Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

2001-07-09T12:17:22+12:00

The NZRCA’s Annual Report to Members has been distributed to members, and is now online (in About the NZRCA) as Annual Report 2001 (PDF, 78k) or Annual Report 2001 (extract).

2001-07-02T12:14:43+12:00

In another historic account, Mick Hopkinson describes the first descent of Sargoods Weir on the Kawarau (in Education).

2001-06-13T12:13:07+12:00

Now that winter’s here, and there’s not so much happening on the rivers, sit back and enjoy some of the best yarns of earlier days. Here’s Education / Huka Falls, in which Greg Oke describes the first descent of Huka Falls.

2001-10-30T12:35:02+13:00

A rodeo in memory of Niamh Tomkins is scheduled for 8 & 9 December, at Fuljames Rapid, Waikato. More information on Events & Releases and at Niamh Tomkins Memorial Kayak Event.

2001-06-12T12:12:17+12:00

Alan Bell of Lower Hutt has taken on the role of Membership Officer, and Melissa Bardsley of Wellington is our new Administration Officer. Lynne Fuggle has moved to become Treasurer. Our thanks go to Chris Sinclair and Fiona Mackay for their previous contributions to these roles. Please note the telephone number for the NZRCA is now 04 560 3590. All other contact details are unchanged.

2001-10-29T12:33:16+13:00

In a press release (PDF, 60k) yesterday, the NZRCA wrote “The NZRCA extends its condolences to the families of Annabel Atkinson and Hayley North, who drowned following a fatal accident while canoeing on the Clarence River near Hanmer Springs on Friday 26 October 2001.

In line with a recently established agreement to assist the Maritime Safety Authority to investigate accidents involving kayaks and canoes the NZRCA will appoint advisors to work alongside the MSA. The NZRCA hopes that a full and detailed investigation into the accident will provide lessons that will enhance the safety of kayakers and canoeists and prevent a reoccurance of such a tragedy.

The NZRCA urges all kayakers and canoeists to consider carefully the dangers inherent in kayaking and canoeing and to continue taking precautions to ensure personal safety.””Schoolgirls drown, town in mourning” (The Press)

Safety

2001-04-25T12:06:36+12:00

In early 2001, the Department of Conservation distributed a survey on air access in Kahurangi National Park. Access Officer Mike Savory organised the NZRCA response: Access / Kahurangi air access survey.

2001-10-23T12:31:09+13:00

Meridian Energy has announced dates for releases on the Lower Waiau river, Southland, from the weir at the Mararoa confluence to Monowai. Release flow is 35cumecs (though several releases will be 45cumecs to accommodate the Jet Boat Association). Details in Events & Releases.

2001-04-19T12:04:40+12:00

The NZRCA has opposed an application to extend a tourist jetboat service through Smith’s Falls citing conservation and safety concerns; also read the press release (PDF, 75k).

2001-10-16T12:30:15+13:00

Shoulder dislocations are a particular risk for kayakers. Robin Rutter-Baumann passes on some lessons from an incident in the Rangitata Gorge (in Safety).

Safety

2001-04-11T12:02:34+12:00

The Apr/May edition of Adventure magazine features Mike Abbott on the mighty Mekhong, along with local kayaking action from the Wairoa Extreme Race

2001-10-08T12:28:13+13:00

The scheduled recreational releases for Labour Weekend and all of November have been cancelled due to the low lake level of Lake Tekapo. The first release will hopefully now be on the 1st and 2nd of
December. Cancelled releases have been rescheduled in December and January. Meridian Energy are not required to provide recreational releases unless the level of Lake Tekapo is above 704.5m. They are not allowed to generate (after 1 October) unless the lake is above 704.1m. On 1 October the lake was at 703.37m with about 50% of the average inflow of 84 cumecs. It is expected that they will not be able to generate until early November. This could all change with a big rain of course (refer Events & Releases).

2002-01-28T12:51:27+13:00

Ray Beentjes has provided the Whitewater Gallery with some images from recent trips to the Hutt Gorge, where Wellington paddlers have been making the most of the wet summer.

2002-01-22T12:50:39+13:00

Meridian Energy have announced releases on the Tekapo for this weekend: Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 January. Details in Events & Releases.

2002-01-22T12:49:46+13:00

To avoid unnecessary impacts on the rare whio (blue duck), DoC have formulated guidelines for river users. Robin Rutter-Baumann backgrounds a recent meeting of river users to discuss the guidelines.

2002-01-18T12:48:55+13:00

Although busy on the next edition of New Zealand Whitewater, Graham Charles has passed on some important news about several West Coast rivers that have been altered by the recent weather:
“The Upper Kakapotahi has a blockage in the tunnel (last drop) and is unrunnable. There is no portaging option except straight up the moss cliff to the road. Hardly worth it for the 300m of paddling you get. The Lower run is fine.
The Lower Hokitika has a massive slip just out of Kakariki Canyon. The technical grade hasn’t changed but the objective danger is higher with trees and very sharp rock in the water. Don’t sit around at the bottom of the slip – it is very active with rocks trundling regularly. This will keep changing as the slip face (out of sight from the river) is enormous.
The Upper Hokitika (Viagra Run) may be cut off as well due to rock slides at the head of one of the gorges. I’ll know next week for sure.”
“The Arahura, Taipo, Whitcombe and Whataroa are all good still, but unless you’ve done the run don’t take anything as given. There has been massive amounts of water through all rivers and all the rules have changed. Always keep scanning for new trees and sieves. Carry your little wood saw and anyone who ends up in the water get them out as soon as possible; worry about the boat later.”

2002-01-16T12:47:36+13:00

Trevor James of Westland Canoe Club advises that in the recent heavy rain, the access road to the put-in for the Totara and Mikonui Rivers has been seriously damaged by slips. Woolhouse Road also gave good access to tramping and climbing in the back country. The Westland District Council is considering closing the road as it will cost $500,000 to fix. If you are concerned about this possible closure, please contact Westland District Council at 36 Weld St, Hokitika or 03 7558321. Please copy submissions to access@whitewater.mytestsite.nz. Update, 18 January: the road is already closed and the issue is whether funds can be sourced to ever re-open the road.

2002-01-09T12:46:15+13:00

The Australian Canoeing has announced a major festival over Easter 2002 to be held at Penrith, Sydney and featuring freestyle, slalom, wildwater and other events (also in Events).

2001-12-21T12:40:08+13:00

Following up on the original submission, last month the NZRCA had the opportunity to present evidence to the Special Tribunal evaluating the case for a Water Conservation Order for the Rangitata river. Maree Baker gives some highlights, and the evidence from Doug Rankin and Jonathan Hunt is online.

2001-12-04T12:39:15+13:00

New Zealand Whitewater author Graham Charles is seeking updates for a new edition of the definitive guidebook to New Zealand’s whitewater. If you have information on required changes, access, put ins, take outs or new runs then please contact Graham at 027 4416 492 or imagematters@clear.net.nz.

2002-03-18T15:08:10+12:00

Meridian Energy have advised that the release on the Waiau from Mararoa to Monowai will occur on 24 March, not 31 March. Refer Events & Releases.

2001-11-27T12:38:12+13:00

Some recent Tekapo releases were cancelled, but release flows for December 1 & 2, and 8 & 9 have been confirmed by Meridian Energy and are listed on Events & Releases.

2002-03-05T17:43:11+13:00

The NZRCA and Todd Energy/King Country Energy confirm a release of 30 cumecs for the Mangahao river, between 9am and 3pm on Saturday 16 March. This release is one of the conditions of the resource consent for the Mangahao dam. Another condition of the consent is that the number of river users be recorded, so please ensure one of the NZRCA team (Alan Bell, Polly Miller, Graham McIntyre and others) have counted you before putting onto the river. The Mangahao is a scenic class III-IV run from the Number 2 Dam behind Shannon to a bridge behind Ekatahuna. Make sure your shuttle driver knows the way to the takeout, and have a safe weekend.

2001-11-20T12:37:23+13:00

Vladimir Filipovic, President of the Whitewater Canoe Club, writes: “On Sunday 18 November 2001 a kayaker, Rod Banks, drowned while kayaking the lower reaches of the Hokitika River. Mr Banks was part of a group of experienced kayakers from the Whitewater Canoe Club. When Rod got into difficulties a determined effort was made to rescue and revive him. Tragically the rescue efforts failed. The other kayakers on the trip were very distressed by the accident. The Hokitika river is a popular destination for kayakers and the group had run this section previously.

The White Water Canoe Club and the New Zealand Recreational Canoeing Association are working with the authorities [Police and MSA] while they complete their investigation processes. Rod was a father of two and worked in the local outdoor centre Canoe and Outdoor World. We would like to extend our very deepest sympathy to Rod’s family and friends at this time.”