$6 to non-members

VICTORIAN SEA KAYAK se trek CLUB Summer 2009a • Issue 63 www.vskc.org.au 1 TOP QUALITY PRODUCTS FOR CANOE & KAYAK ENTHUSIASTS

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Everyone is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. • Perpetual calendar from year 2000 to 2099 impeller spins, a magnetic field is created which is measured by the transmitter Small amounts of UV radiation are beneficial to people, and play an • Month, day, day of week and year are displayed - through a hull - up to 12 in (30 cm) away. Email.essential role in the productionsales@fitnesslifestyle.com.au of vitamin D. However, overexposure to UV radiation is responsible for two major public health problems: DAILY ALARM: • 1 daily alarm can be set Tel.skin cancer and1300 cataracts. To learn 2668 more about the335 damaging effects Mob. 0418 577 668 NO wires connect the impeller to the transmitter! of overexposure to UV rays and how you can prevent them, please CHRONOGRAPH: visit the US governmentʼs EPA website. • Elapsed time and lap time (1 lap only) This magnetic transmission is patented technology by JDC Electronic. • Range to 9 hours, 59 minutes, 59.99 seconds • 1/100 second resolution TIMER: THE TRANSMITTER ����������������������� • Countdown timer 13 Jarrah Drive, Braeside VIC 3195 Tel. 03 9038 8367 • Setting limit of 23 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds Postal Address : PO Box 594, Braeside VIC 3195 • Sounds one beep at the 5,4,3,2, and 1 seconds • Sounds series of beeps at 0 second The transmitter is placed inside the boat, within 12 inches (30 cm) of the impel- ADVANTAGES OF THE SPEEDWATCH OVER GPS: ler. The transmitter picks up the impellerʼs magnetic field when it is rotating, transmitting the data over 8.2 KHz up to 13 feet (4 meters) away. The transmitter While the SPEEDWATCH does not replace a GPS, it does have many is water-proof, with a replaceable lithium battery. good for 12,500 (20,000 km) of readings. The transmitter can also receive other speed sensors and transmit to the advantages when training and monitoring performance: display, which can be calibrated to properly display the speed and distance. • Instant speed Dia: 0.80 in (20 mm) X 7.1 in (80 mm) • Actual speed through water • Registers speeds down to 0.3 mph • Tracks acceleration THE DISPLAY • Countdown timers specific for regattas • Long battery life The SPEEDWATCH display contains an internal receiver to pickup the information • Total and trip distances sent by the transmitter, up to 13 feet (four meters) away. The display shows instant and average speeds, distance traveled, trip distance, acceleration, time traveled, Using the SPEEDWATCH during training, one can instantly gauge the and chronometer and countdown timers. The SPEEDWATCH will be an essential tool for training, providing instant feedback effect of different paddling strokes, equipment, and sailing tech- on speed and acceleration. Unlike GPS units, the SPEEDWATCH gives true speed niques, enabling the best performance possible. through water and distance traveled, versus speed over land. When going against a current, the speed given by a GPS unit will be very inaccurate.

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Dia: 3.0 in (78 mm) X .70 in (18 mm), Weight: 3.5 oz (100 g)

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������� ����������������13 Jarrah Drive, Braeside VIC 3195 Tel. 03 9038 8367 Postal Address : PO Box 594, Braeside VIC 3195 Contents

Comment ...... 4 Point Lonsdale to Gunamatta 16 Victorian Sea Kayak Club and return...... 5 PO Box 161 Bass Strait direct crossing...... 6 Black Rock Vic 3193 Australia Is my VSKC grade current?...... 8 Inc #A17985B French Island circumnavigation Executive committee in a day...... 9 President Pimp my boat...... 10 Peter Costello • m: 0411 262 538 George’s Crack...... 11 e: [email protected] The development of paddle Vice president wheels...... 13 Greg Gleason •Ph 0418 570 446 A novice at the Prom...... 14 [email protected] 2008 Annual General Meeting Secretary weekend...... 16 Bill Zombor • 0402 851 585 Merricks Lodge … [email protected] where’s that?...... 17 Treasurer Port Davey & Bathurst Harbour.1 9 Peter Sharp • m: 0402 900 534 Instructor training weekend....21 e: [email protected] Safety — Non-executive committee whistlin’ up a STORM!...... 21 Membership officer Kayaking some Kiwi jewels.....22 Andrew Campbell • m: 0428 335 413 19 e: [email protected] 5 Skills officers Terry Barry • m: 0429 167 422 e: [email protected] Tony Miller • m: 0407 790 034 e:[email protected] Trip convenors Raia Wall • m: 0428 330 020 e: [email protected] Neil Brenton • m: 0428 330 020 e: [email protected] Technical advisor Craig Evans • m: 0424 271 673 e: [email protected] 6 IT Project Manager Richard Rawling • m: 0419 340 851 e: [email protected] Sea Trek production Editor: Tony Chick • m: 0427 526 144 e: [email protected] Roger Taylor • m: 0418 366 380 22 e: [email protected] Layout: Alan Wallace • p: 5744 3440 e: [email protected]

14 Cover — Stuart Trueman departs Tidal River It was a window of opportunity that you could have waited all year for, and when Stuart realised how good it was, he went for it. It was amazing how calm and collected he appeared as he prepared to leave, when you consider the magnitude of what he was doing. Bill Robinson 3 What’s happening held us spellbound with Heather’s story to The partner Glen in the Guinness Book record This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of of the highest base jump — an extremely Ed. says the VSKC and we have kicked off in style inspiring and gutsy story. The first issue of Sea Trek for 2009, a new with our largest AGM ever held. Over 100 year of paddling opportunity has begun. members attended the three day event at As usual we have members doing trips A few interesting expeditions are in Merricks Lodge and I would like to thank to and from Tassie, the first by Stuart planning stages for 2009. We are fortunate many people including key note speakers, Trueman taking off just after the AGM in Australia with the endless paddling everyone who presented workshops, to become the second person to paddle possibilities on tap. organised trips, ran competitions and directly and solo from the Prom to displayed kayaks or equipment. Tasmania (story within). Adventure is wherever you find it; this issue takes in the full spectrum of our Special thanks to our founding members, We hope to consolidate the future of sport, ranging from Stewart’s solo epic to a elder statesmen and our out-going skills development within the club with cast of thousands at the AGM, club trips, committee members — notably Les the an initiative by Terry Barry to expand the training and everything in-between. ex-prez for doing a wonderful job. This is assessor and instructor group and build also a chance to formerly welcome new on the strong Level 3 membership we now Thanks to all contributors to this issue. members both into the committee and into have. Without your input, Sea Trek cannot the club. This will give rise to more paddles and happen. The AGM provided plenty of fun including events at all paddler levels and ensure a If it’s about the VSKC and sea kayaking, we inaugural events like Inuit spear throwing, strong trips calendar for all to enjoy. all want to know about it, so keep sending stand-up paddling and a sculling display Raia Wall and Neil Brenton will be working the good stuff in. organised by Richard Rawlings, as well as towards keeping a full trip calendar, so Enjoy this issue, Tony C the opportunity for members to show off Level 3s, expect to be invited to put up your their sense of survival in the pool rolling favorite paddles to enable other members competition, hosted by Peter Treby and to participate with you and enjoy. won by Julian Smith. The water is warmest this time of year, so Dave ‘Crocodile’ Winkworth again get out and enjoy yourself, practicing your impressed us with paddling tales from up skills as well as paddling our coast, bays north with a showing of his recent multi- and waterways. day paddle from Karumba to Darwin. We Have fun and return safely. broke tradition with Saturday night guest Peter Costello speakers who were not paddlers — Glen President Singleman and Heather Swan, who both

Killer whales off Bells Beach January ’09 photo by Andy Miszczyk, Torquay Angling Club

4 Point Lonsdale to Gunamatta and return by Greg Murray

Loch Ness Monster 3 January threw up a combination of We conditions which opened up a few had no real agenda; reaching sighted off Rip different, (for us) possibilities. John got Gunamatta at the four hour mark at a fairly Participants: his evil mind to work, tomorrow’s normal casual pace. The surf was a bit big to land Tina Rowley sparkly jumpy Dolphin training paddle out of Torquay is off, we are easily, the consensus being that nobody Nadgee; seizing the moment, getting up at 5.30 am wanted to risk not being able to get back John Evertze toothy Nadgee; and heading over the east coast from Point out again and also unable to clearly see the Tony Chick skull and crossbones Nadgee Lonsdale. rocks in the surf, a lack of local knowledge, and Oh yeah? All the ducks were in a row, so raft up for lunch in the kayaks it was. Greg Murray butch baby blue Nadgee. slack water at PPH 7.00 am, slack incoming I’m sure many VSKC crew regularly paddle Predictable primo winter paddling 3.30 pm, with small dropping swell left this stretch of coast, I imagine it would be conditions on the West Coast have been over from a big blow the day before, light really good on a dead flat day and getting replaced by the typically windy conditions northerly backing round to SE in the arvo. in closer for a better look. of summer. Locally, last winter had Perfect! We arrived back at the heads three- uncharacteristically consistently small The rip crossing was uneventful, just quarters of an hour too early for slack, still swell, with many quality paddles in most the way I like ’em. Paddling just inside ebbing but safely doable by staying close weeks. More recently there has been a the Heads, even on slack water, there to the surf and cutting through the rocks. fair bit of paddling in less than pleasant are a couple mildly turbulent patches. Hanging in eddies of Corsair Reef. Ferry conditions. Looking about three kilometres offshore gliding behind one fast flowing rock shelf, of the Heads, as usual, serious water with I was directed by the white water types in standing waves, no place for a kayak. the pod to make sure I didn’t lean into the On reaching the other side, a bunch of flow and catch an edge. Yikes! seals were spotted slacking off. doing a fair We passed behind the outside peak at impersonation of the Loch Ness monster. Corsair surf break which was just starting Paddling wide around the surf at Spooks, to fire, a boat load of surfers waiting for the we headed further eastward, hanging tide to start turning. John and Greg hung in outside of the breaking surf and inshore the break to catch a few, both getting wet of the bommies, not a problem standing as it was starting to get hollow. Tina and I up but not breaking on the high tide. Eight choose to paddle to the beach to hang for hours before the afternoon slack water. thirty minutes before doing the lazy ferry Four hours paddling, lunch then four hours glide back to Lonnie. back. From a West Coasters perspective, this is not a day trip that is often possible, nor one easily planned in advance. It was a pretty good day out really.

Greg Murray, the lunch break kayak stabilisation monitor

5 Bass Strait direct crossing by Stuart Trueman

I’d been paddling for six hours and achievement in itself. The feeling of relief me to catch could no longer see the hills of Wilsons intensifies for the solo paddler who is every swell and blast off into the distance. Promontory, I’d have to paddle for a further responsible for all aspects of simply giving When I returned to work I was asked “Tell twenty-six hours before seeing land again. themselves a chance to attempt their goal. us the exciting things that happened on Crossing Bass Strait directly is a long I don’t intend to run through the catalogue your trip!” Then it dawned on me that one paddle. of expedition preparation, it is a personal of my objectives was to ensure that nothing In Melbourne, a few days before, the journey of learning, with each lesson exciting happened. Planning to take the weather forecast was foremost in my mind allowing you to ensure future success. excitement out of a trip could answer the as I attended various talks, meetings and Experience is the key to develop this question of ‘Why sea kayaking doesn’t demonstrations at the Victorian Sea Kayak area of sea kayaking, start somewhere appeal to the younger paddlers’ and raises Club AGM. manageable then take it where you want the question of ‘what am I going to write to go. about’. I had to decide whether to proceed with the plan of catching the ferry from Melbourne The loud crack at 3 am signaled the tent Well I invariably get asked how long it to Tasmania on Sunday night then paddle pole breaking. “Well that’s a good start”, I took. I realise that open crossings are north on predominant south west winds thought and rolled over for another couple becoming more common, so I took a GPS or head off to Wilsons Promontory, the of hour’s kip in a rather limp looking tent. to record my track to see how my pace southern most point of mainland Australia, I loaded and set up my Mirage 580 sea was affected during the paddle, with then paddle south to Tasmania on the kayak, then walked it down the beach on the intention of sharing this info with forecast of northerly winds. I put my money a nifty set of wheels with the help of Bill interested paddlers. I took a look at the on squeezing a few days of northerlies out Robinson from the VSKC who had come distance after ten hours, the next time I of November and headed of to Wilsons down to see me off. A quick check, a photo looked, at dawn, the batteries had died. No Prom. then I said my good byes and jumped in GPS. No saved track. Once at Wilsons Prom, with a good the kayak. My timing was not good, the After ten hours I had paddled 80 km, 8 km forecast, I relaxed, now all I had to do was sea ran away and didn’t return, leaving me per hour. That is the one and only reading I paddle for two days. high and dry looking slightly silly. Bill was got from the GPS. sympathetic, took a photo, and helped me What’s that? Relax! When I was planning From this I managed to imagine the re-locate further down the beach and then to paddle 215 km across one of the world’s following calculation as I paddled through I was away. most violent stretches of blue water! the night: The weather was 10–20 knots NNE, It may seem difficult to understand until At 0530 in the morning I would have been stretching itself to 25 knots if it tried. As you have an appreciation of the preparation paddling twenty-two hours. Twenty-two land slipped away, the wind decreased as and planning that is necessary just to get hours at 8 km per hour is 176 km. the influence of the Prom was reduced. you to the starting point of these trips. That left only thirty odd kilometres to I got into a rhythm and pace I could Getting to the shore with everything Tassie, I will be able to see the hills soon maintain and tempered all the built up ready and favorable conditions is quite an after dawn! After all, I could see the confusion of feelings which were directing

6 departure hills for approximately forty Just after that I was wrapped in sea fog, The water had made me cold, I thought I’d kilometres. ‘Just my luck’ I optimistically thought ‘I’ll warm up with a quick paddle; I took about It actually took ten long hours from probably run aground!’ Then I paddled eight strokes before I slumped over the 5:30 am to 3:30 pm to see land after dawn. passed a tennis court. At first I didn’t think deck exhausted. too much of it but then I realised that it I had concocted a formula to give myself Half an hour later, I saw the low lands of wasn’t a grass or clay court but water, I the answer I wanted, as each hour passed North West Tassie, the higher ground was nodded knowingly to myself, pleased that many conflicting thoughts fought the facts hidden in the clouds. Three hours after that I still had the mental capacity to recognise as to why I wasn’t on the beach yet. Not I was on a beach looking back across the that a tennis court in Bass Strait was a least of these was my ability to hold a water, thirty-five hours after leaving the mirage based on the fact that it wasn’t compass course for twenty-six hours while Prom. grass or clay. bobbing about on the ocean. As it turned I thought a couple of nice looking birds out, I was 3–4 km to the west of Stanley The fog didn’t really clear and formed on the beach would welcome me. But as I when I first saw land. Not bad, I thought. banks of clouds. Each one looking like got out the kayak, doing an impression of it held land within, but as I approached Well, I was happily ignorant of my flawed a wobbly legged Bambi, one walked away it would dissolve to reveal another cloud calculation during the first light of dawn totally unimpressed to check out some bank in the distance, equally promising. and I was mightily relieved to have paddled interesting crustacean, the other did a crap But after half a dozen disappointments, I’d through the night without falling asleep. and flew away. become jaded and considerably slower as I’m not sure if swimming with your kayak I pushed the hatch cover on after putting fatigue took hold. away some food, then in slow motion lost after multiple failed attempts to get back Then I cracked. balance and rolled over. I hastily grabbed in is what my work colleague meant by the paddle and attempted a brace, with the I was sure that I remembered seeing some ‘exciting’. It certainly didn’t feel ‘exciting’ paddle at the wrong angle, it sliced through batteries in the bag I’d dropped in the for’d at the time, more like a worrying wake the water like a knife, down I went. hatch. If I could get these then I could get up call to the degenerative effects of cold the GPS working and ease my mind. Out I water. Anyway it gave me something to I tried a roll, got my head out the water and jump; the water didn’t register as being too write about. then back down. It took another two goes cold at first. Being careful not to flip the to realise that the two bladders of water I’d like to mention the assistance I was kayak as I had stuff loose in the cockpit I loose in the cockpit had shifted and were given in preparation and logistics of didn’t want floating off. Off with the hatch, both starboard. Their combined weight this and other trips. When we think of now I could feel the cold water. Fantastic, conspired to make me lose my balance as the benefits of kayak clubs we think of found the batteries. F***, they were AAA; I I came up from what would normally be a training, guided trips and boozy camps. needed AA for the GPS. successful roll. But what we have is a huge resource of Reluctant to do a re-enter and roll and On the fourth go (I think) I noticed a people with an appreciation of all things loose what’s in the cockpit, I decided to strange light. Oh, shit! I thought; hope kayaking. I unashamedly tap this resource do what all instructors abhor the ‘cowboy that’s not what they talk about in near when needed to solve problems to get rescue’. Basically launch yourself onto the death experiences! Nope, just my head things done. The list of those who help is kayak, swing a leg over sit in the cockpit torch still on. Anyway with the possible long, but I’d like to single out Mike Snoad and get your legs in, sounds easy. After half consequences of failure to roll up affirmed of the NSW Sea Kayak Club, Bill Robinson a dozen goes and various bit of kit floating I gave an extra effort, and up I came. The of the Victorian Sea Kayak Club and Bob off, losing a shoe, ripping my trousers first thing I did was empty one of the Bush of the Maatsuyker Sea Kayak Club. and almost castrating myself after getting bladders; after all I’d be able to see land I would also like to thank Mirage Sea tangled in my tether, I was in. soon. Kayaks and Lendal Paddles.

7 Is my VSKC grade current? by Terry Barry, Skills and Training Coordinator

If you have a level 1, 2, 3 or 3 certificate. The trip is posted as instructor qualification with the grade 3. VSKC, what do you need to do to Should he go? Is he still a current remain current? grade 3? The answer is pretty simple, you The answer is obviously no. Your should be regularly paddling on grading remains current as long as trips, both club and private, with your skills remain current. Simon peers at your grade or above so that Sinker simply needs to put in a bit your skills remain alive. of time on the water to regain the FACTORY OUTLET The VSKC relies on members ‘self skills he may be a little rusty on, assessing’ for trips. not to mention his paddling fitness. This means that if you are in any Otherwise he is likely to be a liability doubt about your readiness to to the group if conditions on the participate in a club trip, you should Nadgee trip get tough. talk about your concerns with the The same goes for all of us as trip leader well in advance to turning well as Mr Sinker. Have a good up on the beach. If you have doubts, understanding of the grading you probably shouldn’t be on the description of the trip you are trip. intending to participate in. Are your skills current? Perhaps you may need It is vital that you never over- STOCKISTS FOR: estimate your level and falsely to mentally down grade yourself represent your skills as higher than until you get back to the level you Saltwater, Ocean they are. were at when you were assessed for Eyewear, Speedo. your grade. That is self assessment For example- Polarised lenses. and it relies on one thing that all sea Stainless steel ‘Simon Sinker’ has been a long kayakers should have an abundance term club paddler, a veteran of of — good judgement. frames. Safety straps. a number of blue water trips in Prescription models And don’t forget the trip leader may difficult conditions. Mr Sinker met wish to see your log book to verify also available. a new lady friend around two years your experience if they don’t know ago and his interests changed. He you to well. So please have it in the hasn’t been paddling since. He really car when you come along. likes the idea of the Nadgee coast trip posted recently; he has a grade See you on the water.

Pat McCormick won the AGM photo comp. with this entry. Babs, Bruny Island

8 French Island circumnavigation in a day by Peter Dingle

Participants: Bill Zomber, (plastic thing) George went wandering to see what were trip leader; Julian Smith, Nadgee; Jurgen botanical and zoological highlights he could looking out for each other, Weller, Nadgee; George Appleby, Pittarak; find, the rest of us just nattered over lunch. we were within whistle distance apart if Dave Stewart, Mirage Double (sharing); Ian We’d come some thirty-six kilometres anything did go wrong, and two people Stevenson, Mirage Double (sharing) and from our start point, just over half way, Bill were riding shotgun at the rear as Pete Dingle, Nadgee. said. Myself, and a few others, were feeling protection. The seven of us left in six craft at 7.30 am pretty stuffed at this stage, but we knew I know I was one of several who had arms from the boat ramp near the Lang Lang the rest would be easier with wind-with- that were feeling pretty tired by now and FACTORY OUTLET caravan park, still debating whether this or tide to assist us on our easterly leg. So far, awkward on response. If someone got the beach at Jam Jerrup, 500 m south, was our timing was spot-on. separated from their boat in this stuff, they the best place to land at across mud flats in After a forty minute lunch, we were off would be hard to see. ten to twelve hours time. again, weaving our way to avoid the With obligations and responsibility to the The logistics for getting the anti-clockwise shallow water. To our surprise, the wind rest of the group in mind, the surfing was circumnavigation leave little room for error. dropped; the sails stowed. We noticed the too good to miss out on, and we all had a You need to get several things right for this fine weather cumulus clouds were clearing great time. We were rocketing along at over trip: to leave very large blue holes in the sky. twelve kilometres per hour, I think Julian • allow for a full day (at least twelve hours) Warm hats were replaced with sun said. The blow only seemed to last about of daylight paddle time for the sixty-eight hats, paddle cags came off, people were thirty minutes as we pin-balled in behind kilometre journey. sweating. Within two hours though, the Spit Point for a five minute shore break at 5.00 pm, before heading off, making use • critical that you work the tides correctly cloud cover increased, some low level scud STOCKISTS FOR: appeared, one shower cell just nudged us, of the now decreased tailwind to get us to • get through the northern drying areas at Saltwater, Ocean followed not long after by a cluster of them Stockyard Point and then back up to Lang high tide; the vast mud flats are not a Eyewear, Speedo. to our west and north. Lang. We arrived back at our start point at place to get stuck. 5.30 pm, one and a half hours before high Polarised lenses. The wind soon picked up — sails up for For anti-clockwise travel, given our starting tide, with a beautiful sandy beach landing those with them — though I noticed Bill had Stainless steel point, reach Tortoise Head before the start — no mud flats to cross. You beaudy — what a sail but never used it. Was he being the frames. Safety straps. of the flood tide; to avoid a head current perfect timing. true gentleman of a leader and offering not Prescription models in North Arm, and to gain a tail current in to use it out of respect for those of us as Well led Bill. Thanks for a fantastic trip. East Arm. also available. who did not have sails? I was impressed by Footnote on wildlife: This was not the This means, picking a day when the high his consideration. trip to be exploring the wonder of French tide is early in the morning (HT 0745, An hour or so later, at 4.15 pm precisely, Island and its reputation as a migratory 2.68 m). Bill had done his homework well; the SW front hit us (how does that weather bird colony, but all birds that did cross our Saturday 6 December was the day. bureau get it so right?), when we were just path were identified by George. The forecast was of concern, however. past McLeods on southern French Island. Bill pointed out a seal (presumably fur?) to Friday forecast was for ‘Winds W–SW Dispute still rages as to what the wind us in North Arm. Julian indicated that the 10–15 knots tending W 15–20 knots during speed reached; suggestions were around strong tidal flows make the water murky, morning, then increasing to 20–25 knots by 20 knots, but I reckon it was more 25–30 particularly in the mangrove watershed early evening’. The early morning weather knots. In no time at all there were white area, so marine life is awkward to see. forecast on ABC radio 774 was for the SW caps everywhere. The group started to It would be great if the wildlife experts on change to come through ‘about 4.00 pm’. spread apart a bit; not a good time for a this trip, George, Dave and or Ian, could We decided it was worth going for; the capsize in the rough conditions, but people lead a nature guided trip here in the future. westerly wind was currently 5–10 knots and if the predicted cold front came through, it George and Julian showing would assist us with the tide and provide an extra boost. us how sailors do it We started off westerly. The 5–10 knot head wind for the first eighteen kilometres proved a challenge; Julian informed us we were only averaging about 5.5 kph, even though we were paddling quite hard. I was wondering about the wisdom of having the double up front setting the pace, but it forced us to keep going strongly. We needed to keep going hard if we were to reach Scrub Point in time to turn south to gain the remainder of the ebb tide to Tortoise Head. We had a twenty minute shore break on Barrallier Island, Ian and Dave explaining to this ignorant in-lander the geographical highlights of the area. A few of us were feeling pretty stuffed after our three and a half hour hard slog into the wind, and welcomed the break. South we scooted down Middle Spit Channel non-stop to Tortoise Head with Julian and George getting considerable advantage from their sails, arriving there for lunch at 1.00 pm, just fifteen minutes after low tide (0.77 m). Perfect timing. 9 Pimp my boat

Introducing a segment featuring your kayak related brainwaves, modifications and tips. Be the envy of the VSKC and strut your innovation in the next edition. To kick things off and setting the bar low — Roof roller Kayak too heavy? Got no muscles or friends to help lift that barge? This is for you. A DIY removable kayak roller to suit any hard core expedition support unit, in this case, slightly pansy Corolla. Using basic hunter gatherer skills, (if it’s free, it’s for me) and a hammer to bash aluminium into shape, (don’t do this on the car), this is a grade 0 project. The construction needs no more explanation than a photo. Hooks into the crack between rear door and roof. Materials required for rolling your own. Three metal strips, aluminium is ideal. Consult your local tip. A boat trailer roller. A hefty $12 new, but I’m sure one can be found unattended somewhere. A metal tent pole for the roller axle. A length cut from the Woollard’s Laurence of Arabia tent would be perfect. Rubber padding, visit the kid’s trampoline, add a couple of bolts. Job done!

The back saving roller

10 10 George’s Crack by Tony Chick

Anglesea to Kennett River Unfortunately, Bill Dwyer, in a borrowed of polite boat, having given it a good shot, had to conversation and debate. George and return trip report be put on tow. John and Russell drew the entertained, demonstrating his “slow food” Participants: Tina Rowley, Russell short straw, doing the ten kilometres tow theory on his Trangia. Blamey, Phil Dyer, Bill Dwyer, David Lee, into Lorne at a cracking pace that left most Sunday, on the water at 9.00 am. The John Evertze, Richard Rawling, Rodger of the pod kilometres in their wake. wind was turning to WSW, a tail wind as Bellchambers, George Appleby and Tony The two pods regrouped at Lorne River forecast, perfect for an easy push home. Chick (trip leader) where Bill withdrew, paddling up the The leg to Lorne went by easily, several of This trip was planned as an out and back river to stash his boat and hitch back to the pod again disappearing up “George’s overnight camping trip. An opportunity Anglesea for his car. We scooted off across Crack” en route. for a bit of ocean mid-distance paddling Louit Bay in the increasing offshore wind Following lunch break, this time inside in a loaded boat. At approximate forty-five to the pier and lunch in the shade. Lorne Point out of the wind. Was the leg kilometres each way, this would fit the bill, The remaining paddle to Kennett got from Lorne to Airey’s Light, directly down no car shuffles and no hassles. progressively calmer as the cliffs got wind, today ideal to take the offshore Starting at Point Roadknight boat ramp, a higher. Late afternoon was spectacular, and direct route. This crossing is fifteen few were paddling loaded kayaks for the with tropic like colour and water clarity in kilometres, getting maybe three kilometres first time. A fifteen knot WNW wind was close. offshore mid way. With the sea about a forecast later, so all were keen to get as far Near Wye River, half the pod followed metre or so with fifteen knots, ideal for down the coast as possible before this hit. George into a narrow gauntlet at the base some of the pods first experience running Unfortunately the pod had not paddled five of a cliff, it must have gone for near fifty with ocean swell offshore. kilometres before the wind kicked in, cross- meters, the seaward rock being higher than A good time had by all, Phil Dyer and offshore, sometimes in our face, the swell a paddler, all who enter disappear. We David Lee gunning down swells like was small, by sticking inshore close to the locals have paddled this section of coast they’re skippering ocean racing yachts. back of waves and close to cliffs paddling many times and did not know this existed. Group spread offshore was held tight, was not too tough. Now discovered, this gauntlet is known as experienced paddlers circulating through Unfortunately as the wind increased a “George’s Crack”. the pod. A bit of rebound and surfing past combination of being unfamiliar close to Wye River saw the pod split again, those Airey’s, then onto the home stretch. waves, drifting offshore with the wind and needing beer and those who had it, Wye On rounding the surf off Point Roadknight, a tendency to pick the shortest straight River pub is the closest you can get to a Tina decided if Phil wanted her to sign off line rather than the easiest route resulted paddle through bottle shop, but it does his log book he may as well get out and in group spread and several using far more have a surf landing. Beer stashed below swim too, save getting the pen out twice. energy than required. This was quickly decks the pods regrouped five kilometres So forty-five kilometres and into the cruel sorted out. later at Kennett River Caravan Park, just sea he went. The pod continued past picturesque Airey’s across the road from the beach. All considered any trip without a car lighthouse. Like all lighthouses, its best view Tents up and beers going down, the day shuffle is a good trip; all came out of is from the water. Next up the Fairhaven was capped off by a pleasant evening it smiling. Bill regrouped and recently stretch was a bit of a slog for five kilometres. cracked the forty plus kilometre barrier on an open water day trip lead by Tina.

11 Canoes Plus www.canoesplus.com.au e:[email protected] 12 Canoesplus ad nov 07.indd 1 10/31/2007 8:28:30 AM The development of paddle wheels by David Winkworth

I began looking seriously at a trolley system I looked at the various trolleys on the struts for my Nadgee kayaks about seven years market. There were some problems with drop vertical where their arc of ago. It fitted with my philosophy for the them though. All were made as multi- travel is limited by cords. Zip up a length continuing development of the Nadgee fit units. All were too heavy. Some were of webbing tight on the aft deck and you’re Expedition into an increasingly capable difficult to fit to laden kayaks. Some had ready to go. solo tourer while still performing well as a unsuitable wheels and some fitted to the When stored on the kayak, the struts with day boat. The development was slow but stern of the kayak, thereby placing too cords attached are placed in a dry bag in each trip without a trolley system made me much weight on the bow when lifted. any hatch. I move mine around depending more determined to have one! Taking some ideas from Queensland on the gear in a particular hatch, including On a solo paddle to Cape York in 2005, paddler Kate Yeomans who used a trolley the bow hatch, as the stainless steel will I had several portages of over half a system similar to the paddle wheels on not affect the compass. The wheels lock kilometre, which just plain wore me out her Nadgee for her Brisbane to Cape York quickly together and strap down securely in the hot weather. It was a trudge up the paddle a few years ago, I produced a few over the rear hatch. Big dumping waves will beach with the water supplies, then the sets of paddle wheels for testing. not move them. They can of course also be food, then the camping gear, then the My “crash test dummy” (sorry Sandy!) was stored in the rear hatch. kayak on the shoulder. And that was only WA paddler Sandy Robson. I fitted a set to The total weight of the wheel system is just the beginning! All the food then had to Sandy’s kayak when she passed through over a kilogram. There is nothing to wear go back into the boat to keep it safe from Tathra a few years ago on her long trip out, except perhaps the wheel bushes and dingoes and rats! The next morning I had north. Sandy carried a lot of gear and the they are easily replaceable. There are no to repeat the whole damn exercise for the paddle wheels were to prove invaluable for dissimilar metals and nothing to rust either. launch! her, especially in Queensland waters where The paddle wheels’ system was designed Also on that trip, I had a very windy the tide goes out a long long way in places. for the Nadgee series of kayaks, but it launch, one day which could’ve ended in (see Sandy’s testimonial). In total, Sandy can be easily retro-fitted to just about any disaster. I carried the kayak down to the tested three different paddle wheels models composite kayak. beach in a strong wind and returned for a for me. Now, consider the possibilities of this couple of loads of gear. As I walked back to The early paddle wheel units were system: you arrive at a concrete boat ramp the beach with a load of gear I watched the aluminum, then came a combination to launch. Prepare your kayak back in the wind rolling my kayak over and over along aluminum and stainless steel unit and car park with as much gear as you like. Fit the beach! No, there really did have to be a finally I settled on a design of super strong the paddle wheels and wheel your kayak better way to do these things. thin-walled stainless tubing. Things were effortlessly into the water at the ramp until getting expensive but the design was it floats. Remove the paddle wheels, store Tides in the Gulf Country, before … finalized now! the parts and paddle away! No scratched The heart of the hull! Arriving back at the concrete boat paddle wheel ramp, fit the wheels while the kayak is system is the floating, and walk it up out of the water. lightweight epoxy On a solo tour, wheel your boat to the glass tubing bonded shops in coastal towns for re-supply. across and through Landing on a beach, wheel everything up to the kayak behind your campsite in one trip. No dragging the the seat. A crank- kayak, no worn keel lines. Too easy! shaped strut with a non-pneumatic In September 2008, I completed a polyurethane wheel paddle from Karumba in the SE Gulf of attached, plugs a Carpentaria to Darwin. It was a long trip few centimeters into and my paddle wheels got a real workout, the tubing on each but they worked incredibly well. I wheeled side. Lifting just the my kayak over kilometres of beach, over stern of the boat mud and yes, over reef too, with three lets the wheels and weeks’ food and forty litres of water aboard. I was able to easily launch pre-dawn on reef shores by wheeling the kayak to the water over reef until it floated, store the paddle wheels aboard and paddle away. I could also land on windy reef shores by hopping out of the kayak onto the shallow reef, fitting the paddle wheels and wheeling the kayak up the reef to find a camp site. Ask yourself: how else would you land (fully loaded) on a shore like that without damaging your kayak? No more long shoulder carries of my kayak for me.

And after! It’s out there somewhere

13 A novice at the Prom by Philip Dyer

I had always rather fancied having a go at Wilson’s Promontory in August can be a Rollicking kayaking. Like most, I had seen images in cold and bleak place, but I must say that I yarns around the camp fire (Trangia travel magazines of a soulful and reflective like this style of exploration. burner), then a front came through which lone paddler gliding across a mirrored During the day, we are bold and intrepid blew out the next day’s paddling, so an surface somewhere north of the Arctic voyagers, venturing where no others dare early return. Circle, at one with both the elements and and braving the wilds of the ocean. By It intrigues me that kayaking rests on the himself. night, we bravely suffer the hot running interface of worlds; at the same time being So when a friend said he was selling his water of the shower block, sustained only in and above the water, being away from Apostle, it seemed that celestine forces had by the meagre bottles of wine foraged from yet connected to the land. Paddling on this converged and that all preceding events in the trunks of our rustic four wheel drives. edge means that at any moment you can my life had simply occurred to bring me to Ah! Communing with Nature and one’s step, or be pushed, from one realm into the this point. fellow man. other. One test of the craft and I was convinced. I And so to sea we went. Off the beach and Certainly I was pushed, without ceremony borrowed another from Bill Robinson and into the washing machine called rebound, or warning, from the realm of air into dug out my old camping gear in readiness around to Squeaky Beach and out to the world of water. Now, I’ve done a bit for “The Prom”. Our happy team, we band Norman Island where we beached (rocked) of sailing and spent some time on boats of brothers, was drawn from the far flung for lunch. And if we thought getting onto and most of it involves quite a bit of effort corners of wildest Victoria. The Surf Coast the rocks was fun, getting off required put into staying dry. So the philosophy of crew; that trio toughened in the swell and some timely assistance from John and deliberately getting wet goes somewhat seas of the wild waters beyond Port Philip Terry, sending us one by one out to the against a well established grain of some Bay where lurk dragons. Some say they did safety of deep water. Then they got out, forty years. fall off the edge of the world but managed Terry by lying on top of his boat to quickly But old dogs and new tricks might happen. to paddle back. escape the swell. I love the way kayakers embrace the The Wooley Bugga; dedicated to his craft, Paddling in an ocean swell at the base of element of water, like a halfway house had brought George’s new boat but refused the enormous, sheer face of rock which is between scuba diving and sailing. Be a part to give it to him as it was just above the the south end of the island is an impressive of the water, not removed from it. promised weight. Being the perfectionist experience. As the more adventurous And what about that solitary paddler on that he is, John chipped away at the played perilously close to the rock, I the fiord with playful whales and unicorns problem, mostly using the rocks of Norman practiced my slap strokes and yearned for silhouetted against the skyline? Well I think Island. A new shining and beautiful a lower centre of gravity. A run downwind a trip to the Prom is as good a place to be machine was later delivered at the AGM to back to the beach for some fun in the surf as any. a beamingly happy George and back to camp.

A stunned VSKC pod off Norman Island., after witnessing the CEO of Maelstrom Kayaks durability testing his product by crash landing into Caffyn Cave, moving Norman Island off it’s foundations in the process. (The kayak survived)

14 Phil Dyer Wilson’s Prom

Tina and glamorous assistants at Ingoldworthy Reef 15 2008 Annual General Meeting weekend by Richard Rawling

It is a bit of a misnomer to call this high- activity. In light of the VSKC event calendar an annual After a quick lunch, the inaugural Inuit their case, they have made a name for general meeting. It is much more. I mean, technique demonstration was put on in the themselves base jumping around the world. get 100+ sea kayakers family and friends camp dam. Muddy, cold water but clean. Glen was the instigator, but what was very together and the inevitable networking, powerful was Heather sharing her journey Four paddlers (Rawling, Costello, Murray conversation about trips and boat set up to be able to join Glen on this adventure and Della), went through some traditional and general celebration of the sport we all and conquer her fears in so doing. Inuit activities including hand paddling love is palpable. and harpoon throwing. The competitive They now make a living out of motivational Throw in some paddling opportunities, spirit emerged with Grant Della’s rudder speaking on the back of their base jumping fascinating talks, information sessions, getting pulled off the back of his boat in an exploits. We were all just spell-bound workshops, photo competition and over zealous manoeuvre by Greg Murray! with their story, and the parallels with commercial displays then you really do A dubiously qualified judging panel on the expedition sea kayaking were very strong. have all the ingredients for a cracker shore awarded points for style and perfor- Great stuff! weekend. mance with president Costello reigning Roll around Sunday morning and the This AGM represented the thirty year supreme on the day. We will be back! weather had improved with the wind celebration of the VSKC’s history and so it Next followed the inaugural rolling dropping and the sun shining and had special significance. competition, held in the pool with guide it was time for yet more interesting The 2008 AGM weekend was held again at ropes on the boats. This proved popular activities. Several commercial operators Merricks Camp, with activities commenc- with nine paddlers entering to see who had interesting displays including Rafta ing on the Friday night. Many members could do the most rolls in thirty seconds. Kayaks, Flat Earth Sails, Nadgee Kayaks and Fitness Lifestyle. Mick McRobb from and friends dashed out of the city and tried But before this started, past president Earl Flat Earth sails had donated a sail for the to avoid the crawl down the commuter de Blonville, boasted that he could have a photo competition and the winner of the clogged roads. Others arrived late at night, novice roller rolling inside ten minutes. Pat competition was Pat McCormack. Well and yet more the following morning. McCormack “volunteered” and Earl tried done Patrick for a great photo down at Those there on the Friday night were his best. In the end not quite making it but Bruny Island in Tasmania. able to join in for a meal at the Flinders I reckon a lot of people learned a fair bit pub, and then catch a great talk by Dave about what it takes to get rolling. Some great demonstrations were held. There was the Trangia cooking workshop Winkworth about his paddling exploits in The winner of the competition in the end organised by Terry Barry — with some Northern Australia. The talk covered two was Julian Smith with a total of fifty points great concoctions emerging and duly paddles which together took Dave and his awarded by the judges. Top effort and will eaten! There was also the fiberglass repair paddling mate from Karumba to Darwin, be repeated next year. covering a distance of approximately 2500 workshop run by Bob Mitchell, which was Then we got into the AGM proper and kilometres. A really top effort, considering also very useful and it was great to see such as is often the case with AGMs, ran over the known risk factors in such a paddle. an expert at work. time due to a late start given the activities Given conditions had improved, interest The weather on Saturday was pretty above and some passionate conversation as in a paddle was ascertained and about a ordinary, with quite strong S – SW winds several issues were talked through. What dozen paddlers stumped up for a ‘blowing and chilly conditions. Three paddles were is it about AGMs that draws out passionate out the cobwebs’ paddle from Shoreham offered. One group of mainly Grade 3s, led debate — always seems to happen! by Tina Rowley ventured to the Flinders Beach to West Head and back. It was great Decisions from that meeting are reported in Back Beach to do battle with the pretty to have Stuart Truman along from NSW. the meeting minutes. sizeable sea that was running. Because a few days Stewie set off on his A real highlight and a core purpose for solo, non stop crossing of Bass Straight – Another paddle for Grade 1s and 2s, led this particular AGM was the fantastic his trip report is elsewhere in this issue. by Terry Barry, left from Flinders pier and achievement of the club’s thirty-year history headed out past West Head. The third So all up, a great weekend and roll on presented by Les Bognar, the outgoing group led by Peter Costello was for novices next year. A decision was made to move president. Les put a huge effort into getting and saner paddlers in the quieter waters the AGM next year to Anglesea at the a club history together and presented the around Point Leo. Eumeralla scout camp, where a range of highlights. padding options will be on offer. So this Well, well, the Grade 3 paddle was a wild It was also great to have quite a number will be another adventure and we shall see ride with the reef on the back beach closing of past presidents and other notable what emerges to top the 2008 celebration of out by the time we got back in (having members in attendance. This included past sea kayaking in Victoria. Cheers! decided it was sufficiently unpleasant to presidents Earle de Blonville (founding seek coffees as an alternate option). president), Steve Weston, John Basemore, AGM Kayak sandwich Yours truly was dumped out of my wooden Ray Musgrave, Julian Smith, Peter Treby boat, promptly lost the boat off the tether and Larry Gray (who in the end was an and duly found myself on the rear deck of apology). Julian’s boat hanging on as he surfed me Also present were founding members Harry back to my sodden craft. Great practice! Simpson and Paul Snellgrove. I am sure John Evertze was trashed and got a that newer members were fascinated to mouthful of “juice”. The rest returned to hear about some of the key developments the beach and enough was enough. over the past thirty years, and how this The paddle off West Head found has set the club up for a great next thirty themselves in bigger seas around the point years. A huge thanks to Les for pulling this and I hear tell that a couple of people were together. tipped out, again some useful assisted Then it was on to dinner, and the racket rescue practice. At least that is Terry’s from networking and socialising was story! deafening and hard to stop when it came I gather the paddle off Point Leo was the time for the after dinner presentation. This most enjoyable of the lot, but in the end the year we were privileged to have Dr Glen chilly conditions also drove Singleman and his wife Heather Swann everyone back to camp give an absolutely fascinating talk on what 16 early for the next round of it takes to conquer fear. Merricks Lodge … where’s that? by Sally and Keaton de Vent

With sleep in our eyes and butterflies in jump at least half a metre off the ground! wooden our stomachs we head out the door bound I hoped the paddle would be as fun as the boat and some more modern for Merricks Lodge, where ever that is speed hump jumping! fiberglass on display. I was amused by I thought. A quick check of the trusty After a few hilarious minutes briefing we those that could do a head stand in their Melways and we were on our way. were finally in our kayaks and heading out. kayaks – I wonder what the Inuit used An hour and half later we were in the Peter informed the group of the offshore that technique for….distracting their prey vicinity of Merricks Lodge, we found winds and direction to paddle. Ah, finally maybe? There was obviously a lot of pride ourselves following other fellow kayakers we’re on the water and able to experience on the line as there were many shrieks of who also appeared a little lost. We found our first taste of wind and swell. We excitement anytime a dowell spear came the Lodge and followed the long driveway headed out to the surf break for a spot of close to a hooler hoop whale. down. To our delight we walked into a surf fun and then took advantage of a tail Next it was up to the pool for the annual showroom of shiny kayaks atop an array of wind and found ourselves easily heading rolling competition with more pride on cars, utes and even an ex postie van! for Somers Beach. I thought to myself, the line here. As my ears and neck were We decided to head in doors for a well I hope it’s always this easy! That was beginning to burn in the sun I sparred a earned cuppa and warm up. We only until Peter’s decision to turn around and thought for those who’d not long had lunch knew one person at the club and had head back (into the wind). The going was and were about to display the most Eskimo only been members for one week prior to tough and the wind unrelenting. I didn’t rolls that could be achieved in 30 seconds. the weekend. Before I could turn to ask matter how hard I paddled I seemed to be That thought in the back of my mind, I if my husband would like tea or coffee, dropping further and further behind. A watched intently as heads came out of the he is gone. I found him spellbound at the lone walker on the beach was going faster water only to back under, over and over gadgets table, studying the glow sticks, than I could paddle. After several times and over. sails, booties, you name it! seeing Russell and his son speed past me The fun and frivolities were over when in their double kayak, I was beginning to We got our briefing and signed up for our we were all called to the annual general doubt my ability. Much to Russell’s good beginners paddle. We seemed to load (and meeting – that of course was the reason we observation skills and my embarrassment, unload) quite a lot of gear into and out of were here. I turned my paddle around the right way Peter Costello’s sportswagon. We hooked After the pride turned to passion and the and hey presto, I was keeping up with the up a trailer load of hire kayaks and headed meeting was over it was time to let our hair group! Before I knew it we were back at off in convoy to Pt Leo for our paddle. down and enjoy the wonderful keynote the cars and loading up to head back to the Obviously, our excitement was infectious speakers of the evening in Glenn and Lodge for lunch. as Peter did not even notice a large speed Heather Singleman. What a fabulous and hump as we entered the beach front car A warm cuppa in hand, I followed the inspiring story they presented that reminds park. Our anxiety of the morning was gone excitement of people heading to the pond us to get out there and make it happen. after we saw the Volvo and kayak trailer for the Inuit display. There was a beautiful Greg Murray’s AGM sculling technique. So powerful he was sucked right out of his cockpit

17 AGM action

18 Port Davey & Bathurst Harbour, SW Tassie by Phil Woodhouse

If it had not been for the NSWSKC Rock furnishing us with areas history. After seas was ’n’ Roll last year, and the generosity of the entrees and dinner, provided by the certainly in the age when ships were wood event sponsors Roaring 40°S Wilderness guides, we watched the sun set behind and men were steel. To replenish our fresh Tours, who provided the major raffle prize the Breaksea Islands that protect Bathurst water we paddled up Blackwater Creek of a three day trip for two to Bathurst Channel from the swells rolling up from until we got to a waterfall. Here to cool off Harbour in South West Tassie I would Antarctica into Port Davey. in the 30°C day, we swam and then sat never have visited the area. Day three greeted us with force 1–2 around in the fresh water creek above the Day two we departed Forest Lagoon past conditions and a 0.5 to 1.0 metre swell; that water fall. the Celery Islands and up the brackish tan is to say amazingly perfect for the location. Day four we paddled up the Davey River coloured waters of Bathurst Narrows under The pod of five kayaks made its way to trying to find any signs of Huon Pine the shadow of Mt Rugby with its bush the Breaksea Islands, where we paddled regrowth, of which there was little. The gullies, button grass ridges and rocky out through the gauntlet and then headed NW banks of the river were lined with multiple crops. across Port Davey to Whalers Point. Virgin varieties of flora and the waters were Passing Joan Point and the dingy that has looking (slightly bushy and untouched) populated with black swans, ducks and sea been provide for bushwalkers travelling flora rimmed the shore line like a laurel eagles. the Port Davey Track to cross Farrell Point, wreath before the button grass covered hills Entering Davey Gorge, we continued we paddled to Balmoral beach and landed rose behind like the head of a bald man. up to the second set of rapids. Here we on the white pebbles that glistened like Crossing Bond Bay, we encounter force 5 played around in the Sea Bears as though sparkling wine bubbles in the sun light. head winds that ceased when we arrived they were a white water boat. Returning Departing the beach we made our way at Curtis Point where we stopped for a back down the gorge, we had lunch on a through Bathurst Channel into force 3 to break; typical. Pushing on, we landed sand bar surrounded by variegated green 4 winds before turning into Bramble Cove at Settlement Point at the head of the vegetation and fresh water that rippled and our next campsite. After setting up Davey River and set up camp for two over dark tannin coloured pools. Back at camp and then being served a delightful days. Settlement Point had been the site Settlement Point we all sat on the beach lunch, we explored the cove which had of a nineteenth century ship building eating Greek dolmarties, drinking red wine been the site of a whaling station in the community that harvested Huon Pine for and watching the clouds float on by before nineteenth century. Nathan and Dan their operations and export. the guides then provide another tasty meal guided us around the area, pointing out Living in this isolated part of the world made from fresh rations. the areas of historical significance and with its contrary weather and unforgiving Day five was an early start since the forecast, that was only available by satellite phone, was for force 6 conditions increasing to force 8 in the evening. It is here where the knowledge and experience of the guides was put on display as they were well aware of the vagrancies of forecasts in such a location. The operators of Roaring 40°S, Kim Brodlieb and Ian Balmer, have chosen their guides well; for example Nathan Wedding also runs sea kayaking trips in Norway and is starting in 2009 to run trips in Vietnam and Croatia and Turkey in 2010. On this trip, Nathan was mentoring Dan, so between them they formulated a sound plan to get us back to Bramble Cove before the weather isolated us at Settlement Point. Heading up to Curtis Point, Dan made the decision for us to cross Payne Bay and head for Berry Head. Here the coastline consisted of small cliffs dotted with sea caves. We sheltered behind Mavourneen Rocks and stretched our legs before paddling to Kathleen Island, then past Boil Rock and into North Passage between Mt Milner and the Breaksea Islands. In Bramble Cove, we explored the rocky coast line and even paddled into a sea cave that was incredibly deep to the point where by I could not see Greg’s headlamp or kayak ahead of me as he and Helen kayaked deeper into the cave and around the corner. After setting up camp at Bramble Cove, we went down to the beach and watched the wind rip up the waters of Bathurst Channel and then some went on a walk up Mt Milner. By evening the rain had set in and the guides cooked our gourmet meals, garnished with individually plucked parsley, under the tarp and even in the rain while 19 the rest of us sat under the shelter, eating To the south through the Melaleuca valley in Hobart, the guides drove us back to our snacks and drinking red wine. laid the Maatsuyker Group of island. On hotel where after a shower and change, we In fact, Pam accidentally brought along a return to camp, we loaded the kayaks and went to the pub and reminisced about the bottle of 2002 Moondah Brook shiraz which headed the five or so kilometres up the past seven days and planned our future she graciously portioned out to those who Melaleuca Inlet to the airstrip. return. brought along chateau cask. During this After repacking our duffle bags, we loaded Wash up: get some fellow sea kayakers time of delightful indulgence, Greg’s tent the aircraft and headed east back to together and go on a seven day tour. If you flooded and wet his bedding; unfortunately Hobart. After taking-off, Bathurst Harbour have a friend or partner who is not into the much to everyone’s amusement. lay below, quiet and inviting. As we flew outdoors but would like to see this World Day six forecast was for NW swing to over this World Heritage Wilderness Area, Heritage Wilderness Area then a three day SW force 8 conditions. Fortunately for the landscape with its ranges, valleys and trip would be a most valued experience. us the force 5–6 wind was on our backs rivers unfolded beneath us with no signs as we paddled and surfed along Bathurst of roads or dwellings. After landing back Winners are grinners! Phil and Greg Channel. At Balmoral Beach, a squall came through and pelted us with hail before passing and leaving us to bask in warm sun light before the next squall pelted us again with hail. Passing through Bathurst Narrows we just sat in our kayaks and let the breeze propel us along into Bathurst Harbour and then after a short punch into the wind we landed back at the standing camp at Forest Lagoon. Day seven after breakfast, we took a short paddle across Forest Lagoon to Claytons Corner where we landed and ascended Mt Beattie to take in the panoramic views. From this vantage point we could see across Bathurst Harbour to the Ray Range and Spiro Range in the east. To the north was the Rugby Range and to the north east the Western Arthur Range. The view to the west showed us where we had been kayaking over the last five days; along Bathurst Channel to Port Davey.

20 Instructor training weekend by John Woollard

On the weekend of the 17 – 18 January, a at what standard are required to keep your they will be group of twelve senior paddlers, comprising grading? Should it be on log book entries, more comfortable taking you out on more of a mix of club instructors and those by a signed statement on the membership advanced trips if you have paddled with invited to prepare to become instructors, renewal form or some other method? them a few times. It’s also a great way to gathered at the Patterson River canoe club All options were felt to be too labour- develop a peer group to plan trips of your house. This is an impressive double storey intensive for our membership officer and own. building, with kayak storage, toilets and since a big part of our club ethos is self- Another instructor training weekend showers at ground level and an upstairs evaluation, we decided to leave it as is, with is being planned, but in the meantime large open plan room, part kitchen, part no currency limit, but please give it some training events will be appearing on the gym and part meeting/social room. thought as it’s something that will need on web site. The sessions will be run by This venue offered the additional option going revue. the trainees under the supervision of an that those of us from out of town could Throughout the weekend, we had instructor, so please look out for these and camp upstairs on the partly carpeted floor. various sessions on: personal strengths get involved. It is a great facility and many thanks to and weaknesses, learning styles and Bringing a group of senior paddlers Patterson River Canoe Club for making it teaching methods, practical paddle together for a critical revue of our current available to us at a very reasonable rate. It’s skills, communication/explanation and practices and to intake such a group good to see co-operation between clubs; we demonstration techniques and on water of accomplished paddlers to become also share the Jubilee Park pool with this small group workshops. The candidates for instructors, is a very positive move for our club for rolling nights at Frankston. instructor level were then invited to draw club. We look forward to handing out their It’s not often that a group of senior up a personal learning program, aimed at certificates at the next AGM. paddlers get together with a focus beyond identifying their strengths and those areas Like all good club events, the weekend just paddling. So in the first morning on which they needed to work. included a lot of good social interaction; a session; we took the opportunity to revue This is the final phase of establishing trip to the Indian restaurant at Patterson the standards for the level 1 and 2 grades. our in-house training system, whereby Lakes (highly recommended) and left us Vigorous discussion took place on some members can progress from Grade 0 to feeling that we had achieved a lot. points, resulting in some minor changes to instructor; this will ensure renewal for Thank you to all those who attended and level 1 and 2. Time did not allow us to get club leadership roles and maintain our gave up their time, some traveling long far into Level 3 but that will be addressed standards of paddling safety. distances, with a special mention to Dave at later meetings. We also discussed club Including the new trainees, our group of Winkworth who made the fourteen hour standard boat fit out, what constituted instructors is not large and instruction may round trip from Tathra. competency and maintaining currency of not be available on demand. All members grade. of our club are expected to be self starters This last issue provided much debate over and the best way to acquire skills is in your the two days: having achieved a level, how boat out on the water. long should that grading stand? If you Go on trips and ask the paddlers around haven’t paddled for a year are you still a you, how do I do this or why did you grade 3 for instance? How many trips and do that? Get known to the trip leaders,

Safety — whistlin’ up a STORM! by David Winkworth

“OK guys, we’re going So, what sort of whistle? The very best gets for a day’s paddle so we’ll just check our ones for the sea will obviously be made of in the way! safety gear. Let’s see … radio, EPIRB, plastic — no corrosion and should not rely In the NSWSKC fifteen years ago, I bought spare paddles, towline, flares, yep that’s on a captive pea for noise as these may not a box of STORM whistles with club funds everything.” work when wet. The two best and loudest and the club sold them. I still see them whistles for sea kayakers that I have seen Hang on a minute, what about the hanging off the pfds of those who bought and used are (in order) the STORM and the whistles? them way back then. FOX 40. They are seriously loud and belong Whistles are a sometimes overlooked with every sea kayaker. A cheap attention-getter. You bet! safety item for sea kayakers but in terms of avoiding a full-on incident, they are OK. Where do indispensable. you put them? The most logical place But not just any whistle is good enough. is on the paddler’s The ones supplied with some pfds are junk. person and the Sea paddlers need a loud one! garment that is Sea kayakers should never underestimate always worn and the power of the open sea environment to mostly worn on the stuff up their plans for a day’s paddle, and outside is the pfd. part of that environment is wind, wind, Mine hangs by a wind. loop of shock cord Wind will blow away your voice or your on my pfd shoulder kayak (if you fall out) and possibly your call strap — always for help or attention. A truly loud whistle accessible quickly has much, much greater penetration of the and the cord is just wind than your voice. Don’t rely on the long enough to “fingers in the mouth” whistle either, you stick the whistle in could be in the water or hanging onto a my mouth. Nothing deck line with both hands! 21 Kayaking some Kiwi jewels by Richard and Helen Rawling

Boats: Eco and Necky plastic double kayaks well). But the main kayaking centre and and they (rental). gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park were going to complete the walking section. Weather: calm and up to 20+ knots is at Marahau (approximately eighteen This is a popular option, and is one reason northerlies, seas to 1 m. kilometres north). We checked out why Abel Tasman National Park is such New Zealand can rightly lay claim to being numerous rental outlets at Marahau, all of a viable location for sea kayak operators. a sea kayaking mecca. It has the marine whom said they were booked out. They have the tourist magnet, they have scenery, it has the challenge, it has large I got despondent and thought it was not lots of boat traffic to and from the park and numbers of kayak rental outlets and it has going to happen. We also visited a small they have the climate. more roof top kayak carriers per head of local operator, Kahu Kayaks. They were On our trip started out benign, but population than most places! closed on New Years Day, but when I called by the afternoon it had risen to a stiff There are many jewels in the sea kayaking them that night I got a quintessentially approximately twenty knot northerly. This crown of NZ, but genuinely notable are the kiwi greeting “ Yeah, we were closed today, wind is pretty ordinary in this area because Abel Tasman National Park, Marlborough how lazy is that eh”. But what a gem Kahu it blows parallel to the coast line and makes Sounds, Fiord Land and (of course) the big turned out to be. They had a boat (double), it gnarly across larger bay openings. daddy — circumnavigation of either the “sweet as” and we just had to be there at This was consistent with the forecast we North and/or South Island. 8.30 the following morning. had heard, and I was a little surprised that Our desire for time to check out museums The boat turned out to be an Eco Niizh, beginners were out in this unescorted (but and non-marine attractions rendered Fiord which is barge-like compared to my in reality Kahu had their own water taxi Land off the agenda this trip. My desire to Nadgee, but it moved along pretty well, scouting kayak locations all day). be able to continue kayaking with Helen’s is an ideal hire boat as it is virtually We paddled for five kilometres to Adele blessing rendered a circumnavigation well unsinkable and, well, it is plastic (boy they Island (see map), and then followed the and truly off the agenda, permanently! are heavy!). Our host from Kahu was Steve, sublime coast — Appletree Bay, Stillwell one of the founders. That left the other two jewels, and on our Bay, Observation Beach, The Mad Mile, Te recent New Year holiday we gave both They have been going for three seasons Pukatea Bay, Anchorage and Torrent Bays a good bash, albeit sampling what is on after having worked at the bigger rental and onto Pinnacle then Tonga Islands. offer and plotting a more serious return outlets and stopping having fun. I had The beaches were stunning, with golden expedition (sorry darling!) taken along some kayaking gear (mainly sand and were very inviting for pulling in clothing and sun protection, etc), but Kahu The Abel Tasman National Park is in the (especially Te Pukatea Bay), very similar to had all the main gear. NW corner of the South Island, located Wilsons Prom in many ways but the sand between Tasman and Golden Bays. First up we got the boats loaded on land here is quite golden. We gunned the so The northern tip of Golden Bay is the at the depot and then the fun briefing. As called “Mad Mile”, which is full of reefs and Farewell Spit, featured recently in Justine a VSKC sea proficient paddler, I know the quite exposed (on the way back it got pretty Curvengun’s This Is The Sea 4 DVD. Farewell drill, but fair is fair and I went through gnarly and the big double was surfing along Spit is the northern most part of the South the drill with all the newbies. Steve had with aplomb). Island and was an intriguing place to visit. some great lines, such as an impromptu At Pinnacle Island we met the local “sea rendition of John Travolta in Saturday Night The Abel Tasman National Park has a ambies” (we have a gorgeous golden Fever doing the arm gestures that foster marine coastline of approximately sixty retriever, Amber and goldens and seals are shoulder rotation for correct paddling (great kilometres, all readily paddleable. It is very alike!). We got a great display with visualization). a sublime place with a deep turquoise one sitting up only metres from the boat. sea, limestone cliffs and magical forest I was less taken with the analogy of the We then paddled onto Bark Bay just south right down to the waters edge. You can hand bilge pump to a microphone to talk of Tonga Island (in the marine reserve) and easily straight-line across bays, but more to seals with! Anyway, Steve went through stopped for lunch. As forecast, the wind delightful by far is to follow the intricately all of the usual pre-trip briefing stuff, got up after lunch and we shot back at a convoluted coast into the stunning beaches including a good demo of how to both get cracking pace. and bays. back into the big doubles. It was interesting We scooted in behind headlands to get to note that all NZ hire sea kayaks carry There are numerous places to camp, and respite from the wind and enjoy the flares. the whole area is a national park of world scenery and take photos. I was shocked to significance. There is one of the best coastal Then we helped throw the boats on a trailer bump into the male and female duo from walking trails in the world (seriously), that was pulled by a tractor, because the our group still heading to Bark Bay to camp and another nearby in the Kahurangi tidal range is large and at low tide when we and they were only just crossing Anchorage National Park (The Heapy Track). But it is left there is a lot of sand to get over. Once Bay pushing into a strong twenty knot the kayaking we came for, and a magical on the water we were away, and left Steve northerly, the paddler at the front would kayaking experience was indeed had. looking after the others in the group. Some have been hating every minute of that! were novices on a day paddle. Others were We camped at Moteuka because nearer the All up, we covered approximately twenty- paddling to a location to camp and then a park area was too crowded (this worked five kilometres With stops, etc, we were on “water taxi” would bring their boat back the water for six hours. Steve met us when we got back to Marahau and the whole pick up back to the depot was quick and easy. We had a really great day, memorable, fun, a bit of challenge and with service that brings a smile. Kahu Kayaks is a good option for hiring stuff and does not “suffer” the rigmarole of the bigger companies. Bear in mind that it is a condition of the NZ sea kayak operators code of practice that they will not rent to solo paddlers. There must be at least two paddlers in a party, so that means two single kayaks or one double. There are guided trips available, but the “freedom rentals” are easily arranged. 22 Most boats are plastic, but I did see ’glass got away fine and JD held onto our walking So we have sampled two jewels of the Kiwi ones which tend to be rented only for multi clobber in the van (which we picked up sea kayaking crown, both perfect bookends, day trips. The cost of our day out was when he met us after the kayak trip). One and a great adventure for couples. After NZ$110 (ie two persons taking a freedom point worth noting is the crappy rudder set that we scooted to the East Coast to drink rental @ NZ$55 each). up in the big Necky, with pedals that are wine and see whales, and did both! The second jewel in the crown was next to impossible to get a size 10.5 foot Sea kayaking in New Zealand in the areas paddling Queen Charlotte Sound out of onto in sandals. In the end, I went bare foot we went to is “choice eh” as the Kiwis Picton. Part of the Marlborough Sound but numb ankle syndrome soon set in. say. Gear hire is “sweet as”, except solo area, this is in the top NE corner of the Our trip this time was down Kenepuru paddling. Most boats we saw were plastic, South Island. Picton is where the ferry Sound. We had three and a half hours with very few if any ’glass rental boats comes in from Wellington. It is a very to get to Broughton Bay, but it was only (although we did spy some big Sea Bear picturesque spot indeed. The Sound is approximately ten kilometres as the crow glass doubles). Any serious expedition really impressive, yet without the raw flies, so we explored the other side of the requiring glass boats would require some power of Milford Sound. Sound a fair bit. The water was very calm forward logistics if renting. Again, a major attraction here is the Queen and we flew along. The rental outlets are well organized Charlotte walking track (seventy-one The scenery was very impressive, but not and professional and I am sure would be kilometres), a world class and major draw as raw as Abel Tasman. The tree line comes pleased to assemble a trip for whatever you card. Sea kayaking on the inner Sound is right down to the waterline, and the bays, wanted. This would be a good option for more sheltered than at the Abel Tasman beaches and rock gardens are sublime. The an organized VSKC trip to NZ (count me in National Park, but when the wind funnels tide was rising (it lifts approximately three for starters, e.g. Stewart Island or Milford down a sound and out into a main channel, to four metres), and once we got further Sound). it can be fierce and we encountered a solid down the Sound, the water became cleaner One way or another we will get back to one metre chop on the return water taxi as the rising tide pushed up. these areas for more serious sea kayak ride (more later). I sampled some mussels raw off the rocks, expeditions, but I suspect Helen will more We got into Picton late and had to organize very tasty, much to Helen’s horror! We attracted to shore based options in this a kayak trip the same day, otherwise the understood that JD wanted to meet us at instance! likely early start meant we would have Broughton Bay at 12.00 at the “big white missed out. This time we opted for a fully flat building”. Only problem was that said organized trip (albeit self-catered), and building was at Te Mahia Bay, one bay short we wanted to mix kayaking with walking of where JD intended us to be. a section of the Queen Charlotte track Ironically, we had paddled down to (which is easy to do and is known as ‘multi- Broughton Bay to kill time (approximately tasking’; every permutation of portage for one kilometre) and then returned to the luggage, walking, mountain biking and/or building location. This is something they kayaking the track route can be catered for. have to get better organized on because We booked with the Adventure Company whilst we had maps, the coastline is tricky at Picton, and arranged to meet on the to read and novices clearly find it so (there main wharf at 7.30 the following day. Again, have been times JD has had to go out in a a big plastic double was the go (a Necky speed boat to find wayward paddlers!). Amaruk), but we had to get to it first. Anyway we finally found each other, which We grabbed a water taxi ride of was important because he had our walking approximately five kilometres across to gear and lunch, and had to transfer us up Torea Bay, and then were met and taken by a steep spur by road to start walking the mini bus up over a spur to an area known track. We had to complete the eleven and a as Portage (which is resort area for walkers half kilometre section of the walking track and others, there are several of these along in under three hours, in order to make our the track). We met up with “JD” our guide water taxi connection at Anakiwa. who was still a bit sleepy I reckon, because This was done with twenty minutes to after the mandatory safety briefing (this spare, but we had to keep moving. The time by DVD), I had to point out that the track passes through forest, fern glades front hatch neoprene inner cover was not and open areas in this section. It was quite secured (we would have gone without that muddy in parts, but the marine scenery if we were newbies relying on our host). was never far away and we saw many It was also interesting to note that we were kayakers on the water (as we had been not asked for emergency contact details on doing in the first half of the day). We also the intentions form (hmm). Anyway, we encountered many mountain bikers as the track is dual purpose! The water taxi trip back was lumpy because a stiff chop had set in. It took forty minutes to get back to Picton. We were not met at the wharf, which is something the Adventure Company guys could have done to wish us bon voyage and check all was OK. All up we paddled approximately twenty kilometres and walked eleven and a half kilometres for the day. Our investment for this trip was NZ$105 each (bearing in mind the extra transport for this trip). Their freedom rental rates are NZ$50/day/person for single day hires, but lower for multi day hires. 23 Photo of the issue — Caffyn Cave, Norman Island lunch break, photo George Appleby

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