Taking on Jeff's Joy Get the Family Kayaking ... - Canoe & Kayak

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Day 2
Packing was only slightly easier second
time around but we managed to get
onto the water by 9am. At least it had
stopped raining but we still had a
headwind. After a couple of hours we
reached our first real challenge: getting
around Stephens Island and the Twin
Sisters rocks. The sea became rougher,
bigger, lots of chop and converging
current, resembling vigorously boiling
water. This was coupled with a 5-6
metre swell. I wished my low brace
was more practised! “Exhilarating” was
how Grant put it: “scared S ***less”
was my preferred terminology. I had my
‘determined face’ on and paddled hard!
Capsizing wasn’t my game plan. But,
Grant is well practised at
there’s nothing like a good challenge,
packing the stores.
and having survived this, on we went,
this time aided by a tail wind. The two
guys put up their sails and we girls rafted Mill Arm—a scenic, bush clad tranquil spot
up. We arrived at Swamp Bay mid afternoon that was highly commended. BUT, despite
enabling Andy & Rachel to to catch our tea. best intentions we didn’t manage it. As we
The less said about this the better. Grant and approached we saw surf breaking and a
I started the fire and a nearby waterfall served rocky exposed sand bar leaving only a narrow
as our source of fresh water and showers. channel through which to paddle against
No fish but plenty of food, cooked around the a strong current. With the light fading, the
roaring fire. Andy’s shelter (again there were thought of a further 3 km of hard paddling was
no trees) endured torrential rain overnight. not enticing so, when we saw a distant light in
Some were now suffering sleep deprivation! a farmhouse, plan B came into action. What
Day 3
lluxury: a woolshed complete with electricity,
Swamp Bay to Owhai Bay.
toilet, hot and cold water and plenty of sheep
With tail winds we moved rapidly down the smells! But with good things always comes the
coast from Nile Head to Greville Harbour downside: a colony of nesting blue penguins
where we stopped for a wet and rainy lunch. underneath who chortled all night!
Andy, still keen to get his tea from the
Day 4
ocean, laid his cray pot off Two Bay Point To Andy’s dismay and despite the bait of an
whilst Grant, Rachel and I set off towards opened tin of Watties ‘Big Soup’ (we had
plenty spare you see!) and
some blue cod his craypot was
Who said it was winter? empty. However the day only got
better. With a steady northerly
blowing it was sails up and
time for rafting in the rolling 3 m
swells. The westerly side of the
island is rugged and spectacular.
Huge cliffs tower from the sea.
There are caves and a crashing,
rolling aquamarine sea. With few
places to stop, long time bladder
control was essential! We
hugged the coast playing in the
swell and around the rocks. All
great fun until Grant, following
Andy, mistimed a tricky gap in
the rocks. It was time for a real
rescue which all went to plan.
Grant still had a huge grin on his
face and all that was lost was
half a split paddle and several
millimetres of yellow plastic from
his kayak. It had had a good
pounding on the rocks.
Limited
Numbers
This deck mount compass
offers unique features
unmatched by other
compasses on the market.
At night, a photosensitive
switch automatically
turns on a dim red LED light
for easier night time viewing
without night blindness.
Large easy–to–read
compass markings stand out,
and a suction cup mount allows for easy and
secure placement anywhere on the deck.
Limited
Numbers
Easy Load Kayak End Trolley
These made in the USA ‘Peanut’ trolleys mount
to your kayak in under 10 seconds and un-mount
almost as fast.
No more hassles with balancing
kayak onto your trolley, no more
hassles with straps. Just lift up
the end of your kayak and slide
Peanut trolley over end, put your
kayak down and hook the single
bungy to your cockpit.
Light weight stainless steel and
plastic construction. Folds for
storage. This is a great product.
I have become a user and a fan.
Diamond Dry
5 Litre Dry Bag
Small size, tough
construction and great price.
The Diamond Dry is
constructed with a rugged
polyester exterior and a clear
diamond-shaped window for
easy visual access to gear.
This innovative design
combines the best elements
of clear and solid dry bags.
All prices shown in this advertisment are recommended
retail prices at the time of publication. Prices in stores may
differ. Seattle Sports product is distributed in New Zealand
by Great Stuff Ltd (email:greatstuff@graphics.co.nz) and
sold exclusively through Canoe & Kayak stores.
www.canoeandkayak.co.nz GS/NP2009
www.kayaknz.co.nz
ISSUE FIFTY Three • 2009 9