Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

2005-09-18T19:39:00+12:00

Hugh Canard describes an arduous trip down the Upper Taipo River, and provides some historical background to this classic run.

2005-09-09T07:36:00+12:00

NZ Canoeing 5.2, Winter 2005 has been mailed to members, and contains articles including Access to Waterways and RMA Election Issues (Tony Ward-Holmes), The Inaugural Tongariro and Whakapapa Releases: Tongariro Releases, April 2005 (Alan Bell), The Inaugural Tongariro and Whakapapa Releases: Whakapapa release, July 2005 (Mike Birch), Wise up to the White Stuff Part 3 (Matt Barker) and Canoeist of the Year (Jonathan Hunt).

Whitewater NZ

2005-09-07T08:59:00+12:00

Tony Ward-Holmes outlines key issues affecting kayakers arising from policy proposals announced in the build-up to the 2005 General Election. Changes to the RMA and access to rivers are of particular concern.

2005-09-06T14:46:00+12:00

[09:23] Access Officer Graeme McIntyre advises that the scheduled release from Mangahao’s Dam No 2 on Saturday 10 September is doubtful due to lack of recent rain. Unless we get heavy rain before Friday 9th it is unlikely that this release will go ahead. We will endeavour to provide notification of cancellation on this site. Update 14:46: Release is cancelled due to low water. Proposed replacement release is 1 October 2005.

2005-08-23T21:23:00+12:00

Graeme McIntyre writes, “This year the Ruahine White Water Club is 30 years old. We are celebrating this on the weekend of 5 November. This will be a great opportunity to meet old friends and relive some of the early days of this great club. Already paddlers and ex-paddlers are sorting out photos, slides, videos, minute books and newsletters to bring to our birthday celebrations.

There will be cruises on the Pohangina or the Oroua rivers (if you need a kayak let us know) and on Saturday night, a reunion dinner party with a theme of the 70’s. So dig out all your old 70’s clothes, grow you hair long and come along for the weekend.

It will be great if you can share this weekend with us. Please let us know if you will be there, as we would like to start making plans for catering etc. Also do you know any other ex-paddlers contact addresses? Please let me know ASAP at PO Box 1323, Palmerston North or graeme.mcintyre@pncc.govt.nz“

2006-03-30T08:46:23+12:00

Tony Ward-Holmes, Warwick Mason and Graham Fletcher provided some great images of a Landsborough trip from October 2005.

Access

2006-03-16T09:50:08+13:00

Andy England explains why the Arnold River is a popular resource threatened by TrustPower‘s plans.

Conservation

2006-03-13T09:40:00+13:00

[20 February] Coordinated by Ultimate Descents in Murchison, the annual TEVA BullerFest is on again, on Friday 3, Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 March. Includes extreme race, slalom, rafter cross, big air competition and the ‘Rock the Buller’ party. Update: 13 March, WWCC member Lorraine Wagg advises, “There are free photos for every competitor at Bullerfest 2006 posted at http://www.photochick.co.nz. Images can be downloaded from this site until mid-April.

Access

2006-03-09T20:29:32+13:00

Warren Hales of HBCC has advised the dates for this year’s Whakamarino and Piripaua releases.

Access

2006-03-09T08:17:00+13:00

[16 February] Releases from Mangahao Dam No.2 have been scheduled with King Country Energy for Saturday 18 March and Saturday 28 October. Update 9 March: The Mangahao release for 18 March has been postponed due to very low lake levels. A replacement date is yet to be negotiated with King Country Energy.

Access

2006-03-07T19:25:50+13:00

[7 March] Genesis Energy is undertaking maintenance on the Poutu Intake on the Tongariro River (put-in for the “Access 10” run) on the following dates: Monday 13 March, Monday 20 March, Monday 27 March, Monday 3 April. This will not affect the flow below the intake (this will remain at 16 cumecs), however kayakers may notice discoloured water. Access to the put-in may be diverted to the Umukarikari access road. Update 30 March: The Poutu Intake works are ahead of schedule and the final works in the river are planned for Friday 31st March instead of Monday 3rd April, commencing at 2pm.

Access

2006-03-05T22:10:00+13:00

The Adventure Philosophy team went to South Georgia Island in October last year and successfully completed the first circumnavigation of the island by sea kayak. Mark Jones presents an ‘audiovisual spectacular’ on Monday 6 March, 7:30pm, at AUT University, Akoranga Drive Campus, Lecture theatre AA 234 and on Thursday 9 March, 7:30pm, Dorothy Winstone Centre, Auckland Girls Grammar School, Howes St (off K Rd.). Cost $15 prepaid or $10 students. Tickets can be purchased at Canoe and Kayak stores, 710 Great South Rd, Manukau or 2/20 Constellation Drive, North Shore, or at Outdoor Action, 57 Barrys Point Rd, Takapuna, or Tisdalls, Queen St. Presentations are also planned for additional locations including Greymouth, Blenheim, Nelson and China.

2006-02-24T12:55:00+13:00

[13 January] Louis Tapper reports Kokatahi Helicopters are looking for the best kayaking photos from the West Coast (Arahura River , Whataroa River , Styx, Taipo, Toaroha, Kokatahi , Hokitika , Whitcombe, Waitaha). The best photo will earn a free helicopter trip for you and one friend into any of the rivers listed on Dando’s website. To enter, register via the yakers forum where you can also find competition rules and instructions on how to upload the photos. Photos will be published at http://www.kokatahihelicopters.co.nz/gallery.html. Entries close 1 February 2006. Update, 2 February: Entries are now open to 8 February. Update, 24 February. The winning photo has been announced. Well done, Andy!

2006-02-22T12:48:00+13:00

Biosecurity NZ have confirmed the discovery of didymo in Canterbury’s Ahuriri river. Please continue to Check, Clean, Dry.

Access

2006-02-14T08:42:06+13:00

Toi Te Ora Public Health has warned of an algal bloom in lake Rotoiti (PDF) that affects the upper reaches of the Kaituna River.

2006-02-13T20:33:50+13:00

[11 January 2006] Organiser Peter Spiers says the TEVA 2006 Wairoa Extreme Race is on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 February 2006. Racers entry Fee is $50.00 if paid before January 31st to PO Box 1763, Rotorua. Make cheques out to ‘Wairoa Extreme Race’. $60.00 if entered after that date. Prize money $1000.00 Mens 1st place (sponsored by Teva). 2nd, 3rd and 4th $200.00. $500.00 Women’s 1st place, $200.00 2nd place. Time trial finish will be at rock at bottom of waterfall. Spot prizes and paraphernalia for racers at prize-giving. Camping as per usual, Party still to be organized. Any questions by email to Peterjspiers@yahoo.com or phone 07 362 4572. (Andi Uhl will be at the start, in a boat this year). Update 13 February: Mike Birch grabbed some great images from the Wairoa Extreme Race held last weekend. Mike Dawson won the men’s race and Nikki kelly the women’s. Colin Sonneveld won the carnage award.

2006-02-09T10:17:53+13:00

The Special Tribunal appointed to consider the application by MAJAC Trust for a variation to the Buller Water Conservation Order has presented its report and recommendations (PDF, 161k) to the Minister for the Environment. The report has recommended that the application for a variation be declined, on the basis that amenity values other than just rafting (for example, fishing and kayaking values) also needed to be included in the case for a variation. The NZRCA has been actively involved in this case from the beginning (2005, 2004, 2002).

Access

2006-02-07T21:02:44+13:00

John Snook advises that the Oceanian Continental Champs for slalom are on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 February at the Mangahao National Whitewater Centre, Shannon.

2006-02-02T13:00:31+13:00

The Adventure Philosophy team went to South Georgia Island in October last year and successfully completed the first circumnavigation of the island by sea kayak. See their ‘audiovisual spectacular’ on Wednesday 22 February, from 7:30pm at the James Hay Theatre, Christchurch Town Hall. Tickets $15/$10 from Ticketek or McEwings.

2006-01-25T16:32:55+13:00

Biosecurity NZ have announced that didymo has been confirmed in the Waitaki River, near Kurow. Once again we remind freshwater users that Didymo is a microscopic organism, and personal responsibility is the key to limiting its spread. Users of freshwaters should Check, Clean, Dry all items between waterways., said a BNZ spokesperson.

2006-01-25T15:05:57+13:00

Meridian Energy is investigating potential dam sites on the Mohaka River below the area protected by a Water Conservation Order. Meridian is conducting a nationwide search into hydro power opportunities.

2006-01-02T16:39:12+13:00

Based on investigations by Ian Gill-Fox on cleaning agents and discussions with Biosecurity NZ, the NZRCA has updated its advice regarding didymo for kayakers

2005-12-23T10:27:04+13:00

NZ Canoeing 05.3 has been mailed to members and contains articles such as Summer around the corner (Guido Wassink), Newssplashes (Guido Wassink), Kaituna Gorge (Mike Dawson), Kaituna Hydro-project Lowdown (Duncan Catanach, Guido Wassink), Paddlers and Rocksnot: Keeping it clean (Guido Wassink), Creeking on the Val Sesia (Polly Miller), Sad but true (Mick Hopkinson), Legends of Aotearoa (Tony Ward-Holmes).

Access

2005-12-17T11:29:15+13:00

The Wet West Film Festival 2006 will be held 5-8th January 2006 in Hokitika. The festival features numerous movies of action and adventure including an entire kayaking night.