ISSN 2537-913 NEW ZEALAND SEA KAYAKER

No. 192 December 2017 - January 2018

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

New Zealand Sea Kayaker

EDITORIAL INDEX Fancy the editor being a month late with sending the bi-monthly KASK EDITORIAL p. 3 OVERSEAS REPORTS magazine to the printer, the first time WA Sea Fest’ 2018 since 1991. My apologies. However KASK by p.12 I have a multitude of reasons for the President’s Report January 2018 late delivery; the two so-called ex by Tim Muhundan p. 5 Yasawa Islands, Fiji tropical cyclones making landfall at by Margot & Peter Syms p.15 the 12 Mile and creating substantial NEW ZEALAND REPORTS damage, then a long scheduled trip D’Urville Island Revisited West Island Bits January 2018 to Western Australia to do a keynote by Max Grant p. 7 by Dave Winkworth p.17 talk at a gathering of sea kayakers. A shortfall of articles and photos was TECHNICAL also a good excuse. Rolling BOOK REVIEWS by Andrew Osborn p. 9 Crocodiles and Ice KASK AGM by Jon Turk President Tim Muhundan is stepping How to Properly! review: Kay Costley p.20 down at the forthcoming AGM to be From a Facebook Blog entry HUMOUR p.21 held at the Plimmerton Kayak Fest. by the Goddess of the Seas He has achieved quite a bit during () p. 9 three years, particularly building the social media links to KASK. Fortu- ‘Kayak Dizziness’ nately Tim is willing to remain on the -from The Arctic Year* committee for another year. Thanks by John Gumbley p. 11 Tim, for all your efforts to improve KASK and smoothly running of reg- ular Skype committee meetings.

Imperfect Storms Editing and Layout: Paul Caffyn When it hit the 12 Mile, Cyclone email: [email protected] Fehi had a really bad combination Deadline for next magazine: 25 March 2018 with a super-moon spring tide, ex- Proofing: Sandy Ferguson, Lynda Ferguson, Kay Costley ceedingly low barometric pressure and storm force northerly winds. The photo on page 4 was taken two KASK MAGAZINE INDEX hours before the top of the tide (with a comparison with normal weather The index from number 35 (December 1991) has been updated to No. 190 and sea conditions alongside). (September 2017) and has been loaded by Sandy Ferguson to the KASK website as a PDF file. The index is listed by alphabetical grouping, that is When 5 – 7 meter high waves began starting with B for book reviews. The index provides the magazine and page breaking over the roof, under the number for every article, thus allowing searching via the PDF files of each cottage and smashing into my ranch- magazine on the website, from No. 35. slider glass with gravel, driftwood and seaweed, it was no longer excit- If you want the PDF file emailed to you, get in touch. ing viewing. Fortunately I had 1.2 x 2.4 meter sheets of 12 mm ply which I clamped against the ranch slider

COVER: Paddlers preparing to launch from the Maraunui Campsite on Lake Waikaremoana. Photo: Dennis Hynes

Page 2 Top Left: Melanie Grant rounding Cape Stephens with Port Hardy in the background. See Max’s story on an encounter with Cyclone Gita while around D’Urville Island on page:7 Photo: Max Grant

Page 2 Bottom Left: Paddlers gathering in pods at the Western Australia Fest 2018, preparing to launch for the Friday evening sunset paddle. See story on page 12. Photo: Paul Caffyn

3 No. 192 December 2017 - January 2018

Paddling Technique After a recent group paddle, Freya Hoffmeister posted her views on paddle choice and paddling tech- nique on FB. Her words echo my thoughts on the most efficient form of paddle technique, with my only note of dissension being her com- ments on not using the cockpit back- band (strap). The view out through my ranchslider glass, a full two hours before high water, and the full impact of ex-tropical cyclone Fehi was felt. Given waves Back in 2008, three ladies (and Barry breaking over and under the cottage, it did not feel much like an ex-cyclone! Shaw) completed circumnavigations The deck is eight metres above MHWS (mean high water springs). of the South Island, and I ended up That is a splattered ‘mosquito’ from the tropics on the glass - well it might with their three quite different pad- be in fact a sandfly. To the right, same view in normal sea conditions. dles: The weather map - Babs Lindman: a heavy, conven- for midday Tuesday tional fiberglass paddle 20 February. TV - Justine Curvengen: a four piece One weather man Lendal crank paddle Dan Corbett said - Freya Hoffmeister: an Epic wing the centre of this paddle (mid blade size). cyclonic depression was down to 952 mb. When training for the 2008 East Fortunately I was in Greenland paddle on the Grey River, WA when this cylone I tried out those three , and struck the West Coast the one I used for the expedition was - bits of clear roofing Freya’s wing paddle. It was the light- torn off, barge boards est of the three and I felt it would give ripped asunder, and me a slight advantage when trying to flashings stripped. keep up with Conrad in Greenland.

Interesting that I can still learn to improve on my paddling technique. glass. Without doubt, it was the Two ex-tropical cyclones within one When taking a lass from Baltimore strongest winds and biggest seas I month were a bit much to take, es- for a paddle on Lake Brunner, she have ever experienced after 34 years pecially when the West Coast was was using a beautiful, lightweight living at the 12 Mile. Sadly the worst promised a La Nina summer pattern. four piece Epic wing paddle – even damage was to the The Snuggery, The previous most recent damaging lighter than Freya’s paddle. Catriona a two-berth bunkroom with a steep cyclone to inflict massive damage on told me I was not using the wing stairwell leading down into the wine the West Coast was Ita, back in April correctly, and I had to lift each wrist cellar. Massive seas carrying either 2014. I’m a firm believer in global higher, so it passed across at almost big rocks or driftwood logs smashed warming caused by the human spe- eye level. And it made a difference! I sections of the sub-floor. cies, with both Fehi and Gita being suggest we are not too old to listen to examples of more severe annual advice on how to improve our pad- Cyclone Gita (see weather map weather events. dling technique. My thanks to Paul above) made landfall with smaller Hayward for suggesting the FB log tides, but stronger roof-stripping WA Sea Kayak Fest 2018 for inclusion in the magazine. winds. In NSW for the evening, my A gathering of West Aussie paddlers mouth went dry when I learned by in February was well attended, and Thanks phone of this second ‘weather bomb’ the organization was superb, with My thanks to all those who helped at about to impact the West Coast. some rather good ideas that KASK late notice to supply material to com- Apart from smashing some sheets could use for its own future gather- plete this magazine. of Nova lite roofing, and other mi- ings. See my story on p.12. One of nor roof damage, my cottage got off the highlights for me on the way Safe paddling, and I hope to meet lightly. Neighbors said the strength back to New Zealand was stopping you at the Plimmerton Kayak Fest. of the wind was far worse than that off in Sydney to visit Vicki and Finn of Fehi, and taped windows with McAuley, and visiting Andrew’s red Paul Caffyn duct tape, due to the movement in kayak which is in storage at the Na- [email protected] and out of the glass. tional Maritime Museum. (03) 73 11 806

4 New Zealand Sea Kayaker

KASK - President’s Report February 2018 by Tim Muhundan

This is a special and sad presidents report – as it is the Following feedback from members, we now offer final update I do as the KASK president. After 3 years as members a choice of print, electronic version or both. president, I will be stepping down on 4 March 2018. It KASK is extremely grateful to Paul for the excellent has been highly rewarding three years and I met or talked work in chasing material and editing and creating a to most of our members and got to know some amazing quality magazine. He started with issue # 35. We are paddlers from all over New Zealand! now on issue #192. Well done Paul!!

What have we achieved? 3. KASK Sea Handbook: First published Following the 2017 AGM, we reached out to our mem- in 1996, the KASK Sea Kayaking Handbook has gone bers to better understand what they wanted from KASK. through five editions. We now have a cut down version With input from nearly 200 members through a member of it available as a Web App. This will be launched at survey last year, the committee started the term with a the AGM. strategy workshop to come up with the vision for KASK for 2018 and beyond:

4. Events: Last year we did a major rethink of our event We spent the year kicking off a few initiatives that were strategy. With the new branding of KASK Forum to important to our members. Here is a summary of the out- KASK Kayak Fest we changed the emphasis to having comes we achieved that aligned with our vision: fun, pushing boundaries and promoting excellence in paddling skills and leadership. 1. Membership: We have reversed the declining mem- bership trend from a few years ago, though our numbers have been stable for the last couple of years. We also con- tacted all the ex-members to find out why they left and we have learnt from some with feedback.

We will be continuing to improve the member joining and renewing experience and our processes.

2. New Zealand Sea Kayaker Magazine: Our main publication is our bi-monthly magazine. After recent change with our print going colour, we renamed it from New Zealand Sea Canoeist Newsletter to New Zealand Sea Kayaker last year.

I am very grateful to Shaun Maclaren for driving the event strategy. I am also grateful to the 2018 Kayak Fest team for working so hard to make Wellington Kay- ak Fest 2018 event happen. Well done! The Kayak Fest will run every two years from now on. The next Kayak Fest: Venue: Urupukapuka, Bay of Islands, Northland Dates: Thurs 6 Feb – Sun 9 Feb 2020

5 No. 192 December 2017 - January 2018

5. External Relationships: We have been building our including Dropbox (collaboration), Skype (committee relationship with our external partners, agencies and meetings), Mailchimp (Direct marketing) Google iSuite clubs and been actively involved in various water safety (email). We settled on SalesForce and we are super initiatives such as Safe Boating Week. grateful to the CRM vendor for donating the $24,000 license fee to help us out. The CRM implementation Late last year, we worked with Maritime New Zealand will be one of the projects for the incoming committee and other Safe Boating Forum partners and councils to to continue and complete. come up with Paddle Craft guide focusing on water safe- ty. We will have the guides available at Kayak Fest 2018, 8. Social Media and Web site: if anyone would like a copy. I would like to thank Sandy Ferguson who has done a fantastic job over the last decade with the Web and Rob Brown for moderating our social media channel and keeping it engaging.

Our primary Social media channel for members, the KASK Facebook group is still growing with over 700 active members. It is the place to turn to for answers to- sea kayaking related queries in New Zealand with mem- bers helping members.

Thank you! A big thank you to all the members and community for the last 3 years as well as our lively committee of 10 made up of Peter Brooks, Rob Brown, Paul Caffyn, Lois Cowan, Sandy Ferguson, Steve Flack, Shaun Maclaren, Ian McKenzie and David Welch – most staying on in the committee for another year! Happy Paddling Tim Muhundan President, 2015-2018 President Tim (left)

6. Relationship with paddling Clubs: This year we have been busy connecting with established and emerg- ing kayaking networks and clubs. One of our initiatives is the new introductory affiliate membership for club members for clubs that want to be affiliated with KASK.

I am grateful to Steve Flack for getting this going and for signing the first club to be affiliated with KASK. If you paddle with a network or a club and want to be affiliated with KASK and take advantage of some of the benefits, please get in touch with KASK.

7. Customer and member Relationship Manage- ment (CRM): One of the initiatives that came out of the strategy workshop was that we could do a better job of managing our relationship with external organi- sations, our members and clubs. With the management committee changing regularly, having systems and pro- cesses to manage our external and member relationships is important for business continuity and risk manage- ment. We have been looking at various CRM systems to Tim rolling with his new wing paddle complement the Cloud-based platforms we already use

6 New Zealand Sea Kayaker NEW ZEALAND REPORTS

D’Urville Island Revisited the storm passed over and wait for Although we had paddled through By Max Grant things to settle. a couple of torrential down-pours, See also photo on page 2. the sun was shining when we pulled Photos by Max and Melanie Grant So late in the afternoon of Monday ashore for lunch. During our 1992 19 February, Melanie and I launched trip we had stayed in a hut at the It was in 1992 when six members of from French Pass for our week long northern end of the bay. I was very the Ruahine White Water Club made paddle around D’Urville Island. surprised to find the hut was still their way around D’Urville Island. Arriving at the resort, Dennis had there hidden in the bush. During the After 26 years of listening to her old already sorted out a good place where 1800s, Wharatea Bay was the home man dribble on about what a great he felt our tents wouldn’t cop the for at least two families and also a trip it was, Melanie had heard enough full force of the approaching storm. small school. The surrounding hills and had organized time off work On Tuesday, the wind increased in were now covered in bush and it was and made ferry bookings for us both strength as the day wore on, so it was hard to believe people lived here not to take a week off to kayak around a day of tramping and book reading that long ago. D’Urville Island. Unfortunately, as to fill in time. time drew closer, we realized that Around Old Man’s Head and into something else had a similar plan – That evening Cyclone Gita arrived. Waitai Bay, where we saw a well- Cyclone Gita! It was not a good night for camping established homestead surrounded out, even in our very sheltered camp- by some of the best looking farmland Arriving at French Pass, an officer site. As well as the strong winds, the I’ve seen on the Island. This land from DoC was busy organizing all rain bucketed down while claps of was cleared by the Moleta Family campers and vehicles to be parked thunder and vicious lightning strikes who travelled out from Italy in the well away from the beach front. were all around us. We didn’t get 1800s to settle in New Zealand, or “We’re expecting large waves and any sleep that night, but our tents Nouva Zelanda as they called it in very strong winds so there are to be held together well in those torrid Italian. no campers or vehicles within 20 conditions and we emerged in the metres of the beach”. morning still dry and in one piece. By mid-afternoon the rain had The wind had dropped significantly stopped but the sea was becoming We’d come all this way only to be and was pounding the western side rougher the closer we got to Cape denied our paddle around D’Urville of D’Urville. The eastern side of the Stephens. Just before Billhook Point, Island! Well, perhaps not. island was reasonably calm so we we paddled into a small bay with a decided to paddle up the shoreline place to camp so we immediately I knew the owners of the ‘D’Urville staying close in where we were able landed to set up our tents. That night Island Wilderness Resort’ at to avoid most of the strong wind. had the worst weather I have ever Catherine Cove, Judith and Dennis camped out in. Large waves crashed Andreassend. If we could kayak After a couple of hours paddling we onto our beach all night while there to the resort before Cyclone Gita had made good progress to Wharatea were great claps of thunder, some arrived we could stay there until Bay, our designated lunch stop. right above our tents, and rain, rain,

Melanie Grant on the eastern side of French Pass, mainland to the left, island on right - keeping an eye on both the strong tidal streams and lowering clouds of Cyclone Gita – ‘The calm before the storm’. Photo: Max Grant

7 No. 192 December 2017 - January 2018

Melanie with Peter Gaze & Barry Dent doing some maintenance work at the Hermit’s house on Puangiangi Island ‘No Landing Here’. I was keen to revisit Ross’s house and decided to land and walk up the track for a Melanie kayaking through Tunnel Point, just north of Wharatea Bay look see. Cautiously I approached rain. Some of the lightning flashes around Cape Stephens and on down the front door and knocked. We were were blinding! Apparently there was the eastern side of D’Urville. It was met by Peter Gaze who had a smile a seven metre swell hitting Stephens a hard decision as we had put a lot of from ear to ear. “Kayakers” he said, Island that night. effort into our trip and to realize that “Come on in and join us for a cuppa”. our main purpose for the trip would The next day the sea was far too not be fulfilled, was a devastating Peter and Barry Dent were doing rough to attempt to kayak, so we set blow. some maintenance on the house for off for a tramp around the top part of the Fauna Recovery New Zealand the island. The skies were blue and On our return trip, we decided to charity: it looked as though Cyclone Gita call at Puangiangi Island, the largest https://faunarecovery.org.nz/ had passed over. We had some great of the Rangitoto group, to visit the views of Stephens Island and Port house where Ross Webber had lived. They were great hosts and we spent Hardy as we explored the Island. I Ross was more commonly known as some time chatting about the islands was surprised to see so much timber the ‘Hermit of Ruangiangi Island’. and some of the local history. After floating around in the sea, put there During our trip of 26 years ago, we thanking them, we left the island and by Cyclone Gita, I assumed. had visited Ross, who had made as with a good NW’ly breeze at our feel most welcome, and had invited backs, we were able to make it back By the following day, the sea had us all in for a cuppa. In 2004 Ross to French Pass by about 6:00 pm. settled enough for us to attempt to go sold his island and it is now looked French Pass was a mess, not only around the top of D’Urville Island. after by a Trust. was there driftwood stacked high After an hour we had rounded Cape along the beach but also the cyclone Stephens and were kayaking towards As we walked up to the house I was had blocked up the sewage system so Victory Island in Port Hardy. The thankful to see it all still looked in we couldn’t use the showers and the wind was getting stronger and I good shape. As I prepared to take a camp toilets were out of action. felt I was at about my limit in these photo, I was surprised to see a person conditions and didn’t like the thought standing at the window. Back on the So our trip halfway round D’Urville of paddling down the western coast beach, there was a big sign saying Island was finished and although with this serious westerly crosswind. we didn’t get to circumnavigate the Island, we had a most enjoyable trip By mid-morning we ‘pulled the and survived the full fury of Cyclone pin’ and started on our retreat back Gita.

The 1992 RWC at French Pass: from left, Max Grant, David Max looking north-east from Herrington, Mike Tartellin, Bob D’Urville across windswept seas to Bell, Kerry Howe & Bill Anderson. Stephens Island Melanie rounding Cape Stephens

8 New Zealand Sea Kayaker

able to roll, just, sort of, in a play TECHNICAL boat but had never mastered a full How to Paddle Properly! sized sea kayak but now I can do it From a Facebook Blog entry Rolling with ease from both directions using by the Goddess of the Seas different methods. by Andrew Osborn (Freya Hoffmeister) I’m wet and cold, the world is a In fact it’s so easy now, what on I’m just back from an exciting and strange murky brown colour. There earth was all the fuss about? for me very educative paddle with is water running up (down?) my nose a large group of 20 along the Isle of and I can hear surf in the background. When autumn came we moved from Portland, in 20 - 35 knots SW wind Murray’s Bay to the Millennium with low seas. How the hell did I get here? Even Pools. Every Monday for months worse, why did I volunteer for it! we turned up, did our hour of prac- We took off well-organized by Steve My subconscious lizard brain is say- tice and each time we became a Jones with many experienced guys ing PANIC but my prefrontal cor- little more competent. In the end to shepherd the large group, and tex is saying: “Now, don’t be silly if you want your roll to be instinc- planned to stay in the shelter of the Andrew: Remember what Pete told tive (which is what it needs to be for breakwater of the harbor as much as you:” when you really need it) then you possible. All worked well, we traded - twist and crouch need to repeat, repeat & repeat. paddles along, and I was answering - legs locked against the inside of many questions all day about the boat We all owe a Pete and Andy a great paddling styles and whatnot. - paddle near the surface and paral- deal for their endless patience and lel to it for spending all that time with us. I liked to stay on the back of the - sweep – strong and long They have a very neat step by step group, to watch people’s styles and - stretch out and lean well back process for developing your roll confidence, and enjoyed occasionally - pressure with the left knee which works regardless of your skill to paddle or surf up to the front of the - a last flick with the paddle and level and confidence in the water. long field, just to fall back again and up she comes! Some took longer than others but we to do the same all over again. This all got there in the end. way, all people who liked to keep an Now I’m lying on the back deck of eye were able to watch my forward my boat, the right way up and I’m For those of you that aren’t yet roll- paddling and open water surfing at Murray’s Bay on the North Shore, ers, I thoroughly recommend it. It style. along with several others of similar will improve your confidence on the disposition also with salt water run- water, enable you to relax in bumpy During lunch break on a sheltered ning out their noses. conditions and give you the ability to beach, about half of the group tackle more advanced trips. It adds a enjoyed having a go in my kayak Thus began our training whole new dimension to your kayak- and to try out my wings. I loved last summer. I’d previously been ing experience. to see only beaming faces! Either for the reason of how different my Freya 18 kayak performs compared to the common British rudderless, relatively wide in the front and rocker shaped hull sea kayak style. Or simply for the reason to take a nice souvenir picture.

On the way back, conditions got stronger with winds up to 25-30 knots on low seas, which was OK for most of the group. Just one lady was struggling behind to keep her rudderless skeg kayak pointed into the wind, while having to paddle hard, especially on the breakwater gap sections where the group was facing fully into the wind.

The group leaders decided to team her up with a strong paddler as a Pool training for rolling -Peter Brooks in the cockpit and Andy Harding in ‘double kayak’ to keep her kayak the pool. Photo: Tim Muhundan straight, and to match the group

9 No. 192 December 2017 - January 2018 speed better in the strong headwinds, matter if wing or flat or Greenland golf elbows very soon: which worked well for her and the style? Despite, the most efficient two guys swapping in the lead of the blade shape is truly a wing - or - keep your wrists straight, keep tow. have you seen an Olympic racers a loose grip and open your hands paddling something else? And I have frequently - or you’ll get tendonitis I watched the group handling the no doubts those guys like to be most very soon. strong winds, and would have loved ‘efficient’ - and at the end they also to have been in charge of the tow obviously paddle fast. - stretch your forearms frequently myself to practise my experiences - to three different angles. but this was not my job today. You can perform the forward stroke style I describe now with any blade - keep your body straight upright I feel like coming ‘back into the shape. Just the wing blade wants with a slight 10˚ forward bent. lap of the family’ after a decade of naturally to go where it needs to go pilgrimage on my solo-expeditions - - as well as you can perform badly - don’t crouch into your backband and being looked at as the ‘messiahs’ with a wing paddle! (it should not be a backREST) It is - I dare now to share a few messages a kayak, not a grandfather-rocking Guys, don’t move your elbows on chair. My first provocative statement, being paddling, or you’ll get tennis-and - keep your arms in a box-position- in Britain, the Mecca of rudderless skeg most popular here is to say: ‘I don’t NEED a rudder (any more!). With a kayak equipped with a rudder, today’s towing job might not have been necessary (that early).

My second provocative statement, being in Britain, the Mecca of rudderless skeg kayaks: If kayak beginners in the popular local coaching system would learn FIRST on flat water how to have an efficient, strong and healthy forward stroke (instead of having to learn first how to edge a kayak and to control it without a rudder), they might not be in the need to be towed so early on a windy group touring trip like today.

And many more paddlers, if their kayaks were equipped with a rudder, would also have enjoyed (more) to surf the waves downwind instead of taking the speed and fun out of the ride with the urgent need to perform a stern rudder to stay straight.

And then, I saw many too long paddles, too heavy paddles, too soft paddles, paddles with a ‘cranked shaft’ all attributes to prevent the performance of a proper healthy and efficient forward stroke at a good pace if necessary, which results in over-all safety on any trip. A cranked shaft is for me just Freya Hoffmeister on her way in to land at Okiwi Bay, at the end of her a trial to work your way around an 2007 South Island solo circumnavigation. She is using her back-up wing unhealthy, inefficient paddling style paddle. Freya lost her paddle during a bumper dumper landing at the - provocative statement No.3. Wanganui River mouth. Months later Paul recovered the paddle and used it for the 2008 East Greenland paddle with Conrad Edwards. Although So why not use a relatively short admitting to having gone to the ‘dark side with a wing paddle’, Freya will and stiff and lightweight paddle, no never get that recovered paddle back. Photo: John Kirk-Anderson

10 New Zealand Sea Kayaker width grip as an extension of your ‘Kayak Dizziness’ kayak is sinking and the water is body with straight wrists and just -from The Arctic Year* rising around him. slightly bent elbows. by John Gumbley This dizziness can be dangerous, for the hunter cannot bring himself - rotate your body while paddling “August is the month for kayak out of his frame of mind as long as to perform a skating-style stroke. hunting. Day after day the calm the sea is smooth. The moment the The blade goes from the entry point weather encourages the hunters to slightest wind brings some move- at the very front out 90˚ wide to go out to sea. The Eskimo way of ment to the water he is free of the your side and ends there - instead catching seals from kayaks is to hurl spell. Also, if one of the hunters of shoveling water behind you with a harpoon into the prey. observes that a man is caught by a too long stroke and accordingly dizziness, he paddles close to him bent elbows and wrists. This manner of sitting in a kayak and puts his hands on the end of the hour after hour, day in day out, kayak or gives it a slight push with It is not about the height of the without moving, is most fatiguing. his oar. Then the spell is broken Not only does a man tire bodily but and the man is free ... often after a stroke - your hands go above nose mentally as well. few such spells he fears to go out level when you like or need to sprint in a kayak again, even when the sea with an accordingly steep paddle This condition of ... ‘kayak dizzi- is rough. He can’t help himself”. stroke. Your hands are at nose level ness’ ... is caused by the sun shining on a regular pace, and below nose on the calm sea which reflects into Each chapter of The Arctic Year is level on a long-distance cruising the eyes and at first makes a man a month of the year and provides pace with a low paddle stroke. Even sleepy, then dizzy. Without real- an interesting insight into Arctic when I lay almost on my front deck izing it, the kayak hunter gets into wildlife and its people. (it is good to be flexible) in strongest a state of mind and forgets every- thing about him, and after a while headwinds like today, I rotate my he becomes completely immobile. * Peter Freuchen & Finn Salomonsen: body and don’t bend my elbows. He has no ability to move his arms The Arctic Year, 1959. Lowe & and row; he has the feeling that his Brydone (Printers) Ltd, London. What I did not directly see on the water, but know is hidden under mostly every deck:

- tightly locked legs under fat thigh braces...provocative statement no.4 in the land of low-volume keyhole- cockpits:

- FREE your KNEES! - and let them be part of your efficient forward stroke! You are not likely to capsize all the time, where you might like to have a safe knee lock - it just gives you cramps and Note from the editor: wastes a good lot of your available John Gumbley is referring to what is termed Kajakangst, or a Greenland pad- body power if your legs are not in dlers’ nightmare of disorientation on the sea. use. Believe me - good paddlers with open cockpits and For more information on the subject, there is an excellent paper written on the unlocked knees are able to handle subject by John D. Heath, in the 1991 Contributions to Kayak Studies, Paper larger conditions in a much more 122 published by the Canadian Museum of Civilization, pp 93 - 106. unstable and narrow kayak. I think that I nearly succumbed to this malady off the north coast of the Alas- The whole movement of your kan coast in 1991. It was a windless morning, the sea as flat as the top of a best stroke is a blend of all those billiard table, but the issue in terms of visibility was a ‘pea soup’ fog which movements and positions - the tricky limited my vision to only as far as the kayak bow. bit is to combine all of them! Watch videos of kayak or surf ski racers, The sea was grey, the fog was grey and there was no distinct horizon line be- they know how to do it! tween the two. The sky merged into the sea as a grey curtain. Without a clear horizontal demarcation betwen sea and sky, just this grey pall, I was starting to sway left and right with each paddle stroke, almost to the point of capsiz- ing. The only relief from this ‘grey-out’ was the occasional wind ripple or a tiny piece of sea ice floating as a reference point to a horizon.

I reckon that was close enough for me to call it ‘Kayak Angst’.

11 No. 192 December 2017 - January 2018 the beautiful sheltered beaches and I Overseas Reports spent a lot of time just gazing at the big seas, the white-capping chop and WA Sea Kayak Fest’ 2018 pondering how gutsy Freya, Stuart and Jason were in their solo paddling by Paul Caffyn voyages along that exposed coast. At least I had Andy and Lesley as sup- The 2018 Western Australian Kayak port crew for moral support. Fest was held at Grace Camp, on the shore of Geographe Bay, near Bus- For example it is 63 miles (100 kms) selton, some three hours drive south from Augusta to Windy Harbour, of Perth. Sandy Robson was chief the first sheltered lee landing to the organizer and leaned heavily on east. Reading back through my dia- myself, and David Winkworth from ries, I launched at 1:35 am for that NSW to attend. wee paddle, spending the first four hours in darkness. Best of all from Dave and Paul’s Tiki-Tour Dave hanging onto his hat as we this recent trip was getting in touch As attending the ‘Fest’ involved walked down a boardwalk to the with Ron Stemp, who hosted Andy, three flights for me from Hokitika to beach at the head of Peaceful Bay, Lesley and I at his Windy Harbour Perth, I put a lean on Dave to share Strong south-easterlies blowing. holiday cottage. After nigh on 36 the cost of a camper van for a week years, Ron and his wife still had the prior to the kayak fest, to allow some then slicing up and down on the big postcard we mailed to him at the end tiki-touring down to Margaret River surf breaks. Talk about gutsy. I won- of the trip, and his memories of our and out east to Albany - a chance for dered how the surfers could get their evening together were a lot sharper me to visit some of the landings and kites aloft after getting a thrashing in than mine. overnighters from nigh on 36 years the white water, but then Dave and ago, during the 1982 Round Austral- I watched a bloke pumping up the ia Kayak Expedition. leading edges of his ‘kite’ with a foot pump, thus giving flotation! In a four berth camper van, we started the tiki-tour from Cape Natu- After a night in a beach-side cara- raliste, and slowly worked our way van park at August, close to Cape south and then east, driving out to Leeuwin, we turned east for Albany, wherever there was access to the with side trips into Windy Harbour coast. – which lived up to its name – Peace- ful Bay, Ocean Beach near Denmark A rugged granite basement ridge and finally Albany. We swam, walked topped with a cover of sandy lime- stone forms that south-west coast- line of WA. When the sea level was much lower than now, prevailing winds blew shell grit and sand into colossal dunes, which over about some squillion years turned slowly into limestone. The coastline is just so spectacular with the brick red granite forming the battered shore- line, which is topped by vertical and No need for lawnmowers at the overhanging cliffs of grey and yel- Ocean Beach caravan park. low limestone. The WA Sea Kayak Fest Really strong south-easterly winds Grace Camp is a ‘caravan park’, prevailed for days, leaving a heavy with camping under shade shelter ground swell and white-flecked trees by the beach, caravans and ocean. Off Margaret River, one of bunkhouses. Those paddlers camp- the best-known surf breaks in the The leading marks which boaties ing had superb views of the bay and world, the wind was too strong for (and kayakers) can now line up a 20 metre stroll to the water’s edge. the board surfers, but perfect for kite before entering the narrow reef- Workshops and lectures were held in surfers. So impressive to see these guarded channel leading to shore at a large room adjacent to the kitchen men and women with their colourful Peaceful Bay. I wish they had been or outside under the trees. airborne kites, zipping out the back, there in September 1982

12 New Zealand Sea Kayaker

From left, Paul, Sandy Robson (who took the selfie and Dave Winkworth, at the WA Kayak Fest. Friday evening began with seven paddler pods launching at staggered intervals and heading west for a sun- set paddle – an excellent time for getting to know those in your pod, while cruising on a nice calm sea. The outdoor setting for the WA paddle fest, with a home-made West After a BYO BBQ, a big projec- Greenland skin kayak under scrutiny. Far right, behind the ladder is the tion screen was slung under a tree, screen slung from a tree, used for the magic evening PPT presentations. and Dave Winkworth presented his Powerpoint (PPT) show on ‘How let go. It shot through so powerfully seconds. They rolled through continu- to wrestle a crocodile and other use- with barely a flick of it’s tail, back ously, allowing judges to assess their ful skills’, a gruesome at times ac- out onto the reef from where it had choice for awards, and all those at- count of how, on a small coral island come. I felt the curve of the croc’s tending to make their own paddler’s off the North Queensland coast, he body as it spat me off. THIS was choice. Each category was assigned saved his paddling mate from the a big hard strong animal. a separate judge, including Dave and jaws of a rather large croc. myself, and this worked really well. For more of that story go here: From Dave’s Cape York Expedition https://nswskc.wordpress.com/ A broad mix of Saturday sessions all article: page/91/ required loading kayaks and driving And then it happened. Arunas let to various destinations to the south- out a cry - a half scream, half shout. Prior to Dave’s presentation was an- west. Dave joined the ‘Eco-Explore He was on his feet, there was terror other good idea for KASK to pick up; Cape Ecology Paddling with Eco Pur- in his eyes as he looked at me. The this was screening the fest’ photo com- pose!’ paddle, led by Dr Ann Smith- surface around him was froth and petition digital entries; no need to find son and Sandy Robson. This has to foam, the sand all churned up. A big a wall to display print copies. Each be a first in my view for a kayak fest. animal had him by the leg. Was it category had a title shot, then each of Snorkels and masks were required a shark? Was it a croc? the entries rolled through for some 20 for the underwater transects studying sea-grass and algae densities. I jumped up and ran out into the water the 10 or so metres to him. Following late arvo sessions under Below the surface I could see the the trees, Greenland paddle build- outline of this thing. It was a big ing, simple food dehydration and sea crocodile, and it was trying to sweep kayak psychology, caterers provided Arunas off his feet in a death-roll. hungry paddlers with pizza made on a trailer mounted wood-fired oven, Arunas stuck his fingers in its with a good selection of Aussie beers nostrils. It didn’t let go. He put his and wines. hands in the croc’s mouth, attempt- ing to prise open the jaws, cutting My Saturday PPT show was of the his hand on a tooth. Still it wouldn’t 2008 East Greenland paddle, again let go, it’s teeth firmly embedded in the outdoor venue, after which in Arunas’ right leg. I straddled the the prizes for the photo competition croc’s back and put my arms around were awarded - another lovely even- its smooth hard belly and hung on. ing under the stars. Paddlers preparing to launch for Whether it was me on it’s back or the Friday evening sunset paddle The Sunday program had the same not, we’ll never know - but it did format, with car shuttling for various

13 No. 192 December 2017 - January 2018

Andrew McAuley’s kayak in storage at the Maritime Museum in Sydney

On the red kayak, only one of the two stainless steel rods, which allowed Paul with Vicki and Finn McAuley Casper to rotate forward, is clearly after inscribing a copy of his Aussie visible. Dave and I both feel certain book that breakage of one of those two rods, three nights earlier, had led to the trag- WA expedition paddler Terry Sydney - On the Way Home ic VHF call for rescue that night off Bolland with Paul at Grace Camp. Dave and I caught a train up to the the entrance to Milford Sound. Blue Mountains on the Tuesday, and spent a wonderful night catching What really brought home to me paddling options, and afternoon on- up with Vicki and Finn McAuley. I the gutsiness of Andrew’s Tasman land sessions, and afterwards Terry hadn’t seen Vicki since the Invercar- Crossing attempt was the size of his Bolland did a PPT show on a paddle gill inquest over 10 years ago, and Mirage kayak. It looked to me just across Canada. was keen to meet Finn who now at like a normal single cockpit kayak, the age of 14 is a rather good rock and so small in comparison with the After a few more sessions on climber and has been touring over- Lot 4, which is on public display on the Monday morning, tents were seas to play soccer. Vicki and Finn the ground floor of Shed 7 at the mu- dropped and the site clean up made, made us feel like part of the extended seum. The kayak used by Castrisson and farewells made to new paddling McAuley family that evening, and I and Jones for their paddle across the mates. Jointly organized by Paddle was pleased to be able to sign one of Tasman. WA and Sea Kayak Club WA, it was my Aussie books to them both. a wonderful weekend, well organ- ized by Sandy Robson, Paul Browne Back in Sydney for the day, we vis- and Steve Foreman with some good ited the Darling Harbour National ideas for KASK to pick up for its an- Maritime Museum, with a contact nual gathering. from Vicki to allow us to view An- drew’s kayak. Unfortunately his Big mobs of thanks from Dave and I kayak was way up high in storage to Sandy Robson for enticing us into racks, and we could only view from the hot climes of Western Australia. through a re-enforced glass window. Still pretty moving for us both, as we And thanks to Dave for accompany- had both paddled with Andrew. In a ing me and driving with our tiki-tour glass case, we were able to view a down to that gorgeous southern coast replica of Casper, the ‘housing’ or of WA. solid fibreglass cover that Andrew Paul viewing Lot 4 on the ground pulled over the cockpit at night. floor of the Maritime Museum Some of the new titles added to the 12 Mile library from Book Depository.

14 New Zealand Sea Kayaker Overseaas Reports

Yasawa Islands, Fiji by Margot and Peter Syms I opened my eyes and thought, “Shit. are a great place to kayak with in- We were amused by the fish called Have we got to paddle in these con- tricate islands, warm water to swim ‘long toms’. They are about 20 cms ditions for eight days?” at every stop and good snorkelling long, and when attempting to escape at many places. We paddled three perceived danger, emerge from the The fast-cat ferry, the Yasawa Flier, to five hours per day. The islands do water at great speed and skim along had left Nadi in flat calm conditions have a large number of resorts, but the surface with the bottom of the and I had dozed off and awoke as fortunately these are camouflaged tail just in the water. we reached the southern tip of the somewhat by that very useful tree, Yasawa Group. It was blowing a the coconut palm. They could travel for about 10 me- good 25 knots - the sea was the most tres before re-entering the water, gorgeous blue with a good chop and Ours was a guided trip with five hopefully evading a predatory mouth plastered in whitecaps. The Flier had clients, Jo Kay and ourselves from in the process. Unfortunately, the to motor into the lee of the island to Nelson and a like-minded, and danger from us did not lie below the discharge some passengers into a re- aged, couple from Aussie. The Flier water, and occasionally they would sort long boat. dropped us into a long boat by Tave- smack into the side of a kayak, or wa Island, and after the outboard was even a paddler. We were finally realising an inten- finally started – at least there was tion to paddle in the Yasawa Island land to leeward – we were dropped For the next three days we headed Group of Fiji (see map) after the rec- at our base there. We familiarised north. We stayed two nights camp- ommendation of some Canterbury ourselves with our kayaks and the ing at the Navotua Village with our kayakers years ago. The Yasawas lie wind, albeit in the enclosed waters own kitchen bure and composting about 60 kms to the north-west of of the Blue Lagoon (of film fame). toilet. While here, we were shown Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu. So the around the village and plantations, south-east trade winds, when they Fortunately, the answer to my eye- and were entertained by small school get to the islands, have been influ- opening question was, ‘No!’ The wind children singing, as well as by adults enced by the big island. dropped over the next two days and with singing and dancing, and a kava we had calm paddling after that, even ceremony. Village etiquette requires The Yasawa Group do not get a lot if the wind did blow like hell some that no hats are worn, even in boil- of rain in this season - the hills can nights. On our first paddling day we ing hot sunshine, and that women brown off, and water is precious. did a day trip circumnavigating Mata- wear a sarong at all times when out We had to carry water between ac- cawa Levu Island, minimising our ex- of the kayaks. I struggled a bit to commodation places. The islands posure to the still-strong winds. get my sarong to stay on properly at first, despite some tuition from Jo, Sawa-i-Lau - wave cut notches in the limestone. As a day trip ... but I had fortunately mastered it by the entertainment evening when we participated in some rather vigorous dancing. For safety, I had shorts on underneath!

As a day trip from the village we paddled to Sawa-I-Lau Island, a high limestone island (rare in the Yasa- was) that can be seen from afar. Here there are some very tall limestone caves, partly underwater, which are a guided tourist attraction you can visit with your mask and snorkel. But you do need to time your visit between boats from the resorts.

It was here we first realised how old we seemed to the Fijians to be in terms of being active tourists. Cau- casians as a race do turn grey a lot younger than other races, and we

15 No. 192 December 2017 - January 2018

were no exception. The cave guides were amazed to learn that we were to paddle to the southern tip of the Yasawas.

Later a village mayor could not re- sist asking how old we were, and we made him tell us his age in return. Then at the final resort when one if the Fijians asked if he could ask me a question, I laughed and said that I knew what it was. I don’t think Fi- jian women, or men for that matter, are flitting around in kayaks in their 60s. And they are used to older tour- ists slothing in resorts not kayaking the length of the island chain. Jo pounding kava root for the feast We returned to our Tavewa base completing a circumnavigation of For the second half of the trip, we Nacula on the only damp day we headed for the south of the Yasawa had all trip. It seemed strange to be Group. The first day we paddled to wet and still warm, coming from a the southern tip of Yaqeta Island, climate where wet warns of hypo- where we had lunch and a snorkel, thermia. then across the open passage to Nav- iti Island in calm conditions. The One upsetting thing was the amount tide was in so we could go inside a of plastic rubbish on the beaches – chain of little islands to our camp. bottles of all shapes and sizes, jan- This was the only night where we dals, etc. Real ‘Plastic Ocean’ terri- were not in habitation, but people tory. On one point where we stopped turned up to check us out and make for lunch on a beautiful sandy beach, sure we were supposed to be there. it was particularly bad. The location Dinner included a Spanish mackerel, in the currents must have made it a caught and cooked on embers by our preferential catching area. In front Fijian guide. It was delicious. of the resorts the beaches are clean, raked even, but cleaning up does not Although the tidal range is quite extend further. small (about 1.5 m), the shallow parts of the coral reef are exposed In the tropical heat, food does not at low tide. As in many places, these keep well, and dividing the trip into can extend quite a way from shore, two sections, north and south of the it can be difficult to land during the Tavewa base made a lot of sense and lower part of the tidal cycle. The vil- we ate well all trip – helped by the lages and resorts are largely located fact that our guide had been a chef. with deeper water access, but stop- Fresh provisions were delivered ping at a quiet spot for a break is not there from the mainland while we always simple. And walking over were away north. The tropical fruit coral, particularly carrying a boat was fantastic - pineapples like you is detrimental to the health of both do not taste in NZ, papaya, bananas, coral and humans. etc. Although we did have a bag of NZ apples with us, which lasted sur- prisingly well.

The kayak company also offers a shorter trip, which visits the general area that we had visited so far. Grae- me Muir and Jane Wickham, also from NCC (Nelson Club), Map of the Yasawa Island chain by had done one such trip just a few Margot, Marn, Jo well-dressed Peter Syms weeks before. at Wayalevu

16 New Zealand Sea Kayaker as support boats for reef fishing. These are made of corrugated iron with no built-in buoyancy. If you tip over, your kayak heads for the bot- tom of the sea, and you are left with only a paddle. And of course, no life- jacket as that would make you look un-manly.

Between Waya and Wayasewa Is- lands is a sand spit covered only at high tide. We had a break and a swim here and pulled our boats across the spit. A longboat of locals arrived A corrugated iron kayak and snorkeller - Our final day .... and asked our help to pull their boat across. Our destination was the Kua- Next morning we left on a drop- After tiki-touring around the small ta Island Barefoot Resort. We de- ping tide and paddled south along islands to the south of Drawaqa, all layed our arrival so the tide would be the east coast of Naviti Island. There well endowed with resorts, we start- higher by having a long lunch plus are numerous shallow reefs here and ed on our longest crossing to Waya snorkel and a circumnavigation of for much of the way, so we had to Island. The 25 knot winds were a the island. Our night at the resort was keep well out from shore lest we distant memory as the light breeze definitely glamping, in a ‘tent’ unit get stranded. Finally on a point on died off, and a couple of our blokes which was a large room with double the south of Naviti, we could stop dived overboard mid-channel for a bed and an ensuite. for a relaxed lunch and the regula- cooling swim and Jo put her pump tion snorkel. From there, a short hop to good use to give herself a cold You could kayak the Yasawa Group across to Drawaqa Island where we shower. unguided, but there are a few things camped in the grounds of the Bare- to bear in mind. You would need foot Manta resort. We could use their Waya Island, being both large and to take your own folding/inflatable facilities and dined there too. high (567 m), has a few springs kayak as there are no kayaks for hire which flow all year round (unique in there (except sit-on-tops at the re- The channel between Naviti and the Yasawas). The village of Waya- sorts!). Drawaqa Islands is often visited by levu boasts a flush toilet with a leaky manta rays, and you can imagine cistern in the hall where we stayed. Accommodation would have to be how much peace these get to go After settling in and a late lunch, we planned and pre-booked. You can- about their filter feeding. When any had a guided tour of the plantations not just rock up somewhere and put are sighted the word goes out and which also gave us some needed leg your tent up – all land is owned by boats appear from the surrounding exercise as it was uphill. We also vis- Fijians and you need to observe the resorts to let tourists gawk at and ited the spring itself, then were treat- protocols. A local is likely to turn up snorkel alongside the rays. As we ed to freshly made lemon drink be- at what you think is the most isolated were departing the following morn- fore returning to our hall just on dark. place. However there is accommo- ing, a manta about four feet across dation aplenty in the form of resorts got the full attention, and we paddled Our final day on the water had a fun which range from not-cheap to exor- over to see it and people in the wa- start as the beach was steep with bitant. And also the Fijian villages ter barely a yard from it swimming round stones. The kayaks had to be are catching on to ‘homestays’, both along with it. Mantas have no sting held, once loaded, to avoid them villages we visited (Navotua and in their tail. Respect? Regulations? self-launching sans paddler. We ob- Wayalevu) offered this. More like a free for all. served the local kayak-types in use Margot Syms

Moonlit kayaks at Wayalevu village - Wahoo cooking on the embers Waya Island

17 No. 192 December 2017 - January 2018

circumnavigations in a sea kayak are Of course you can’t do much about Overseas Reports special - no doubt about that. Some- the weight and the reduced free- times there are huge obstacles and board, but what interests me is the WEST ISLAND BITS logistics to overcome along the way. changed relationship between you – Paul Caffyn’s round Australia paddle the paddler – and the water. You’re January 2018 and the three overnight cliff sections now sitting perhaps 50 mm lower by David Winkworth immediately come to mind. and maybe you’re now flicking wa- ter on the return stroke with your A Happy New Year to you all! ‘Hope On my local paddling coast, we have paddle and you just don’t feel like you get to do all the trips you’ve some cliff sections with the most you’re ‘over’ the paddle like you did dreamed of! Here’s one you might impossibly, beautiful rock folds. in the empty boat! consider: Couple this with generally gin-clear water and close in to the cliffs is a You’re not alone! It happens to all of Keppel Sea Kayak Symposium beautiful paddle. Yet I often take us and it could be time to do some- This is a great event - no question paddlers along these sections who thing about it. A trip in a loaded about it! Held over four days at the insist on ‘point to pointing’ them kayak is just the occasion when you North Keppel Environmental Edu- well out to sea. Maybe they’re trying want good efficiency. cation Centre about 15 kms off the to set records too! coast from Yeppoon, Queensland. So, what to do about it? You could It’s limited to 50 people only. Pret- PFDs in NSW shorten your paddle perhaps if you ty exclusive! Accommodation is in The Waterways (rangers) guys in have a length-adjustable shaft. May- nicely finished huts and all meals are NSW are fierce. We now have full- be not ideal in that it will force you provided in the newly extended din- time PFD laws in NSW. You have into greater torso rotation that you ing room. to wear a PFD no matter where or might not like or you could look at when and all the time. I’m opposed raising your seat. Considering that There are paddles all around the is- to the recent changes but what I say your kayak is loaded and feeling lands and lots of instruction if that’s doesn’t really matter does it! like a bit of a barge, stability is not what you want plus swimming/ a problem. snorkelling in warm water and is- Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull land walks on the numerous tracks. is a sometime paddler - mainly on How to raise the seat and still be We usually paddle out to the island Sydney Harbour I think - and he was comfortable could be a problem and and back from Yeppoon but if the recently picked up for not wearing your seat material is an issue here weather is against us then there’s the a PFD. You’ve got to feel sorry for too. A fixed fibreglass seat makes it centre’s big aluminium catamaran to him really. The Waterways guy had difficult I know. I use foam seats that get there. The cat carries all our gear no choice but to book him. He was attach to the hull with Velcro so add- out the island too. How good is that! fined a few hundred bucks. ing a 20 - 25mm foam spacer sheet Dates for this year’s event are 14 to is relatively easy. There’s a changed 17 June. Check out Paddle Capricor- A local paddling friend of mine was relationship with the back-band and nia on Facebook. picked up twice for not wearing a thigh braces to accommodate but it’s PFD. Luckily for him he was not showing promise. It’s all about effi- Setting Records in Sea Kayaks fined - bloody lucky I reckon! ciency and staying safe on the ocean. I am over this - really! What is the I’ll keep you informed. point in setting a time record for a Don’t chance it over here. Wear the circumnavigation or an expedition in PFD and smile at the nannny state Big Surf a sea kayak? I still see it occasionally gods. Over here on the NSW south coast - someone claiming a time record to we’ve just had a couple of days of go from A to B in their sea kayak. Kayak Seat Heights huge, huge surf on our beaches. Pad- I find this very interesting: we go dling on the ocean was waved away Sea kayaks are not race boats are down to the local kayak shop and of course but like many locals I vis- they? Push your boat hard and it gets do a short test paddle in the boat that ited a couple of beaches and river all sullen around 10 to 11 kms / hour takes our fancy. The kayak is empty bars where I often launch and return and it just will not go any faster no and it feels OK on the water so we to shore for a bit of a look. Funnily matter how hard you try. I generally plonk down the dollars and take the enough I found myself assessing the give up and revert to a comfortable shiny new boat home. surf for breaks in the sets of waves cruising speed. Then I get to look and the possibility of getting out around, enjoy the views and gener- Then we fill it right up with gear and through it: ally smell the roses! start doing trips with mates. Hmm, “Yep, get through that one OK - roll it feels very different! Maybe it in front of the next one. Sit there - I draw a distinction here between a doesn’t run as well, catch waves or more coming. Roll again - move out first circumnavigation of an island the paddling doesn’t feel as nice as it one more break. Wait again. Bugger! and a time record to do the trip. First did at the shop. Roll again. A lull!

18 New Zealand Sea Kayaker

Go you bastard! Keep going hard! Get that tape measure going! Airborne over that big one, brace for the landing I’d reckon and out Rolling through it.” Piece o’ cake! Last issue, John Gumbley wrote a piece on rolling for fun. Great article Do you ever do that? It’s a good fun John! It is fun isn’t it! exercise while safe and sound on- shore! I’d just like to back up a few things in John’s article and add one or two I’m reminded of a past tough trip Dave Winkworth demonstrating more if I may. Perhaps if I do it in where two of us sat just past the in- paddle bracing at the recent WA point form: shore breaks looking seaward at the 2018 Sea Kayak Fest - forget the hip flick! Too much big surf that confronted us. to think about when upside down “Dave, what happens if one of us low angle stroke moved the blades and the water is bubbling up your can’t get out through that?” shouted further out from the boat, increasing nose. It can come later. Rolls still my mate. the turning moment of the action. work very well without a hip flick. “The fellow out there will have to Her torso rotation was also reduced - wear a mask and practice in clear come back,” I smiled. bringing her bicep muscles into play water. Make it easy! “That’s good enough for me,” he re- more. Biceps will not cut it all day in - take your time. Sea kayaks take plied, and spun his kayak to return to a sea kayak. They are just not strong a little time to roll over so don’t the beach. enough. be in too much of a hurry. Loaded We enjoyed a nice cuppa on the kayaks take even longer beach that morning! Can you see her paddling problems - a good roll FEELS good! If you compounding and giving her much re- have to ‘muscle up’ you’ve mucked Paddle Length duced average speed and efficiency? it up! How long is your paddle? Have you - analyzing the roll on the living ever run a tape over it to check - or So, what’s the ideal paddle length? room floor is difficult. Get in the maybe compared your paddle with a Well, my thoughts are that it varies water and just do it! mate’s? THAT is a good thing to do. with: - your head position is the key to - a paddler’s torso length an easy smooth successful roll! It Over the years I’ve found paddle - arm reach needs to be either way back looking lengths coming down which is pleas- - overall height at the sky behind you when you fin- ing to me. I make paddles and I used - boat type. ish OR looking at the bottom. One to have to order long shafts to ac- of Newton’s Laws comes in here. commodate people’s wishes. Now I My paddle is 210 cms long and If your head is up - and it’s quite no longer need those longer shafts. I’m 188 cms tall. I could go down natural to want to get your head I haven’t made a paddle over 212 another centimetre quite easily too. up - your body is down (equal and cm for about five years. The average The longest paddle I’ve made for a opposite reaction etc.) and the roll length paddle I now make would be tall woman is 208 cms. will feel difficult or fail 208 cm. Quite a change! - when you’re learning or practic- Are you wondering about the advan- ing - try thinking of ONE thing only I recently did a four day trip with a tages of a shorter paddle? Here’s a few: as you roll: head down, sweep the friend who was using a paddle of 220 - shorter paddles let you rate higher surface - whatever you think is a cms. That’s a long one these days yet You may not want to all the time problem for you. I still see many of them at that length but the ease of doing so is there - it IS fun! for sale in the shops and in catalogues. - shorter paddles encourage torso I do regular shortening of paddles for rotation. To get that blade fully We’ll do some rolling at the Forum. paddlers, but it’s not ideal and adds immersed, your top hand should See you there. some unnecessary weight. definitely cross the centre line of the kayak. This helps with a higher So, my friend - she isn’t tall so the angle stroke, the blade moving out paddle length coupled with her reach from the kayak in a sculling motion limitation compounded her prob- as you rotate. Good torso rotation lems. I observed her often paddling brings your abdominal muscles into in a ‘high gear’ - that is with hand play. They are strong muscles - and grips closer together than ideal and who knows - you may even develop compromising paddling effort with a six pack! the heavily loaded boat. Also, due - shorter paddles let you easily to the paddle length, she was forced get the blade in close to the kayak into a relatively low angle stroke to to start the stroke – less energy- Dave enjoying a day paddle off the stop the blades going too deep. The sapping turning moment. coast of New South Wales

19 No. 192 December 2017 - January 2018

gress have had on a people and their Book Review land.

Title: Crocodiles and Ice Jon’s basic premise is that the great- Subtitle: A Journey into Deep Wild er part of humanity is too rooted in Author: Jon Turk technology and too distant from the Published: 2016 subtle, intangible, and inexplicable Publisher: Oolichan Books Fernie, secrets of nature to make the spir- British Columbia, Canada itual/consciousness changes neces- Website: www.oolichan.com sary to prevent the destruction of Contents: 293 pp, no maps, only ourselves and our planet. chapter heading b/w photos Cover: softcover (paperback) He believes that the way forward is ISBN: 978-0-88982-323 the through a Consciousness Revo- Size: 138 x 204 mms lution based on a deep, reciprocal Price: US$ 19.95 communication with the Earth un- (NZ $24.31 Book Depository UK) derstanding and rediscovering the Review: Kay Costley intimate, life-supporting, reciprocal synergy that existed in our aborigi- We find Jon Turk in a hotel room nal ancestors and the natural world in the Solomon Islands stuck to the and then assimilating that synergy place of natural stillness or beauty sheets with blood from wounds sus- into a sane and sustainable 21st cen- we struggle to be in the present and tained in a crocodile attack, which tury society. experience the here and now – we we discover further down the line – have become disconnected from Na- after many digressions and remem- In conclusion, there is a lot to think ture. ‘Pay attention and we will value berings - that he badly grazed his about as you read this book. I picked nature more. When we value nature backside when he came off a moped it up and put it down and thought more, we work harder to reverse its on an island road! about what was being put forward as declines’ (JB McKinnon). It is about a philosophy. Our lives have become being open to other ways or paths, to I never quite knew where I was read- increasingly busy and we have lost other realities, to other ideas and to ing this book as it comes from many the ability to be still or to be with- find space in our lives to experience places, the scientist, the philosopher, out input. Even when we are in a our own Deep Wild. the experimenter, the spiritualist and the adventurer. Jon has had a great Editor’s Note on Crocodiles and Ice To me it felt like the worst con since number of adventures in his life and Eric the Red tried to convince the is continually seeking – and some- Jon Turk has three previous books Norse population of Iceland that the times finding – the Deep Wild, the still in print or reprinted: promised land to the west was so close spiritual link he believes hu- Cold Oceans 1998 wonderful, it was called Greenland. manity used to have with the earth/ In the Wake of the Jomon 2005 planet and the ancient wisdom/mag- The Raven’s Gift 2009 The book mid-section discusses a bike ic that bond contains. ride in Tibet. The third section de- All these three books have been re- scribes a kayak drag over frozen sea From kayaking in the Pacific Islands viewed in the KASK mag. When I ice and snow around Baffin Island. It – where he discovered that if you saw the title of his fourth book, I did is not sea kayaking as I know it. Tim- wash your face in the water where go on-line and purchase a copy, ex- ing of the paddle, or choice of partner! the crocodile lives, it will recognize pecting some serious paddling in ice you and not attack; to an encounter and encounters with a crocodile. The Then a very expensive med-evac with a great white wolf at 80˚ North ‘Croc Attack’ chapter opens when from Baffin Island due to the fact he – where after acknowledging to the Jon wakes up with blood-soaked can’t pee. Jon blames the physical wolf that they were both creatures sheets in a sleazy Solomon Island stress of man-hauling the laden kayak of the ice and fellow travellers, the hotel, and I assumed this was the re- for the bulk of this Baffin Island ‘cir- wolf followed him back to the camp sult of a nasty encounter with a croc. cumnavigation’ for his urethera shut- where it ‘became woven into a tapes- ting down. His own diagnosis differs try of all the animate and inanimate It was all ‘bollocks’ so to speak. The from that at the doctors treating him. forces around us’, forces that could closest Jon got to a croc was see- change any second; to bicycling ing tracks on a beach and a pair of The only positive for me out of this across the Himalayan Plateau with yellow eyes in the bush! The blood book was ensuring I took a catheter an ex Mao Tse Tung propagandist, soaked sheets were due to a previous down to the Antarctic Peninsula and seeking the Dalai Lama’s birthplace mountain bike accident and choos- had learned how to use it. If you are and confronting the hugely devastat- ing a poorly fitted sit-on-top kayak after a gripping sea kayak narrative, ing effects that technology and pro- for his Solomon Islands paddle. save your money.

20 New Zealand Sea Kayaker

the farmer. She read, “... and so never amount to anything more than HUMOUR Chicken Little went up to the farmer a two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know and said, “The sky is falling, the sky you.” Business Trip is falling!” The lawyer was stunned. Not know- A man returns home a day early from ing what else to do, he pointed across a business trip. It’s after midnight. The teacher paused then asked the the room and asked, “Mrs Jones, do On the way home, he asks the cabby class, “And what do you think that you know the defence lawyer?” if he would be a witness. The cabby farmer said next?” She again replied, “Why yes, I do. agrees for $100. One little girl raised her hand and The man suspects his wife is having said, “I think he said, ‘Holy shit! A I’ve known Mr Bradley since he was an affair, and he wants to catch her talking chicken!’” a youngster, too. He’s lazy, bigoted, in the act. The teacher was unable to teach for a and he has a big drinking problem. Quietly arriving home, the husband few minutes. He can’t build a normal relationship and cabby tip toe into the bedroom. with anyone, and his law practice is The husband switches on the lights, Maths one of the worst in the entire state. yanks the blanket back, and there is A little boy was doing his math Not to mention he cheated on his his wife, naked as a jay bird, with a homework. “Three plus six, that son wife with three different women. man also nude. The husband puts a of a bitch is nine....” One of them was your missus, and gun to the naked man’s head. His mother heard what he was say- one your daughter. Yes, I know him The wife shouts, “Don’t do it! I lied ing and gasped, “What are you do- alright.” when I told you I inherited money. ing?” The prosecutor nearly died. He paid for the Porsche I gave you. The little boy answered, “I’m doing The judge asked both prosecutor He paid for your new 25 ft Ranger my math homework, Mum.” and defence lawyer to approach the Fishing Boat. He paid for your Foot- “And this is how your teacher taught bench and, in a very quiet voice, ball season tickets. you to do it?” the mother asked. said, “If either of you two bloody “Yes,” he answered. idiots asks her if she knows me, I’ll He paid for our house at the lake. He He said to himself, “Two plus five, send the both of you to the electric paid for your golf trip to St Andrews that son of a bitch is seven. Three chair.” and your new 4 x 4. He paid for our plus six, that son of a bitch is nine....” country club membership, he even Infuriated, the mother asked the Toilet Cleaning Made Easy pays the monthly dues. And because teacher the next day, “What are you Dear Householder: of HIM, I put an extra $2,000 in our teaching my son in mathematics?” Here are the instructions for cleaning bank account each month.” The teacher replied, “Right now, we the toilet. Put both lids of the toilet Shaking his head from side-to-side, are learning addition.” up and add 1/8 cup of pet shampoo the husband lowers his gun. The mother asked, “And are you to the water in the bowl. Then, pick He looks at the cabby and says, teaching them to say two plus two, up the cat and soothe him while you “What would you do?” that son of a bitch is four?” carry him towards the bathroom. In The cabby replies, “I’d cover him After the teacher stopped laughing, one smooth movement, put the cat with that blanket, before he catches she answered, “What I taught them in the toilet and close both lids. You cold.” was, two plus two, the sum of which, may need to stand on the lid. The is four.” cat will self agitate and make am- Kids 1 ple suds. Never mind the noises that A nursery school pupil told his teacher Cross Examination come from the toilet, the cat is ac- he’d found a cat, but it was dead. Lawyers should never ask an old tually enjoying this. Flush the toilet “How do you know that the cat was grandma a question if they aren’t three or four times. This provides a dead?” she asked her pupil. prepared for the answer. In a trial in ‘power-wash’ and ‘rinse.’ “Because I pissed in its ear and it a small outback town, the prosecutor didn’t move,” answered the child in- called his first witness, a grandmoth- Have someone open the front door nocently. erly, elderly woman who had lived in of your home. Be sure that there are “You did WHAT?” the teacher ex- the town all her life, to the stand. no people between the bathroom and claimed in surprise. He approached her and asked, “Mrs the front door. Stand behind the toi- “You know,” explained the boy, “I Jones, do you know me?” let as far as you can, and quickly lift leaned over and went ‘Pssst’ and it She responded, “Why, yes, I do know both lids. The cat will rocket out of didn’t move!” you, Mr Williams. I’ve known you the toilet, streak through the bath- since you were a boy, and frankly, room, and run outside where he will Kids 11 you’ve been a big disappointment to dry himself off. Both the commode One day the first grade teacher was me. You lie, you cheat on your wife, and the cat will be sparkling clean. reading the famous story of Chicken and you manipulate people and talk Sincerely, Little to her class. about them behind their backs. You The Dog. She came to the part of the story- think you’re a big shot when you where Chicken Little tried to warn haven’t the brains to realize you’ll

21 No. 192 December 2017 - January 2018 4th Ed. KASK HANDBOOK SOUTH ISLAND KASK OUT OF PRINT NELSON Canoe Club KASK, the Kiwi Association of Sea A 5th edition of the KASK Handbook www.nelsonkayakers.co.nz Kayakers (N.Z.) Inc., a network of is planned. It is a mammoth compila- Diane Winter New Zealand sea kayakers, has the tion on all aspects of sea kayaking in Ph: (03) 548 2026 objectives of: New Zealand, by many of the most email: [email protected] 1. promoting and encouraging the experienced paddlers in the Universe. sport of sea kayaking CANTERBURY Sea Kayak Network 2. promoting safety standards SEA KAYAKING Ian McKenzie 3. developing techniques & Ph 03 355 0684 equipment NETWORK ADDRESSES NORTH ISLAND Cell 027 220 7251 4. dealing with issues of coastal FAR NORTH KASK Contact email: [email protected] access and protection Lynnis Burson www.sporty.co.nz/canterburyseakayak 5. organizing an annual sea kayak 61 Pa Rd. Kerikeri 0230 forum OTAGO Canoe and Kayak Club Bay of Islands 6. publishing a bimonthly Lesley Pijpker Ph: (09) 407 3957 (021) 041 57453 newsletter. email: [email protected] email: [email protected] Ph: 027 7270811 New Zealand Sea Kayaker is pub- NORTHLAND Canoe Club lished bimonthly as the official SOUTHLAND Sea Kayak Network PO Box 755, Whangarei Northland magazine of the Kiwi Association Stanley Mulvany Carola Carstens, 42 Isola Street, of Sea Kayakers (N.Z.) Inc. 03 215 7263 Raumanga, Whangarei email: [email protected] Articles, trip reports, book reviews, Ph: (09) 430 2707 equipment reviews, new techniques, email: [email protected] YAKITY YAK Clubs letters to the editor, and moments www.yakityyak.co.nz when the word ‘Bugger!’ was said AUCKLAND Canoe Club email: [email protected] singularly or often (referred to by PO Box 9271, NZOIA Outdoor Instructors Assn some as incidents) are sought to en- Newmarket, Auckland www.nzoia.org.nz liven the pages of the newsletter. email: [email protected] Coastguard Boating Education Send to: P: (0800) 40 80 90 (09) 361 4700 Paul Caffyn, HAURAKI Kayak Group email:[email protected] 1843C Coast Rd, PO Box 46-146, Herne Bay, Auckland W: www.boatingeducation.org.nz RD 1, Runanga 7873, West Coast email: [email protected] Ph: 03 731 1806 www.hkg.org.nz New Zealand Search & Rescue Email: [email protected] WAIKATO KASK Contact www.nzsar.govt.nz Evan Pugh, RD2, Putaruru 3482 www.adventuresmart.org.nz KASK Annual Subscription www.beacons.org.nz $35 single membership. email: [email protected] Maritime New Zealand $40 family membership. Ph: 07 883 6898 www.maritimenz.govt.nz $35 overseas (PDF email newsletter) RUAHINE Whitewater Club A subscription form can be down- c/o Melanie Grant, 5 Waitapere Court, loaded from the KASK website. Ashhurst, 4810. Ph: (06) 326 8667. KASK Website Cheques should be made out to: email: [email protected] Kiwi Association Sea Kayakers & kask.org.nz mailed to: BAY OF PLENTY - KASK Contact KASK Administrator Iona Bailey, Tauranga PO Box 23, Runanga 7841 Ph: (07) 576 1492 West Coast email: [email protected] Photos on opposite page: Payment can be made by direct cred- it (preferred) to: BASK Bay Assn. of Sea Kayakers Top right: A Steller’s sea eagle 03 1706 0010205 00 Bevan Grant about to beat up the photographer. with your name and/or KASK mem- email: [email protected] Both photos taken by John Kirk- bership number for reference. Ph: (07) 576 8885 Anderson during a sea kayak www.sporty.co.nz/bayseakayak guiding trip to the far north-eastern Correspondence - Queries coast of Siberia and Change of Address to: WELLINGTON Sea Kayak Network John Andrews Karen Grant, KASK Administrator Bottom right: A mob of walrus off Ph: (04) 472 8281 (021) 454 096 PO Box 23, Runanga 7841 the north-eastern coast of Siberia. email:[email protected] West Coast JKA will be showing more of his www.facebook.com/WellSeaKayak/ or email Karen at: wonderful photos at the KASK [email protected] Kayak Fest 2018

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Paddlers on Lake Mahinapua on a rare flat calm, West Coast day. Drone photo by Adrian Taylor. KASK MEMBERSHIP POLICY Current membership fees are: - $35 for ordinary membership - for new members $35 - $40 for family or joint membership - $35 for overseas membership (PDF newsletter only); - the KASK memberships 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 confirming renewals from existing members from July to October; and promoting new KASK memberships from November to February.