot Control and talked to Jen for a while. occupied. We all met up at the camp even touch his knees. Tension had increased significantly ground at 6pm and arranged to meet overnight as Andrew drew closer. for drinks and dinner at 0630hrs. Paul also had the heavy responsibility Vicki in particular was showing the Leanne Malcolm from TV3 came as of providing the kayak for the trip. strain of having to manage a three well and spent time talking to Vicki He was happy with the kayak that he year old, multiple media demands and Jen. Paul Hewitson, the builder of produced, but couldn’t get away from and handle trip logistics, which were Mirage Sea Kayaks, Andrew’s father, the risk involved in this expedition and increasing the closer Andrew got to sister and her baby joined us a short the unknowns associated with it. NZ. Martin invited the team over for while later. It was a happy gathering. a BBQ at our campground. They were There was much speculation regard- The authorities in Australia were re- not very keen on this idea, mainly due ing what Andrew was doing and go- luctant to give Andrew the go ahead to the inclement weather that we were ing over details about his trip. Paul to leave on his trip. They initially experiencing. These poor Aussies proved to be very interesting to talk wouldn’t give permission to leave be- were used to temperatures somewhere to, since he was involved in some of cause he didn’t have all the paperwork in the late 20’s at a minimum and all the preparation. We talked about how and gear in order. His first attempt was we could dish up were temperatures they were keeping Andrew on course abandoned after one night. It took him scraping the high teens. to make it through the heads at Milford two days to get back to Tasmania. The Sound. They received GPS co-ordi- second time he set off, he left some During the afternoon we scoured the nates each day and entered them into gear behind and changed some of the Te Anau souvenir shops for a suitable Google earth and plotted the course way things were done. Some rough tinny holder to house the cold beer we that he was on. They then relayed weather that he encountered after were going to give Andrew. We found back to Andrew the co-ordinates that leaving Australia took out a tracking one with a roadsign on it saying ‘Kiwis he needed to follow to stay on track beacon that he had strapped to the 1200km’ which we modified to say and allow for overnight drift. One of boat. It also cracked the lens on a ‘Kiwis in 1600km’, then purchased a the difficulties that they had closer to camera. The authorities wanted him six-pack of Speights. NZ was the lack of information on to turn back because of the beacon. current direction. Off the Australian Their concern was that once he was Martin talked with Paul Caffyn on the coast they had accurate information past 400km it would be difficult to phone in the afternoon to see if he was on the direction of currents so that rescue him because he would be out of going to make it down to see Andrew they could factor that into the course helicopter range. The team suggested in. Paul was enthusiastic about the idea plotting. Apparently there is a point that he blip his EPIRB at a certain time and was planning to drive all Saturday closer to Tasmania south of Milford each day for 1 minute to confirm his

 The Sea Canoeist Newsletter

position. The authorities would not The team response was that as far as The team were looking a bit ragged accept that as an alternative option. they knew he was fine but they had this morning. Apparently Search and The team phoned Andrew on his sat- not had a position from him that day Rescue had commenced a helicopter ellite phone to discuss this situation because the batteries on his satellite search at 0100hrs using night vision and suggested turning around to him. phone were not charging properly and equipment. Vicki still wasn’t con- All agreed that at this point it would they expected that communication vinced that it was Andrew that they be quicker to paddle to NZ than back might be a bit sketchy from now on were searching for. The recording to Tasmania. Andrew was determined in. Maritime Rescue wanted to mount Search and Rescue played to them to carry on. The authorities suggested a search to investigate. had phrases and wording that she flying a replacement beacon out to would not expect from Andrew and Andrew. This involved purchasing There was a flurry of discussion. No the recording was quite hard to make a new beacon, a helicopter to take it one knew for sure what Andrew’s out. The conspiracy theory about the out to him and a fixed wing aircraft call sign was. No one had a manifest hoax call was still alive. We all agreed that had to fly above the helicopter to confirm whether he actually had a to meet over at Milford Airport and because of regulations about flying VHF with him. We thought the range we hit the road leaving the others to over open sea - price tag, a mini- of a VHF was about 50km but with catch us up. mum of $25k AUD. The budget was a repeater maybe 65km. Going off already stretched, particularly after his last co-ordinates, could he be that Just as we were about to get out of cell the aborted first trip which required close in? Surely if he was in trouble phone range we got a call from Paul Vicki to fly back to Tasmania from he would trigger his EPIRB. The team Caffyn. He was checking in with us Sydney and then for Andrew and the hooked on that last comment, if he to find out if it was worth him coming kayak to return to Sydney. was in trouble he would trigger his down given that Andrew had been res- EPIRB and suggested to Maritime cued. That surprised us, apparently a The beacon wasn’t the only casualty Rescue that it must be a hoax call, friend of his had called to tell him that of the trip so far. He had two satel- it wouldn’t be Andrew. They should some fishing boats had rescued An- lite phones, but one had packed up. delay their search until they got more drew during the night. We pointed out His watch had stopped. He was also information or another call. that if anyone should know that, then having problems with the charging Vicki would and we had just left her units so his second satellite phone After this call, everyone was shaken about 15 minutes ago and as far as she was running down, which meant that but not overly concerned because we was concerned Andrew was out there the team expected communication to were all confident that Andrew would paddling towards us. Paul asked us to be a bit scratchy over the last couple hit his EPIRB if he needed help. There wait while we were in range, he would of days. was a bit of a front coming through call his friend to confirm then give but nothing of the magnitude that he us a call back shortly. Sure enough, We told Paul Hewitson about our plan had already weathered - the forecast the report was incorrect, it was just of paddling out to the Sounds entrance after that was really good. If he did reporting the search was underway. to greet Andrew and asked about the have a VHF with him, it would be a Going on the current information we protocol of meeting someone trying real effort for him to get to it anyway, had, Andrew was paddling towards to paddle unsupported. Did it mean it would have been stowed at the rear Milford, blissfully unaware of the that we couldn’t hand him a beer of the kayak because it would be one furore going on, on land. with the specially re-designed tinny of the items that he wouldn’t require holder. At what point had he ‘made until he was almost in. We got to Milford unloaded the kayak it’. Consensus was reached that we at Deep water basin and readied it for shouldn’t touch Andrew or his kayak Jen did some filming for the documen- paddling out to the heads. At 1130hrs, without clearing it with him first as he tary of this dramatic twist and Vicki before we jumped in the kayak, we might want to land unaided. talked with Leanne Malcolm about decided to go and find Vicki to see the development. TV3 were talking if there had been any more develop- Dinner was a light-hearted affair with about going out with Vicki the next day ments, so we headed for the airport. chatter about what Andrew would be with a helicopter to see if they could Vicki was not there yet, but instead eating that night. Much discussion spot Andrew. We all parted company we talked with the Search and Rescue regarding the merits of dehydrated and went to bed, all well aware that crew who had been out since 0100hrs meals and how nice the dehydrated we couldn’t relax until Andrew was searching around Andrew’s last known ice cream is that made up some of actually in the sound. co-ordinates from Thursday night. his food supplies, we weren’t all They hadn’t found anything and, after convinced about that. Paul’s phone 10/02/07, Saturday. We got up at a 2nd daylight stint, were now awaiting rang just after 9pm interrupting fur- 0545hrs to meet at the campground further instructions from Wellington. ther banter. It was Maritime Rescue. and get an update from last night. They were on standby until the Orion They had picked up a VHF call ‘sea We were planning on being out at had arrived from Auckland. kayaker 1’ off Fiordland. They wanted Milford Sound in time to prepare the to know if Andrew was in trouble. kayak for the paddle to Anita Bay in They were asking us details about the the afternoon. kayak, but we couldn’t answer the

 No. 127 February - March 2007 more technical questions so we went We decided to hedge our bets and The police were on their way to tell to find Paul Hewitson. We stopped aborted kayaking out to the heads that Vicki, at the lodge. We were stunned, by our still loaded kayak and checked afternoon and instead planned to be both of us were wary of secondhand in- in with the kayak hire company who on the water at 5ish the next morning. formation, particularly after the phone agreed to keep an eye on it. When That way we could get some up to date call from Paul Caffyn this morning. we got back to the airport, Vicki and information on Andrews’s location These things can turn into Chinese Paul had arrived as well as a scrum and ETA. We went back to the kayak whispers pretty quickly. We grilled of reporters from various agencies. hire company to let them know what the reporter, but he was adamant, he Paul Hewitson, armed with his laptop, we were doing and make sure they had it from a reliable source. The talked with Search and Rescue at didn’t hire our kayak out. They were severity of the news was not lost on length about a possible new location very helpful and of course interested us, we understood that once separated for Andrew’s search based on his aver- in the events unfolding. from his kayak his chances of survival age speed and likely overnight drift. had diminished substantially. Vicki and Andrew’s father went up in We left the kayak, went to the lodge the TV3 helicopter at 1415hrs to have and put up our tent. The rest of the With Andrew’s Dad at the airport we a look around to see if they could see team had gone into ‘town’ for dinner, were lucky it was dark, otherwise we him, but came back about an hour but we decided to stay and cook up may not have been able to hide what later having seen nothing. The general our own. After dinner we went to see we now knew. The reporters did a good opinion in camp was that it was still a if Paul Caffyn had arrived yet, but job of trying to encourage people to go hoax and they were a bit horrified at couldn’t find him. We stopped in at the back to their lodgings by saying that the scale of the search operation that airport at 2130hrs to see if there were there wasn’t likely to be anything more was underway. any updates. The Search and Rescue tonight. There was small talk about helicopter that had been on stand-by how many stars there were out and We ended up spending almost all day through the day was gone. We walked other inconsequential stuff. Andrew’s at the airport, along with the media, up to the possie of reporters that were Dad was reluctant to leave, then Paul awaiting any news. Once we were still gathered there, we were pretty Hewitson and his friend Phil turned out at Anita Bay we would be out of familiar with them by now and asked up. They were also not convinced that communication range, given the speed if there were any updates. There was leaving the airport was a good idea and, of developments we decided that we a sudden silence, one of the reporters of course like Andrew’s Dad, they did should hang around. Our Search and said to us, “Haven’t you heard?” Our not know what we knew. Rescue service is pretty impressive response was, “No, heard what?” when you see it in action, as is the One of the reporters made a big show public support that they get like the The reporter looked uncomfortable, of using the airport phone to ring huge container of muffins someone but decided to tell us. Unfortunately Southern Lakes Helicopters to find out baked up that morning when they Andrew’s father pulled into the car if they were coming back to Milford heard that there was a search on. park at about the same time, so the that night. They were already back in We told Andrews’s family that once reporter asked us to go for a walk Te Anau. That did it then, everyone the Orion turns up, they would soon with him. He explained that Andrew’s agreed to leave and go back to their find him. kayak had been found, minus Andrew. lodgings. Hannibal Haye’s helicopter refuelling at the Milford airstrip during the 11 The possie of reporters were gathered February search for Andrew off the coast of Fiordland. outside the front door of the lodge when we arrived, the police car was already there. We made a coffee and sat in the lounge in stunned silence. The lodge normally turn their gen- erator off at 1100hrs but due to the circumstances, they agreed to leave it going so that we had lights, computer and phones available. The reporters were keeping their distance while still keeping tabs on what was going on, they were respectful and restrained.

We talked with the policeman from Te Anau. He was really nice guy and was looking at a long night. He had brought a victim support person with him and had left her with a distraught Vicki. Where do you get a victim support person from at 10pm on a

 The Sea Canoeist Newsletter

Saturday night? We spoke with Paul We got to Te Anau at 1215hrs and met Paul decided that he had better contact Hewitson for a while about whether up with Paul Hewitson and Phil on the Vicki and let her know what we were Andrew had an immersion suit, the foreshore and had a look at the 406 up to. He told us that Vicki wanted to go ACC system, the legal liabilities in EPIRB and GPS that were recovered over and see the kayak, then Andrew’s this type of situation in NZ and how from Andrew’s kayak and stored in the father and sister turned up, they also search and rescue works. Jen sat with Southern Lakes Helicopters offices. wanted to go and see the kayak. That us for a bit. She was emerging as a They both appeared in working order. was Phil’s and our seats gone so we real rock. She was a huge support to The kayak had been collected by a decided that it was time that we hit Vicki and really held herself together cruise ship, which had then dropped the road for Christchurch. throughout. At about 2330hrs we went it off at Deep Cove, Doubtful Sound. for another circuit of Milford to see Paul Hewitson was keen to go over It was a real coup for the Press pho- if we could find Paul Caffyn, still no and have a look at it. We explained the tographer getting the whole family out luck. We went back to our tent and logistics of getting there by boat/road there instead of no names like us, his spent a restless night running through and that a helicopter was probably tailing paid off big time, the result was all the possible things that could have the best. the photo that appeared on the front happened. page of Monday’s Christchurch Press. A staff member at Southern Lakes Also in his favour, the police ended up 11/02/07, Sunday. Martin went back Helicopters was really helpful and going out to Doubtful Sound to make to the boat ramp at about 7am to see tried to put together options for Paul. sure that the kayak wasn’t tampered if Paul Caffyn was around and spotted The most workable option was spend- with, in a second helicopter, taking a him giving an interview to the TV1 ing $1,250, which involved basically Press reporter with them. reporter. They were talking with Paul chartering a helicopter for six people. regarding Andrews’s disappearance, It was a pretty expensive option, we The same policeman, who had turned which would have been a surprise to were discussing it when the Press up at the Lodge the night before, drove him as he was driving while it was all photographer stepped into the fray Vicki to the helipad. We asked where unfolding. Paul was having a bit of a and said that he would pay for it if he Finlay was and were told that he was nightmare of a morning, his stove had could come with us and take photos. being looked after by the policeman’s caught fire and melted while he was He had followed us into the office, we wife; they had a similar aged child. talking with the reporter so he came were quite uncomfortable about hav- This was well beyond the call of duty back to the lodge for a cup of tea. ing him there because we were trying but very much appreciated. While we were having breakfast and to discuss things about the situation, a cuppa, Rosco from the kayak hire which we didn’t particularly want to It was a long trip back to Christch- company turned up and asked Paul to share with the media at that time, but urch for ourselves and Phil, we got go with him on a private search out it was a public place and we hardly in sometime before midnight then sat from the Sound. A quick pack up and felt that we could tell him to bugger around talking some more about the Paul was gone. off. We had a quick conference about whole thing, but it was work in the his offer and then agreed to his deal morning for the two of us – part of the We packed up, since there was no as long as he didn’t take any notes or deal that we had with our employers boat search happening and there was ask for interviews. The helicopter was to get the time off. nothing we could help with, they had due to leave at 1415hrs. That gave us decided to search using aircraft that enough time to grab a quick coffee day. We declined interviews with TV3 and lunch. and Radio NZ, there was nothing we could add and didn’t feel like being Dunedin rescue helicopter at the Milford airstrip - 11 February 2007 sound bite fillers. We told Andrew’s sister and father that we have one of the world’s best Search and Rescue organisations and if Andrew could be found they will find him. Vicki was not up to seeing anyone so we said goodbye to Findlay who was a bit mystified by the whole thing and Jen who was still providing support all round. The whole car trip from Milford Sound to Te Anau was spent re-running all the possibilities, sce- narios and the injustice of getting so close to New Zealand.

 No. 127 February - March 2007

one to talk to about your fears, pain, frustrations or to share decision mak- ing. If we think of other extreme chal- lenges, climbing very high mountains come to mind but it is over in a few days or pulling a sled to the South Pole. However they normally go with two or more people and at night they sleep in a relatively warm, dry and safe tent. If I HAD to, I would attempt either of the above challenges, indeed they have been done many times, but to kayak solo across the Tasman below the 40th parallel is something only an extraordinary person could ever attempt and we wanted to meet this person.

Now sadly we will never meet Andrew Last photo on Andrew’s camera, which was recovered from the kayak. and while Vicki and Findlay have lost a husband and a father, we have all lost 12/2/07, Tuesday. Paul Hewitson It had been a very intense four days and the benefit that comes from having an turned up at our place at about 11pm we were exhausted and emotionally extraordinary person among us. looking pretty awful. He hadn’t taken drained by the sad outcome. on board much food or sleep over the Andrew’s beer remains unopened, in last few days, but was still hyped up What drew us to travel 1500km to meet its tinny holder, in our fridge. to the max. He had the video diary Andrew, and buy him a beer, was the Martin & Fiona Fraser records from the Police, which had disbelief we felt that someone would daily recordings from Andrew up to put themselves through such incred- FOOTNOTE: day 15 of the trip. The subsequent days ible hardship to achieve a goal they Andrew McAuley were on tape and the police were going themselves set. We have all sat in a Adventurer’s Dinner to have to do a bit of work to recover kayak or a car for two or three hours On June 7, 2007, an evening dedicated them because they feared they had but are then ready to get out for a leg to celebrating adventure, in memory suffered damage from seawater. stretch; many will have spent 12 hours of Trans-Tasman solo paddler Andrew in an aeroplane only too keen to land McAuley is to be held at the Athenian We sat up and watched the footage he and go for a walk. In these environ- Restaurant, 11 Barrack St. Sydney. had until 1.30am. It was really quite ments we are warm, safe, dry, well stunning and gave an amazing insight fed and watered. The special Guest is Lincoln Hall, into just how unbelievably tough that Everest summitter, mountaineer & trip was. There was plenty of safety To plan and attempt an expedition adventurer, speaking publicly for the equipment including flares. that requires an active person to sit first time since his remarkable survival stationary for 30 days, be constantly on Everest in May 2006. Stuart True- It was incredible how many barnacles wet while awake or asleep, needing to man & Laurie Geoghegan will talk there were already attached to the pump for an hour to desalinate your about their Antarctic expedition with kayak. He talked a few times about own drinking water so as to hydrate Andrew, plus an auction of elite out- some large sharks that he had seen, and eat something resembling food, door gear including sea kayaks, tents one in particular he saw leap clear only be able to sleep for short periods & clothing, raffles, a silent auction & of the water very close to the kayak. on his back with arms folded over his more. All proceeds from the dinner He didn’t seem too concerned about chest while the kayak is constantly go to the Andrew McAuley Support the sharks, more in awe of them. It moving in good weather and com- Fund, directly to Andrew’s wife Vicki was obvious that conditions on the pletely rolling over during storms & young son Finlay. Martin and Fiona kayak were very tough, really testing and having no satisfactory way of Fraser, and the editor will be attending his limits and occasionally exceed- toileting or cleaning yourself with the Sydney dinner. ing them. many parts of your body completely out of reach. If any Kiwi paddlers wish to make a If the other recordings are recovered donation to the support fund, you can and used in a documentary it will be All this and more has to be endured send a cheque to: fascinating viewing. Paul and Phil left in one of man’s most hostile environ- Andrew McAuley Support Fund, our house at 4.30am Wednesday morn- ments hundreds of kms from shore c/- Talisman Marketing, PO Box 158 ing for the flight back to Sydney. with no hope of swift rescue and no Alexandria, NSW, 2015, Australia

10 The Sea Canoeist Newsletter extend to you our deepest sympathy Tribute from Paul Caffyn NSW and sorrow as we share with you the MEMORIAL loss of a husband, a father and a very From T.E. Lawrence’s book, Seven great man. Pillars of Wisdom, a quote: SERVICE All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake Tributes to Andrew Tribute from Martin & in the day to find that it was van- McAuley Fiona Fraser ity: but the dreamers of the day 26 February 2007 are dangerous men, for they may (email to Martin & Fiona Fraser) We heard about ‘some Aussie pad- act their dreams with open eyes to dler’ who intended to kayak from make it possible. Hi Martin, Tasmania to Milford Sound, and were My name is Elizabeth Thomson, and amazed that someone would want to Andrew was a dreamer of the day; his I’m the President of the NSW Sea put themselves through it given that planned trans-Tasman solo paddle, an Kayak Club. I’m writing to you to there is a good air service between the audacious solo attempt at the wind- let you and Paul Caffyn know that I two countries. swept swells of the southern Tasman. read out your tributes at the memorial I admired Andrew for spending two service on Monday. We logged on to Andrew’s website days paddling back to Tasmania after to find out about him and watch his he decided it was too cold at night It was a bleak day, with strong wind trip progress. We got caught up in during his first attempt. He didn’t and rain. His memorial service was the drama that was unfolding on the call in a rescue, but slogged back to a fitting farewell to him. Standing in website. What would it be like for Tasmania. That takes guts. the shadow of Macquarie Lighthouse him out there in those huge swells on South Head in Sydney, windswept on his own? In 1989, after my co-paddler dropped and wet, we said goodbye. With the his bundle eight miles off the coast wind gusting, reminding us of what Then as he got closer we realised, of Tasmania, I stewed over whether Andrew went through, we stood and that with enough conniving, we could to continue solo across the Tasman. listened to eulogies and also from make it down to Milford Sound to meet But I decided it was too much for Andrew himself. We were privileged and congratulate a man who could me. It was not a lack of guts - my at- to hear one of his last recordings which envisage kayaking solo across the tempt was based on two paddlers in gave us a sense of his experience and Tasman and then had the bravery and a double kayak. helped us understand and celebrate determination to go about achieving why he was out there. it. What he had achieved so far was From his experience gained during reason enough to travel all that way crossings of Bass Strait and the Gulf We then walked to the cliff face and to meet him. of Carpentaria, Andrew developed threw wreaths and orange bottle brush new and innovative systems for the stems over the cliff for Andrew. But Andrew had a great support crew Tasman crossing. These systems the wind refused to bow to our wishes waiting for him in New Zealand. We worked well to within a day’s pad- and launched our flowers skywards were warmly welcomed by Vicki and dle of Fiordland. He was so close to and back at us. For me, it was Andrew Andrew’s family at mission control in achieving his dream. saying, “No tears folks, just celebrate Te Anau. This was really nice, given and live life to the fullest.” that they had never met us, and we were Andrew’s dream fired the admiration made to feel part of the team. of Kiwi paddlers and non-paddlers Here is the message I read out on alike. The following is typical of mes- behalf of the NSW club: What an amazing experience it would sages that have been emailed to me in have been to meet the only person the last week: Andrew McAuley was a member of who had kayaked all the way from the NSW Sea Kayak Club. Over the Australia, and escort him to landfall ‘So sad about Andrew McAuley. Stag- years, he has shared with us his trips in New Zealand. gered at the number of folk, almost and achievements through conver- strangers, but who know that I am a sations, presentations, trip reports, Martin & Fiona kayaker, that have come up to me and photography and film. We all know expressed their sorrow.’ him and mourn him. He has inspired many of us to rise to challenges we On behalf of KASK, the Kiwi Asso- would otherwise avoid. He has been ciation of Sea Kayakers, I would like a beacon of human kind’s possibility to express our sympathy to Vicki, her and potential. His legacy is a life lived, family and friends of Andrew. showing us we, too, are capable of great things. We thank you, Andrew. Andrew’s audacious day dreams will Vicki, on behalf of the members, I be missed.

11 No. 127 February - March 2007 SANDY ROBSON to maintain contact with the kayak - fine in a flat sea, but it won’t be flat AROUND AUSTRALIA LETTERS TO THE when you go over. EDITOR Date: Friday, 23 Mar 2007 In my kayak, my paddle float is kept From: Sandy Robson partially inflated, in front of my rud- Gday Paul PADDLE LEASHES der pedals, on a leash, and clipped I have indeed made it to Brisbane. from: Mike Scanlan to the kayak. I have used it in real No problems getting my website, just situations. don’t do a google search, type in the I consider the leash between my pad- address directly to your address bar dle and kayak to be more important Observing groups of kayakers around and push OK even though it says it to my safety than my PFD. Auckland, I have seen virtually NO is unsecure - it is OK, just ‘cos it is paddle leashes. Does this mean that on our school website it does funnee A recent KASK Letter to the Editor they are not a good idea? – I don’t things: made the point that paddlers are very think so. https://netstorage.penrhos.wa.edu. likely to maintain their grip on their au/slap/ paddle in the event of a capsize and I believe it is part of the New Zealand I recently updated my website with wet exit. syndrome of assuming someone else the March diaries. will rescue you if things go wrong. Rather than showing paddle leashes to That is a mindset that will put you in I have had to take some time off, not be unnecessary, this is the whole point considerable danger if you find your- because I need a rest, but because I am of a paddle-kayak leash as it means self out in bad conditions, as the reality a bridesmaid at my sister’s wedding in that instinctive holding onto the pad- is that when the sea really plays up, Perth next weekend. So I am in Sydney dle also ensures that the kayak is not (and it can do so quite unexpectedly today and fly off to Perth tomorrow blown or washed out of reach. and quickly) even if you are out with to get ready for the wedding. I have other paddlers, there is very little they to get my frock all sized up and my Loss of a paddle per se is not such an can do to help you. hair done - looking pretty feral after issue as you will have a spare split the last three months, so I will need a paddle on the back of your kayak. You must have the skills and equip- week to get ready. Won’t you? ment to look after yourself and con- sciously take responsibility for your I got to Brisbane on Monday and have However a paddle without a kayak own safety. been at Shorncliff at a fellow kayaker’s will not get you back to shore. Think house. I have spent the week re-doing of the last ocean wet exit you did; I The stakes are obviously higher if you the wear strip on the bottom of my bet you held onto your paddle, but chose to paddle solo and offshore but kayak, organising charts for the next how about the kayak? Did you lose even if you are a group paddler, beware section etc. After 4 days off the water contact with it as you surfaced? In of ‘risk shift’ – it may prove to be an I am actually hanging for a paddle. I the real world of wind and waves, illusion of safety. do not want to lose my fitness. I fly and without accompanying kayakers back to Brisbane to continue the trip to help, that unsecured kayak is very “It’s never happened to me,” is another on April. likely to rapidly move away from seductive mindset. you and it will be hard to swim after The rudder is legendary and nothing it holding onto your paddle. To those who say paddle-kayak leashes has munched it yet so either it is work- are unnecessary, or too dangerous, I ing or I am just lucky - time will tell. In sea conditions that caused a capsize, say not true. (And to those who say the Think I bent the pin on the ballina bar, and subsequent wet exit, to occur in ability to roll is unnecessary – because but other than that, the reinforcing that the first place, it will bevery difficult they have never tipped out, I say that Dave & I did is working really well. for a kayaker to maintain a constant rolling has got me out of a bad situa- (Photos of the black and yellow racing grip on both paddle and kayak while tion more than once.) stripes, added by Dave Winkworth to deploying a paddle float, and avoiding Sandy’s rudder appeared in the last swallowing a whole lot of water. The Mike Scanlan newsletter). chances of losing hold of one of these and having it washed or blown away (Mike has suggested that personal It is hard sometimes to go on day after are much higher than if only one of the opinions could be included in the day and to manage my body fatigue, kayak or paddle has to be held. newsletter under an ‘Opinions’ but I know I can do it. The problem heading. His letter on paddle leashes is that if it takes me too long to get to Demonstrations I have seen of paddle is one such example.) Cairns, then I may not be able to get float deployment without a leash have around the top end in the months that been comical as they involved part of I really should be up there. We will the body draped over the cockpit edge just have to see how it goes.

12 The Sea Canoeist Newsletter WARNING Featuring the 40minute filmEpics In FOUR LETTER WORDS DAY HATCH LIDS Ice - the dramatic tale of 3 Australians from: Chris Hinkley from: David Winkworth who paddle 800 km down the Antarc- tic Peninsula in incredibly challenging conditions. They encounter winds so Hi Paul, At the recent KASK Forum at Anakiwa I have been following with interest the strong that they fear for their lives, I noticed that there were quite a few they’re trapped by moving ice and are saga of the missing top measurement kayaks with a very hard compound of the sail in LRB4 and the various plagued by injuries. This documentary 8” round rubber day hatch lid. If you is equally terrifying and hilarious as attempts to provide it. have one of these lids you’ll know I’m the team cope with their many hazards referring to you. They have no brand with good humour. It’s all worth it for As a schoolboy I was subjected to the name or markings on the top. rigours of learning ‘trig’. We never the beauty and wildlife in one of the true last wildernesses. referred to it as ‘trigonometry’, which These hatch lids, which I think are a none of us could spell, as it seemed clone of the well known Valley Canoe Fantastic sea kayaking action includ- more appropriate to use a four letter Product’s lids, are virtually impos- word. I was therefore impressed by ing loops, swims and sweet surfs on sible to remove with one hand from the meaty ‘Falls of Lora’ tidal race in John Cook’s statement (in KASK the cockpit and equally as difficult to Newsletter #125) that, ‘with the sim- Scotland. You will be talking about replace on the rim. this for weeks! ple use of trigonometry, the missing width was easily calculated’. Mon The problem is of course, that if your A rare insight into the legendary Paul dieu, ‘simple use of trigonometry’ is paddling jacket is in your day hatch an oxymoron! Caffyn, who has circumnavigated and you need to get it out at sea when practically everything including Aus- the weather worsens while paddling I would be interested in knowing the tralia, New Zealand, Britain, Japan, solo, you have a real problem - and it and Alaska! Footage of Paul in NZ’s method used to calculate the width gets worse when you can’t replace the from the measurements in LRB4 Marlborough Sounds & Alaska, and hatch lid in a choppy sea! If you’re pad- a fascinating interview. and the resulting calculated value, dling with a friend, you can of course which was never revealed, but which enlist their help but do ask yourself: ‘matched moderately closely with the Underwater rolling footage of Cheri will they always be there? Perry and Freya Hoffmeister, two of original sail construction diagram’. the world’s best Greenland style roll- I think these lids are a liability for sea ers. The two women give an insight In the latest newsletter (#126) Paul kayakers. Why put gear in a day hatch Hayward suggests that the original into their very different motivations. if you can’t get at it easily from the Cheri performs the straight jacket value (Rebecca Heap’s) was incor- cockpit? Seems dangerous to me. rect, leading to your comment, ‘which roll, while Freya shows her famous headstand in the kayak. meant that my quick trigonometry I think that the bottom line for manu- calculation was also at fault’. Did facturers is that these hatch lids are Justine Curgenven’s expedition to you have access to the original value considerably cheaper than the Val- at the time of your calculation? How the dramatic Faroe Islands in Europe. ley items and they suffer less UV Fairytale scenery including the world’s did you use it in the calculation to degradation if not regularly sprayed recalculate its own value? If you tallest vertical cliff and thousands of with Armor-All (or similar rubber sea birds. Gales break her tent, tidal didn’t have access to it, why was your protectant.) calculation at fault? races and fog challenge her on the water and local people invite her into I tested a kayak some years ago that I gather that Paul Heyward provided their homes. Experience eating raw was fitted with one of these hard rubber sheep and hunting for puffins. the revised values and the assumptions day hatch lids. When I suggested to on which they are made. I would be the retailer, that the hard lid may be a very interested to see his calculation The beautiful Shetland Islands in safety liability, he suggested I smear Scotland - including a trip to remote method as well. Paul’s calculated the lid and rim with Vaseline! values are nearly 10% more for the Foula, an open crossing in a thunder storm, paddling with wildlife and big sail (1364 cf 1250) and nearly 25% TITS 3 - DVD more for the small sail (872 cf 700), exploring caves. than the measurements given in the (from Sandy Ferguson) first correction (Rebecca’s?). From Justine’s web site: Beach surfing in New Z≠ealand, with Tauranga’s own Steve Knowles. My conclusion is that schoolboys do http://www.cackletv.com understand somethings - that ‘trigo- Featuring: Paul Caffyn, Andrew REVIEW OF TITS 3 nometry’ is not simple and that ‘trig’ McAuley, Cheri Perry, Freya Hoff- in the NEXT is, indeed, a four letter word. meister, Justine Curgenven NEWSLETTER, from Chris Hinkley CROCODILE WINKY.

13 No. 127 February - March 2007

2007 KASK FORUM - FEEDBACK

A Personal Perspective on Marvelling over Nigel Foster placing the 2007 KASK Forum his paddle blade into the water with from: Paul Hayward from: John Kirk-Anderson a surgeon’s skill, and making it seem as if his students could achieve the Susan, Evan, Cathye, & Helen - and same standard. I came away from the Anakiwa Forum all the others who were just ‘behind disappointed. the scenes.’ A tremendous thank-you Knowing that he used the same calm from Natasha & I for a great forum grace, outside of a coaching clinic, The next KASK Forum will have to at Anakiwa. after paddling with him and his wife, run for at least a full week, a couple of Kristin Nelson, before the forum. days is no longer enough time to attend We do appreciate the hard work that all the sessions I wanted and to chat makes it all look easy and we very Hearing that lovable Aussie, David with all the great participants. much enjoyed the learning, fellow- Winkworth, bellowing across the still ship & fun that were present in such waters, stirring paddlers to lean just a Think about all the planning that went good measure. little bit more. into it, the work by the presenters and instructors, the enthusiasm and energy It was especially good to meet and Sharing the passion of sea kayaking by everyone who came, all of this mingle with such a fine bunch of during a workshop on paddling for brought briefly into one place, and South Island paddlers and honorary SI those with disabilities, and seeing then it was back to work! (Wellingtonian) paddlers and discover Beverley Burnett glowing after the that they’re very nearly worthy of their commitment was made to make the Highlights for me were many: superb surroundings). next Anakiwa Forum ‘ Disabled-pad- Watching the effortless way that dler accessible’. the organisers coped with changes Paul, we’re sorry to have missed the and last-minute issues, the apparent Monday morning de-brief - we stole Watching paddlers that I had previ- relaxation proving that much stress, away in the pre-dawn darkness to catch ously coached now running instruc- tension, blood, sweat and tears had the only ferry I’d been able to get a tional sessions, hopefully to continue gone before. booking on. Had a lovely paddle with the cycle of skill- development. dawn just looming up as we came into Seeing Sue Cade finally go paddling, Picton harbour. Hearing a shriek of joy, and getting a knowing that her months of phone soaking-wet hug after a first roll. calls, emails and late nights had served Kept very quiet (as we pulled the their purpose. tent down) in case we aroused any Laughing until my sides hurt as Polar-Bear-next-to-tent-in-middle- Stephen Counsell’s zany humour John Kirk-Anderson (with bird of-the-night responses. After all the worked magic as MC, and John de identification guide) & Nigel Foster Arctic presentations over the weekend, Garnham’s sergeant-major voice was at Mistletoe Bay - “Is that a lesser I’m sure some people were sleeping used when the magic needed a hand. spotted boob tit bird?” lightly - if not on a hair-trigger. And we did have Dave Winkworth in the Chatting with old friends, and making next tent! Best Regards new ones. Seeing all those smiling Paul Hayward faces at Mistletoe Bay. Tony Fenwick & Learning how to stand up in my Nord- kapp, a skill I am sure to use often! Philippa Grimes Hello Susan and Evan Footnote: Thank you both for the opportunity Several people asked Nigel about his to have attended the KASK forum paddles, and he asked me to co-ordi- last weekend. Being fairly new and nate any purchases. novice sea kayakers, Tony and I were a little apprehensive that the forum I should have prices on his new models content may have been beyond our soon, so people who are interested ability level. Fortunately we were could drop me an email: proved wrong, and it was an excellent [email protected] weekend; great tuition, well organised, JKA good people, and in set at a wonder- ful venue.

14 The Sea Canoeist Newsletter

2007 FORUM SESSION RAMBLINGS

by David Winkworth

CROSSING THE BAR Sunset and the evening star, And one clear call for me And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea

No doubt about rock barred river entrances – they are evil places for sea kayakers! I’ve been spending a few days raiding Paul Caffyn’s library at the Twelve Mile after the KASK Forum and went to Greymouth to have a look at the Greymouth bar today. There was just a nice swell sweeping up from the south west with a few capping waves here and there to keep the surfers active, but I could clearly see that it would turn nasty very quickly.

The short verse above is inscribed on a mounted plate on the southern breakwater of the Greymouth bar. Un- derneath are 10 memorials to boaters who have lost their lives on the bar. David Winkworth & Nigel Foster at Mistletoe Bay. A few years ago I conducted a sea Nigel: “Is this a real Australian kayak? My tippy British boat is this wide!” kayak training weekend at the mouth of the Pambula River on the NSW Well, two paddlers did fail to roll and aking and don’t let anyone tell you south coast. This is not a rock barred wet-exited, quickly drifting into the it isn’t! So, for me, that leads to one entrance but like all bars it deserves “cauldron” section and drinking lots of my Golden Rules of sea kayaking great respect. The training weekend of sea water! And this is where they which is “Never ever get out of your revolved around ferry gliding back stayed, getting pummelled by the boat” or perhaps “Please remain seated and forth across the river during a breaking waves until two of us pad- for the entire performance.” They both spring ebb tide. The weather was dled into that mess to get them out in mean the same. Your kayak is your fine but a nor’ east sea breeze and “deck carries.” life saver – stay in it. To do this, you incoming swell against the ebb was need to develop a rock solid practi- turning the outer section of the bar I conducted a few sessions at the 2007 cal roll – not a trick Greenland roll into a cauldron. Forum which relate directly to that lit- – and practise, practise every time tle story and I’m going to cover a few you launch your kayak. Participants were warned that they of the relevant points for those con- should stay well inside the river but the scientious paddlers keen to improve OK, the roll you need to start with lure of some beautifully formed waves their skills. So here goes! has got to be the easiest one of all to that you could ride for 200 metres or perform and that to me is the Pawlata so proved too much for some and out Firstly rolling: If you haven’t ‘got your roll. It uses the full length of the paddle they went! roll’ yet, go and look in the mirror, – massive blade support. Starting with point a finger at yourself and say “I the Pawlata Roll is “Back to Basics” The consequences of a failed roll, I have to do this!” and that means that if your custom warned, was a fast ride into the turbu- Greenland Roll roll fails you in surf, lent waters where they would be held And that’s right, you do. RELIABLE you can go back to the roll that you fast for a couple of hours! rolling is an integral part of sea kay- just KNOW will work.

15 No. 127 February - March 2007

The coaching points for the Pawlata The purpose of flexing your upper arm the forward sculling stroke to push the roll are simple: muscles is as a connection between kayak backwards into a reverse turn. * hold blade end, other hand one third the outrigger (the working blade) and That’s a good practical example of one way along shaft the kayak. Effectively you have more stroke morphing into another! * lean forward, paddle against the than doubled the beam of the kayak! gunwale Remember that this is a Back to Basics In the “Turn the Bloody Thing * capsize, hold the lean forward stroke and in practice the stroke will Around” session we practised subtle underwater perhaps morph into a sculling stroke and not-so-subtle turning techniques. * sweep paddle on the surface or a stern rudder stroke. We used the Firstly we looked at turning our kayaks * bring paddle across in front of you situation of having to do a deck carry in very, very strong winds. In light as you…. as a practical application for this stroke winds, many kayaks will exhibit that * lean way back, head way back and – steadying your kayak as a patient annoying characteristic of ‘weather look at the sky climbs onto your rear deck. Effectively cocking,’ that is, turning up into a * finish in a brace position you cannot move someone in the water beam wind. Annoying as it is, it is also by having them hold on to your kayak a safety asset for you because it means No hip flick is needed for this roll, no – they need to be out of the water. you can go home if you’re paddling on head dink and no strength. You can Remember that deck carry patients the coast in an offshore wind! learn this roll all by yourself: make need to lie flat on the aft deck to keep sure you have a snug fit in your boat, their weight low, their feet out of the Unfortunately, when the wind picks up choose some chest deep water, wear water as much as possible and be as to around 25 knots plus, sea kayaks a mask and have a go while the water close up behind the paddler as they can develop an equilibrium in a beam wind is still warm. You should not have to get. Communication between paddler and firmly resist all efforts to turn them pay anyone to learn to roll. and patient is essential too. up into the wind. It’s a serious problem, especially if your car is at the boat ramp When you have achieved rolling Also in the Low Brace session, we directly upwind! Read Paul Caffyn’s success, do about 500 rolls to ingrain practised the sculling low brace. Simi- Dreamtime Voyage and you’ll see that the roll as your first line of defence lar to the above manoeuvre, it utilises he had just this problem at Gabo Island to a capsize. Then learn to do it on the sculling action of the blade to give off the eastern Victorian coast. the other side. When you can do that terrific support, even when the kayak you should always practise both sides is over, past capsize point. The blade So, what to do? Conventional forward equally. Try it with you eyes closed, angles for the back and forth sculling and back manoeuvring just results in do it at night and in low surf. Make it action need to be practised. Keep the tired arms, as your kayak settles back a rule to knock off a few rolls EVERY sculling length around one metre be- into a beam-on attitude. It’s now time time you paddle. Somewhere in there cause any shorter and the blade spends for speed! If you have a rudder, deploy you’ll move on to screw rolls and be- too much time changing direction to it. Paddle your kayak as fast as you can yond but you will forever more have a adequately support you. across the wind. When up to speed, use “back to basics” roll that is rock solid. your rudder or your paddle to initiate Good luck! If you do feel you’re going for a swim, a turn without stalling the boat. Lean you can use the easy Back to Basics forward and use wide sweep strokes A final note on rolling: If you watch recovery. If you think you’re going on the downwind side. This is the Sea 3 (Justine’s new DVD) over, throw your body and your head you’ll see that being able to perform 30 right back. This significantly lowers If you don’t have a rudder, put all your or so Greenland style rolls in flat water your CoG and will aid your recovery. foot pressure on the downwind-side does not guarantee you rolling success Work on a really snappy hip flick when footrest and lean (lift up) the kayak when you have to roll in anger, so do you can, but remember the Back to slightly with your upwind-side knee. practise your rolls in the gnarly stuff Basics recovery. You’ll need to keep your nerve here (with a friend) from time to time. because the turn radius will be large If you practise all these strokes in but it will happen. If you can practise The Low Brace is a skill we worked shallow water (around a metre deep) this in a safe onshore wind setting, then on at the Forum. We did the Back to you can avoid going for a swim by you should do so because it is a little Basics form here too. The coaching pushing up off the bottom if you need disconcerting to one day realise that it points are: to. Keep your arms in close when you can be difficult to turn for home! *feet and thighs securely locking pad- do so (no arm or shoulder injuries) and dler into cockpit remember the Back to Basics recovery Speed for the turn is imperative. Water *paddle held across body, working lean back – very important! moving past your hull and your rudder blade face-up and just underwater is the key to the turn. *paddle shaft pulled hard into tummy, As I remember, we had a little time shaft off coaming to spare in the Low Brace sessions A more subtle form of turning a sea *elbows directly above shaft, upper so we practised holding the kayak kayak involves the use of off-centre arm muscles flexed over on a lean by lifting one knee and foot pressure coupled with boat lean. changed the sculling blade angle on These turns are not fast but they are

16 The Sea Canoeist Newsletter

energy efficient. If you are well braced gathered for the hour or so drive out in your kayak, about 80% of your KASK FORUM to the coast. The session leader, Dave forward paddling effort goes into the Magnall, warned us that there might boat through your feet. If you take one Anakiwa 2007 not be much surf, as the weather foot completely off the footrest as you had been calm for a few days, so we paddle forward and put ALL your foot SURFING should not be too disappointed if the pressure onto the other footrest, then by: Chris Hinkley surf training turned into a coastal trip that off-centre foot pressure MUST around the area. There are interest- have some effect on boat heading! You In response to your request for articles ing caves etc. just around the corner can be sure that it does! Push with your on the forum, attached is a note about from Whites Bay – yeah right! We left foot only and your kayak will turn the surf training at White’s Bay. There headed off into a warm, sunny morn- right, push with your right foot only was so much good stuff at the forum ing really looking forward to the surf, and your kayak will turn left. and with Nigel and Kristin, that it not doubting for a minute that there would be impossible for one person to would be plenty. You can improve the turn force by lift- do it justice in one article. So here’s ing at the same time with the knee of my perspective on the session that I On arrival at Whites Bay, however, your ‘non pushing’ leg. This leans the most enjoyed over the weekend. Dave’s warning was justified. The kayak slightly, changing the underwa- surf was about eight inches high! ter shape of the hull to asymmetrical. Anakiwa has always struck me as be- The group considered its options – a The more aggressive you are in these ing one straw shy of the perfect venue coastal paddle, enter the sand castle manoeuvres, the better the turn. for the KASK Forum. The Outward building competition (at the invita- Bound School is a great conference tion of the DoC ranger) or truck on All this goes on below the sprayskirt centre and the location at the quiet end round to Robin Hood Bay hoping for while up above everything appears of the Sound is excellent for training something better. cool. It’s just like teenagers under a on the water at any state of the tide. blanket on a picnic! The only thing missing is access to Ten minutes later we were at Robin the open sea, the swell and the surf. It Hood looking at perfect surf for a ‘Notice that I haven’t mentioned rud- was, therefore, a very pleasant surprise beginners training session. There ders much? A lot of NZ paddlers use to find that a surf training session was was a gentle breeze and the swell was them, which is fine because they are a scheduled for Sunday on the coast at producing well formed surf, a bit under legitimate steering aid on sea kayaks. Whites Bay. a metre high. Within a few minutes we Remember though that they are still were having a team briefing and then just a mechanical device and can fail I remembered Whites Bay from the onto the water. on you. You should be able to fully forum in 2003. It was the weekend that control your kayak without the rudder. the Marlborough drought broke and There were four instructors; Dave That’s the challenge! there was no shortage of swell or surf. and Uffe on the water giving tips and The session was looking promising so helping people with timing their runs, I also ran a session on foam seats I signed up for it. O’Shane on the beach picking up the for sea kayaks which was fun. Look, pieces and analysing what went wrong it doesn’t matter what sort of seat On Sunday morning the group of and Myles helping with broaching you have in your boat as long as it’s twelve students and four instructors practice in the soup. comfortable and you have a snug fit. Surf training at Whites Bay. 2007 KASK Forum Comfort is very important. If you’re Photo: Inge Nusselder uncomfortable in your kayak, your discomfort will impinge on your paddling performance and that ain’t safe! The snug fit is also important. By moving your hips, legs etc, you should be able to transmit orders to your boat. Your kayak won’t respond if it can’t hear your commands!

Enough from me. The 2007 Forum was great fun – thanks to everyone for making me feel welcome. Cheers David Winkworth

17 No. 127 February - March 2007

It worked extremely well. I spent Soon after I was introduced to the quite a bit of time with O’Shane! He OVERSEAS ‘Skinny stick’ and fell in love with would watch each paddler’s ride and How a Kiwi rolled his way its simplicity immediately. No more swim then offer suggestions as to what to Delaware twisting your wrist, or paddling with went wrong and how to do better next by Ben Dorrington a wide grip. One piece of timber, time – “You’re leaning back, lean unfeathered blades and a low, core- forward”, “edge into the wave more, powered stroke became the norm. Note: Ben gave a demonstration of almost capsize into it”, “you’re com- his rolling technique at the 2007 Rolling too came quickly. On my first ing straight down the wave, try to run KASK Forum. His father, Steve, afternoon playing with a Greenland across it so you’re already in position gave a commentary from the Ana- paddle I found I could do a pretty to broach when it breaks,” etc. You take kiwa jetty. decent standard roll, and quickly pro- these things on board then paddle out gressed through to more difficult for another try and maybe put one of Blow nose, check hood cord, place advanced rolls. them into practice, while forgetting hands, deep breath, focus; tuck in, head the others, and gradually get better down, another breath, and visualise; By the time Coastbusters 2006 rolled as the morning progressed. capsize, darkness, look to the surface, (pardon the pun) around, I had learnt arch back, relax, sweep gently, roll a fair number of the 35 styles of roll By the end of the session everyone knee ENGAGE! - 70 if you consider you must master had improved from the instruction, both sides of the roll. When I learnt the practice and watching each other, The simple act of what kayakers call that Turner Wilson, Cheri Perry, Greg as well as having a lot of fun. No one the Eskimo roll often eludes many Stamer and Freya Hoffmeister, all doubted that it was well worth the ef- recreational paddlers. However, in Guru level practitioners of G-Style, fort of an early start and a couple of Greenlandic style paddling, it is just were coming to present and teach, hours driving. as important, if not more so, than the attendance became compulsory for the paddling itself. Being one with your Wellington G-Style Crew. We man- Thanks to Dave, Uffe, O’Shane and kayak and the ability to confidently aged to get a small contingent together, Myles for sharing their knowledge and recover from a capsize on one’s own even printing T-shirts for the occasion. enthusiasm. I hope the session will be is the backbone of G-Style Little did we know how much demand on the timetable again in 2009. there would be for those black ‘Qajaq Greenlandic style paddling for me AOTEAROA’ shirts. MORE FORUM awakened something deep inside. FEEDBACK Since I was young I have been in Following the Guru’s Friday night and around the water, surf lifesav- presentation, there was much anticipa- From Alison Callum: ing, swimming, diving, surfing, tion in the air about their roll demo. Hi Evan and Linda, sailing, kayaking. But it wasn’t until Saturday evening came after a day Thankyou to you both and all of the I discovered the skinny stick of the full of fun and workshops, and three KASK team, for a fantastic forum. I Inuit people that I realised my love of the four gurus suited up in their thought it was just brilliant - extremely for kayaking. Going on a day paddle Tuiliq, a type of all-encompassing welcoming atmosphere, knowledge- around Wellington’s wild south coast neoprene paddle-jacket. Leaving Greg able and supportive people and a won- is all the more exciting when you can Stamer on the dock, to explain each derful venue. You did really well! pop off a reverse sweep roll in a 19 of the manoeuvres, they proceeded to Have a great relax now. foot long skin kayak at will. show perfect rolling form. People were Best wishes, mesmerised and many quickly fell for Alison A handful of New Zealand kayakers the skill and grace that Greenlandic were directly exposed to G-Style when rolling illustrates. Shawn Baker of Montana, USA visited CALENDAR for a holiday in 2004. He managed to Cheekily taking the chance when it time his visit with the biannual NZ sea presented itself, Tony Calvert and I NORTH ISLAND kayaking symposium, Coastbusters. managed to steal a couple of the roll- PILGRIMAGE It was here that G-Style rolling was ing kayaks and have a go ourselves. introduced to the Antipodes. Shawn It was my first time in such a low 21 - 22 April 2007 sparked a healthy interest in the use volume specialist craft, and I found of Greenland paddles. Many paddlers it easy to do some of the harder rolls Due to a lack of numbers, quickly returned home and fashioned I struggled to perform in my higher expressing interest, similar paddles for themselves. People volume kayak. It was when I started the pilgrimage has been like Grant Glazier, Paul Hayward and doing elbow rolls that Turner and Cheri the Levetts in Auckland, and Pete ‘the took notice. An elbow roll is when the postponed for another year pirate’ Notman, the Calverts and my paddler throws away his paddle and father Steve in Wellington. rolls with his inside elbow tucked behind his head. It is recognised as

18 The Sea Canoeist Newsletter

The next few days were to go down in infamy as the worst Delmarva, weather wise, EVER! Yeah great, just for the Kiwi! However, everyone was determined to make the most of it, and make the most they certainly did.

The workshops planned for indoors went ahead as planned, but due to the 30 odd knots of wind, shallow water, and driving rain, rolling on the bay was resituated to the freezing cold, green-bottomed swimming pool. It was here that a number of the 160 Delmarva participants hit their first roll, became more confident under water, or simply reinforced previous skills. I begged Cheri to teach me how to teach rolling, and soon had a couple of young rollers hitting both standard and reverse sweep rolls, a buzz almost greater than rolling itself. Ben Dorrington, smiling after another successful Greenland roll at Anakiwa Rope gymnastics were also on my one of the more difficult Greenlandic kayak, and one of Turners favourite mind, seeing as they too are an impor- rolls. Soon Cheri was shouting instruc- paddles. “Oh well,” said Cheri, “Yeah tant part of the Greenlandic kayaking tions to me, ‘Coil up more’, ‘arch your right!” said Turner. Oops! culture. With the guidance of the back’, ‘drive your knee’. mysterious Dubside and ex-gymnast The following day Turner and I loaded David Sides, I soon had a number of By the end of the weekend I had made up his car and trailer (7 Kayaks, 8-10 ropes moves down pat and even man- friends with the four gurus and had paddles, a number of Tuiliq, and all aged the second highest score in the agreed to keep in touch via email. our personal gear!) and set off down ropes competition. Months prior to Coastbusters, I had the East Coast of the United States to decided to take a gap year and visit the Delmarva Peninsula. We arrived It was Saturday night after dinner, the East Coast of the USA to teach at at Camp Arrowhead, home for the that I really got to show the Yankee a summer camp for kids. It seemed next three days, to pizza and beer masses what a 21-year-old kid from only fair that I drop into New England with some of the Delmarva organis- the Antipodes could do in a kayak. and paddle with Turner and Cheri. It ing committee. Bed soon beckoned Suiting up for the rolling demo, the wasn’t long after they returned home, and I made my way to my cabin for butterflies were doing rolls of their that they sent me an email saying that some shuteye. own inside my stomach, and after they had secured a Scholarship for shoe horning myself into the super me to attend the three day Delmarva low-volume rolling kayak, they were Paddlers Retreat in Delaware. Ben (left) with his father Steve, and speed rolling! their East Grønland Style kayak In October of 2006, following two Soon Cheri, John from Vermont, and months of camp and a five-week cross myself were performing our rolling country American road-trip, I found repertoire in front of 160 Greenland myself being picked up outside of a kayaking enthusiasts. With Dan Segal friend’s apartment in Hoboken, New of the Walden Pond Scum talking us Jersey. Turner and I made the two through, we performed every roll from hour drive up to Wallingford, Con- the standard roll to a few that only a few necticut and arrived to Cheri’s home people in the world can hit. Although cooking. More than welcome after I didn’t complete the straitjacket roll, months of pre-prepared camp food I did hit my first hand roll holding a and greasy fast food on the road. The brick! No mean feat when it weighs next two days were filled with sea- close to 8kg! After a warm shower kayak surfing, camping, and Rhode and many congratulatory handshakes Island scenery. Soul soothing ocean it was party time, martinis and single adventures in which, with the help malts in one of the cabins. Yum! of some dumpy waves, I managed to destroy a Carbon Kevlar Outer Island

19 No. 127 February - March 2007

The final day of the retreat broke with stunning blue skies and dying winds, so it was everyone on the water for one final paddle before the goodbyes. With everyone glad to finally be rid of the bad weather, the mood on the water that day was amazing, with everyone there for the same reason. The practice and appreciation of Greenland Kayaking and culture shared with good friends.

It will be a long time before I forget my travels in America and my experiences at Delmarva Retreat, and even longer before I forget all the amazing kayaking friends I made that weekend in October. Many thanks go out to Ed Zachowski and QajaqUSA for giving me the chance to attend the retreat, Cheri Perry and Turner Wilson for their amazing hospitality and appreciation for New Zealand red wine, Shawn Baker for his massive smile each morning and the courage to wear a kilt, Dubside and David Sides for the ropes guidance, and everyone else who I shared a laugh, a drink, or a roll with. Arohanui, until we meet again.

Ben Dorrington with the very difficult, back scratching with a paddle, Greenland roll

some good men on an interesting their AGM at Anakiwa Outward 21 YEARS way of life. Bound School in the ‘Sounds’ at the From: Alan Byde north end of South Island, New Zea- . I tried to contact Pelham today but land. More than a hundred attended. Here I sit having re-organised my I can’t find their email address. The Groups were dotted about practising dusty desk. Now it is a clean desk book was published before e mails. I skills. It was reminiscent of times in and I think I know where the various shall relate what John Woollard wrote. UK 40 years ago. The surroundings are files are. I listen to Bruch’s violin Then I may suggest, if I get a bite, how very similar to Lakeside Windermere. concerto in G and try to ignore the about an up to date rewrite of Canoe Saturday night Nigel Foster delivered pain in my neck. Design and Construction? So much his talk about some scary times with has happened in the last 31 years, but polar bears north of Newfoundland. The ache is that of an overextended basics remain basic. muscle. It used to do what I required Among those present was Dave without question. Now I hear it moan So now I can blame you for lighting a Winkworth, now known as ‘Crocodile ‘Wot th’hell’ve ye done to me?’ It is fire under this old boiler again. How Winky.’ A couple of years ago on a from the base of the neck to the right apt, a pain in the neck. Mind you I remote shore in OZ he fought off a shoulder point. It takes part, I con- slept well last night. large salt water croc that was about clude, in sculling actions. Joan mas- to eat a fellow paddler. Dave stuck saged it this morning and now the ache On the way back along Queen Char- his thumbs in its eyes and it took off is muted but no longer dominant. lotte Drive I spotted several possums hastily to peaceful regions. Around 18 strolling about on the road in different years ago Dave, who was then a local Paul’s Nordkapp I found a tad tender, places. I avoided all but one. I was government officer, read my book but then so is its ‘designer’ Frank. convinced I was going to clear it by a Canoe Design and Construction. He Great plagiarist Frank, but don’t quote couple of feet but it leaped at the last reckoned he could do that so did it. me. Some stirrer said to me “How’s moment right under the offside wheels. Now he has a business building kay- the next book coming?” Frankly I had What is it with possums? Suicidal? aks. His latest sea kayak is the Nadgee. not thought of that in recent years, but Odd name, the Aboriginal name for a then, today, I sat, mumchance, at this Nadgee. I sent this to Canoeist - district in Victoria, Australia. I paddled keyboard thinking, ‘Yeah? Maybe? 23 - 26 February 2007, KASK (Kiwi it for the first time yesterday as I write. Canoe Design and Construction, set Association of Sea Kayakers) held Sweet mover. (The kayak that is).

20 The Sea Canoeist Newsletter

That brief voyage was a first in several start a regime of suppling exercises hulls were needed. The east coast ways, the first time for me in a kayak otherwise I could snap something kayaks were used on icefloe damped for 20 years. Just about the last time vital. The skills seem to be present, water, flat calm, so little buoyancy previously was when I paddled John the confidence to lay out on a skinny was needed. Dowd’s kayak at the Vancouver Expo blade is there too. - 1986. That was a memorable time. A man I was conversing with at table, Now age 78, I found the old paddle and All I need now is a kayak, equip- Lower Hutt I think, (his partner is keen balance skills returning as if there had ment to go with it, buoyancy aid, etc on working with disabled people) said been no interruption. What I found this etc, and I am reminded of the years that ‘98%’ of the business he does morning, as I woke, were the muscles it took in the sixties to acquire those with kayaks is for sit-ons. I have been of the neck to right shoulder grousing things, like a mini flare to send an thinking about that for years, design a about my enthusiasms the previous exploding capsule 100 feet straight comfortable hull with sit on cockpit, day. I should have stayed in practice. up, to find a magnetic compass to fix but with an add-on deck over the legs, Full shoulder extension, sculling sup- on the foredeck well forward. If it is or even a simple quick release padded port, back of head touching rear deck too close at night, looking down can bridge over mid thigh to make rolling demanded muscular freedom that the induce nausea. Do I want to paddle at possible. The buoyancy of such a shape body forgot. night? Er, no, since you ask. is 100%, combining the advantages of the pod cockpit with rapid exit. I’m The book Canoe Design and Con- On Saturday afternoon there was a a disturbed man. Stirred rather than struction was not a commercial suc- chap paddling an East Coast Green- shaken. Now look what you’ve done. cess for the publishers Pelham Books. land design, it looked very like an Next book? Kayaking for the retired? It was remaindered decades ago but ‘Angmassalik’ which was popular Roll on Eighty? Re-organising an Oc- it is still available on the Internet. It circa 1960 in UK. It was a real pleas- togenarian? Octo-Ocker? Just think I had remarkable effects. There are two ure to see him hand rolling, or using have all winter to build the sit-on to men in New Zealand who built good a skinny blade in a graceful lay-back paddle like a kayak. It must be really businesses, starting when they read roll. No doubt about it, if one aspires to lightweight and that means 1.5mm that book. One told me his firm built be an ace roller, use a skinny blade and marine ply stitch and glue skinned in 9,000 kayaks to his designs using an east coast Greenland design with glass cloth. The book and the boat to the skills he learned from the book. very little deck above the waterline. It go hand in hand. More of a dayboat/ Yesterday I was handed a letter from is much easier to roll. Kayaks with a playboat really. Expeditions are for another Australian. He was given a lot of windage are heavy to roll. the determined. That’s the purpose. copy of the book which was discarded Practice is what counts. from the local library after 25 years in The west coast kayaks were used in Alan Byde circulation. His final words in a long open waters with waves, so buoyant 26 February 2007 and fascinating letter are “I hope you are pleased to know that the ripples you created over 30 years ago are Alan Byde in a kayak, for the still moving outwards.” He builds grp 1st time in 21 years. kayaks now. Photo: John Kirk-Anderson It is odd that a book, which was not a commercial success, was the fertiliser for at least four successful commer- cial businesses ‘Down Under.’ Me? Contented.

Joan and I enjoyed our day at Anakiwa, I lost 40 years until this morning when my neck found them again. I remind myself that my next birthday will be the 79th, a prime number, and ask, who else do I know who turned on the power with a skinny blade and heard that sweet ‘pluck’ of a blade in exit at speed? At that age? There is engraved on my memory a pic of David Hirschfeld on the Thames by the Royal Canoe Club at Richmond, rolling up ponderously, but rolling nonetheless age seventy. He rolled but I didn’t. Not yet that is. I must

21 No. 127 February - March 2007

steaks or possum stew like wot Mum A large mysterious Cod appeared and makes. You don’t get fed again until said, “Your wish is granted” and lo and HUMOUR noon and by that time all the city boys behold, Justin turned into a shark. Hor- are buggered because we’ve been on a rified, Christian immediately swam With thanks to Dave Winkworth, ‘route march’ - geez its only just like away, afraid of being eaten by his old Lynnis Burson & Mike Neison walking to the windmill in the back mate. Time passed (as it invariably paddock! does) and Justin found life as a shark Dental Phobias boring and lonely. All his old mates A man goes to the dentist to have a This one will kill me brothers Doug simply swam away whenever he came tooth pulled. and Phil with laughter. I keep getting close to them. Justin didn’t realise that The dentist takes out a hypodermic medals for shootin’ - dunno why. The his new menacing appearance was the syringe to give the man a shot of bullseye is as big as a bloody possum’s cause of his sad plight. Novocain. bum and it don’t move, and it’s not “No way, no needles, I can’t stand firing back at ya like the Johnsons did While swimming alone one day he needles!” when our big scrubber bull got into saw the mysterious Cod again and The dentist starts to hook up the laugh- their prize cows before the Ekka last he thought perhaps the mysterious ing gas, but the man again objects. year! All ya gotta do is make yourself fish could change him back into a “No gas please. The mask on my face comfortable and hit the target - it’s a prawn. feels like I am being suffocated.” piece of piss! You don’t even load He approached the Cod and begged to The dentist, who by now is getting a your own cartridges - they comes in be changed back, and lo and behold, tad hot under the collar, then asks if little boxes and ya don’t have to steady he found himself turned back into a the man has any objection to taking yourself against the rollbar of the roo prawn. With tears of joy in his tiny little a tablet. shooting truck when you reload! eyes Justin swam back to his friends “No worries,” said the patient, “I’m and bought them all a cocktail (this fine with tablets.” Sometimes ya gotta wrestle with the does not involve a prawn cocktail. The dentist then returns and says, city boys and I gotta be real careful coz It’s much worse!). “Swallow this Viagra tablet.” they break easy - it’s not like fighting The patient says, “Wow, I didn’t know with Doug and Phil and Jack and Boori Looking around the gathering at the Viagra worked as a pain tablet.” and Steve and Muzza all at once, like reef he realised he couldn’t see his old “It doesn’t,” said the dentist, “but it we do at home after the muster. pal. “Where’s Christian?” he asked. will give you something to hold on “He’s at home, still distraught that to when I pull out your tooth.” Turns out I’m not a bad boxer either, his best friend changed sides to the and it looks like I’m the best the pla- enemy and became a shark,” came LIFE IN THE toon’s got, and I’ve only been beaten the reply. AUSTRALIAN ARMY by this one bloke from the Engineers Text of a letter from a kid from Ero- - he’s 6 foot 5 and 15 stone and three Eager to put things right again Justin manga to Mum and Dad. pick handles across the shoulders, set off to Christian’s abode. As he (For those of you not in the know, and as ya know I’m only 5 foot 7 and opened the coral gate, memories came Eromanga is a small town, west eight stone wringin’ wet,but I fought flooding back. He banged on the door of Quilpie in the far south-west of him till the other blokes carried me and shouted, “Hey Christian! It’s me, Queensland) off to the boozer. Justin, your old friend, come out and see me again.” Dear Mum & Dad, I can’t complain about the Army - tell I am well. Hope youse are too. Tell the boys to get in quick before word Christian replied: “No way man, you’ll me big brothers Doug and Phil that gets around how bloody good it is. eat me. You’re now a shark, you’re the Army is better than workin’ on the Your loving daughter, the enemy, and I’ll not be tricked into farm - tell them to get in bloody quick Sheila being your dinner.” smart before the jobs are all gone! I wuz a bit slow in settling down at first, A SHAGGY PRAWN STORY Justin cried back “No, I’m not. That because ya don’t hafta get outta bed Far away in the tropical waters of the was the old me. I’ve changed. until 6am. But I like sleeping in now, Caribbean, two prawns were swim- (Wait for it.) cuz all yagotta do before brekky is ming around in the sea - one called “I’ve found Cod. I’m a Prawn again make ya bed and shine ya boots and Justin and the other called Christian. Christian!” clean ya uniform. No bloody cows to The prawns were constantly being milk, no calves to feed, no feed to stack harassed and threatened by sharks - nothin’! Ya haz gotta shave though, that inhabited the area. Finally one but its not so bad, coz there’s lotsa hot day Justin said to Christian: “I’m fed water and even a light to see what ya up with being a prawn. I wish I was a doing! At brekky ya get cereal, fruit shark, then I wouldn’t have any wor- and eggs, but there’s no kangaroo ries about being eaten.”

22 The Sea Canoeist Newsletter 4th. Ed. KASK HANDBOOK Rotorua Kayak Club KASK 7 Mahana Place, Rotorua KASK, the Kiwi Association of Sea Updated to July 2006 Ph: (027) 292 3138 Kayakers (N.Z.) Inc., a network of For a copy (or trade orders) of this email: [email protected] New Zealand sea kayakers, has the mother of all sea kayaking handbooks, GISBORNE Sea Kayakers Club objectives of: contact Paul Caffyn, RD 1, Runanga, John Humphris, 3 Matthews Rd, Gisborne 1. promoting and encouraging the 7873, West Coast. Ph: (06) 868 4657 sport of sea kayaking e-mail: [email protected] email: [email protected] 2. promoting safety standards RRP: $ 34.90 including post & Website:www.geocities.com/gis- 3. developing techniques & packaging borne_sea_kayakers/ equipment New members: gratis NEW PLYMOUTH KASK Contact 4. dealing with issues of coastal Make cheques out to KASK (NZ) Bob Talbot, access and protection Inc. 10 Ranfurly St., Waitara. 5. organizing an annual sea kayak Ph: 06 754 4191(H) or 0274 457038 forum The fourth edition of the KASK Hand- email: [email protected] 6. publishing a bimonthly book, is a mammoth compilation on all WELLINGTON Sea Kayak Network newsletter. aspects of sea kayaking in New Zea- land, by many of the most experienced Mike Wilkin 23 A Ilam Grove The Sea Canoeist Newsletter is paddlers in the Universe. Following Kelson, Lower Hutt published bimonthly as the official a brief introduction, the handbook is Phone: (04) 565 0880 newsletter of the Kiwi Association divided into six sections: email: [email protected] of Sea Kayakers (N.Z.) Inc. - Kayak, Paddle & Equipment Website: www.wskn.wellington.net.nz Articles, trips reports, book reviews, -Techniques & Equipment equipment reviews, new techniques, - The Elements letter to the editor, and moments when - Trips and Expeditions SOUTH ISLAND the word ‘Bugger!’ was said singu- - Places to Go MARLBOROUGH larly or often {referred to by some as - Resources Helen Woodward incidents} are sought to enliven the Ph: (03) 579 5669 pages of the newsletter. SEA KAYAKING [email protected] NETWORK ADDRESSES NELSON - KASK Contact Send in a plain brown envelope, or NORTH ISLAND Nora Flight via cybermail to: NORTHLAND Canoe Club Ph: (03) 544 7877 Editor: Paul Caffyn, PO Box 755, Whangarei email: [email protected] RD 1, Runanga. 7873 Brian Lamerton CANTERBURY Sea Kayak Net- West Coast .N.Z. Ph: (09) 437 2858 work Ph/Fax: (03) 7311806 email: [email protected] Andy & Deirdre Sheppard Email: [email protected] AUCKLAND Canoe Club 53 Kent Lodge Ave PO Box 9271, Avonhead, Christchurch. 8004 KASK Annual Subscription Newmarket, Auckland. Ph: (03) 342 7929 $35 single membership email:[email protected] email: [email protected] ($105 for 3 years; $175 for 5 years) HAURAKI Kayak Group www.CanterburySeaKayak.orcon.net.nz $40 family membership. Pelham Housego OTAGO $35 overseas PO Box 46-146, Herne Bay, Auckland Rob Tipa A subscription form can be down- WAIKATO KASK Contact (03) 478 0360 loaded from the KASK website. Evan Pugh, RD2, Putaruru. 3482 [email protected] Cheques should be made out to: [email protected] SOUTHLAND Sea Kayak Network K.A.S.K. (NZ) Inc. & mailed to: Ph: (07) 883 6898 Stan Mulvany KASK Administrator RUAHINE Whitewater Club 03 215 7263 PO Box 23, Runanga. 7841 71 Salisbury St., Ashhurst. email: [email protected] West Coast Ph: 06 326 8667 Fax: 06 326 8472 Website: www.sskn.uniformnz.com www.q-kayaks.co.nz/pages/club.asp Correspondence/Queries to: BAY OF PLENTY - KASK Contact SKOANZ Sea Kayak Operators Assn. NZ Linda Ingram Iona Bailey, Tauranga SKOANZ KASK Administrator Ph: (07) 576 1492 PO Box 1222 Christchurch PO Box 23, Runanga. 7841 email: [email protected] Ph/fax; 03 329 8317 West Coast ROTORUA- KASK Contact John Flemming, PO Box 1872, Ro- email: [email protected] Website: www.skoanz.org.nz Send address changes for receiving torua the newsletter via email to Linda at: Ph/fax: (07) 347 9950 [email protected] email: [email protected] KASK Website: www.kask.co.nz

23 No. 127 February - March 2007 MAILED TO

If undelivered, please return to: KASK , PO Box 23, Runanga, West Coast. 7841

David Winkworth (L), Kristin Nelson, David Fisher & Bevan Walker, at the Forum dinner

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 pro- moting new KASK memberships from November to February.

24