ISSN 2253-3826 NEW ZEALAND SEA CANOEIST No. 177 June - July 2015 The Journal of the Kiwi Association of Sea Kayakers (NZ) Inc - KASK New Zealand Sea Canoeist INDEX EDITORIAL ‘back upright’ grim photo on page EDITORIAL p. 3 10. Belinda Mulvany’s Fiordland KASK Forum 2016 landscape pics are evocative, captur- SAFETY Many, many moons ago, I did a ‘Liv- ing both soft early morning light and Out of Your Comfort Zone? ing Legends’ talk to NSW kayakers squally afternoons. I leaned on both How to Deal with Bumper Dumpers? at Ettalong Beach, and the co-pre- Belinda and Vincent for tips on how by John Gumbley p. 5 senter was expedition paddler Larry they achieve such superb photos. Gray. If you have a look at his web- More on Bumper Dumpers, site: www.primalvision.tv, you can Next Magazine Buoyancy & PFDs see what this bloke has been up to Held over for next time, John by Paul Caffyn p. 7 by way of paddling expeditions and Dowd’s 6th edition of Sea Kayaking film making. Larry was one of four and Justine’s Kayaking the Aleutians THE ‘BUGGER!’ FILE paddlers on the 1986 East Greenland DVD. I have watched Justine’s DVD Complacency & Skill Erosion expedition, and he subsequently re- twice now; it is up there as one of by John Kirk-Anderson p. 8 turned to Greenland to film a kite- her best in terms of the story, the va- surfing crossing with ‘kayaks’, east riety of the shots and the music. My NEW ZEALAND TRIP REPORTS to west across the icecap. He is a apologies to Justine for being slow Doubtful Sound talented speaker and musician, thus to include a review, but you can buy by Stanley Mulvany p.11 we are in for a treat for the Saturday directly from her website at: night at the forum. CackleTV.com TECHNICAL Using DSLRS on the Water Dave Winkworth has also confirmed Paddle Leashes by Belinda Mulvany p.13 he will be joining us, and is planning Two recent sit-on-top fatalities have ‘fireside chat’ sessions, sort of low again highlighted the importance of OVERSEAS REPORTS key panel discussions on various as- wearing a PFD and led to quite a West Island Bits July 2015 pects of sea kayaking. bit of discussion as to whether sit- by David Winkworth p.15 on-tops should be equipped (when If you have a session to present, ei- sold) with paddle leashes or at mini- The Sacred Ratio ther on the water or on shore, or can mum with an attachment point for a by Vincent Weafer p.17 help with the forum organization leash near the bow. In both instances, What Camera Kit Does please get in touch (see email ad- PFDs were not worn, no emergency Vincent Weafer Use? p.19 dress contacts on page 3). comms were carried and the pad- dlers were knocked off their sit-on- BOOK REVIEWS For those of your travelling from tops and lost contact with them. Pad- Down the Mississippi with Stinky overseas (Aussie or the North Island) dle leashes were not used. Author: Dorie Brunner if you can allow the following week Review: Paul Caffyn p.19 for tiki-touring in the Sounds or cir- There is concern when surfing in a cumnavigating D’Urville Island? sea kayak with a paddle leash, that The Emerald Mile entanglement after a capsize is an Author: Kevin Fedarko Photos and Cameras issue. Feedback from Aussie pad- Review: John Gumbley p.20 Boy there are some skilled paddlers dlers Vincent Weafer and Dave and photographers out on the water. I Winkworth is that entanglement is HUMOUR p.21 was spoilt with choice this magazine a non-issue (see page 16 for Dave’s with so many superb scenic and grip- comments). Feedback from Peter Editing & Layout: Paul Caffyn ping action pics to chose from. Townend raised concern with the bigger and heavier two person sit- Proofing: Lynda Ferguson NSW paddler Vincent Weafer’s surf- on-tops paddle leashes can put too Deadline for material for the ing photos are dramatic, although he much force on a paddler’s shoulder next magazine: is reluctant to divulge where his fa- in surf. 25 September 2015 vourite surf break is located. JKA’s ‘Bugger!’ file photos are superb, For over 25 years I have used a especially when comparing his big (stretchy coiled) paddle leash on my grin on page 2 to the nose dripping wave ski. After a missed roll and a COVER: A beautiful still morning in Doubtful Sound. Photo: Belinda Mulvany How does Belinda takes such magic photos? See her technical tips article on page 13 Top left: Thompson Sound, Fiordland, Stanley Mulvany paddles in front of a fresh northerly chop. Photo: Belinda Mulvany See Stanley’s trip report on p. 11 Bottom left: John Kirk-Anderson punching into a fresh southerly polar blast in Lyttelton Harbour. This was before the “Bugger!” incident. Photo: JKA. See John’s story on p. 8 3 No. 177 June - July 2015 sound thrashing in breakers, I release the water without wearing your life- For the full set Avon Descent race the waist belt and just hang onto the jacket. rules, see: paddle. When the wave subsides, I http://www.avondescent.com. reel the wave ski in and climb back After my big swim when the wave ski au/?page_id=111 on. My worst leash situation oc- paddle leash broke, I was shocked by curred in a big offshore break when how little buoyancy the wet suit pro- Given the amount of kit that paddlers the leash snapped and although I vided; mind you it was an el-cheapo do carry on their PFDs, VHF radio, wore a thin full ankle to wrist wet- from the local red shed. I have prom- watch, EPIRB, knife, light, and suit, it was a long swim back to shore ised myself to do a check on how some with camelback water pouch- with bugger all buoyancy from the much buoyancy that wetsuit in fact es, I do wonder how much positive wetsuit. provides. In Terry Bolland’s latest buoyancy such laden PFDs provide. weekly CDU email newsletter (Ca- Perhaps we can try tank testing of In my sea kayak, I do carry a paddle noeing Down Under), he described PFDs at the Anakiwa forum. leash but use it only when the wind is race rules for the annual Avon River strong enough to wrench the paddle descent in WA, one of which notes: out of my grasp. Also a leash is great for situations require both hands, ie The PFD must have sufficient buoy- for filming or snacking on the water. ancy to float a 6kg lead weight and be in good condition. Prior to race PFDs and Wetsuit Buoyancy commencement, each paddler’s Greymouth polytech student Ruby PFD was tested in a water-filled Mitchell describes (page 7) the dif- bin. It was placed in a 6 kg cage ficulty of donning a PFD when in and placed in the bin. PFD floatation testing in WA prior the water – her learning experience to the Avon Descent race. was in a swimming pool and Ruby If the PFD didn’t come to the sur- challenges paddlers to try the same. face, it was failed! No racing al- The ‘Bugger!’ File Her message is simple - never be on lowed for that competitor. John Kirk-Anderson’s article on missed rolls in the chilly mid-winter waters of Lyttleton Harbour (page 8) KASK Committee 2014 - 2015 is a timely reminder for us all. He titles the story ‘Complacency and Tim Muhundan - President email: [email protected] Skill Erosion’ and chides himself for Ian McKenzie - Committee email: [email protected] failing to maintain his rolling skills. Sandy Ferguson - Webmaster email: [email protected] Paul Caffyn - Publications email: [email protected] I was impressed with John’s elapsed Shawn Walsh - Committee email: [email protected] time for four failed rolls, a failed Robert Brown - Committee email: [email protected] re-entry and roll and his success- Lois Cowan - Committee email: [email protected] ful paddle float roll - two minutes KASK Administrator (Karen Grant) email: [email protected] and 48 seconds. But with the water temperature at 10˚C, even then John found his hands were surprisingly cold after that short time. c2016 KASK NATIONAL SEA KAYAK The 27 July Escape section of the FORUM Christchurch Press carried a three Friday 26 - Sunday 27 February 2016 page story and photographs titled Wet and Wild - The Joys of mid-win- Overnight campout Sunday evening, at Mistletoe Bay. ter sea kayaking. The registration form will be included in the next KASK maga- West Island Bits zine and on the KASK website soonish. Nice to have Dave Winkworth back If you can help with on the water sessions; please get in touch with his regular report on what’s happening over the ditch. with John Kirk-Anderson: [email protected] Thanks If you have ideas for on shore sessions, or can help with the fo- To all the contributors and photog- rum organization, please email Paul: [email protected] raphers, Belinda and Stanley Mul- vany, Vincent Weafer, JKA, John Gumbley and Dave Winkworth. Experienced Aussie expedition paddler and film maker Larry Gray is our Saturday night keynote speaker. Paul Caffyn 4 New Zealand Sea Canoeist SAFETY around New Zealand, is now pad- – I sit and watch the pattern first and Out of Your Comfort Zone? dling around Svalbard, way north of may choose to go around rather than & How to Deal with Bumper Norway through a gap.