w h i t e w a t e r • r i V e r • s e a • m u l t i s p o r t ... - Canoe & Kayak

Southern Kuaotunu
Peninsula - Coromandel Jewel
by Robbie Banks
How to have a fantastic kayaking weekend with an
unfavourable weather forecast.
Forecast for Friday the 13th - Gale warning for the Bay of Plenty ( Plenty of
Wind !!! )
A cold front moving northeast & changing to a disturbed southwest flow on
Saturday. 15kts rising to 40kts midday 25-35kts in the evening, seas rough.
Easing 15-10kts Sunday, Monday - SW 10kts variable .
( Great weather for the drive home ugh!!)
I have developed two theories, the best time to plan a trip is definitely on a
Monday: the weather is kinder during the week while we are all heads down
working our butts off.
The next time a high comes over I am off Goff. Stuff the work ! This is more
important. Gotta get the priorities in check.
It is exactly a year this Easter holidays since I have been planning a kayak
mission from Fletchers Bay ( Coromandel ) to Waihi beach. Approx 180kms.
Each time everything is packed and support people organized the weather
rears its ugly head and obstructs my plans! A compromise! Join two fellow
kayakers and attempt rounding Cape Colville from Coromandel to Whangapoua
approx 110kms. Unfortunately the weather was not on our side.
Cancelled once again. Still determined to paddle, I had to figure out how I
could kayak patches of the Coromandel with this forecast. Which part of the
coastline would offer the most shelter ? And remote camping to get away from
the maddening crowd? Continue to research optimum landings, campsites etc
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