NEW ZEALAND SEA CANOEIST

ISSN 1177-4177

No. 154 August - September 2011

The Journal of the Kiwi Association of Sea Kayakers (NZ) Inc - KASK

The Sea Canoeist Newsletter INDEX EDITORIAL KASK president, a role he has held EDITORIAL p. 3 Membership Renewals for the past two years. Thanks to Our KASK Administrator Kay John for being at the helm for that KASK Pidgeon notes the local branch of time. If anyone has time to pick Webmaster’s Picks Westpac has advised the following up this role until the next AGM in by Sandy Ferguson p.4 changes have been made to West- March 2005, please get in touch. pac’s banking policies: KAYAK SYMPOSIUM Safety – Be Safe Be Seen at Night KALENDAR p.10 1. All cheques must now be made, In early September, I appeared as an ‘Payable’ to: Kiwi Assn. of Sea Kayak- expert witness for a coronial inquest SAFETY ers. In future, the abbreviation KASK into the drowning of two young Some Comments with regard to the on a cheque will not be accepted. Frenchman on Lake Wakatipu in De- Safety Section in KASK n/l 153 cember 2010. by Iona Bailey p. 5 2. Members who make payment in person at their local Westpac bank If there is one key recommendation TECHNICAL (Bill Payment or deposit of their sub- to come out of this sad incident it is Learning to Roll in Your Living Room scriptions) are not permitted to use this - if there is a chance of you cap- by Colin Quilter p. 7 their Name and Initials as a ‘Refer- sizing and losing contact with your Kayak Colour and Care Tips ence’. They are only permitted to kayak at night, ensure you have a by Max Grant p. 9 use a numerical reference eg. phone PLB and/or waterproof light source West Island Bits numbers. attached to your PFD. On a pitch by David Winkworth p.10 black night, full overcast, in choppy 3. If asked to use a phone number conditions, the task of a searching NEW ZEALAND TRIP REPORT as a reference, please email or post helicopter or rescue boats is exceed- Fiordland in Winter this information to the to Kay so she ingly diffi cult, very much like the by Sim Grigg p.12 can more easily identify the payment proverbial needle in a haystack. The shown on the bank statement. ‘be safe – be seen’ daytime message OVERSEAS TRIP REPORT for wearing high visibility clothing/ British Columbia, Canada 4. On our bank statement dated 12 PFD/paddle blades/kayak, to avoid by Mike & Chris Neason p.13 September 2011, a Renewal/ Deposit being run over by powered craft, was made on 8 September of a single must be always considered for night subscription. The reference used was running, not only with a view to col- BOOKS REVIEWS ‘63774169’ - if this is your phone lision avoidance, but also if a capsize Guides and Narratives for Paddling number, please get in touch with Kay and out of boat event occurs. the Inside Passage from Puget Sound contact me via email to confi rm this to South-East Alaska is their payment. Carriage of an all round white light by Paul Caffyn p.18 in congested harbour waters is nec- 5. If you haven’t received an email essary, or at least a torch capable of HUMOUR p.21 receipt from Kay after 20 days, signalling to an approaching ves- please email Kay at: admin@kask. sel. However as a bright white light org.nz. Once payment has been destroys a paddler’s night vision, in Layout & Editing: Paul Caffyn made, if you can please advise Kay more remote areas without motor- Proofi ng: Kay Costley either by email or post. ized boating traffi c, I strongly rec- and Sandy Ferguson ommend the attachment of a rescue New Zealand Bank light or cylalume tube to your PFD, Thanks to all the contributors The committee has agreed to make a or the wearing of a waterproof head- change from Westpac to Kiwi Bank, torch with red and white bulb/lens and judging by the above, the sooner ability. The use of a red light at night the better. does not interfere with night vision Deadline for articles and capability, but the ability to show a photos for next Newsletter KASK President white light can ensure quicker spot- 25 November 2011 John Hesseling has blamed work ting by searching boats or a helicop- commitments for stepping down as ter. If you are in the water, and away

PHOTOGRAPH CREDITS Cover: After Sim Grigg and Tara Mulvany were stuck in Dagg Sound, Fiordland, by a serious, cold front with snow to sea level, a cold, frosty start greeted their next morning with a hard frost covering their kayaks. Photo: Sim Grigg Opposite page, top: At the head of Long Sound in Preservation Inlet, Fiordland, the Long Burn fl ows into the sea via a massive and stunning waterfall. Photo: Sim Grigg. Opposite page, bottom: At the head of Charles Sound, Tara is paddling in cold, dark conditions, with the river mouth of Irene River in the background. Photo: Sim Grigg.

3 No. 154 August -September 2011

from your kayak, you must have this The Webmaster’s Picks light source attached to your PFD, or A varied collection this issue. Back in 1985 when I was cycle touring up if a head-torch, securely around the the west coast of USA (everyone else went the other way due to the prevail- top of your noodle with no chance of ing wind), there was Steve Roberts cycling across the country from 1983 to it being washed off in choppy seas. 1991. His recumbent bike had half the US computing power aboard it or so it seemed at the time. Kayaking? After switching to a trimaran for a year or Overseas Paddlers so he bought a 45 foot yacht. For a tender Steve eventually got an infl atable www.sandy-robson.com kayak and on the link you can see a picture of it at the end of a 6 day solo trip. Sandy Robson has completed her “Solo” is relative as there is so much linkage to the rest of the world that is is fi rst stage of retracing Oskar Speck’s hard to term it “really out there”. It makes the Coastguard’s request for carry- 1932 paddle out to Australia, fi nish- ing two means of communication seem minor: ing on the island of Cyprus. http://microship.com/resources/harsh-environment-aprs.html On 30 August, Freya Hoffmeister A couple of New Zealand trippers, if we can use that term - Tim pulled the commenced her attempt to paddle plug on his circumnavigation of New Zealand. After waiting for three weeks around South America, and as of 6 at the south end of 90 Mile Beach and no sign of a break in the weather he October, had been making good pro- went home: gress down the coast south of Bueno http://www.nzkayaker.com/journal Aires. See: http://qajaqunderground.com/expe- And another rather optimistic paddler, Jaime Sharp, seems to have vanished ditions/south-america/ having done half of what he set out to do. This paddler was going to paddle from North Cape to the bottom of Stewart Island. He started halfway through the season so obviously ran out of time. Brian Roberts started his South Island KASK SUBS DUE circumnavigation in October. Jaime Sharp with Dave Briggs started in Janu- Thanks to those paddlers who have ary this year, missing three months of the season and therefore their target: renewed promptly and also for the http://kayakdownundernz.blogspot.com/ kind words and feedback in your letters and cards that have accompa- Those with an interest in building skin boats, try this: nied cheques. http://www.skinboats.org/skinboats/home.html Please pay promptly. Those who They are a source of materials and have instructions. It looks like the site is have yet to pay, will receive a second slowly increasing its information as paddle making isn’t there yet. notice of subscription renewal due.

Hobie make a pedal powered kayak and it seems obvious that legs should be If you chose not to renew, thanks for able to put out more power than arms. The Hobie uses fl appers but the craft your past support, and be advised below uses propellors: this will be the last wonderful KASK http://adventuresofgreg.com/blog/about-the-adventures/24-hr-distance-re- newsletter you will receive. cord-water/ Paul Caffyn That looks fantastic until you check and see that the record for an ocean surf ski was only 3 km less! Maybe someone like Lance Armstrong is needed.

To fi nish with, what about the old ways: KASK COMMITTEE http://kinngusaqattaarneq.blogspot.com/ CONTACTS

“All things kayak” is what it titles itself as. There are some videos of Harvey WSNZ Liaison Golden and other showing rolling and more. Information on Maliaq Padilla, Sandy Winterton Dyson’s baidarka and more on this site too. How about a “Harpoon Head” by [email protected] Maligiaq. What with the increase in the seal population, how about a bit of sneaky hunting? Webmaster: Sandy Ferguson How about the forward stroke, also on this site? There is comparison of the [email protected] Euro stroke vs the wing paddle stroke with comments by Greg Barton in- cluded: DoC Liaison & KASK Funding: http://kinngusaqattaarneq.blogspot.com/2007/09/forward-stroke-2.html John Gumbley It is a blog so the information is always increasing. [email protected]

Sandy Ferguson KASK Publications & Safety Paul Caffyn: [email protected]

4 The Sea Canoeist Newsletter

SAFETY

Some comments with regard to the Safety Section in KASK Newsletter Number 153.

from Iona Bailey

The debate regarding which safety devices should be carried has high- lighted some really interesting is- sues. I have learnt a great deal talk- ing to, and reading articles written by, experienced sea kayakers. It is safety advice). There are a few other In the Early Summer 2011 edition helping me to make decisions re- studies looking at sea kayaking inju- of the Adventure Kayak magazine, garding safe management of my ries worldwide (3,4,5,6), but the NZ there is a debate about technology. kayaking forays. study is the only one where multiple Self proclaimed ‘luddites’ Shawna contributory factors leading to inci- Franklin and Leon Somme (friends What I have also learnt though, is dents and their severity were inves- of Justine Curgenven) have yet to that it is important be informed about tigated. embrace technology favouring com- any good research-based publica- mon sense. They were quoted in the tions. Otherwise, my decisions may The 50 incidents occurred in many magazine: be based on an emotional reaction to parts of the country; there were 14 Our hope is that our skills and a story or an article and not on good fatalities. All incidents had multi- knowledge of our limitations will peer reviewed evidence. ple contributory factors, working in get us through without having to various ways over time. This is im- pull other people into endangering With regard to good quality evi- portant to understand; it means that their lives for us. We start to rely on this equipment and we rely less dence-based information, regarding carrying a PLB, or wearing a PFD on our judgement. There’s some sea kayak safety management, there alone does not prevent something danger in that. is - not a lot. BUT, the good news going wrong. In fact, there is good is that two of the best such publica- evidence that people may think that The severity was highest in calm tions originate in New Zealand (1,2). carrying a safety device (like a PLB) conditions, light winds, when the Cathye Haddock’s book about safety will protect them and therefore take kayaker became separated from the management is excellent and a ‘must more risks (2). Thus, whilst a debate kayak, was inexperienced and when read’ for any outdoor enthusiasts. In about PLBs and PFDs is great, it is not wearing a PFD. Collisions with 2010, a NZ study of sea kayaking in- very important for a kayaker to ques- powered boats resulted in deaths; we cidents between 1992 and 2005 was tion whether they should be out there need to avoid them! Kevin Dunsford published in the Wilderness and En- in the fi rst place. is wise to consider how he can main- vironmental Medicine Journal. tain contact with his kayak because The New Zealand study (1) found that the most common contributory factors were poor decision-making and poor judgment. Some common psychosocial reasons for this have been studied by Cathye Haddock and well described in her book (2).

Young men and inexperienced kay- akers in rough seas and offshore winds were most commonly in- volved. Young men often feature in other studies of outdoor recreational incidents and may indicate either that this is the largest group involved in the sport at the time, or that this group takes more risks. In any event, it is a group worth targeting (with

5 Bailey, I. Wilderness & Environmental Medicine. 2010 (1)

No. 154 August -September 2011

these people were able to call for a rescue because they were carrying signalling devices. Wearing a PFD may have helped their situation. One example is an incident in Wel- lington Harbour at night when one kayaker in a group of two capsized. The kayaker, still in her kayak, pad- dled to Soames Island and released a fl are, which prompted the rescue. The capsized kayaker’s rescue was made easier because he was carrying a large fl oatable torch and managed to stay with his kayak. this was signifi cantly associated with kayakers and is not uncommon for In conclusion, the research informs a higher severity. If everything goes sea kayakers, especially in surf. us that we should be very clear wrong and we end up in the water, There was one incident involving whether or not we should be kayak- a PFD will keep us afl oat and help sea sickness in the NZ study when ing at all in a given situation, and ex- us stay warmer thus helping to avoid 2 men were crossing Cook Strait and perience will help us make the cor- hypothermia. one became incapacitated due to the rect decision. To survive in a crisis, medication his mate gave him for a PFD with signaling devices, and Carrying a signalling device (like an the sea sickness. So we must always staying with the kayak will reduce EPIRB, marine radio, phone, fl ares know how and when to use whatever the severity of the outcome. etc) also resulted in a lower sever- we carry in our kit, especially if we ity, whilst NOT carrying a signaling are going to share the drugs! Iona Bailey device was a common contributory References: factor. Kayakers who were able to The most common medical problem 1] Bailey, I. An Analysis of Sea call up a rescue once capsized sur- in NZ was hypothermia and this of- Kayaking incidents, 1992 – 2005. vived; those who had no signalling ten contributed signifi cantly to the Wilderness Environ Med. 21,208- device did not fare so well. When a fatalities. A PFD may have helped 218(2010) signaling device was used to expe- prevent hypothermia, but wearing dite a rescue, it was usually carried clothing unsuitable for immersion 2] Haddock, C. Outdoor Safety. on the PFD or around the neck. was an important contributor to in- Risk Management for Outdoor cidents. How frequently I have noted Leaders. NZ Mountain Safety Paul Hayward discussed fi rst aid how New Zealand sea kayakers un- Council, Wellington. 2003. items to carry in a PFD. The most derestimate the risk of hypothermia common paddler injuries in various in NZ. 3] Powell,C. Injuries and medical studies (1,3,4,5,6) were cuts, blis- conditions among kayakers paddling ters, and sprains (especially wrists, Only a few of the incidents involved in the sea environment. Wilderness shoulders and backs). Shoulder dis- experienced kayakers, but these in- Environ Med. 2009; 20(4) :327-34 location is quite common for river cidents had a lower severity. Mostly (ISSN: 1545-1534)

4] Snow-Jones, A., Black, G., Dillon, P.S., Jenkins, D. Critical Judgement II. Understanding and Preventing Canoe and Kayak Fatalities. 1996 – 2002. American Canoe Association. Springfi eld. 2004.

5] Fiore, D.C. Injuries associated with white water rafting and kayaking. Wilderness Environ Med. 2003; 14(4):255-60

All fi gures from 6] Fiore, D.C. Houston J.D. Injuries Bailey, I. Wilderness in white-water kayaking. British & Environmental Journal of Sports Medicine. Aug Medicine. 2010 (1) 2001.35(4) 235-241.

6 The Sea Canoeist Newsletter

complex program of instructions upside-down in the cockpit of my TECHNICAL which will extend your arm, grip the kayak. door knob, rotate it, and pull the door open. Our goal is to add ‘Eskimo Then I repeated the sequence of Learning to Roll in Your roll’ to the databank in the skilled movements over and over again, Living Room movement centres. chanting, “Reach, Sweep, Lean back, Pull”. (It’s best to use half a by Colin Quilter How do the centres learn these pro- split paddle because if you swing a grams? By repetition of the move- whole paddle you will take out the Many years ago I attended an Eski- ment sequence over and over again. living room lights). mo rolling class in a swimming pool. You practise it 30 or 50 or a 100 With help from the instructor I rolled times, and the program gets im- Then I put some music on and did successfully a few times, and went planted. (Think about how you learn the sequence some more. Then I home confi dent that the problem was to play a musical instrument). You did mental arithmetic (the seven- solved. cannot implant the program just by times table backwards) while doing thinking about it. You must move it some more. Soon I could think A month later, in a practise session in your limbs deliberately in the cor- entirely unrelated thoughts and still the harbour, everything went wrong rect sequence, over and over again. perform the sequence correctly. I and I failed repeatedly. I realised Then once the program is learned by reckoned my skilled movement cen- then that my success in the pool had the skilled movement centres, even tres had memorized it. been based on brute strength over- if you are disoriented, confused, or coming poor technique. In the har- short of air they will output the cor- The next weekend, upside-down 100 bour, upside-down, disoriented, eyes rect sequence of instructions. metres offshore from the Auckland shut, air running low, and sinuses waterfront, I put my learning to the fi lling with salt water, my brain was Learning to Roll on test. Reach, Sweep, Lean back, Pull - too confused to generate the correct the Living Room Floor and to my surprise and delight I was sequence of movements. I am re- Now I knew why my lesson in the upright. In fact I came up so fast that counting this because it may be that swimming pool had failed: not I nearly overshot and capsized the others have had a similar experience. enough repetition to implant the other way. sequence in my skilled movement How the Brain Controls centres. I knew exactly what I had to The fi nal training came on a club Complex Movements do. From the city library I borrowed trip to the Moko Hinau Islands. The breakthrough for me occurred Derek Hutchinson’s book about how Knowing the islands’ reputation for some years later when I learned more to Eskimo roll. I chose the simplest underwater scenery I took a face about how the human brain gener- and most powerful roll, the Pawlata. mask, wore my wetsuit, and spent ates instructions to muscles for com- I broke it down into four separate the day repeatedly rolling to look, plex movement sequences such as an movements, which I named: and take photographs, underwater. I Eskimo roll. The decision to roll is - Reach must have rolled 50 times during the generated in the cerebral cortex, the - Sweep day. I tried to see how little effort I thin crust of grey matter which forms - Lean back could use and still come upright. By the outer surface of the hemispheres. - Pull. afternoon I felt completely relaxed. I could stay inverted until I was al- Then a number of other brain cen- I took half of a split paddle and I sat most out of breath because I knew tres generate the detailed sequence on the living room fl oor with my the roll would always work. of motor commands which instruct eyes closed, pretending that I was the muscles. These centres, which I will call “skilled movement cen- tres” include supplementary motor Colin inverted in the clear waters off Moko Hinau Islands areas of the cortex, the basal ganglia and the cerebellum. Taken together, they contain a databank of move- ment sequences, one sequence for every skilled movement you have learned in your lifetime. For exam- ple, you don’t have to think con- sciously about the exact sequence of muscle contractions necessary to open a door, swing a tennis racket, or shake hands. You just think “open the door” and the skilled movement centres automatically generate a

7 No. 154 August -September 2011

The Pawlata Roll The aim here is to “reach” for legs, and the end of the blade is dig- This is the version I learned. It’s not the surface of the water with the ging into your hip. Your right shoul- a textbook account, but it works for distant paddle blade. You want to der is touching your chin. me. The description in normal font is push the distant blade up onto the As you sweep, the distant blade a living room tutorial; italics relate to surface of the water so that it rests slides across the surface, away from a real roll at sea. The notes are for a there with concave surface facing the side of the kayak, then starts to right-handed paddler who will rotate downwards. You can slap it a few slice obliquely down into the water. the kayak to the left, (left-handers times on the surface to feel that should reverse all instructions). The it’s in the right place. The shaft Step 4: Lean back cartoons show a bird’s eye view of will be lying on the surface along This is the hardest bit to remember, the paddler sitting on the fl oor (legs the left side of the kayak. You will and also the most important. Lean omitted for clarity). be twisted to the left, face looking back. Imagine the canoe backrest upwards towards the water surface. pressing into your back. Lean back Step 1: the Set-up Your left hand is above the surface, further. You are looking at the ceil- Sit on the fl oor with the half-paddle gripping the top edge of the near ing. Notice that your right hand is across your lap, blade to the left. Im- blade beside the canoe. lifting higher above the fl oor, bring- agine you are hanging upside down ing the paddle shaft with it. beneath your inverted kayak. Step 3: Sweep The distant blade is travelling At sea you will have to brace your Keep your left hand and the blade deeper below the surface, and the knees against the underside of the more or less where it is. Using your kayak is starting to rotate to the left. deck to stay in the boat. You might right hand, sweep the shaft out- need to glue closed-cell foam pads wards, away from your leg, keeping there to lock your knees in place. it as close to the carpet as you can. A roll is impossible without good This feels very unnatural. You have knee braces. to bend and twist your torso even more. Go on, it’s good for you. As Step 2: Reach you sweep further you won’t be able Swing the paddle blade around so it to bend your torso enough, and the sits against your left hip, edge up- shaft will start to rise up from the wards, convex surface against your carpet. Let it come. Now the shaft leg. Your left hand is cupped around is sticking out at right angles to your the lower edge of the blade near its tip, knuckles on the carpet. The shaft Step 5: Pull runs parallel to the fl oor and along- This is easy, just pull the shaft across side your left leg. Your right hand in front of your face with your right grips the shaft some distance (per- hand. As it comes across, your left haps 20 cm) from the blade. To do hand will start to rise up off the car- this you will need to twist your torso pet alongside your left hip. Let it to the left and bend forward. You are come. Now your right hand is mov- looking at the fl oor alongside your ing towards your right hip, and the left knee. shaft is lying across your lap. The end.

Photographed in the Moko Hinau Islands, while Colin was hanging upside down in his kayak as a big kingfi sh cruises past.

8 The Sea Canoeist Newsletter

white, purple, etc., do not sell well TECHNICAL so we do not stock these colours in large quantities. If we receive an or- KAYAK TIPS der for a colour which is not in our by Max Grant normal range, we have to charge ex- tra to cover the cost of having to buy The other day I was asked if a light in smaller quantities of polyethyl- polyethylene kayak is as strong as ene. The colour makes no difference that of a darker colour, and why ce- in the quality of the plastic. They are tain colours cost more? Initially my just as good as those kayaks that are answer would be, “No,” but often from our specifi ed range of colours. this can depend of the environment The kayak is rotating faster as the the kayak is subject to. With composite kayaks, the colour blade drags deeper. Your torso has no effect on the fi breglass. If rotates up into the air. Your head is Ultraviolet rays from the sun have an the kevlar or carbon is exposed, as tilted backwards; you are looking at effect on all kayaks, no matter what in kayaks with clear or no gelcoat, the sky. Five seconds have elapsed they are constructed of. With poly- then the sunlight breaks down the since you capsized. It sure beats ethylene, the darker colours such as fi bres very quickly - especially kev- stuffi ng around with a paddle fl oat! black, dark red, green and blue, do lar. Any composite kayak should not become warmer out in the sun. The be stored outside as the sunlight is Some additional points: hotter they get, the more chance there continually breaking down the res- When practising at sea, use a face is of the kayak distorting or attract- in until it becomes brittle and crazes. mask or nose clip. Otherwise, when ing sinks. These sinks will take shape (small cracks on the surface) you are inverted, air will escape from where there are pressure points on your facial sinuses via your nostrils, the kayak, from being left on bumpy To a lesser degree the same thing and the sinuses fi ll with sea water. ground, a badly designed roof rack, happens with wooden kayaks. You Hours later about half a cupful of straight trailer racks, etc. simply shouldn’t store them outside. sea water will pour out of your nose when you least expect it. This hap- Even being tied too tightly onto a New Kayak Store pened to me once at St Lukes Shop- good roof rack for a long period on ping Centre; it was embarrassing. in Christchurch Introducing a hot day will cause some distor- KayakWorld tions. You should always ‘cradle’ a After a capsize, don’t hurry. The roll polyethylene kayak using as wide from David Welch is going to work. Take your time to a support as you can when it is not on The devastating earthquake of Feb- move the paddle into the starting po- the water. This is because there are ruary this year brought an end to sition. Relax. Haste destroys a good no composite fi bres in polyethylene many businesses in and around roll. (This is not true for white-water to give it that extra stiffness. Using Christchurch. Though their building paddlers in a rapid who must roll two wide webbing straps as support was not damaged, Canoe & Outdoor quickly, from either side, and with- slings about two thirds along the hull World became a victim of the quake. out changing their grip on the pad- is the best method of storage. At Easter, after being open for nearly dle. They need more advanced skills 20 years, they ceased trading. The than sea kayakers). Many different grades of polyethyl- end of an era for one of Christch- ene are produced to suit the many urch’s best known kayak stores. The account I have given here is as different applications the end prod- simple as I can make it. Elements uct is to be used for. When making Out of the dust has come a new busi- such as the ‘hip fl ick’ and lifting one plastic kayaks, we use a very high ness - new ownership, with a new knee to speed rotation of the kayak quality polyethylene that includes a name, and still centrally located are omitted. Depending on your high amount of UV stabilizers. This within the Four Avenues. The team style, you may fi nd them important. grade can cost about twice the price at KayakWorld have created a fa- The instructions above are the bare of polyethylene used to make con- miliar looking store with most of the minimum to get you upright, and tainers, rubbish bins etc. In fact, brands carried forward from the old you can add your own refi nements these products are often made from business into the new, and a few new later. Good luck! reground polyethylene made from lines added to the range as well. plastic off cuts and waste that would Colin Quilter normally be thrown out. You will fi nd us at 35 Moorhouse Ave, (the Hagley park end), in the To help keep the price down, we same building as the relocated Map- buy the polyethylene one tonne at World, with parking right outside the a time. The plastic is pre-coloured, door. Phone: (03) 366 9305. so we have to stick with the popular David Welch colours that sell. Colours like black, Email: [email protected]

9 No. 154 August -September 2011 Sprayskirt Damage KAYAK We had a situation here recently TECHNICAL where a fellow paddler pulled a SYMPOSIUM kayak up onto his deck as part of a rescue drill - and it neatly sliced his KALENDAR WEST ISLAND BITS sprayskirt wide open! What do you by David Winkworth think about this practice of pulling Western Australia boats up on decks? Here was one 3 – 5 February 2012 “Where’s all the stuff you promised guy getting his boat emptied while The fi rst ever Western Australian Sea to write for the KASK newsletter?” the other potentially puts himself in Kayak Symposium is being held at demanded Paul (it was a polite request). a tough situation, possibly having to Rockingham, WA (in the southern negotiate big surf later in the day, suburbs of Perth). Details to come: “It’s coming mate…it’s coming,” I virtually having no sprayskirt! www.seakayakwa.canoe.org.au pleaded. “I have started writing all the stuff…really I have. I keep it on the If you’re practicing rescues, you KASK Forum - Akaroa computer in a fi le called ARTICLES should think carefully about this. Is 9 - 11 March 2012 UNDER CONSTRUCTION.” this a reasonable and practical drill The Canterbury Network will host “Well that is one humungous fi le!” for sea kayakers? Do please discuss the national KASK Sea Kayaking laughed the editor.” (Thank goodness it with your friends - send your Forum at Wainui on Akaroa Har- he was laughing). thoughts in for the newsletter. bour, Banks Peninsula. It will be based at the YMCA’s facility a short PFD Improvements Sunglasses distance from the beach with bunk- I’ve been working on my little PFD I found some great sunglasses room accommodation and all meals project through the winter. I’ve recently. Called Barz Sunglasses included in the cost. This is a great always thought that modern PFDs (Google them up!), this Queensland opportunity to mix with sea kayakers are just shapeless lumps of body company makes polarizing from all over the country. Activities armour. What has happened to the sunglasses with small magnifying will include presentations by guest lovely soft foam jackets we used sections built in for close up reading. speakers, on water instruction ses- to be able to buy? Victims of cost But wait, there’s more! You know sions and trips, as well as the chance cutting and marketing I suspect! how LCD screens (GPS, mobile to paddle in an area you might not phones etc) go black and are hard regularly get to. For more details: Anyway, I took to my PFD with the to read through polarized lenses? www.kask.org.nz/events unpicker, by opening up the front Well Barz do polarized sunnies with foam panel and removing all the non-polarized magnifying inserts for New South Wales foam which was in two layers. I reading screens. Isn’t that neat! 23 - 26 March 2012 discarded one layer completely and The New South Wales Sea Kayak cut the other in half horizontally, PFDs with Water Bladders Club have fi xed a date for their next putting the lower section back in. Here’s an interesting little piece; a RocknRoll weekend, at Currarong, Then I made two carefully measured friend of mine paddles sea kayaks near Jervis Bay, about three hours pockets, one for my camera and one and also paddles ocean racing skis drive south of Sydney. For more de- for the radio, which I stitched to the in one of the Men’s Health Series. tails: upper part of the PFD. I even canted When he jumps onto his ski, he www.nswseakayaker.asn.au the radio pocket outward to make wears his sea kayaking PFD with insertion and removal easier and a water bladder in the rear pocket. Coastbusters - Auckland added a couple of ‘S Biner’ clips to 23 - 25 March 2012 the straps. You can do all this stuff Dave at the sewing machine, adding Friday and Saturday at the YMCA yourself but you certainly can’t buy pockets to his PFD Shakespear Lodge, located in Shake- it off the shelf! spear Regional Park at the end of Whangaparoa Peninsula. Sunday, on I suspect I’ve lowered my PFD the water activites at Sullivans Bay. buoyancy slightly below the An International Kayak Week will Australian standards, but the lift is follow from 25 March. still acceptable for me. Of course I’m not recommending it to you, but I now do have a really comfortable PFD that doesn’t stick out a mile in front, making it much easier for me to climb onto kayak decks. I’ve also got pockets custom made to suit my gear. Now, I’m happy!

10 The Sea Canoeist Newsletter

So what you say? Many of us wear campsite with a sometimes-nasty The loop of cord around the base those. Well, his adventure marathon exposed surf beach. of his thumb pulled tight and “de- mates reckon they lose 5% in speed gloved his thumb.” “Most of the and energy when carrying water Bad weather and a big surf locked fl esh was pulled off - bone was bladders on their backs. I wonder them in there for a day, but on clearly visible,” said one of my if sea kayakers lose anything when Monday morning, most of them friends. Luckily, one of the paddlers doing the same? decided to have a go at getting out. was a doctor who immediately took One of the best paddlers took half an charge. The poor fellow was taken to Storm Force Winds hour to exit through the surf break. Sydney for surgery. How strong is your tent? We had some really strong winds come With the group in the surf, was a less This is a truly catastrophic injury for through in early July. If you’re experienced paddler in a borrowed a paddler - for anyone. Here are some doing a Bass Strait crossing from boat. Unable to roll, he was knocked points you might like to discuss with Wilson’s Promontory in Victoria out of his boat in the surf. The bailer fellow paddlers: heading south east, your fi rst island pump (‘yabby style’), which was - assessment of surf – ask yourself, stop is most likely going to be tethered on a cord in his cockpit, do I have the skills to do this? Hogan’s Island about 55 kms out. had come loose during the capsize. - rolling in surf, a skill worth It’s a treeless, windswept lump of Beside the kayak in the water, he pursuing? rock populated by a few cattle and a jammed the pump back in beside - loose items in the cockpit. Is squillion rats. the seat. As he did so, a loop of the entrapment a possibility? tether cord became wrapped around - paddle leashes and end toggles. Winds of 169 kmh were recorded his thumb. At the same time a wave Use in surf? Hang on or let go? there on 5 July. A week later, a large came through and wrenched the pressure difference between a deep kayak from his grip. Dave Winkworth low south of Tasmania and a strong high south of Western Australia generated storm force winds, which kicked up large swells on the west coast of Tasmania. A wave buoy off Cape Sorell on the NW coast of Tasmania recorded a wave of 18 metres and an average wave height of 10 metres.

Lithium Batteries I wonder how many paddlers use lithium batteries in electronic devices they carry on trips? Not many I suspect! Price is probably the reason with lithium batteries costing maybe fi ve or six times the price of bulk alkaline batteries. Mind Signs sighted in a wildlife park at the Noosa coast, Queensland. you, they perform up to fi ve times Top one is pretty obvious, but bottom one has the wrong wording - it better than alkalines and are 30% should read, ‘Always jet ski in crocodile territory.’ lighter. I recently found Woolworths brand lithium batteries at my local supermarket for about half the price of brand name lithium batteries - so it seems they are getting cheaper. Keep an eye out for them.

Kayak Tethers Here’s a gnarly little story with which to end – there are lessons here for us all. Last weekend, our October long weekend, a few friends of mine – all experienced paddlers except one – did a paddle from Bermagui south to Tathra where I live. They camped at Hidden Valley in Mimosa Rocks National Park – a beautiful

11 No. 154 August -September 2011

Sound, Cats Eye Bay on the coast New Zealand and George Sound. When we arrived at Irene River, we badly misjudged Trip Reports the tide, which resulted in us drag- ging boats through knee-deep mud fl ats to get them away from the tide. Fiordland in Winter This gave us a negative mood but by Sim Grigg this quickly changed next morning, when we paddled up the river itself. (Colour photos on the cover and p.2) You can paddle up the river 5 or 6 km and half way up you meet a huge Tara and I have completed our trip waterfall fl owing into the river. from Te Waewae Bay in the south to Milford Sound and are back in the When we pulled into Cats Eye Bay real world. This is the report on the on the coast, the Tasman Sea, re- Tara and Sim at George Sound second half of our trip. nowned for being one of the wildest on the planet, was swimming pool fore heading into Sutherland Sound. Leaving Doubtful Sound we were fl at. It was a clear sunny day and the Getting into Sutherland Sound re- both feeling good, we’d had some hut huge beach was spectacular. We pad- quires a fun little surf in, so condi- time and with fresh supplies dinner dled up the river, exploring up as far tions need to be reasonable. The en- prospects were looking much better. as we could go before heading back trance is so shallow that it is almost We made a quick stop at the Gut Hut down closer to the beach to make not a fi ord, making it a unique en- to collect gear we had stashed there camp. It was a awesome evening sit- vironment and the whole fi ord is a then paddled through to Thompson ting in the sand dunes and watching marine reserve. We spent a few days Sound and Deas Cove Hut, with a the sun go down as we ate dinner. there exploring and waiting for good visit from the resident pod of bottle- conditions to continue onto our last nose dolphins along the way. Our time in George Sound was some stop before Milford, Poison Bay. of the best spent on the trip. This was Both these huts are huge assets for in part to picking up a small food drop We would have liked to spend some kayakers, as they are both right near and being invited onto one of the lo- more time at Poison Bay, but with the water and make fantastic bases cal charter vessels for a roast and a the weather about to turn nasty for a for exploring Doubtful, Thompson few drinks! The sound itself was one number of days, we made a decision and Bradshaw Sounds. After an even- of our top picks. Lake Alice, a few to head into Milford. Neither of us ing of rearranging food supplies, the hundred metres above George Sound, could handle being, ‘so close, yet so next morning we headed back out to was one of the real highlights of the far’ from Milford. We paddled from the coast on our way to Nancy Sound. trip. In the bush at the edge of the Poison Bay right into Milford Sound. At the mouth of Thompson Sound we lake, we found an old fi breglass canoe met up with a crayfi shing vessel, the (which apparently had been carried up It was an awesome feeling to have Zayla Jay, and came away with two through the bush about 30 years ago!) completed the trip, just over 11 good sized crayfi sh for dinner. These We paddled down the length of the weeks of paddling and exploring were much enjoyed at our campsite lake to the Edith River. Under snow- Fiordland’s amazing coast. It was a that evening in Nancy Sound. capped mountains and on mirror-fl at very relieved mum who got a call water, it was a pretty special day. from Milford that night and two As we made our way further up the paddlers were very excited to be coast, there are three spots that really We kept hopping our way up the exchanging damp sleeping bags for stood out. The Irene River in Charles coast, stopping in at Bligh Sound be- clean sheets. Sim living off the sea at George Sound. Photo: Tara Mulvany Fiordland is a very special part of the country. The few people you do see out there are fantastic and the scenery is second to none. If you ever get the chance to go paddling down this way, take it. If you’re planning a trip from two days to months, and want some local knowledge or want to get out on a guided trip to Milford, Doubtful or Dusky Sound, get in touch, you won’t regret it!

Sim Grigg Email: [email protected]

12 The Sea Canoeist Newsletter

Park.P With a rich maritime heritage Overseas anda such diverse and prolifi c fauna, iti is no wonder that sea borne Trip Report ecotourisme is a fast developing part ofo the British Columbian economy.

British Columbia, Canada We drove into the North Island June 2011 Kayak base to meet the team and by Mike & Chris Neason tick any remaining boxes prior to departure in the morning. Spitting Driving the last few kilometres on a brand new Seaward Passat G3 Warning sign for into Telegraph Cove, past browsing double, we proclaimed it to be ours avoiding bear attacks Sitka deer and a Black bear with two for the voyage and promised to be cubs meandering unhurried along back in the morning ready and raring and a great palliative for, fresh off the roadside, Chris remarked with to go. the hard ground, stiff back syndrome growing excitement and anticipation in the early morning. We were that, “the plan was coming together The most memorable part of the completely self-contained for the rather nicely”. It was Sunday next morning was the safety briefi ng trip carrying everything including afternoon; we had all but completed regarding possible close encounters water, food and tents. the fi rst 2,700 km leg of our road trip with bears, cougars or whales and from San Francisco - and bears were then discovering how bloody heavy I should really repeat our briefi ng for very much on the agenda. the already packed kayaks were. those who may venture into the BC bush in the future, the conventional ‘The Plan’ was hatched many It wasn’t until dinnertime that night wisdom for bears is; make lots of months before, whilst considering when Dave produced a rather large noise when travelling as they react our forthcoming winter holiday; cooker complete with full sized badly to being surprised and if Chris spotted an internet site gas bottle that we understood why. attacked don’t run but fi ght back. For promising a week of relaxed, fully Forgiveness was quick though when cougars; cover the back of your neck catered kayaking amongst some of he served halibut fi llets, veges and with both hands to fend off their the most spectacular wildlife on the freshly baked cookies for dinner, a lethal spinal bite, don’t run and fi ght planet. A quick phone call confi rmed dinner complete with tablecloth and back with kicks and punches. that the trip was available during “proper” crockery/cutlery. our time frame but sadly we were The next bit of advice is always; don’t unlikely to see any Orca, mid-June As well as being an excellent guide, worry about cougars because they being about three weeks too early he was a pretty fair cook for three are very secretive and presumably for their annual northern migration. meals each day. Coffee from a real well fed, as most Canadians have The promise of it being the fi rst trip coffee pot with canned milk and never seen one. On the water, for of the season, and most likely very sugar is an absolute luxury after whales, stay together in a very tight quiet on the water, was appealing exercise in the fresh Canadian air group so that they don’t lose sight though and it seemed logical to me to combine it with a road trip along the western seaboard of the The adventure begins; fi nal loading at Telegraph Cove. Photo:Chris Neason USA through northern California, Oregon, Washington and the length of Vancouver Island. Logic is a very personal thing.

Telegraph Cove is a small fi shing village, built mostly on stilts and very nearly at the northern extremity of the road linking communities along the eastern side of Vancouver Island, close to the ferry terminals of Port Hardy and Port McNeill. There is only a bare skeleton of roads on the Island as the Western, Pacifi c side, is heavily indented with fi ords (sounds) and most access to remote areas is still by boat or fl oatplane. The mountainous interior rises to 2200 metres in the Strathcona Provincial

13 No. 154 August -September 2011

have used more than two squares. for days on end so, at the end of the Some habits are hard to break. trip we will be picked up by water We also discovered that Dave had taxi. It’s all part of the package and previously guided Abel Tasman from a good strategy, as we never have a base at Old Macdonald’s Farm to consider the time to turn around, behind Marahau. He thought Kiwis every day is upward and onward, or were pretty cool so that was a good is that outward perhaps? start to our client/guide relationship. At the height of the tourist season Day two, we planned to cross crossing Johnstone Strait is like Johnstone Strait at our previously crossing Queen Street on Friday calculated time to catch the slack night, it’s a case of looking right then tide through Blackney Passage and left then right again before making a access to our prime objective, the beeline for the other side when the Dave discussing inter-tidal life, Broughton Archipelago Marine way is clear. It is a very busy seaway huge Kina and starfi sh. Reserve. North Island Kayaks with log booms, fi shing boats, Photo: Chris Neason arrange their trips so that each day pleasure craft, billionaire’s motor is planned, on the day, according to yachts, whale watching boats and of a stray kayak and do it a serious the weather and tidal currents, but the dreaded cruise ships travelling at mischief with that big tail. generally tracking north-eastwards boy racer speeds leaving their huge and deeper into the islands of the wakes to make life pretty exciting The trip initially took us along the reserve. We listened to fresh forecasts for kayakers. coast of Vancouver Island to lunch every evening and morning and at Little Kaikash Creek, then the chatted on the VHF to whale watch Mid-June is pre-season and as we fi rst night’s stop at Kaikash. As we boats during the day for updates on push our noses out into the strait suspected a gentle day, as Dave got wind and whale sightings. to get a view, look right left and a feel for his new charges and was right again, nothing man made in no doubt planning how adventurous The tidal rips are very strong sight to either horizon. Two thirds our itinerary could be over the days and in places, notably Blackney of the way across the strait, Dave to follow. Chris and I, with a few Passage, reminiscent of French Pass signalled to stop as an impossibly years paddling behind us, were in the Marlborough Sounds with loud boom burst over the water. more paddle-fi t and kayak savvy dangerous whirlpools and eddies We watched spellbound for a few than Georgia and Jamie in the other that have sunk quite large vessels. minutes as a few hundred metres double, so we were always going to The weather is as fi ckle as it is in NZ ahead, two humpbacks make their be paddling at a less than frenetic and returning across Johnstone Strait way past Cracroft Point and across pace, a relief to us and certainly from the sheltered islands around the entrance to Blackney, ‘breathing’ enhanced the prospect of a relaxed the reserve might not be possible with their own sonic boom each time holiday.

During our fi rst on-water chats we discovered that Dave is a bit of Shoreline of Hanson Island paddling towards Blackney Passage. an eco-warrior, very conscious of Photo: Chris Neason treading as lightly as possible on the environment and as we paddled quietly along he explained the house rules. No fi shing, no approaching marine mammals, no peeing above the high tide line, number twos only in a composting toilet, only two squares of tissue each time, be very careful with hygiene, all food or anything that smells (toothpaste, sun block, medicinal creams or ointments, snacks) to be locked in the kayak holds at night, on the beach and well away from our tents.

The composting toilets were rather regal affairs usually a few minutes trek from each campsite and I think we cheated occasionally, I might

14 The Sea Canoeist Newsletter they surface. It appeared that we must be on converging courses - this was getting very exciting. In fact, so exciting that we reached the coast of Hanson Island way too soon for our rendezvous with the tidal rip in Blackney Passage and decided to land for a coffee off-load and a quick energy on-load.

Bugger, fi ve minutes after beaching, one of the humpbacks surfaced right in front of us, no more than twenty metres off the beach and just where we had been a short time before. A mad scramble back onto the water, but she had had her fun with us and we didn’t see her again. I say her because only a female knows how to Dinner at Kaikash, left to right: Chris, Mike, Dave and Jamie. tease like that. Photo: Georgia Hybner above the high tide line on the trees we saw some old cedars that Through Blackney we held onto the remains of the wooden planking; had been farmed several hundred bull kelp for a while waiting for the boots on and off up the track. A call years ago by the locals. I stopped to rip to die down and then past a seal of nature saw me catching up with take a photo and the others carried colony and across to Whitebeach for the others a hundred metres or so on walking. a red checked tablecloth lunch. After into the bush and past Chris who lunch, a pleasant afternoon paddling was photographing some old cedars, As I moved to catch them up, I around Berry Island to our overnight their bark harvested many years looked down at the side of the path camp at Maggies. We all agreed that earlier. Cedar was the staff of life for and there crouched less than a Maggies was such a lovely campsite the indigenous residents, providing couple of metres away was one that we would spend two nights there them with many of life’s necessities. of the most beautiful animals I and do a day trip the next day to see It was used in every facet of their have ever seen and it was looking the remains of a long abandoned existence including food, shelter, straight at me, its eyes locked into First Nation village with very old transport and clothing. Essential oils mine!!! It is magnifi cent was the totems and the remains of a mission were distilled from the red cedar fi rst thought that went through my and ancient longhouse. “First for use during religious ceremonies head followed very, very quickly Nation” is the accepted and common and as an antiseptic. Hilary Stewart by OMG expletive, expletive, it’s terminology for the indigenous wrote a very interesting book called a cougar! I yelled out a few more Indians and Inuit of Canada. Cedar: Tree of Life to the Northwest Coast Indians, detailing all of its Cedar bark harvested by First many and varied uses. The days to follow were very similar Nation residents long ago. in format and yet quite different in Photo: Chris Neason what we saw. Day three however, A few seconds after passing Chris to our visit to Village Island, was rejoin the group we heard a couple to be the most memorable and of un-Chris-like expletives as she will remain sharply etched in my bounded up the bank above the track memory forever. Dave is an avid and landing amongst us, briefl y incapable obviously proud student of Canada’s of normal speech. I was certain she pre-European culture and the visit had seen a bear until she managed to see the totems was to be one of to catch her breath and tell us - but the highlights of the trip. We were better in her own words, from an also looking forward to being out of email sent home after the trip: the kayaks for an hour or so and to stretch a few non-paddling muscles. ‘On the third day, we called in to uninhabited Village Island to see Dave described a broken down jetty some very old native totem poles, an where we would probably land, ancient longhouse and more recent adding that he would land fi rst and missionary buildings. Picture a nar- we would leave the kayaks fl oating row track leading up into the forest attached to one of the jetty piles. from the beach, that’s where we left We did this, storing our kayak gear all our kayaking gear, just inside the

15 No. 154 August -September 2011

one of us out? Probably, but not sure. We discussed it with the RCMP and wildlife staff and they all agreed that the experience and photos were remarkable and that it was time to buy lottery tickets.

The rest of the trip was fantastic, the weather and water ideal for paddling, the scenery wonderful, the wildlife amazing, visitations by eagles, whales, seals, sea lions, minks etc memorable; but somehow it seemed a bit hum drum after our chance meeting with the big pussycat on Village Island.

Vital Statistics Road trip: 7000 kms Paddling distance: 100 kms plus Water temperature: 7˚C Most northerly point: 50°40’N the The cougar on Village Island. Photo: Chris Neason same latitude north as the Auckland Islands are south of New Zealand choice swear words to the others Back on the water there was ‘that Companions: Dave from BC, to get them to stop and scrambled inevitable moment’ when we all Georgia from Sydney, Jamie from past the cat to catch up with them. looked at each other knowing Squamish, my wife Chris They thought I had seen a bear until that we had been very lucky to fi nally I managed to stop swearing escape unscathed, that moment During the road trip home, we long enough to tell them that a when the adrenalin is dying off, visited the west coast of Vancouver cougar was stalking us. when the conversation gets louder Island, spending some time at Tofi no and the giggling starts - a very and enjoying a day’s kayaking on Dave was great. He got us all strong bonding event that we shall Clayoquot Sound. Later in the trip, together and we backed off down remember forever. Hindsight is we were introduced to a Canadian the path back to the beach. Cougars wonderful and even though we were canoe to paddle around the Creston typically attack from behind so defi nitely being stalked, looking at Wild Life Refuge, just north of the the defensive strategy is to bunch the photos now, we believe that the US Idaho border. We had hoped to up with someone looking in each cougar was probably a young male see a moose at Creston, but they direction. When we got to the beach just feeling his way in the world and were elusive that day, in fact, of all we still had one small problem, all was just as curious about us as we the animals that we had hoped to see, our gear was in the corner right were of him. Would we have been we only missed out on moose, otter, beside where the cougar was watch- attacked had he been able to single wolf (although we saw fresh tracks) ing us and it didn’t look like it was going anywhere soon. Inquisitive sea lion in Blackney Passage. Photo: Chris Neason

Anyway, Mike and I armed our- selves with large sticks and backed Dave up as we retrieved our gear and then, courage and face colour slowly returning, took some photos. Jamie and Georgia were probably more sensible staying well back in the defensive, observation zone. Anyway, gear retrieved, we beat a very hasty retreat onto the water with a story to tell. Never did get to see those totem poles! (Yes I know the guidebook said never to run, I didn’t run I scuttled sideways).

16 The Sea Canoeist Newsletter and of course the Orca. From the car bought our own gear turning up at All this is fortunately paid for and on walks we saw black bears, a the Canterbury Network forum at because I chose many years ago to grizzly and cub, a Canadian Lynx, Okains and haven’t missed a year become a pilot (approaching 40 years many, many deer, elk, big horn since. We try to have a holiday in since joining Mount Cook Airline) sheep, eagles, ospreys, beautiful New Zealand every year somewhere Five years fl ying ski-planes at Mount black ravens, a solitary beaver and a off the beaten track, and have in Cook then six on fl oats in Te Anau few other friendly fellow travellers - recent years bought a caravan to tow a year back at Mount Cook and the great holiday. behind our exploration vehicle. Last airline part of the airline since 1983. summer was Jacksons Bay and the Resources: previous Okarito. Mike Neason Just Google really, and because we travel overseas most years, a lot of info is picked up from Lunch stop on a rock near Owl Island. Photo: Chris Neason other travellers. This year we had planned to go to Alaska but wanted particularly to go in August - because of work commitments and the RWC - that wasn’t possible so we opted for BC instead. One of our airport operation’s staff is a Kiwi, but she had lived and worked in Alaska for many years and she was our prime source and also a motivator for British Columbia, an area she also loves to talk about. See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_ of_fatal_cougar_attacks_in_North_ America www.kayakbc.ca/default.htm www.seawardkayaks.com/index.php

Mike Neason Paddling Bio I met a couple of silly buggers paddling around Fiordland in the late 70s and they certainly opened my eyes to the possibilities of kayaking With apologies to Edward Lear on the sea. Following the fortunes The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea of one of them, as he kayaked In a beautiful pea green boat, around the world, kept sparking the They took some honey, and plenty of money, interest but bringing up a family Wrapped up in a fi ve pound note. probably stopped us from taking it The Owl looked up to the stars above, up ourselves. On one of many family And sang to a small guitar, summer holidays at Karamea, we ‘O lovely Pussy! O Pussy my love, had a rather exciting trip down the What a beautiful Pussy you are, Karamea River in hired kayaks You are! when I tipped out twice, both times What a beautiful Pussy you are!’ swimming the kayak ashore to empty it out and start again - great fun!

A few years later, my youngest son played canoe polo at high school and did a white water course at Murchison. To celebrate his achievements we hired three doubles and did a week at Abel Tasman with son Ben as the leader; wife Chris, myself, Ben, other son Paul, Martin a French exchange student who stayed with us for a year, and son’s girlfriend. We did a second trip shortly after and then

17 No. 154 August -September 2011

The following are not full book re- Title: Sea Kayak Around views as such, but give a thumbnail Vancouver Island BOOKS overview of the information con- Author: Alderson, Doug tained, including the publisher’s Published: 2004 Guides and Narratives website. Prices are as listed on the Publisher: Rocky Mountain Books for Paddling book covers. www: rmbooks.com Contents: 176 pp, maps, photos, index the Inside Passage Title: Kayaking the Inside Passage ISBN: 1-894765-50-8 from Puget Sound Subtitle: A Paddler’s Guide from Price: Can$ 16.95 to South-East Alaska Olympia, Washington to Muir Glacier, Alaska This ‘pocket’ guide is for a circum- by Paul Caffyn Author: Miller, Robert H. navigation of Vancouver Island and Published: 2005 judging by its size and weight, it is As the coast of British Columbia and Publisher: Countryman USA designed to go into a parka pocket. south-east Alaska are common des- www: countrymanpress.com The brief introductory section on tinations for Kiwi paddlers escaping Contents: 459 pp, s/b, maps, photos, marine weather, campsites, tides and the gloom of a New Zealand win- bibliography, index currents (tidal streams), safety, res- ter or respite from the Christchurch ISNB: 0-88150-642-7 cue and encounters with animals is earthquakes, I have listed books that Price: US$ 18.95 brief at 22 pages, however cougars are worth a look at when deciding do get a mention with a fi gure show- where to paddle, and when to go. This is the most comprehensive pad- ing paw prints and there is a side bar When I was asked recently to dig out dling guide. The fi rst chapter pro- with a cougar encounter. The bulk of books on the ‘Inside Passage’, I was vides general background on the the book covers nine paddling areas surprised at how many titles there are. natural history and ethno-history, around the island, working in a anti- while the second has more detail on clockwise direction, with geographic Long gone are the days of haunting when to go, weather, ferry services descriptions notes by miles from the second-hand book stores for rare and safety including the author’s en- start point. paddling tomes. Today, new and counters with bears and how to avoid secondhand book websites allow becoming bear tucker. There is also The section maps showing towns the ease of picking and choosing ti- information on navigation and rec- and campsites are good, and the fi nal tles from an offi ce chair. Be warned, ommended equipment. few pages contain a list of websites, these sites can be fi nancial traps with a comprehensive reading list and a such wonderful treasure troves of ti- The next fi ve chapters contain maps geographic place name index. The tles. and paddling information on geo- only disadvantage for this pocket graphic areas working from south to guide is the small point size of the For secondhand and new titles: north, Puget Sound to Glacier Bay. text. The maps are easily read and www.abebooks.com The maps are easy to read, show all have a scale. The photographs is in my view the best book search paddling routes and campsites and unfortunately have captions, which site, while the best for new overseas all, bar a few, have a scale. The fi - require a magnifying glass for read- paddling titles is: nal resources section of the book has ing with older eyes. In summary, a www.amazon.com excellent lists of maps and where to comprehensive on the water guide source them, contacts for accommo- for paddling or parts of, or around dation and ferries. Vancouver Island.

The bibliography is excellent and broken down into sections: guide- books and maps, how to kayak books, voyage accounts, history and anthropology and natural history. Identifi cation charts for salmon and mustelids are included, and the book fi nishes with a comprehensive index.

I was intrigued to fi nd no reference to cougars and can understand how lucky Mike and Chris Neason were in getting so close to a young cougar with their recent trip to B.C.

18 The Sea Canoeist Newsletter

Title: Passage to Alaska Author: Tim Lydon Published: 2003 Publisher: Hancock House, USA/Can www: hancockhouse.com Contents: 336 pp, central colour plate section, index Price: Can $19.95 ISBN: 0-8839-523-X

This is a narrative of two blokes who set off in 1996 from the northern end of Vancouver Island to paddle to Juneau in South-east Alaska. Al- though not a paddling guide to the coast, sidebars throughout add to the readability of the book – most Title: Kayak Routes of the Pacifi c Title: Blue Water Summer of these focus on paddler safety Northwest Coast Subtitle: A Pacifi c Coastal and skills, but there are several on Author: McGee, Peter Kayak Adventure early coastal history, such as ‘Dug- Published: 2004 2nd ed. Authors: David Johnston & Krista out canoe use and construction in Publisher: Greystone Books, Canada Nicholson the Inside Passage.’ The narrative is www: greystonebooks.com Published: 1986 very readable and is enriched with Contents: 336 pp, photos, maps, index Publisher: Orca Publications, UK historical insights to the prehistory ISBN: 978-155365-033-1 Contents: 167 pp, maps, photographs and early maritime exploration of Price: Can$ 22.95 ISBN: 0 9511842 0 2 the Pacifi c coast. Maps are on the lean side, but several show historical The brief introductory section on This is not a paddling guide but a journeys of maritime exploration. kayaking the Pacifi c Northwest coast very readable narrative by a couple in The colour plate photos seem to be is followed by 18 regional chapters, two single kayaks spending a north- an afterthought with vague captions each of which details specifi c pad- ern summer paddling from Vancou- and the choice of cover photo is un- dling trips. This book is not a guide ver up the Pacifi c north-west coast derwhelming – a fuzzy kayak bow to paddling the Inside Passage, but to Glacier Bay in south-east Alaska. with bergy bits which are also out of lists specifi c paddling trips from Written in a chatty, daily diary for- focus. Despite the qualms of visual as far south as the lower Columbia mat, the book offers a great insight appeal, this book is an excellent nar- River in Oregon, USA to Prince into the ups and downs of paddling rative of a paddle up the coast with Rupert and the Queen Charlotte Is- this coast. Section maps show the excellent insights into those who had lands in the north. Although McGee route followed, with readable cap- voyaged these waters earlier on. is noted as the author, there are 27 tions and scales, unfortunately the contributors listed at the back of the black and white photographs have Title: Homelands book, who were involved with writ- reproduced rather poorly. Subtitle: Kayaking the Inside Passage ing each regional chapter. Each re- Author: Byron Hicks gional chapter used an initial format Published: 1999 with a map, background, how to get Publisher: Avon Books USA there, weather and hazards, special www: avonbooks.com/bard conditions, trip summaries, trip de- Contents: 370pp, no photos, scriptions and additional routes. Al- bibliography though the maps show launch sites, Price: US$ 13.50 the paddling routes are not shown. ISBN: 0-380-80918-4 The text is easily readable but the fi ne print of place names on the maps Another narrative of a 1996 paddle is hard to read. Lists of useful con- by a couple, but heading south from tacts for each region are at the end Glacier Bay to Puget Sound. There of the book, along with a two page are no photographs, no maps show- reading list and place name index. I ing the route followed and the author found the writing style tedious with a notes he was, ‘deliberately elusive to fi rst person style ‘as you leave so and guard the places we found to camp so bay, you will fi nd on your left….’ and the sites where traditional peo- In summary, a good backgrounder ples dwell and visit.... To name par- to paddling in specifi c areas, but not ticular places so readers would be one to take on a trip. able to unfailingly plot our nightly

19 No. 154 August -September 2011 stops would be to dismantle the spirit colour photos taken by Adrian Dor- of our journey and affront those who set – just a pity this book was not have long paddled these waters.’ printed as a hardback. Then why on earth did he write the book? He should have stuck with a Title: Spirited Waters personal diary. Subtitle: Soloing South Through The Inside Passage The writing style is the fi rst per- Author: Jennifer Hahn son, ‘We paddle… we pause… we Published: 2001 are ready to abort..’, a style which I Publisher: The Mountaineers Books dislike. I am not sure why no pho- USA tographs are included. A mugshot of www: mountaineersbooks.org the author is included inside the rear Contents: 216 pp, HB, d/j, maps, cover, but there are no photos of his sketches paddling partner, no photos of the ISBN: 0-89886-744-4 trip – the cover features a fuzzy pic Price: US$ 24.95 of two kayaks bows on a glassy sea. It could well have been a fi ctional Over 70 days, spread over two north- ing A Boat in Our Baggage, pad- paddle. ern summers, sea kayak guide Jen- dling a double folding kayak in vari- nifer Hahn soloed south from Ket- ous parts of the world. chikan in South-east Alaska to her hometown of Bellingham in Puget Title: Paddling Through Time Sound. A very detailed narrative, Subtitle: A Kayaking Journey with scattered sketches of fauna, through Clayoquot Sound fl ora and places throughout, the only Author: Joanna Streetly photos are a cover pic and an au- Published: 2000 thor’s mugshot on the dust-jacket. Publisher: Raincoast Book, BC, Canada Small scale section maps with tiny www: raincoast.com captions do not show the route, only Contents: 153 pp, s/b, map, colour the general geography. Snippets of photos throughout maritime and native history, along ISBN: 1-55192-278-9 with encounters with locals (bears Price: Can $29.95 and blokes) add interest, however I suggest this is a book for night-time A book very similar to Maria Cof- reading. It is not a book to be used fey’s, but focussing on just the as a paddling guide and is more of a Clayoquot Sound area, halfway up spiritual journey, with much refl ec- the west coast of Vancouver Island Title: Visions of the Wild tion on moods and feelings. A paper- - a beautiful area which is now rec- Subtitle: A Voyage by Kayak back edition was printed in 2009 by ognized by the United Nations as around Vancouver Island the same publisher. a World Heritage Ecosystem. The Author: Maria Coffey book is illustrated throughout with Published: 2001 Publisher: Harbour Publishing, BC www: harbourpublishing.com Contents: 182 pp, HB, maps, colour photos throughout ISBN: 1-55017-264-6

A trip by double kayak around Van- couver Island; rather well written in a daily diary-style narrative. Almost a coffee table book, as it is illus- trated throughout with high quality colour photos ranging from double page to smaller thumbnails. A hard- cover book, it has an excellent lay- out with easy to read section maps, which help follow the trip. Maria has penned several other books on climbing and sea kayaking, includ-

20 The Sea Canoeist Newsletter

Rugby World Cup Rugby Win Celebration HUMOUR A man had two of the best tickets for Jack wakes up with a huge hangover the Rugby World Cup Final. As he after celebrating a rugby win with his Sex for Old Timers sits down, another man comes along mates. He is not normally a drinker, An elderly couple who were both and asks if anyone is sitting in the but the drinks didn’t taste like alco- widowed, had been going out with seat next to him. “No”, he says, “the hol at all. He didn’t even remember each other for a long time. Urged on seat is empty.” how he got home from the party. As by their friends, they decided it was “This is incredible!” said the man, bad as he was feeling, he wondered fi nally time to get married. “Who in their right mind would have if he did something wrong. Before the wedding, they went out to a seat like this for the Rugby Cup Fi- He forced himself to open his eyes, dinner and had a long conversation nal, the biggest sporting event of the and the fi rst thing he sees is a couple regarding how their marriage might rugby world, and not use it?” of aspirins next to a glass of water on work. He says, “Well, actually, the seat be- the side table. And, next to them, a They discussed fi nances, living ar- longs to me. My wife was supposed single red rose!! rangements and so on. to come with me, but she passed He sits up and sees his clothing in Finally, the old gentleman decided away. This is the fi rst Cup Final we front of him, all cleaned and pressed! it was time to broach the subject of haven’t been to together since we got He looks around the room and sees their physical relationship. married.” that it is in perfect order, spotlessly “How do you feel about sex?” he “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. That’s clean. So is the rest of the house. asked, rather tentatively. terrible. I guess you couldn’t fi nd He takes the aspirins, cringes when “I would like it infrequently,” she someone else, a friend or relative or he sees a huge black eye staring back replied. even a neighbour to take the seat?” at him in the bathroom mirror. Then The old gentleman sat quietly for a The man solemnly shakes his head. he notices a note hanging on the cor- moment, adjusted his glasses, leaned “No. They’re all at the funeral.” ner of the mirror written in red with over towards her and whispered, “Is little hearts on it and a kiss mark that one word or two?” Press Report on Dog Attack from his wife in lipstick: ‘Honey, Two boys are playing with a rugby breakfast is on the stove, I left early Police Checkpoint ball on the street outside Eden Park to get groceries to make you your An elderly man is stopped by the po- in Auckland, when one is attacked favourite dinner tonight. I love you, lice around 1 am and is asked where by a vicious pitbull. Thinking quick- darling! Love, Jillian’ he is going at this time of night. ly, the other boy grabbed a stick and He stumbles to the kitchen and The man replies, “I am going to a wedged it under the dog’s collar and sure enough, there is hot breakfast, lecture about alcohol abuse and the twisting it he luckily broke the dog’s steaming hot coffee and the morning effects it has on the human body.” neck and stopped the attack. newspaper. The offi cer then asks, “Really? Who His 16 year old son is also at the is giving that lecture at this time of A reporter strolling by sees the inci- table, eating. Jack asks, “Son, what night?” dent and rushes to interview the boy. happened last night?” The man replies, “That would be my ‘Young Warrior Fan Saves Friend,’ “Well, you came home after 3 am, wife.” he starts writing in his notebook. drunk and out of your mind you fell “But I’m not a Warriors fan,” the lit- over the coffee table and broke it, Donald & Daisy tle hero replied. and then you puked in the hallway, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck were “Sorry, since we’re in Auckland, I and got that black eye when you ran spending their fi rst honeymoon night assumed you were,” and starts writ- into the door.” together in a hotel room and Don- ing again. Confused, he asked his son, “So, why ald was rather keen to have sex with ‘All Black Fan Rescues Friend from is everything in such perfect order and Daisy. The fi rst thing Daisy asked Horrifi c Attack,’ he writes. so clean? I have a rose, and breakfast was, “Do you have a condom?” ” “But I’m not an All Black fan ei- is on the table waiting for me?” Donald frowned and said, “No.” ther!” the boy said. His son replies, “Oh THAT - Mom Daisy told Donald that if he didn’t “I thought everyone in Auckland dragged you to the bedroom, and get a condom, he could not have sex. was either a Warriors or All Blacks when she tried to take your pants off, “Maybe they sell them at the front fan. So what team DO you go for?” you screamed, “Leave me alone, I’m desk,” she suggested. the reporter asked. married!” So Donald went down to the lobby “I’m a Roosters fan, and a Wallaby and asked the hotel clerk if they had fan!” the child beamed. Punishing Jokes condoms. “Yes, we do,” the clerk The professor discovered that her said and pulled a box out from under The reporter starts a new sheet in his theory of earthquakes was on the counter and gave it to Donald. notebook and writes, ‘Little Bastard shaky ground. The clerk asked, “Would you like me from Australia Kills Beloved Family The batteries were given out free of to put them on your bill?” Pet.’ charge. “Thit No!” Donald quacked, “I’ll A dentist and a manicurist married. thuffocate!” They fought tooth and nail.

21 No. 154 August -September 2011 4th Ed. KASK HANDBOOK PO Box 1872, Rotorua KASK Updated to March 2008 Ph: (07) 347 9950 KASK, the Kiwi Association of Sea For trade orders of this mother of email: [email protected] Kayakers (N.Z.) Inc., a network of all sea kayaking handbooks, contact Rotorua Kayak Club New Zealand sea kayakers, has the Paul Caffyn, RD 1, Runanga 7873 7 Mahana Place, Rotorua objectives of: West Coast Ph: 03 731 1806 Ph: (027) 292 3138 1. promoting and encouraging the e-mail: [email protected] email: [email protected] sport of sea kayaking Shop RRP: $34.90 GISBORNE Sea Kayakers Club 2. promoting safety standards NZ KASK members only, including John Humphris, 3 Matthews Rd, Gisborne 3. developing techniques & p&p: $22.50 Ph: (06) 868 4657 equipment Make cheques out to KASK (NZ) Inc. email: [email protected] 4. dealing with issues of coastal and mail to KASK Administrator: WELLINGTON Sea Kayak Network access and protection PO Box 23, Runanga, 7841 West Coast Sandy Winterton, 1 Antico St, 5. organizing an annual sea kayak New members: $35 + $15 = $50 Melrose, Wellington forum Ph: (04) 977 1862 6. publishing a bimonthly The 4th edition of the KASK Hand- email: [email protected] newsletter. book, is a mammoth compilation on www.wskn.wellington.net.nz all aspects of sea kayaking in New The Sea Canoeist Newsletter is Zealand, by many of the most ex- published bimonthly as the offi cial SOUTH ISLAND perienced paddlers in the Universe. newsletter of the Kiwi Association Following a brief introduction, the of Sea Kayakers (N.Z.) Inc. MARLBOROUGH handbook is divided into six sections: Articles, trip reports, book reviews, Martyn Smith - Kayak, Paddle & Equipment equipment reviews, new techniques, Ph: 03 577 6256 - Techniques & Equipment letters to the editor, and moments email: [email protected] - The Elements when the word ‘Bugger!’ was said NELSON - KASK Contact - Trips and Expeditions singularly or often (referred to by Chris Hinkley - Places to Go some as incidents) are sought to en- Ph: (03) 526 6817 - Resources liven the pages of the newsletter. email: [email protected] CANTERBURY Sea Kayak Network Andy & Deirdre Sheppard Send in a plain brown envelope, or SEA KAYAKING 53 Kent Lodge Ave, via cybermail to: NETWORK ADDRESSES Avonhead, Christchurch 8004 Editor: Paul Caffyn, NORTH ISLAND Ph: (03) 342 7929 RD 1, Runanga 7873 email: [email protected] West Coast NORTHLAND Canoe Club www.sportsground.co.nz/canterburyseakayak Ph: (03) 731 1806 PO Box 755, Whangarei OTAGO Email: [email protected] Catherine Keleher Josh Sullivan Ph: (09) 436 0341 Ph: (027) 362 2122 KASK Annual Subscription email:[email protected] email: [email protected] $35 single membership. AUCKLAND Canoe Club SOUTHLAND Sea Kayak Network ($105 for 3 years; $175 for 5 years) PO Box 9271, Stan Mulvany $40 family membership. Newmarket, Auckland Ph: (03) 215 7263 $35 overseas (PDF email newsletter) email: [email protected] email: [email protected] A subscription form can be down- HAURAKI Kayak Group www.sskn.uniformnz.com loaded from the KASK website. PO Box 46-146, Herne Bay, Auckland Cheques should be made out to: email: [email protected] SKOANZ KASK. (NZ) Inc. & mailed to: www.hkg.org.nz Sea Kayak Operators Assn. NZ KASK Administrator WAIKATO KASK Contact email: [email protected] PO Box 23, Runanga 7841 Evan Pugh, RD2, Putaruru 3482 Ph: (027) 452 9255 West Coast email: [email protected] www.skoanz.org.nz Ph: (07) 883 6898 Correspondence/queries/ RUAHINE Whitewater Club YAKITY YAK CLUBS changes of address to: 71 Salisbury St., Ashhurst www.canoeandkayak.co.nz Kay Pidgeon Ph: (06) 326 8667 or freephone: (0508) KAYAKNZ KASK Administrator www.q-kayaks.co.nz/pages/club.asp (0508) 529 2569 PO Box 23, Runanga 7841 BAY OF PLENTY - KASK Contact West Coast Iona Bailey, Tauranga Ph: (07) 576 1492 KASK Website: or email Kay at: email: [email protected] [email protected] ROTORUA- KASK Contact www.kask.org.nz John Flemming,

22 Top: Bald Eagle, one of 10 in a group near Little Kaikash, Vancouver Island. Photo: Georgia Hybner

Bottom: Mike, Jamie and Dave and making kayaks safe above high tide at Maggies. Photo: Chris Neason MAILED TO

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

Superb paddling conditions off the north coast of Vancouver Island. Photo: Chris Neason

KASK MEMBERSHIP POLICY Current membership fees are: - $35 for ordinary membership - for new members $35 or $50 to include a copy of the KASK Handbook - $40 for family or joint membership ($55 to include a Handbook copy) - $35 for overseas membership (PDF newsletter only); $50 for new o/s members plus cost of overseas postage for a copy of the KASK Handbook - members should endeavour to renew by 1 August - the KASK fi nancial 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 on confi rming renewals from existing members from July to October; and promoting new KASK memberships from November to February