Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

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 [email protected]

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.

2002-04-08T17:22:38+12:00

The Majac Trust has appealed a recent High Court decision supporting the Buller Conservation Order. The Majac Trust has plans to utilise water from the Gowan for hydro development, but is restricted by the terms in the conservation order. The Trust had asked the High Court to review the conservation order, but Justice Ron Young found no grounds to set the conservation order aside. The NZRCA gave evidence to the High Court in support of the existing conservation order, and will continue supporting Fish & Game‘s efforts to protect the Gowan.

2002-03-26T15:06:46+12:00

As previously warned, Fletcher Challenge Forests (FCF) have commenced logging areas near the Aniwhenua section on the Rangitaiki River, although there will be no logging over Easter (including 29 March and 1 April). Anyone intending to run the Aniwhenua section should contact Michael Elix at FCF, 07 3661052 or 025 959 213 to check on logging activity and ensure safe access.

2002-03-20T15:07:30+12:00

Proposed dams would destroy the recreational amenity on the Rangitata Gorge and Upper Hurunui. Make a submission to Environment Canterbury on its draft Natural Resources Regional Plan. Submissions are due by Friday 29 March. For more information see http://www.forest-bird.org.nz/mediarel/02JantoMar.asp#Hurunui and ECan NRRP policy WQN2.

2003-01-21T10:15:09+13:00

The fifth annual Wairoa Extreme Race, organised by Andi Uhl, is on February 15 and 16. Pre-entries are requested by 1 February. (Additional events and releases are listed in Events). Note also that the Wairoa release for February 2 is cancelled, and a new release arranged for March 30. Update 19 February: Results are available.

2003-01-17T22:40:10+13:00

Rob Leroy describes his personal experience of a leg entrapment during a raft trip in the Gore Canyon, Colorado in Entrapment, Fisherman’s Nightmare – Gore River. How would you deal with a similar situation?

2002-12-17T21:39:17+13:00

A few corrections and additions for the Tekapo Release Dates published on page 10 of NZ Canoeing 02.3, Spring 2002 are as follows:

The Tekapo Whitewater Course releases scheduled for December 28 and 29 have been cancelled.

The School Releases are from noon to 4pm on Tuesdays 25 February, 4 and 18 March and are on the main river not the course and they are open to anyone (at 30-40 cumecs).

The Pukaki releases on January 25 and 26 do not currently have associated Tekapo (river or course) releases although the Waitangi release flows could be moved if anyone is willing to operate the course.

The Tekapo whitewater course will only be operated when a Club or Organisation takes responsibility for running the release. This will involve liaison with Meridian Energy, opening and closing the gates and managing the people on the course (safety).

River weekends follow the usual flow regime of Saturdays 11am to 1pm at 30 cumecs, 1pm to 5pm at 40 cumecs and Sundays 10 am to noon at 30 cumecs, noon to 4pm at 60 cumecs. Course releases are 20 cumecs or less.

The Pukaki release flows are: Saturday 25 January 11am to 2pm at 93 cumecs, 2pm to 4pm at 140 cumecs and Sunday 26 January 10am to noon at 140 cumecs, noon to 3pm at 93 cumecs.

Check Events & Releases for any changes.

2002-12-07T22:34:59+13:00

On Sunday 1 December, 42-year-old Colin Jackson of Ranana drowned after the canoe he was paddling with a companion capsized. His body was recovered on Monday (Canoeist’s Body Found).