Author Archive

1999-08-05T18:33:25+12:00

The NZRCA AGM was held in Wellington on Saturday 17 July. Most officers were re-elected to their portfolios and we welcome our new Safety Officer Ian Logie and our new Membership Officer Chris Sinclair – thanks to departing officers Mark Planner and Donald Calder for being part of the crew. A significant number of constitutional changes were ratified and in due course they will make the association more effective. There will be no change to membership fees for the next year. Issues such as the Clarence quarry, Tasman District Council riverworks, a new survey of river use, and Treaty of Waitangi claims to rivers were discussed. Minutes from the AGM are available to members upon request (email admin@whitewater.mytestsite.nz).

1999-08-05T18:35:51+12:00

Now prospective Associate Members can download a PDF version of the Associate Membership form, available from the Membership page.

1999-10-10T18:45:02+13:00

The October-November issue features Sarah Fabian’s story of how a New Zealand women’s team won the Camel Whitewater Challenge in South Africa, an account from the ubiquitous Graham Charles of paddling the Hollyford river, and Donald Johnstone’s reviews of the latest rodeo boats. Issue #96 had an article about the Waikaia river and Colorado through Grand Canyon (USA).

Access

1999-06-29T18:24:14+12:00

The NZRCA’s Annual Report to members for 1999 has been released and distributed to members. You can also access an Adobe Acrobat version of the report here (PDF, 201k).

1999-06-29T18:25:45+12:00

The Annual General Meeting of the New Zealand Recreational Canoeing Association will held on Saturday 17 July in Wellington, from 9.30am – 4pm. The venue is Crossways Community House, cnr Brougham and Elizabeth Streets, Mt Victoria. Members and prospective members are welcome, and those interested are invited to eat dinner with other attendees after the meeting. Constitutional remits and last year’s AGM minutes are available from admin@whitewater.mytestsite.nz.

1999-08-05T18:34:35+12:00

Welcome to Lynne Fuggle who is the new Administration Officer for the NZRCA, and thanks to previous Administration Officer Janette Kear who is continuing as Education Officer. Please note the changed phone number for the Association (now 03 384 9301).

1999-06-01T18:20:25+12:00

The June-July issue is in the shops, and kayakers will be interested in Graham Charles, Mark Jones and Marcus Waters’ plan to sea-kayak the length of the Antarctic Peninsula this summer. There’s mention of a descent of the Adams River on the West Coast by Kerry Hogland and others. Craig Pearless recounts an “Escape from Tree Trunk Gorge” on the Tongariro. Grant Davidson describes an overnight raft and kayak trip on the middle Mohaka.

Access

1999-05-16T18:19:26+12:00

Graham Charles is seeking information on new runs, corrections and hot images for the second edition of NZ Whitewater. Be quick though!

2000-02-16T20:58:57+13:00

New Zealand Whitewater: 120 Great Kayaking Runs, the revised edition is the new New Zealand kayaking guidebook from Graham Charles. The revised edition features at least 20 new runs (like the Waingaro, Upper Toaroha, Styx, Kokatahi, Upper Whitcombe and Upper Hokitika and many more), new cartoons, new maps, a new foreword by Mick Hopkinson and new appendices. It is now available through the NZRCA, and NZRCA members can claim a 20% discount! An order form and further information is online in Access / New Zealand Whitewater: Revised Edition.

Access

2000-01-26T19:05:03+13:00

The Whitewater Gallery has been redesigned. Along with the original pictures in a new format, there are some pictures from the 1999 World Freestyle Kayaking Championships held in Taupo (Whitewater Gallery / World Freestyle Championships, December 1999).

2000-02-08T19:08:02+13:00

Adventure magazine #98 features a Graham Charles article (and photos!) on the 1999 World Freestyle Kayaking Championships and an adventure kayaking epic (“Escape from the Callery”) by Tony Ward-Holmes. Editor Sarah Moodie comments on the topical issue of safe enjoyment of New Zealand’s whitewater rivers.

1999-12-14T18:51:13+13:00

Finally the NZRCA site has an interactive links page, where you can jump to kayaking web sites in New Zealand and around the world. You can also add your favourite site’s URL.

2000-03-24T21:08:12+12:00

Now you should find it easier to browse the NZRCA web site using our new sitemap.

1999-12-20T18:54:23+13:00

The deadline for public submissions on the Canterbury Regional Council “Water – Our Future” discussion document has been extended to 5pm Monday 31 January. This is a particularly important opportunity to comment on the importance of the Rangitata river to New Zealand kayakers. See also Discussion document on Canterbury rivers, 9 November 1999.

1999-12-20T18:55:35+13:00

The latest issue of NZRCA’s official newsletter “NZ Canoeing” is now available to members. Features include the the NZRCA’s position on Treaty settlements, the story about the non-release at the Mangahao in October, an update on the Tekapo slalom/rodeo site development and trip reports from the Whitcombe and Tamur, Nepal.

Access

2000-02-21T20:59:46+13:00

It’s that time of the year again! BullerFest will be taking place in and around Murchison on Saturday 4 – Sunday 5 March. Organised by the Whitewater Racing Group and Ultimate Descents, supported by Mountain Designs, Canoe and Outdoor World and Eddyline, the weekend will feature a kayak rodeo and kayak and raft slalom events. Build the slalom course on Saturday morning, then cartwheel in the rodeo on Saturday afternoon. There’s a whitewater party at Ultimate Descents on Saturday night. On Sunday the kayak and raft slaloms are followed by the prize-giving. Register on the day for the kayak events. Rafters contact Ultimate Descents on 03 5239 899.

2000-03-27T21:14:15+12:00

Graham Charles of New Zealand Whitewater guidebook fame, has kindly supplied some great action photographs for your viewing pleasure in Whitewater Gallery / Classic West Coast drops.

2000-01-19T19:04:02+13:00

Colin Leitch describes the background to the non-release on the Mangahao last year in Access / Mangahao Madness, while Timon Walkley recounts his day on the Mangahao which turned into an epic when his boat was pinned (Safety / Mangahao Release).

Access, Safety

2000-02-15T20:56:25+13:00

The Westland National Park management plan is currently undergoing its ten year review. This is a great opportunity for kayakers to gain access to a currently forbidden river; the Karangarua, just south of Fox Glacier. In order for this to happen, the NZRCA needs your support however. DoC have drafted their plan, which currently excludes air access for paddlers, and lots of submissions from kayakers are required if this is to be changed. Read more in Access / Access to the Karangarua. Submissions close on 15 March, so please act now!

Access

2000-02-23T21:00:27+13:00

The NZFKC has announced the “Kaituna Play Day and the TSM Kayak Disco” for Saturday the 4th March, starting at 2pm. The idea is to offer something different from most of the other ‘organised’ kayaking events. “By now most boaters are getting sick of competing, so a bit of fun is needed before all of the serious selection business gets under way.” There will be a falls race, freestyle comp and the “TSM Kayak Disco – A night kayaking event like NZ has never seen. Coloured lights, strobe light, smoke machine and crankin music at the bottom hole.” Entry fee yet to be advised.

2000-02-29T21:01:45+13:00

The Buller Workday held on New Year’s Eve last year was a great success, with around 50 kayakers turning out to pull rubbish from the banks of the Matiri River and cart it to the Murchison dump. Mick Hopkinson has supplied pictures, which are available in the Whitewater Gallery / Buller Workday 1999.

Access

2000-01-28T19:06:08+13:00

An extended version of Sarah McRae’s article on treaty issues (from NZ Canoeing, Summer 1999 (99.3)) is available in Access / Treaty Issues.

1999-12-20T18:57:46+13:00

This event follows hot on the heels of last summer’s successful workday on the middle-Matakitaki take-out road. The workday is organised by the NZ Kayak School and the NZRCA.The mission is to pull out offending hazardous rubbish (wire, fridges, sheet iron, etc.) from a local river and arrange alternative disposal, in cooperation with local landowners. The date depends on flow and weather, so will be announced. It is expected to be between 29th December and 2 January 2000. Look for advertising at the Riverview Campground and NZ Kayak School. Bring yourself and if possible some suitable work-gear (overalls, work gloves, boots, wire clippers, spades, ropes that can get dirty). For further details contact Sarah McRae (025) 249 6116 and/or Mick Hopkinson (03) 523 9611.

2000-02-06T19:07:03+13:00

The Ministry for the Environment has published a draft agenda and action plan as part of the development of a national agenda for sustainable water management (NASWM). Comments on the proposals are sought and accepted until 25 February. The proposed action plan suggests a growing focus on issues surrounding groundwater abstraction and the impact on surface water. This is a particular issue in Canterbury with incessant demand for irrigation.