Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

2005-02-11T14:06:30+13:00

The annual TEVA Buller Festival will be held on Friday 4, Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 March, in and around Murchison. The festival features an extreme race, videos and dj, slalom race, ‘Rock the Buller’ party and rodeo.

2005-02-04T11:18:00+13:00

The Mohaka Water Conservation Order for the Mohaka river (2004/397) was brought into force in December last year.

2005-02-01T15:25:00+13:00

NZRCA Access Officer Graeme McIntyre is liaising with Ruapehu District Council, Environment Waikato and DoC regarding emergency procedures in the event of a lahar from Mt Ruapehu’s crater lake. A lahar would pose a serious threat to any kayakers on the Whangaehu river or nearby streams. A communications plan is being formulated, including a telephone list by which local clubs can be alerted. Locals are placing warning signs at put-ins and take-outs. Kayakers should monitor the threat levels indicated on the Environment Waikato Crater Lake Status diagram. DoC also publish a Crater Lake Status Report with diagrams (Lahar Path Map, Image showing Whangaehu Valley lahar path and location of warning sensors and bund).

2005-01-25T11:18:00+13:00

Andi Uhl advises the TEVA 2005 Wairoa Whitewater Extreme Race is scheduled for February 12 and 13, 2005, on the Wairoa River, Bay of Plenty, near Tauranga. Entries can be submitted online on http://www.paddle-power.com/extremerace/ or you can email Andi Uhl at mail@paddle-power.com for more information. The two-day event consists of a downriver race on day one and Head-to-Head sprints down Waterfall and Rollercoaster rapids on day two. Spectators are welcome but since there is no walking access to the rapids you need to paddle down the class III- IV section or join up with one of the commercial rafting companies which operate on the Wairoa. Since some people have raised the question, note that the river is not closed for paddlers or rafters during the event.

2005-01-11T16:40:00+13:00

The NZRCA has updated the Guide to the Whanganui River to edition 15. Numerous changes include new DOC Hut and Campsite Pass options. NZRCA members receive a discount; refer Order Form (PDF, 12k).

2005-01-10T09:21:00+13:00

Richard Bannister advises that Southland’s Mararoa and Waiau rivers have algal blooms, so kayakers are advised not to paddle them to avoid spreading the algae to other rivers, or ensure any equipment used is well cleaned (wash items that have been in contact with affected waters with nappy cleaner, salt water, 10% bleach solution, disinfectant skin cleanser such as hibitane, or strong detergent). Environment Southland have an enviro alert page on didymosphenia geminata as do Biosecurity New Zealand.

2005-01-09T12:44:00+13:00

The Andy Duff Memorial Kaituna Challenge will be on Saturday January 15 at 5pm featuring mass-start races from Control Gates to Bottom Hole for play boats, topoduos, sledges, long boats and rafts. Entry by $5 donation to Andy Fuller or Dooglas on the day. Prizegiving following rafts race at the bottom carpark.

2005-01-07T10:18:00+13:00

An injury incident that occured on the Waihi Falls in August 2004 has been added to the Accident/Incident Database.

2005-01-05T21:19:00+13:00

Kerry Hoglund and Brett Miller ignore the omens and survive an adventure on the Oparara river.

Access

2005-01-02T20:45:00+13:00

[7 October 2004] The Wet West Film Festival is an international, competitive film festival, with water as its theme, mixed liberally with the outdoors and stirred by adventure! Enter your film before 15 November 2004 to be a part of this unique event. For further information go to http://www.wetwestfilmfest.com. Update 2 January 2005: The Wet West Film Fest is on this week in Hokitika. Organisers have arranged a special ‘kayak action night’ of film at Hokitika’s new DVD theatre, Crooked Mile Talking Movies. Screening on Thursday 6 January, there will be 3 -4 hours of action, adrenaline and plenty of water that we’ll all recognise and plenty that we won’t! Tickets available now for all sessions for $25 or $12 per session. Phone Hokitika Info on 03 755 6166 or visit www.wetwestfilmfest.com for details. Beware – weekend pass holders get priority entry to all sessions.

2004-12-20T13:51:00+13:00

Andi Uhl has alerted kayakers to the proposal by Bay of Plenty Electricity to build a 7m, 15-20MW dam that would destroy the Awesome Gorge section of the Kaituna river near Rotorua. BoPE is planning to apply for resource consents between January and July 2005. Contact BoPE Generation Manager John Smyth (jsmyth@bopelec.co.nz) to ensure you are notified directly.

2004-12-16T10:55:00+13:00

[15 December 2004] The NZRCA has announced its membership in the Living Rivers Coalition, joining Fish & Game, Forest and Bird and Federated Mountain Clubs to protect New Zealand’s rivers. Robin Rutter-Baumann, President of the NZRCA, says It is great that recreation and conservation groups have joined forces. Each group brings a unique perspective on rivers; ours is a knowledge and love of New Zealand’s world-class whitewater. Our experience is that the best results for natural river environments are achieved when interest groups work together rather than individually. Media release: Current to protect New Zealand’s rivers gains momentum (228k, PDF). Update 16 December: Hugh Canard explains the reasons for the NZRCA joining the Living Rivers Coalition.

Conservation

2004-12-07T14:52:00+13:00

[27 October] The planned releases from Meridian Energy for the Tekapo river, Tekapo Whitewater Course and Pukaki river have been added to Events & Releases. Note the Annual WWCC and CWWRG Slalom and Down River Race over the weekend of 6-7 November. [Update 22 November]: The Working Bee (Saturday 27) and course release (Sunday 28) have been cancelled due to lack of volunteers. Update 7 December: The Tekapo river releases scheduled for 11 and 12 have been postponed due to operational requirements (scheduled Transpower line outages). New dates are being negotiated.

2004-12-01T14:20:00+13:00

It took twelve years, numerous meetings, submissions and an appeal to the Environment Court, but Genesis Energy and the NZRCA have agreed to a schedule of recreational releases for the Tongariro Power Development scheme.

On three weekends in 2005 (2–3 April, 16–17 April, 24–25 September), the Poutu Intake and Rangipo Dams will release on Saturdays and Sundays respectively, allowing paddlers to enjoy the Access 10, and Access 13 and 14 sections. On 27 August and 10 September 2005 the Whakapapa Intake will provide natural flow at not less than 16 cumecs, with 28 August and 11 September as backup dates. The Moawhango Dam will release 30 cumecs on 18 December 2004 and 22 January 2005. Thanks are due to Maree Baker, Mike Birch, Graeme McIntyre, Mike Savory, Wade Bishop and others who helped the NZRCA make its case.

2004-11-30T10:30:00+13:00

Hugh Canard reports on a trip down the wild and remote Wairaurahiri river in Southland.

Access

2004-11-26T09:52:00+13:00

The Niamh Tomkins Memorial Kayak Rodeo is an annual freestyle kayak event at Fulljames rapid (Ngawaapurua) on the Waikato River. It is a competitive rodeo, but the emphasis is also on fun and encouraging people from all skill levels to enter. This years event is to be held on 11 and 12 December 2004. Enter now to be in to win a Bliss-Stick kayak!

2004-11-23T14:04:00+13:00

The Kaituna Rodeo is this weekend, Saturday 27 November 2004. Registration at 9am and briefing at 10am. Cost $20. Contact lu at nairnfisher dot co dot nz.

2004-11-19T10:33:00+13:00

Genesis Energy has advised that the Poutu intake and Rangipo dams are closed for maintenance, giving kayakers the oportunity to paddle the “Access 10”, “Access 13” and “Access 14” runs. Paddlers intending to paddle these runs can phone 07 386 8113 to obtain current flows (which are rainfall dependent). NB There used to be warning signs (described in NZ Whitewater) at the take outs before Tree trunk Gorge and Waikato Falls, but these have been removed. “Access 10” (below Poutu intake) will be higher than normal until 28th November. “Access 13” and “Access 14” (below Rangipo Dam) will be higher than normal until 26th November.

2004-11-12T14:56:00+13:00

River Valley and Bliss-Stick have announced that the Rangitikei River Festival will be held on Saturday 18 December. An Extreme Race and Big Air Contest will be followed by a huge party (indoors and outdoors). Register at 9am at the Lodge. Bliss-Stick are donating a kayak as a prize.

2004-11-11T13:33:00+13:00

The ODT reports that Olympic slalom paddler Scott Shipley is in Otago to assist Contact Energy in resource consent negotiations with Central Otago Whitewater. Shipley, who is also a professional engineer with experience of building whitewater courses in the USA, descended the Kawarau river and will be looking at other rivers in the region. Central Otago Whitewater are seeking mitigation for the loss of recreational amenity resulting from the Clyde dam, and in particular the drowning of rapids at Bannockburn, Cromwell Gap and the world-class Sargood’s Weir. A whitewater facility in the Hawea river is one option being considered, though it remains to be seen whether Contact Energy will meet the costs involved.

2005-05-14T18:07:00+12:00

[24 April] Mick Hopkinson reports on work and funding for a new road surface and car park for the Middle Matakitaki take-out at Six Mile Bull Paddock. The work to date has been supported by New Zealand Kayak School, Whitewater Canoe Club, Hydraulics, Mike Abbott and other individuals. Further donations to complete the work are sought. Update 14 May: At an Executive meeting on Thursday 12, the NZRCA agreed to donate $250 towards the Matakitaki Road access project.

2005-05-05T18:00:00+12:00

NZOIA are sponsoring the publication of New Zealand’s first dedicated book describing, exploring and explaining adventure and adventure education in New Zealand. It is hoped that this book becomes a legacy publication whose insights and stories appeal to the student and casual reader alike. Indicative chapter headings include: The why of adventure, NZ history of adventure, Environmental aspects, Cultural aspects, The history and diversity of NZ adventure education, Adventure therapy, Extreme adventure, Physicality of outdoor adventure, The amateur adventurer, The future of adventure. If you would like to be involved in this exciting project please contact Marcus Waters marcus.waters@xtra.co.nz who will send you a detailed project description and contributors brief.

2005-04-29T09:32:00+12:00

The NZRCA’s concerns arising from the Draft Waitaki Catchment Water Allocation Regional Plan have been compiled by Duncan Catanach to form the NZRCA’s Submission re Waitaki Allocation Plan.

2005-04-26T11:14:00+12:00

The Whitewater Gallery has been upgraded. Enjoy photographic accounts of a recent descent on the Karamea, April’s Tongariro releases and the Taipo.