Author Archive

2003-05-26T13:51:52+12:00

The 2003 Rodeo Worlds are underway in Graz, Austria. There’s a strong New Zealand contingent including Nick Wimsett, Ken Mutton, Andi O’Connell, Jarrod Meehan, Andrew Martin, Mark Eames, Karen Armstrong, Jo Lucas, Nikki Kelly, Lawrence Simpson and Jeremy Buchanan. The kiwis will be up against many of the best paddlers in the world, and will also have to contend with the feature hole (dubbed ‘Terminator III’) which Nick Wimsett reports has claimed 70 swimmers before the competition has even started. See also http://www.jacksonkayak.com/2003-worlds/2003-worlds.cfm.

2003-05-23T15:38:54+12:00

Thanks to Warren Hales at HBCC, release dates for the Waikaretaheke for the remainder of 2003 are available in Events & Releases

2003-05-05T21:24:22+12:00

The Kakariki Canyon run on the Lower Hokitika is an excellent class III-IV trip, and a great introduction to the heli-kayaking scene. Alan Bell describes (and illustrates) a trip by the NZRCA Executive and friends in December 2002.

2003-05-01T10:12:35+12:00

Rafting companies have plugged part of the gap at Rangitaiki’s Rock ‘A’ using bags of cement. The rock has been a factor in several rafting fatalities. Around 70% of the gap has been plugged.

2003-04-27T12:25:40+12:00

(18 March) The Land Access Reference Group is seeking public input on issues relating to public access. This is an opportunity for kayakers to raise any issues they have experienced with respect to access to rivers and lakes. Key points of interest are:
The extent and nature of issues relating to access – including to waterways, the coastline and countryside – providing examples where possible.
If there are issues relating to access, what you consider to be the causes.
Potential solutions for addressing any issues identified by you.
The likely social, cultural, economic and environmental impacts resulting from these solutions.
With respect to access, what is your vision for the future?

Submissions can be sent to Land Access Reference Group, c/o MAF, PO Box 2526, Wellington, or email Mark Neeson (mark.neeson@maf.govt.nz) or Grant King (grant.king@maf.govt.nz) of MAF by 28 March 2003. Update 27 April: Maree Baker and Mike Savory have made a submission regarding access to the Land Access Reference Group.

2003-04-15T08:45:08+12:00

(30 March) Police recovered the body of Zephlyn Ivan Vlahovic (54) from the Kawarau River near the outlet of Lake Wakatipu. His kayak and paddle were recovered downstream. Mr Vlahovic had no apparent injuries, and police are investigating (Kayaker found dead on Kawarau, ODT). Update 15 April: NZRCA Safety Officer Glenn Murdoch advises “Underneath the Kawarau Falls Bridge there are ten channels separated by concrete walls. Some of these channels contain dangerous reversals. It appears that one of these reversals was the cause of last week’s accident. If the channels are numbered 1 – 10 from true left to true right, channels 1, 6, 9 and 10 have dangerous reversals in them. My recommendation is that people use the second channel from the true left to go under the bridge. Another key factor in this accident appears to be that the kayaker was paddling alone. NZRCA recommends that you never kayak alone.” Queenstown-Lakes District Council has warned kayakers and signs have been placed on the bridge.

2003-04-11T11:03:57+12:00

Mike Abbott will be be presenting a slideshow and video on the ‘First Descent of Tibet’s Yarling Tsangpo‘ on Wednesday 23 April, 20:00-22:00 Ngaio Marsh Theatre, 90 Ilam Rd., University of Canterbury Student’s Association, Christchurch. Tickets $10 ($5 students) on the night.

2003-04-09T18:55:46+12:00

Congratulations are due to Angela Pahl of Wainuiomata and Chris Sinclair of Dunedin, both of whom won a copy of Graham Charles’ latest NZ Whitewater guidebook. Their names were drawn from the pool of all paid-up NZRCA members over the December 2002 – February 2003 period.

2003-04-08T08:16:37+12:00

The Autumn 2003 (03.1) issue of NZ Canoeing is on its way to members, and features an Editorial (Tony Ward-Holmes), From the Presidential suite (Robin Rutter-Baumann), Newssplashes, Conservation (Maree Baker), Old Man River (Graham Charles), Eight days on the Franklin (Polly Miller), Safety (Glenn Murdoch), Canoeist of the Year (Maggie Oakley).

Whitewater NZ

2003-04-01T07:43:43+12:00

The Whitewater Slalom NZ (WWSNZ) National Championships slalom will be held at the new Environmental White Water Park at Mangahao, Shannon on 18-20 April. For details contact Carrol Walkley (walkley@inspire.net.nz) or read the programme (Word, 80k). Update 1 April: Because of the severe water shortage in the lower North Island the NZ Nationals will be held at an alternative venue, the Kaituna and Tongariro
Rivers. Grab an updated copy of the programme (Word, 80k).

2003-03-31T20:48:14+12:00

Huntly Youth Focus are holding a Canoe and Kayak Festival on Waikato River on Saturday 18 October 2003. The event is targeted at 11-16 year olds. The day starts with a paddle from Ngaruawahia to Huntly starting 8:30am. The demonstrations and races will begin at Huntly at 11:00am. At 2:00pm the older teenagers canoe back upstream to Taupiri arriving about 4:30pm. There is an interest in ‘at risk’ young people and young people with disabilities although all teenagers can participate. For more details please contact James Read at 07 828 8449.

2003-03-27T19:31:18+12:00

Glenn Murdoch has compiled a Code of Practice based on a draft from NZOIA. The Code of Practice highlights key safety and management issues in order to promote responsible kayaking which still allows for high levels of challenge and fun. It is intended that clubs or individuals can adopt this code as it stands, or use it as a template to develop their own Code of Practice.

2003-03-26T21:56:59+12:00

The MSA is seeking an Accident Investigator – Maritime Adventure & Recreational Boating. The NZRCA has been concerned for some time about the quality of MSA investigations into whitewater canoe and kayak accidents, so it would be great to see an experienced paddler in this role. The closing date for applications is Monday 1 April 2003.

2003-03-11T19:20:20+13:00

The operators of the Mangahao dam have advised that due to drought conditions in the Horowhenua, the Mangahao release for March 22 is cancelled.

2003-03-06T12:53:53+13:00

The Tekapo Whitewater course will be open Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 March, and is available for paddlers to use. The course coordinators for the weekend are Penny Clendon (pcc26@student.canterbury.ac.nz) and Steve Hasse (steve@macpac.co.nz).

2003-02-24T11:45:05+13:00

A 27-year old English kayaker drowned on the Waikaia river, Southland on Saturday. After rescue attempts failed, his companions hiked out through dense bush to raise the alarm. The kayaker’s body was recovered by searchers on Sunday afternoon. Update 26 February: Police named James Robert Lowe Acton as the English kayaker who drowned. He was a captain in the British Army. The two men kayaking with him were Tony Roberts, of Guildford in Surrey, and George Fell, of Baildon, West Yorkshire.

2003-02-21T08:51:06+13:00

There is a scheduled release on the Tekapo whitewater course on the weekend of 8 and 9 March. This release cannot proceed unless a club or group takes on the responsibility of opening and closing the course gates and coordinating with Meridian over the flow. Any clubs or groups that would be willing to take on that job, or even are just interested in what is involved, please contact Mike Savory (access@whitewater.mytestsite.nz) as soon as possible. There will be course flows available every month of next summer; if your club or group can’t coordinate the release next month, then consider when you would like to host an event next season and let Mike know.

2003-02-20T21:29:47+13:00

Be safer on whitewater with an NZRCA-approved River Safety or River Rescue course. The list of course providers has been updated, and there is a new River Safety/Rescue Subsidy form (PDF, 84k) for NZRCA members.

2003-02-19T10:18:48+13:00

The TEVA Buller Festival is on Friday 28 February (registration), Saturday 1 March (kayak slalom, raft slalom and party) and Sunday 2 March (raft race, kayak rodeo, prizegiving). With heaps of sponsors, the 2003 event has the biggest prize-pool ever.

2003-11-06T05:22:09+13:00

Ian Gill-Fox reports “On the weekend of 29-30 November, Venture Out is sponsoring an event at the Tekapo White Water Course in conjunction with the White Water Canoe Club and the Canterbury White Water Racing Group. There will be a Slalom, a Down River Race and a Rodeo. The Rodeo will be judged by Donald Calder and will be a ranking event. The Slalom and DRR are organised by the WWCC and CWWRG. The Slalom is the 3rd in the SI series. Spot prizes will be available for all events. Demo boats from Liquid Logic, Prijon and Necky will be available to try out. All paddlers and spectators welcome, so show up and have a go or just hang out and watch. Further details from ian@ventureout.co.nz.” (Refer Events & Releases for other kayak events.)

2003-10-31T04:36:28+13:00

[14 October 2003] The planned releases from Meridian Energy for the Tekapo river, Tekapo Whitewater Course and Pukaki river have been added to Events & Releases. 31 October: The Tekapo Whitewater Course releases for Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 November have been cancelled due to coordination diffculties.

Access

2003-10-22T10:44:18+13:00

Polly Miller is preparing for foreign adventures, so the Communications Officer position is available to someone who is keen to coordinate the brand and communications activities of the NZRCA. The Education Officer role is also currently vacant, and would suit someone with an interest in kayak and safety instruction. If you would like to get involved in the organisation dedicated to preserving New Zealand’s whitewater resources, then please contact the President, Robin Rutter-Baumann at president@whitewater.mytestsite.nz.

2003-10-16T21:11:15+13:00

The MNZ have developed Rule Part 91 – The Navigation Safety Rule. Rule Part 91 became law on March 21, 2003. The new rule makes it compulsory for a certified PFD to be worn at times of “heightened risk”. Kayakers in New Zealand typically wear PFDs as a matter of course, but all kayaking PFDs are currently uncertified (and likely to stay that way for the immediate future). Technically almost everyone paddling since March is breaking the law. The rule apparently also restricts playing on waves and navigation in river channels. Jonathan Hunt and Tony-Ward Holmes provide an overview of Rule Part 91 and its implications for kayakers.

Safety

2003-10-10T03:31:54+13:00

[23 September 2003] Mangahao releases for the coming season have been scheduled for Saturday 25 October, Saturday 6 December and Saturday 20 March 2004 as listed in Events & Releases. Note that the 6 December release is intended to make up for the missed release earlier this year, and is dependent on approval being granted for a variation to the resource consent for the Mangahao dams. Check this site before commiting to a trip. Update: 10 October, the catch-up release for Saturday 6 December has been confirmed by Todd Energy/King Country Energy.