Author Archive

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.

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.

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.”

2001-11-13T12:36:23+13:00

From the days when plastic kayaks were a new idea, comes a 1985 trip report about a descent of the Waiwhakaiho in Taranaki.

2002-08-05T22:31:07+12:00

The Conservation Minister has announced the approval of the Adams Wilderness area, previously announced here, with adjusted boundaries “in response to concerns raised in a number of the public submissions relating to access.” The official boundaries are yet to be published, but a DoC spokesperson has said that access to the Perth has been adjusted slightly higher, and that repeat descents of the Adams will be possible (from the highest safe landing zone as advised by Jamie Scott). This is a good result. DoC have listened to submissions from paddlers and made adjustments, and the kayaking opportunities remain. Update: 15 August, see map (770k) for revised boundaries.

2002-08-02T15:50:16+12:00

To assist our hard-working Conservation Officer Maree Baker (who has moved south), the NZRCA Executive have created a North Island Conservation sub-committee with Graeme McIntyre of Ruahine Canoe Club, Palmerston North as its chairperson. At this time Graeme is focussed on issues on the Rangitikei and Mangahao. You can reach Graeme on niconservation@whitewater.mytestsite.nz

2002-07-28T12:19:14+12:00

DoC have arranged a trial of access to the Taipo river with a local farmer. The trial involves a locked gate for which a key can be obtained on request, and lasts to October 1. Details are in Access / Taipo access trial.

2002-07-24T08:14:10+12:00

Kerry Hoglund’s images from the first descent of the Adams are in Album: First descent of the Adams and illustrate why access to this superb back-country river should be maintained.

Access

2002-06-22T14:23:25+12:00

Fletcher Challenge Forests (FCF) have completed their work near the Aniwhenua section of the Rangitaiki

2002-06-17T08:29:49+12:00

The Executive of the NZRCA wish to offer their sincere condolences to the family and friends of Grant Rochfort who passed away on 5 June 2002. Grant was an accomplished slalom and rodeo paddler and Kayak I instructor for a number of years. Grant made paddles that were popular throughout NZ and were also being exported overseas. His presence on New Zealand’s rivers will be sorely missed.

2002-06-13T22:00:03+12:00

The Maritime Safety Authority has released its report (PDF, 73k) into last year’s fatal canoe accident on the Clarence. The 20-page report summarises the key events, discusses the conditions and contributing factors, and provides opinions and recommendations. One of the recommendations is for commercial (open) canoe operators to adopt the proposed code of practice for adventure tourism, when it becomes available from Qualmark. The NZRCA is considering the report and its recommendations and will discuss the implications with members and clubs. Also see, Girl terrified of river run (temporary link).

2002-05-28T15:15:09+12:00

New Zealand Canoeing, Autumn 2002 (02.2) is out, and includes news from your Association (Polly Miller), Gowan appealed (Polly Miller), Graham’s view on the Lower Hokitika (Graham Charles), Free training days from Water Safety New Zealand (Brendon Ward), Wafting… down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River (Mick Hopkinson), Voyage around Stewart Island (Ian Algie), Kayak West Coast Search and Rescue Update (Sam Rainey), Letter from Pat Hyland re the Tekapo Slalom Course (Pat Hyland).

2002-05-20T10:21:50+12:00

A few months back, a team from Christchurch and Hokitika enjoyed a day of low water and maximum sun exploring a tributary of the Grey river; the images are online in Whitewater Gallery / Exploring the Clarke.

2002-05-14T12:11:19+12:00

Get inspired for your next adventure by reading one of four articles about the wild Karamea river: The Karamea River – Sheer magic (Alan Bell), The Karamea – A seven day epic (Ben Willems), Karamea in flood (Deirdre Hiller) and Karamea (Doug Rankin) all in the Access section.

2002-05-06T16:45:01+12:00

North Canterbury Federated Farmers has expressed support for the Hurunui Irrigation and Power Trust’s proposals to dam the Hurunui river while the Hurunui District Council has carefully distanced itself and Forest & Bird have denounced the proposal. Meanwhile Ecan are holding a meeting regarding Hurunui River Resource Management Planning (7pm, Thursday 9 May at Hurunui District Council offices) to discuss with stakeholders the various studies and reports that have been produced to date, and what might be needed to plan the future management of the river.

2002-05-01T15:30:52+12:00

A kayaker and engineer in the USA have built the Wavebox, a portable, artificial play hole. According to TechTV’s Portable Whitewater Practice Ground the pumps put out 6,400 gallons per minute – that’s about 0.4 cumecs. For a bit more than $120,000 NZD.

2002-04-28T12:07:35+12:00

New Zealand Canoeing (01.1), has been dispatched to NZRCA members, and features a Clarence update (Doug Rankin), progress on the Tekapo course (Ian Russell), the formation of a West Coast River Search and Rescue Team (Matthew Bennett), Caveat Emptor (Mick Hopkinson), Words of wisdom from Gareth Fryer (Gareth Fryer), The Karamea River – Sheer magic (Alan Bell) and a warning about surfer’s ear (Doug Rankin) and summarised results from the Membership Survey (Polly Miller).

2002-04-25T13:12:38+12:00

The Department of Conservation is proposing two new wilderness areas on the West Coast. The proposed Adams wilderness area is of concern to kayakers with respect to the Perth, Upper Wanganui and Adams rivers. DoC have provided a useful background paper and a specific information pack on the Adams area which recognise the Perth and Upper Wanganui as world-class adventure kayaking sections. The proposal affects access to the Perth above Scone Hut, the Adams River and the Upper Wanganui river.

The NZRCA encourages kayakers to make submissions requesting access to these sections for current and future generations of paddlers. Kayakers have already lost access to the Upper Landsborough (Hooker-Landsborough Wilderness Area) and the Karangarua (old airstrip at Cassel Flat, Westland Tai Poutini National Park), and arguably the Waipara (Olivine Wilderness Area), the best day-trip landing in the Karamea (above Roaring Lion, Tasman Wilderness Area), and air access was threatened during the drafting of the Kahurangi National Park Conservation Management Plan. Submissions are due May 10 (Submission form (PDF,63k)). Details of the proposal and the NZRCA’s concerns are in Access / The Adams Wilderness Area. Update: 13 May, the NZRCA’s submission regarding access to the Perth, Upper Wanganui and Adams rivers is online. Update: 15 August, corrected URLs after DoC website rearrangement. Update: 17 September 2003, corrected URLs after additional DoC website rearrangement.

Access

2002-04-23T10:33:39+12:00

Police in Westport are still keeping an eye on local beaches after a man was swept out to sea after a canoe accident on Sunday 14 April. Wayne Whiston (44) of Hector and a companion were returning from a hunting expedition and used a canoe to cross the Mokihinui River around dusk. The canoe capsized and while his companion made it to shore, Mr Whiston was swept into rapids and is presumed drowned.

2002-04-16T10:33:00+12:00

Starting in Wellington this Saturday (20 April), Forest & Bird are conducting a series of free one-day workshops on the Resource Management Act. The workshops are scheduled for weekends and are being held around the country as per the timetable (PDF,10k). These workshops would be beneficial for anyone making submissions in support of conserving local rivers and recreational amenity values. Registration is required; for details and course outline, see http://www.forest-bird.org.nz/RM/workshops.asp.

2002-04-15T13:06:47+12:00

Environment Waikato and Waikato Medical Officer of Health Dr Dell Hood are warning recreational users of the river between Hamilton and Ngaruawahia that the level of bacteria in the water was currently well above the level considered safe and any water contact should be avoided. Risks include bacterial infections, giardia, cryptosporidium and Hepatitis A. Contamination is due to intensive farming and stormwater runoff (Waikato District Health Board statement). Update: 8 May, The pollution has been traced to a Hautapu dairy factory.