Author Archive

2007-10-09T22:32:16+13:00

Thanks to the work by Alan Hoffman, the Tekapo Whitewater Trust, NZRCA and Meridian have agreed dates for Pukaki and Tekapo Whitewater Course releases for the 2007/08 season. The resource consent allows for more releases, but course coordinators are needed to manage the whitewater course, so put your hand up if you want to make something happen (access@whitewater.mytestsite.nz).

Access

2007-10-08T22:23:54+13:00

Zak Shaw and friends are heading to India: An international team including Ben Jackson and myself, both from the NZ Kayak School, are teaming up with a few others for an expedition in Northern India. All things begin October 14 with our arrival into Delhi, India. Our team will meet in Delhi before traveling 250 kilometres north into the Himalayas. Our kayaking will commence with three weeks exploring some of the small creeks feeding the Ganges in the neighboring region of Uttarancha situated west of Nepal. The duration of this expedition varies between team members, I will personally be in India for two months. Our expedition will be updated through a website www.passion4adventure.blogspot.com.

General

2007-10-06T22:32:21+13:00

Issue 3 of Antz Longman’s CUMEC Magazine is out now at local kayakstores, bookstores, dairies and petrol stations. Inside you will find the World Freestyle Championships 2007, Teva River Festival & NZ Slalom Nationals, an interview with Mick Hopkinson and a great story from Zak Shaw about exploring the rivers of Tibet.

General

2007-10-05T21:18:05+13:00

Duncan Catanach has compiled the NZRCA’s submission on Horizons’ One Plan.

Conservation

2007-09-21T11:43:03+12:00

Genesis Energy have advised that the proposed Whakapapa release for tomorrow (September 22) is postponed until Sunday due to lack of water. Update: Saturday 22 September. There is no significant rainfall forecasted and the Whakapapa release for tomorrow is cancelled.

General

2007-09-15T17:30:03+12:00

Roy Bailey from Central Otago Whitewater warns, All paddlers heading into the middle section of the Shotover River, Skippers bridge to Deep Creek, are advised to contact Skippers Canyon Jet before getting on the river. They can do this by phoning 03 442 9434, (this number is also on a sign at the Skippers Saddle where there is good cell coverage) or dropping into their base on your way into the river. Skippers Canyon Base is signposted approx. 2km past Deep Creek. They have a blackboard there to leave a message if no one is around. Please make the effort to let them know you are on the river for your own safety.

Safety

2007-09-14T21:08:31+12:00

Due to a ‘weather bomb’ the river is high and no release will be happening as originally scheduled for Saturday 15.

Access

2007-09-06T11:48:41+12:00

The NZRCA and Fish & Game have jointly submitted an application for a Water Conservation Order on the Hurunui River. The application seeks to preserve the natural condition of the upper river in particular, recognising the outstanding recreational amenity. The Department of Conservation, iwi groups and Forest and Bird have expressed their support for a Water Conservation Order, with Forest & Bird also providing research towards the application. The Hurunui offers enjoyable rapids with excellent eddies for teaching and learning and is Canterbury’s most kayaked river. (WCO Application for Hurunui River, (PDF, 5.3Mb)).

Conservation

2008-04-22T14:35:46+12:00

Robin Rutter-Baumann compiled the NZRCA’s submission opposing Meridian‘s resource consent application for a dam on the wild and scenic Mokihinui River.

Conservation

2008-04-22T07:32:30+12:00

[30 March] The NZRCA Annual General Meeting will be held in Rotorua on Saturday 26 April, 2008. All kayakers are welcome, especially those keen to get involved in the issues facing recreational paddlers. The NZRCA Executive will be kayaking on the local rivers that weekend, as well as holding the AGM. So all are welcome to come and do some paddling and have your say – on and off the water. The AGM is also where the Canoeist of the Year Award is made. The Canoeist of the Year award celebrates those who achieve or contribute to recreational canoeing in New Zealand. Award recipients are nominated to the NZCF as candidates for the Canard Cup. If you wish to nominate someone for COTY you need to send your recommendations to NZRCA Administration Officer Anne Smith at admin@whitewater.mytestsite.nz or NZRCA, PO Box 284, Wellington by 26 April. Update 22 April: Donald and Nat Calder have generously offered to host the AGM at their house at 765B SH33, Okere Falls, Rotorua (between the Okere Falls Store and the Kaituna put-in).

Whitewater NZ

2008-03-25T09:33:30+13:00

Genesis Energy has advised that the Poutu Canal maintenance programme has been rescheduled for 25 March 2008 to 25 May 2008. The four month maintenance programme started last January, but was suspended due to electricity shortages and the need to maximise generation from the Tongariro Power Scheme. The Tongariro River below Poutu Intake (Access 10 run) will be flowing at about 30 to 35 cumecs, although rainfall and generation flow changes will affect flow rates. Check the Genesis Energy website for flow data.

Access

2008-03-19T13:27:18+13:00

The NZ Freestyle Kayaking committee is organising a freestyle event on Saturday 19/Sunday 20 April to select the 2008 national team. The event is open to everyone that wants to compete, even if you don’t want to be selected for the team, the more the merrier. 2008 is a Freestyle World Cup series year for which you don’t need to be part of a national team to compete. These selections are for competition practice for those wanting to go to the world cup, ranking purposes and the glory of the ‘National Champ’ title. Saturday will be at the Bottom Hole (Kaituna River), Rotorua. Sunday will be a surf event at a location to be decided (probably Raglan). Contact Louise Urwin nzfreestyle@gmail.com for more information.

General

2008-03-17T08:27:10+13:00

Meridian Energy has lodged resource consent applications to construct a $250 million 65-85MW dam on the wild and scenic Mokihinui River. Submissions on the resource consent are due 23 April. The NZRCA will be submitting against the proposal in order to preserve the existing recreational amenity and encourages all paddlers to get in involved to preserve their habitat.

Conservation

2008-03-11T22:32:03+13:00

Antz Longman’s latest CUMEC Magazine features paddling news in New Zealand and Australia, waterfall kayaking in Iceland, green kayaking, Genoa river (Australia), interview with Don Calder (with particular comments on the Kaituna dam proposal), gear reviews, shoulder fitness, Tekapo Throwdown, Waitaha River, river running technique, paddling photos and more.

General

2008-03-10T23:00:47+13:00

Sue Clarke advises that the Secondary Schools and Open Nationals for slalom and down river racing will be held on the Tarawera River, Kawerau from 17-23 March (Easter week). Join us in the sunny Eastern Bay of Plenty for a few days of fun and competition. There is the opportunity to paddle Wairoa on Sunday 16th, Kaituna or Anawhenua so plenty of paddling for everyone making the trip worthwhile. Our vision is to create a positive experience for all competitors, to grow the Olympic sport of canoe slalom in New Zealand and develop our future champions. For further info and entry forms www.slalomnz.org.nz.

Access

2008-03-05T22:30:30+13:00

Duncan Catanach compiled the NZRCA’s submission to Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee regarding the Climate Change (Emissions Trading and Renewable Preference) Bill making the point that although water is a renewable resource, river environments are not renewable. More details regarding the proposed preference for renewable energy are available at http://www.climatechange.govt.nz/.

Conservation

2008-02-06T17:01:38+13:00

Buller Festival is happening this year on February 29 and the March 1 and 2. The event kicks off on Friday 29 with paddlers going head-2-head in the Extreme Race back on the Lower Matakitaki. Join Ben Jackson on Friday night for a slideshow and tall tales of recent travels in the Indian Himalaya’s. Saturday is based down at O’Sullivan’s Rapid with the legendary Buller Slalom and Rafter X events before the Rock the Buller Party back in Murchison. Sunday starts with the third running of the Buller Big Air competition followed by the final prize giving to celebrate those who won and lost. For more information and updates head to www.rivers.co.nz/bullerfestival

Access

2008-02-01T22:32:11+13:00

Genesis Energy have advised that the Poutu Canal maintenance programme has been postponed indefinitely. Genesis Energy has been requested to do everything possible to maximise generation due to the current shortage of electricity generation, particularly in the North Island. Poutu Canal will be reinstated on the evening of Sunday 3rd February and flows in the Tongariro River below Poutu Intake will return to the minimum flow of 16 cumecs by the early morning of Monday 4th February.

General

2008-01-22T22:37:42+13:00

Government-owned Meridian Energy has lodged resource consent applications to construct a $250 million 65-85MW dam on the Mokihinui River. The Mokihinui offers excellent whitewater kayaking in classic West Coast backcountry. The proposal would inundate an entire class III-IV section from Mokihinui Forks down to Seddonville. It would effectively eliminate the upstream class IV-V section from the Johnson-Allan confluence by replacing the lower run with a 14km lake. Meridian re aware of existing heli-kayaking on the river but claim “numerous other rivers on the West Coast… are considered to be better for kayaking and rafting than the Mokihinui.” The NZRCA disputes this claim and will be vigorously opposing the project. While NZ needs more renewable energy, our whitewater rivers are not a renewable resource.

Conservation

2008-01-22T12:06:10+13:00

Clare McLennan says that after the huge success of last years event, Women on Whitewater (WOW) are pleased to announce that there will be two womens’ weekends in February. The first event will be held at Murchison on 8-10 February. A couple of weeks later head to the the North Island weekend to be at Mohaka on 23-24th February. These weekends are a chance for women of all skill levels to come together, learn new skills and generally have heaps of fun paddling together. If you are interested in joining in then please register for the Murchison event, or send an email about either event to MurchWow@gmail.com. Whet your appetite with a video from Women on Whitewater 2007.

Access, Education

2008-01-20T22:43:06+13:00

Westpower is proposing a 20MW hydro scheme at the exit of Morgan Gorge on the Waitaha. Zac Shaw was on a NZKS team run on the pristine Waitaha River and has posted some images and a video (by Ben Jackson). David Maurier was paddling the Waitaha also. The Waitaha is a beautiful and committing run through steep schist gorges and classic West Coast bush, and is regularly visited by NZ and international kayakers and trampers.

Conservation

2008-01-15T16:50:43+13:00

DOC’s West Coast Tai Poutini Conservancy advises that didymo has been found in the Arahura River. DOC is concerned it could be spread to more rivers and might impact on endangered native whio (blue) ducks. The didymo cells have been found in samples taken near the mouth of the Arahura River in a DOC didymo survey. Didymo has previously been confirmed in the Buller, Haast and Kakapotahi Rivers, bringing the number of rivers infected on the West Coast to four. DOC and MAF Biosecurity New Zealand are reminding people to ‘Check, Clean, and Dry‘ their gear between waterways to prevent the spread of didymo to other rivers and areas in the catchment.

Access, Conservation

2008-01-11T14:20:41+13:00

Graeme McIntyre advises that after the very high river levels on the Kahuterawa River early this week (that saw the river flowing higher than it did in the February 2004 February floods) a farm bridge over the Kahuterawa at the Scott’s Road end of the river (the first bridge you paddle under not far from the first drop) has been washed-out as well as some trees in the area. It is highly likely that parts of this bridge and maybe trees are now at the bottom of the first drop and you should scout the drop before paddling it. Debris could also be found further down the river form the bridge site and drop so caution should be taken while paddling the river. Keep in mind that the only time that this river is normally run is when it is in flood and the turbidity of the water is not the best for looking for trees and parts of bridges under water. Therefore if you are not happy with the situation portage the drop.

Safety

2008-01-06T20:31:24+13:00

The 5th annual Andy Duff Memorial Kaituna Challenge will take place on Saturday 12th January. This is a super fun race, with a grass-roots, no frills attitude for everyone to participate in. Bring out your old Alphas and Pirouettes and get ready for the best evening of the summer on the Kaituna. Time: 4:30pm sharp. Place: Put-in for the Kaituna at Okere Falls, Rotorua. Events: Mass starts from the Control Gates all the way down to the Bottom Hole (1.8kms) in the following order: playboats, longboats, tandem kayaks, sledges, rafts. Races are timed so that anyone that wishes can compete in all of them. Prize-giving will take place immediately following the raft race in the carpark at the take-out. Any questions, please contact Douglas at: mccormickdouglas@gmail.com

Access