Newsletter 15
6/8/04
Dear Southland Sea Kayakers
It has been relatively quiet on the paddling scene over the winter but that is about to change. Mike Larsen has organised rolling lessons at Splash Palace shortly as follows
We plan to progress later to rolling fully laden sea kayaks and it is easier if we start with river kayaks.
On Wednesday 11 August we are having a network evening at H&J Outdoor World at 27 Tay St Invercargill at 7.30 PM. in the upstairs conference room. We are showing an excellent DVD on 'The Kayak Roll' which will be invaluable in preparation for learning the steps in rolling. It does only one roll_ the screw roll which is the one we will focus on.
FOR SALE
Gerard Hill Has a macpac hoodoo guru bouyancy aid, size medium, black/orange. perfect for white-water or sea kayaking. comes with a pocket on the front and hydration bladder sleeve on the back, includes a whistle, towline, and good safe reflectors on the shoulders, all adjustable. Its has only be used 3-4 times, and only in freshwater. $349 retail, will sell for $270. email [email protected], or phone Gerard on 03 249 7170.
Trips Reports
I am always keen to print others peoples kayak trip report so please forward them to me.
Mike and Adele recently had a great trip paddling at Lords River on Rakiura. The Mulvany family had a great trip on Milford Sound on 24/24 July. Noel and Daniel Carson had another trip out from Omaui and Daniel following in his father footsteps capsized near the Omaui Bar and quickly did a re-entry in the none too tropical seas.
Milford Sound to Anita Bay
On the weekend 24/25 th of July the Mulvany family kayaked down Milford Sound to Anita Bay to celebrate Belinda¹s birthday. It was a splendid weekend blessed with fine weather and on Saturday little wind. We set off at 7 AM from Invercargill in 2 cars to transport our big double and 2 singles kayaks. The Milford road had been closed for several days and we were lucky to get through. The mountains were glistening with snow and as always the Upper Hollyford was awesome with vertical walls of rock and ice. I pointed out to Dana some of the improbable lines I had climbed on these massive faces. Then we were through the tunnel and descending into the upper Cleddau that leads down to Milford.
We arrived about 11 AM and started unloading our kayaks and sorting out gear. It is cool and the water still and mute. Dana and Tara went in the double and B and I used the singles. Then we were cruising over obsidian black waters with only splashes to break the silence. There were some cruise ships taking their cargo of overseas tourists down the sound but they did not disturb us. On the side of Mitre Peak I noticed my pullout point for the climb of Mitre and it looked most improbable and no wonder it has rarely been done that way. We carried on round various headlands till we could see Dale Point. There was a beach on the left but we decided not to land as there was a bit of a surge. Once past Dale Point we curved around to the left into Anita Bay. Here there were lots of coloured boys marking craypots. Belinda had been out several times in the past to Anita Bay and told us of an old sealers hut built there by John Boultbee in 1826. She went in first and though the beach was steep she managed to get ashore without getting wet. With assistance from B the rest of us had not trouble getting ashore.
Just behind the beach was a beautifully intact stone hut with no roof, Boultbees Œcrazy hut¹. We unloaded our gear and carried it up to the hut where we pitched camp. Belinda and I were keen to get out to St Anne¹s Point so we asked the girls to get a fire going and we took off out to sea. We shot across the waves at great speed and at St Anne¹s Point a moderate sea was breaking on the reef. We carried on past it into the open sea and here there was a big swell and one could feel the power of the Tasman Sea. The view south was limited by a headland several kilometres away and to the north there was a grand sweep of coastline up to Yates Point. Inland Pembroke and Mitre rose over a mile into a mostly clear sky.
After a round of photos we turned and headed back. Belinda looked in vain for her beloved Fiordland crested penguins but they were away for the season it appeared. On her previous visit she had found their grottoes. Entering Anita Bay we were greeted by the amazing sight of lots of coloured metal boys glowing in the reflected sunlight of the westering sun. A plume of smoke across the bay guided us in. Dinner by a log fire was pleasant despite the winter chill of the air. We turned in early, as we were all tired.
Next morning we set off in calm conditions but this did not last long as a strong offshore wind was blowing out of Milford and the closer we got to Dale Point the more blustery it became. The girls were out in front in the double and clearly nothing was going to stop them. It was a rather wet ride as we were crashing into wind blown waves running against a swell off the ocean. Slowly, ever so slowly we crabbed into Dale Point and it was with some relief we got off the open sea. After this the wind steadily died down and we kayaked up the north side this time passing the Stirling Falls and into Harrison Cove were we had lunch on the beach. Then it was around to the Bowen Falls and over to Deep Water Basin.
Stanley Mulvany
Expeditions
The Preservation Sound Kayaking Expedition scheduled for 29/1/05-13/2/05 is progressing well with now a full complement of 15 kayakers on the list and a reserve list. There are some very experience people coming and we have some very exciting projects planned.
I am also planning another expedition for the last week of September with a kayak trip from Te Anau to the Gorge Burn-Fowler Pass-Tuariki Creek-Crozette Burn-Camelot- Gaer Arm-Bradshaw Sound-Deep Cove. Matt tells me about 10 years ago he did not make it because of bad weather and had to be extracted by Richard Hayes amazing flying machine! I hope we have better luck.
Skills Weekend
We are looking at another Monowai skills weekend probably in October to review basic kayak techniques.
Trip Leaders
We need people take kayak trips for the network. This might be an easy day trip on the Oreti River or new Estuary or at Awarua Lagoon. You can put trip on yourself by going to our website.
Our committee is as follows:
Matt Sillars- advise on kayaks and associated equipment [email protected]
Terry Macnamara- network website [email protected]
Belinda Mulvany- social and evening meetings [email protected]
Stanley Mulvany- chairperson/secretary and contact person [email protected]
Kevin Pasco- skills organiser [email protected]
Terry has done an amazing job with our web site and has posted lots of
photos of our skill weekend so check it out-
sskn.uniformnz.com
Safe kayaking
Stanley
Dear Southland Sea Kayakers
It has been relatively quiet on the paddling scene over the winter but that is about to change. Mike Larsen has organised rolling lessons at Splash Palace shortly as follows
- Instructors: Mike Larsen and others ( phone Mike 2164214 )
- Dates: Saturdays 14 and 21 August
- Time: 6-8 PM
- Venue: Splash Palace
- Cost: Entrance Fee + $6.00 ( to Mike for hire of lanes and canoe club kayaks)
We plan to progress later to rolling fully laden sea kayaks and it is easier if we start with river kayaks.
On Wednesday 11 August we are having a network evening at H&J Outdoor World at 27 Tay St Invercargill at 7.30 PM. in the upstairs conference room. We are showing an excellent DVD on 'The Kayak Roll' which will be invaluable in preparation for learning the steps in rolling. It does only one roll_ the screw roll which is the one we will focus on.
FOR SALE
Gerard Hill Has a macpac hoodoo guru bouyancy aid, size medium, black/orange. perfect for white-water or sea kayaking. comes with a pocket on the front and hydration bladder sleeve on the back, includes a whistle, towline, and good safe reflectors on the shoulders, all adjustable. Its has only be used 3-4 times, and only in freshwater. $349 retail, will sell for $270. email [email protected], or phone Gerard on 03 249 7170.
Trips Reports
I am always keen to print others peoples kayak trip report so please forward them to me.
Mike and Adele recently had a great trip paddling at Lords River on Rakiura. The Mulvany family had a great trip on Milford Sound on 24/24 July. Noel and Daniel Carson had another trip out from Omaui and Daniel following in his father footsteps capsized near the Omaui Bar and quickly did a re-entry in the none too tropical seas.
Milford Sound to Anita Bay
On the weekend 24/25 th of July the Mulvany family kayaked down Milford Sound to Anita Bay to celebrate Belinda¹s birthday. It was a splendid weekend blessed with fine weather and on Saturday little wind. We set off at 7 AM from Invercargill in 2 cars to transport our big double and 2 singles kayaks. The Milford road had been closed for several days and we were lucky to get through. The mountains were glistening with snow and as always the Upper Hollyford was awesome with vertical walls of rock and ice. I pointed out to Dana some of the improbable lines I had climbed on these massive faces. Then we were through the tunnel and descending into the upper Cleddau that leads down to Milford.
We arrived about 11 AM and started unloading our kayaks and sorting out gear. It is cool and the water still and mute. Dana and Tara went in the double and B and I used the singles. Then we were cruising over obsidian black waters with only splashes to break the silence. There were some cruise ships taking their cargo of overseas tourists down the sound but they did not disturb us. On the side of Mitre Peak I noticed my pullout point for the climb of Mitre and it looked most improbable and no wonder it has rarely been done that way. We carried on round various headlands till we could see Dale Point. There was a beach on the left but we decided not to land as there was a bit of a surge. Once past Dale Point we curved around to the left into Anita Bay. Here there were lots of coloured boys marking craypots. Belinda had been out several times in the past to Anita Bay and told us of an old sealers hut built there by John Boultbee in 1826. She went in first and though the beach was steep she managed to get ashore without getting wet. With assistance from B the rest of us had not trouble getting ashore.
Just behind the beach was a beautifully intact stone hut with no roof, Boultbees Œcrazy hut¹. We unloaded our gear and carried it up to the hut where we pitched camp. Belinda and I were keen to get out to St Anne¹s Point so we asked the girls to get a fire going and we took off out to sea. We shot across the waves at great speed and at St Anne¹s Point a moderate sea was breaking on the reef. We carried on past it into the open sea and here there was a big swell and one could feel the power of the Tasman Sea. The view south was limited by a headland several kilometres away and to the north there was a grand sweep of coastline up to Yates Point. Inland Pembroke and Mitre rose over a mile into a mostly clear sky.
After a round of photos we turned and headed back. Belinda looked in vain for her beloved Fiordland crested penguins but they were away for the season it appeared. On her previous visit she had found their grottoes. Entering Anita Bay we were greeted by the amazing sight of lots of coloured metal boys glowing in the reflected sunlight of the westering sun. A plume of smoke across the bay guided us in. Dinner by a log fire was pleasant despite the winter chill of the air. We turned in early, as we were all tired.
Next morning we set off in calm conditions but this did not last long as a strong offshore wind was blowing out of Milford and the closer we got to Dale Point the more blustery it became. The girls were out in front in the double and clearly nothing was going to stop them. It was a rather wet ride as we were crashing into wind blown waves running against a swell off the ocean. Slowly, ever so slowly we crabbed into Dale Point and it was with some relief we got off the open sea. After this the wind steadily died down and we kayaked up the north side this time passing the Stirling Falls and into Harrison Cove were we had lunch on the beach. Then it was around to the Bowen Falls and over to Deep Water Basin.
Stanley Mulvany
Expeditions
The Preservation Sound Kayaking Expedition scheduled for 29/1/05-13/2/05 is progressing well with now a full complement of 15 kayakers on the list and a reserve list. There are some very experience people coming and we have some very exciting projects planned.
I am also planning another expedition for the last week of September with a kayak trip from Te Anau to the Gorge Burn-Fowler Pass-Tuariki Creek-Crozette Burn-Camelot- Gaer Arm-Bradshaw Sound-Deep Cove. Matt tells me about 10 years ago he did not make it because of bad weather and had to be extracted by Richard Hayes amazing flying machine! I hope we have better luck.
Skills Weekend
We are looking at another Monowai skills weekend probably in October to review basic kayak techniques.
Trip Leaders
We need people take kayak trips for the network. This might be an easy day trip on the Oreti River or new Estuary or at Awarua Lagoon. You can put trip on yourself by going to our website.
Our committee is as follows:
Matt Sillars- advise on kayaks and associated equipment [email protected]
Terry Macnamara- network website [email protected]
Belinda Mulvany- social and evening meetings [email protected]
Stanley Mulvany- chairperson/secretary and contact person [email protected]
Kevin Pasco- skills organiser [email protected]
Terry has done an amazing job with our web site and has posted lots of
photos of our skill weekend so check it out-
sskn.uniformnz.com
Safe kayaking
Stanley