Author Archive

2003-10-09T20:58:12+13:00

According to the TDC, Jet Boating New Zealand intends applying to extend the area where the 5-knot speed restriction has been uplifted on the Buller River. Currently the speed limit has been uplifted all year round below the confluence of the Mangles River, just north of Murchison. The intended application will relate to lifting that 5-knot speed limit on the Buller River and its tributaries upstream of the Mangles confluence. This will be for the purposes of recreational boating. If consent is granted it will allow all craft access, without speed limitation, further up the Buller, possibly up to the start of the Nelson Lakes National Park. Given the popularity of the Buller catchment rivers with kayakers, removing the speed limit creates additional hazards for paddlers (for example, jetboat on O’Sullivan’s rapid).

2003-10-03T03:17:15+12:00

A challenging solo run down the Otoko gives Kerry Hoglund plenty to think about, but makes for a memorable day. The article is accompanied by images from an earlier descent by Tony Ward-Holmes, Erik Bradshaw, Richard Lang and Jonathan Hunt.

2003-10-01T21:42:08+12:00

Alan Bell reports, “The Hutt Gorge turned on a nice flow of 2.0m on the Te Marua gauge for the 2003 Percy Dowse Memorial interclub shield race. Nine teams (30 paddlers in total) ran the Hutt Gorge and had a great paddle followed by a sausage or two. Thanks to everyone who came along. Results were as follows: 1st Hutt A – Lea, Phil Mac, Phil C 45 mins; 2nd VUCC B – Mark, John, James 49 mins; 3rd Ruahine Raiders – Max, Matt, Leon 52 mins. Feedback suggests competition will be fierce next year with more of those old long boats being rescued from under houses, rubbish tips
etc.”

2003-10-01T01:48:42+12:00

Wellington hosted the NZRCA AGM on Saturday 6 September. The Executive welcomes Duncan Catanach (Wellington) as North Island Conservation Officer and Rob Wells (Dunedin) as Treasurer. Our undying gratitude goes to Mike Savory and Lynne Fuggle who previously performed these roles. Mike Savory was made a Life Member in recognition of his contributions to the NZCA and NZRCA over many years. Graeme McIntyre has moved to become Access Officer. Glenn Murdoch has relinquished the Education portfolio to concentrate on Safety. We also welcome Belinda Green as our new Administration Officer, and the AGM passed a vote of thanks to outgoing Administration Officer Milli Lovell.

Alan Hoffman was voted Canoeist of the Year. His name will be forwarded to the NZCF as the NZRCA’s nominee for the Canard Cup. Our thanks to all nominees and nominators. Other highlights of the AGM include discussion on the foreshore and seabed issue and the notion of ‘public domain’, issues arising from the MSA’s Rule 91 regarding PFDs, risk management plans and rivers in need of protection. Paul Mariott-Lloyd presented for SPARC regarding Rule 91 and public liability issues for clubs and volunteers, and Bryce Johnson spoke on behalf of Fish & Game about the public domain and access issues. Amendments to the constitution were approved that clarify the NZRCA operations as a charitable organisation. Geoff Price has volunteered to work with the Executive on fundraising.

Whitewater NZ

2003-09-13T05:02:19+12:00

In a press release (PDF, 46k) the NZRCA has endorsed the government proposal “to create a new, statutorily recognised status for land, called ‘public domain’ for the seabed and foreshore of New Zealand, in line with other major environment, conservation and outdoor recreation organisations.” The Association welcomes the promotion and recognition of the Queen’s Chain as extremely positive for recreational kayakers and canoeists. The NZRCA is preparing a submission on the proposal and invites kayakers to have input into the submission, or to make their own. You can make your own submission by writing to Foreshore and Seabed Submissions, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, PO Box 55, Wellington or on line at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/foreshore. The deadline for submissions in Friday 3 October.

Access

2003-09-05T00:58:13+12:00

Warren Hales (of HBCC) advises that Genesis Power have to do urgent repairs on the Whakamarino Dam (which
provides water to the Piripaua Power Station, which in turn provides water
to the Waikaretaheke River). These repairs have already started and should take 13
weeks. The Working Bee on 6 September is cancelled, the flow
below Piripaua on 7 September will only be able to be 24 cumecs instead of 28 (probably sufficient for a reasonable paddle), and the Whakamarino releases for 4 and 5 October is cancelled (although we can get 26 cumecs out of Piripaua as compensation). By the time we get to the November releases things should be back to normal.

2003-09-01T01:18:55+12:00

New Zealand Canoeing, Winter 2003 (03.2) is out, and includes Newssplashes (Tony Ward-Holmes) Legends of Aotearoa whitewater (Hugh Canard), Annual Report to Members 2003 (Robin Rutter-Baumann), Financial report (Lynne Fuggle), AGM Business, and a remit to change the NZRCA constitution.

Whitewater NZ

2003-08-14T00:48:25+12:00

Alan Hoffman is coordinating a working bee for Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 August. The aims are to set foundations blocks for relocated hut, clean up weeds around the course and area, fit wire lock clamps to the Slalom Gate support wires so adjustments to one section doesn’t alter others, start working on the lower course discharge area and eddies, improve the walking track from the start of the course down to Pats peril and develop a put in and river access area above the course. If you can help, contact Alan at kirsty.hoffman[@t]internet.co.nz.

2003-07-30T05:49:01+12:00

The Annual General Meeting for the NZRCA will be held on Saturday 6 September at Level 6, PSA House, 10 Aurora Terrace, Wellington from 9am to 9am to 12.30pm. Lunch will be provided.All paddlers are welcome to attend, at any stage of the day. The AGM will be followed by an Executive meeting from 1.30pm to 5pm, then we’ll be keen on a drink and dinner at a local restaurant. Please send your nominations for Canoeist of the Year to admin@whitewater.mytestsite.nz

Whitewater NZ

2003-07-17T21:28:03+12:00

The releases for the Wairoa for the 2003-04 season are online in Events & Releases.

2003-07-10T22:09:01+12:00

Here’s a winter retrospective of paddling adventures with a historical flavour: An account of an 1889 canoe trip by Mannering and Dixon down the Tasman, Pukaki and Waitaki rivers, and as previously published: The Park Brother’s epic journey from Hokitika to Christchurch via the Taramakau and Hokitika rivers, an early descent of the Clarence River, the first descent of Sargoods Weir on the Kawarau and the first descent of Huka Falls.

2003-07-01T11:02:06+12:00

Now you can access the NZRCA news feed as RSS (What is RSS?). If you are a webmaster, that means you can syndicate NZRCA news items and have them appear on your site (example, using javascript). As a web user, you can read RSS feeds using RSS readers such as NetNewsWire or others.

2003-06-23T23:15:58+12:00

According to the FMC Bulletin, April 2003 Air New Zealand have adopted IATA guidelines which allow camping stoves to be checked in providing they are ‘nullified’. Nullification involves completely draining the fuel, allowing the container to stand uncapped for at least 6 hours, or adding cooking oil (which elevates the flash point of any residual fuel), and appropriately sealing the equipment. Check-in staff may require you to sign a declaration form confirming these actions.

2003-06-17T16:51:21+12:00

ECAN are reviewing flow requirements for the Middle Rangitata (from the Klondyke irrigation intake to Peel Forest). If you have kayaked this section and have kept a logbook, please send details of your trips (ie. dates, flow, degree of difficulty, level of enjoyment) to Doug Rankin who has volunteered collate the reports and provide them to ECAN. The intention is understand how flow affects the recreational amenity for kayakers.

2003-06-12T10:10:53+12:00

The Rotorua Canoe Club, originally founded in the 1970’s, has a new lease of life.
Contact them at canoekayakclub@hotmail.com or contact Donald Calder on (021) 343 980.

2004-01-31T10:57:08+13:00

Detailed records can help the NRZCA when it comes to conservation, access and flow preferences. They are also handy for personal reference and logging hours for instruction. Jonathan Hunt makes the case for keeping a logbook of your your kayaking experiences.

Access

2004-01-29T12:25:12+13:00

The Pre-Worlds were held last week in Penrith.
Nathan Ashmore (Rotorua) came second in the Men’s Junior class. Check out the
event web site and for results,
photos and video clips see the Bliss-Stick
web site

2004-01-29T12:23:26+13:00

As part of the Ministry for the Environment‘s Water Programme of Action, input is requested for an online survey on recreational use of freshwater rivers and lakes. The online survey for Freshwater asks which recreational pursuits you follow; canoeing and kayaking is an option. It asks how many days a year you canoe and kayak, how long it took to get to your last trip, who you kayak with, what are the key factors for the experience (note that Degree of canoeing challenge or similar will need to go under ‘Other’) and asks you to rank the factors by importance. It asks which three locations you have (and haven’t) visited which best represent your key factors. It also asks you to list and rank the factors that may limit your experience. The survey requires completion by 13 February. These questions will be easier to answer if you maintain a Logbook. Some background to the Water Programme of Action can be found in a speech by Marion Hobbs.

Access

2004-01-28T21:58:35+13:00

The NZRCA welcomes Steffan Lamont of Christchurch to the Education portfolio on the NZRCA Executive.

2004-01-23T21:11:43+13:00

Alan Hoffman reports, “Race 4 of the SI Series will be at the Tekapo Course on Sunday 25. The course will be open for practise on Saturday 24, with gates available in the afternoon for practise and coaching. An informal rodeo will be held on Sunday.Saturday 24: 0900 – 1030 Course Set up,
1000 hrs water on at dam (1045 at course,
1030 Safety briefing and walk the course,
1045 Course open for playboating and practise,
1300 Slalom Coaching available,
1700 Water off at dam, 1745 diminishing at course.
Race registration from 1500 on
1900 to 2000 Working bee / track maintainance / Nationals 2004 meeting and task allocation.Sunday 25:
0900 Water on at Dam (0945 at course),
0900 Race briefing and registration,
0945 First runs,
1115 Second runs,
1300 Rodeo and Pack up gates,
1500 Results / Prizes,
1600 Water off at Dam, course flow diminishing 1645 onwards.

Entry fee $5.00.
Register early by email (kirsty.hoffman at internet dot co dot nz) before Saturday, makes my job easier.
Bring a shovel/rake to tidy low area of track by Pat’s Peril. PS. Hut is on site thanks to Garry’s hard work.”

2004-01-22T20:49:24+13:00

The Minister for the Environment Marian Hobbs has annouced that she is to establish a Special Tribunal to hear an application to modify the Buller Water Conservation Order. The Buller Water Conservation Order provides varying degrees of protection for parts of the Buller River and its tributaries, which are considered to have outstanding characteristics. The proposal affects the Gowan River (a tributary of the Buller). The application from Majac Trust requests that the Order be amended to allow it to apply to the Tasman District Council for resource consent to divert water from the Gowan River for a Hydroelectric power scheme. The water would then be returned to the river approximately 3.5km before the Gowan and the Buller Rivers join. The members of the Special Tribunal will be appointed in early 2004, after which the tribunal will call for submissions on the proposal.

2004-01-21T00:07:26+13:00

The TEVA 2004 Wairoa Whitewater Extreme Race, organised by Andi Uhl, is on the weekend of February 14 and 15. Pre-entries are requested by 3 February, and you can use an online form. A RED BULL Party is planned for the Saturday night.

2004-01-20T00:02:11+13:00

The Department of Conservation is conducting a national survey on outdoor recreation. There is an online form, or a PDF form. There is no clear end date, but the response target is expected to be reached in the first few months of 2004. It’s important that kayakers respond to the survey. It will help if you have been maintaining a logbook of your kayaking trips.

2004-01-13T10:12:18+13:00

ECAN has announced a public meeting regarding “Hurunui Catchment rivers and groundwater planning” to be held at the Culverden Community Centre, 7:30pm, Monday 9 February. The aim of the meeting is to:
Hear/discuss a presentation about what we [ECAN] know about the hydrology of the Hurunui River and the flow requirements of instream uses and values;
Hear/discuss about the hydrology of the groundwater system;
Establish a Community Advisory Group that is representative of stakeholder groups with an interest in these matters to liaise with Environment Canterbury staff and to make recommendations to ECAN.

The CAG will meet fortnightly. This meeting is an important opportunity to ensure kayakers’ flow preferences are recognised, and have kayaker representation on the Advisory Group.