Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

2007-02-07T22:28:49+13:00

Ali Kohout says on Saturday Sunday 24 March (Fuljames) and Sunday 25 March 2007 (Wairoa) we are holding a women’s whitewater paddling event. This weekend is all about bringing together women paddlers from all over New Zealand, improving their skills and confidence and having a great time while we are at it. We are expecting some of New Zealand’s hottest white water paddlers along with women who are just starting out. The weekend will include technique and safety workshops from professional whitewater instructors and will also involve plenty of whitewater action in a relaxed and social environment.

Access

2007-02-07T20:59:13+13:00

7 February 2007: Ben Jackson writes to say BullerFest 2007 is on 2-4 March. The Extreme Race is on 2 March on the Lower Matakitaki, open to any who can paddle class III safely. Mike Abbot will be presenting a slide show on Friday evening about his recent expedition to India with a ‘how to’ on expedition planning. Saturday 3 has the Kayak Slalom on O’Sullivans Rapid. There will be novice, open and vet categories so everyone can get involved. The Rafter X is also at O’Sullies. Saturday night is the infamous ‘Rock the Buller’ party at the Aorangi Hall (same as last year). Wicked Draw are lined up to play with some faster things in store later on. Sunday 4 is the Big Air competition and prize giving. Update 7 March: Lots of photos of the Slalom, Rafts & Big Air action from Bullerfest this weekend for your viewing pleasure at photochick.co.nz. Competitors, please download your photos by 6 April because they have to come down to make way for the Teva River Festival on the Kawarau over Easter.

Access

2007-02-03T14:05:57+13:00

The river safety programme has been such a great success during the latter half of last year that we have spent all of our money from Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) allocated to subsidies. So if you have done a course in the new year or are planning a course please go ahead but we will have to process your subsidy application after March when we apply for new funding from WSNZ to pass on to you. We will apply for a larger sum for subsidies so we can run even more courses during 2007. The syllabii, have been revised for the new season and will be published soon, this will make courses even better than before, and you safer.

Safety, Education

2007-01-31T10:18:57+13:00

Thanks to the efforts of Alan Hoffman and others, we have combined Tekapo Whitewater Course and Pukaki river releases on the weekends of 3 and 4 February and 17 and 18 February. If course is not opened, water will be spilled down riverbed instead.

Access

2007-01-29T08:14:10+13:00

The Crater Lake Warning Level has reached 3a (on a scale from 1 to 5). The chance of a lahar at this level is unlikely (5-10 per cent), but is an increase from recent years. If the lake continues to rise a lahar becomes likely.
The warning level relates to the height of the Ruapehu Crater Lake with respect to the tephra dam at the outlet to the Whangaehu river. As the crater lake rises, so does the risk of a dam burst, sending a lahar down the Whangaheu river. A lahar would pose a serious threat to any kayakers on the Whangaehu river or nearby streams. If the lahar overtops the protective bund at the head of Waikato Stream, it could also reach the Tongariro river above Rangipo Dam. Kayakers on the Whangaehu and Tongariro should be aware of the lahar hazard.

Safety

2007-01-22T20:56:14+13:00

Andi Uhl advises, the “TEVA 2007 Wairoa Whitewater Extreme Race is held again this summer on the weekend of 10 and 11 February. Registration starts at 9:00 on Saturday at the take-out. As in previous years, this event consists of a short down river race on Saturday, followed by head-to-head sprints down Waterfall and Rollercoaster rapids on Sunday.

Entries are open to everyone as long as they feel confident paddling the river by themselves. Event organiser Andi Uhl is expecting a large number of overseas paddlers to compete as well. Men and Women paddle in seperate classes. The prize money, sponsored by TEVA, is $1000 in the Men’s and $500 in the Women’s class.

Access

2007-01-18T08:15:16+13:00

The body of an American kayaker who was missing, presumed drowned, on the Waikaia river was recovered at 4.30pm on Wednesday 17 January. Dennis Squires set out with a Japanese partner on the Canton Bridge to Piano Flat section on Saturday 13. Squires failed to catch up with his companion below a drop. His body was recovered from underneath a tree where it was entrapped deep below the water. Squires was an experienced paddler with several guidebooks to his credit. The Upper Waikaia is a steep and challenging run. Maritime NZ is investigating with the assistance of NZRCA Safety Officer Glenn Murdoch.

Access

2007-01-17T12:50:17+13:00

DoC is seeking public comment regarding Bay of Plenty Electricity’s concession application for the use of Scenic Reserve land for its proposed hydroelectric scheme on the Kaituna River. Download the DoC submission form (Microsoft Word, 52K). Submissions close on the 12th March 2007 at 4pm.

Conservation

2007-01-17T12:35:56+13:00

Bliss-Stick is running a video competition. Entries are to have a “Kiwiana” theme and include “whitewater experiences and of course Bliss-stick Kayaks”. Winning entries will used in a new Bliss-stick DVD, “Homemade”.

General

2007-01-05T10:42:30+13:00

Andy Fuller writes, On Saturday the 13th January we’ll be holding the Andy Duff memorial race, the day before what would have been his 40th Birthday. The races are held at the Kaituna river and start from 4pm. There will be races for play boats, long boats, sledges, duos and rafts. Mass starts will be from the control gates to the bottom play hole. Come along and compete or watch the fun from the viewing platforms. Entry by donation $5 to Dooglas or Andy on the day. Come along and remember a great paddler, rafter and friend, and bring all your mates!

Access

2006-12-31T14:24:07+13:00

Trustpower are holding several public information evenings about the Dobson dam proposal on Thursday 11 January from 13:00 to 15:30 at the Dobson Hall in Dobson, and from 18:30 to 21:00 in the Trowbridge Room (Regent Theatre) in Greymouth. The events will be informal with displays and information on the project and the opportunity to ask questions. The evening event will include a short presentation by TrustPower. Note that submissions on the resource consent application close on 19 January.

Conservation

2006-12-31T12:58:36+13:00

Didymo has been confirmed in the Takaka river.

Access

2006-12-24T09:17:58+13:00

Wet West Film Fest is on again in January 2007 featuring a range of water-related movies including whitewater action in Tibet, Africa, New Zealand, and North America.

General

2007-09-04T10:02:40+12:00

Craig Adams informs us that access to the get in of the Lower Taieri run has been closed by Wenita as they build a larger road network in the plantation in preparation for logging. The closure runs to the end of October. Those of you who have frequented this run will know how heavily utilised recreation-wise this area has become with boating, trail biking, and hunting. It seems that Wenita has only found out what happens out there on the weekend since this closing becoming official. After discussions with Aaron Gunn at Wenita it appears there maybe some weekend access after the end of October; discussions are in no way finalised and are ongoing. It has been a serious letdown as the Taieri River season, has really only kicked off with a stonking 1,120 cumecs not long after this closing occurring. Alternative access points and opportunities are being actively explored by the local crew so we will keep you in the loop as to our findings. Things are looking pretty positive, just some patience please. The combination Upper/Lower Taieri day trip has been tested and results conclude it is better as a two day self support, or have a bigger flow!

Access

2007-08-31T15:59:45+12:00

Genesis Energy have advised that the proposed Whakapapa release for tomorrow (September 1) is postponed until Sunday due to lack of water. A final decision for Sunday’s release will be made on Saturday morning and will be posted here. Update: Saturday 1 September. The Whakapapa release for tomorrow is cancelled.

Access

2007-08-31T11:08:18+12:00

Andi Uhl writes from Rotorua to say, A tree in Awesome Gorge on the Kaituna River that caused a fatal accident on August 19 has now been removed. In co-operation with Environment BoP (who lowered the river level to three gates on 200 for a day) some local paddlers and rafters cut the tree into several pieces. Awesome Gorge is currently (as of 29 August) clear of dangerous logs, although two or three trees line the left bank in the really narrow section. Those trees have been there for a number of years and are not in the main flow. However, several slips just before the entrance to Awesome Gorge have brought a number of trees down during the winter. Even though all those trees are solidly wedged against the sides of the river and don’t pose any danger at the moment please be aware that those logs may move downstream during a flood and cause an obstruction somewhere else. Because of the narrow character of Awesome Gorge new trees may fall into the river at any time, most likely after rain storms. Awesome Gorge is an exciting piece of whitewater (mostly class III and IV) but extreme care must be taken in case of new logs behind blind corners. If in doubt before a descent contact some local kayakers or rafters first who may be able to give information about when Awesome Gorge was paddled last and if it was clear.

Safety

2007-08-26T11:57:17+12:00

[26 August] Raewyn Larcombe writes on behalf of a committee formed by the Peel Forest Enhancement Group, Rangitata Gorge Landcare Group, Lake Clearwater Hutholders Association and the Orari River Protection Group to request that kayakers participate in a didymo cleaning protocol based on treating the Rangitata Gorge and Middle Rangitata as separate waterways: Didymo has been found at Clarke’s Flat, the Arundel Bridge and at the mouth of the Rangitata but we have every confidence that we can stop the spread up the river, with your help. From just below the RDR intake needs to be treated as an infected river and from the intake above as clear. The rafting/kayaking fraternity are affected by this as it is the take out for the top end and the put in for the lower end. All we ask is that you clean with all the appropriate cleaning materials, all gear, clothing, hair etc before putting in to run either the lower end or the gorge run. And in particular if you run the lower end, please do not re-enter at the top end again without thoroughly cleaning down your gear, clothing footwear and right down to washing your hair thoroughly with shampoo and rinsed from a clear water source. Update 29 August: The Peel Forest Enhancement Group will be setting up cleaning stations on both sides of the river, one in Peel Forest and one near Lake Clearwater. For further information please contact the Peel Forest Store.

Access

2007-08-20T11:40:20+12:00

A visiting paddler from the United States died after becoming entrapped in several trees while running Awesome Gorge at high flow yesterday (Sunday 19 August). The kayaker, aged 23, was in a party of four boaters, described as experienced. The section of gorge is very narrow (approx. 3m wide) making it difficult to avoid fallen trees. His body and kayak were recovered by local paddlers later that day, after the control gates had been closed to reduce flow.

Safety

2007-08-15T12:11:39+12:00

Hayley Segal, a third year student studying Bachelor of Adventure
Recreation and Outdoor Education at Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, is seeking kayakers who have undergone an accident or incident. The purpose of the project is to gain knowledge and information so the kayak community can gain some understanding and insight into the effects a traumatic kayak accident can have on someone. The interest for this research is to find out the recovery process and whether the accident experienced has affected motivation and confidence. The research will be interview-based but the published results. will ensure anonymity. If you have an interesting story to tell about a kayaking accident or incident and you would like to take part, please contact Hayley at segalhayley@hotmail.com

Safety

2007-08-11T16:24:42+12:00

Craig Adams lets it be known that BlissFest 07 will be happening on Saturday 6 October (Big Air) and Sunday 7 October (Surf Comp) in Dunedin. Check out a video of last year’s event to get inspired. Keep an eye on http://cabbagetrees.blogspot.com for details.

Access

2007-08-11T16:04:41+12:00

The Environment Court has upheld the Buller River Water Conservation Order in a ruling rejecting a hydropower project on the Gowan river. The NZRCA along with Fish and Game, Forest and Bird, DOC and the Greens all opposed the project, both for its own issues, but also to preserve the integrity of the protection for wild and scenic rivers afforded by a WCO.

Conservation

2007-07-22T11:19:19+12:00

Joe Anderson of Kaimai Canoe Club has passed on the release dates for the 2007-2008 season on the Wairoa River near Tauranga.

Access

2007-07-20T14:48:16+12:00

Earlier this month acceptance testing of Wairehu Playhole was undertaken by kayakers. Representatives from Genesis Energy and their Engineers, NZRCA and Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre were present.

Unfortunately the playhole did not perform as expected and as a result the playhole remains closed to the public. This was very disappointing to all parties involved in the project. However the playhole design is being reviewed to provide a safe kayaking environment and it is hoped that remedial engineering work can be undertaken this summer. Site modifications can only occur when Wairehu Canal is dry i.e. during periods of dry weather, usually late summer. In the meantime the site remains closed.

General

2007-07-14T21:39:17+12:00

In January 2007 NZRCA Education Officer Matt Barker organised a safety and rescue seminar in Murchison where rescue research was presented to NZOIA Kayak 2 award holders. Rescue course practice was discussed and the current NZRCA safety and rescue syllabi were discussed and suggestions made for changes. The revised course design and syllabi are now available for River Safety and River Rescue courses.

Safety, Education