Newsletter 21
Southland Sea Kayakers
20th February 2005
Dear Southland Sea Kayakers
A week ago the main Preservation Sound party returned by boat to Riverton. In the evening I flew out by helicopter from Kisbee with Simon, Mick and Giselle ending an anxious time after our search for Giselle. The trip exceeded expectations and I think was greatly enjoyed by everyone. We were blessed with 8 days of fine weather at the start and made it around Gulches Head in fine style into Chalky Sound. This is the more spectacular Sound. We found Gronos's cave on the Tasman Coast, kayaked up Edwardson Sound, climbed Shoulder Hill and Square Top, drank percolated coffee mountain tops skillfully provided by Roger, portaged through to Long Sound, reached Lake Victor, Lake Widgeon, climbed Treble peak ( Simon solo), returned to Coal Island and completed our DOC project, explored the Maori Pa at Spit Island, slept in caves on Steep-to Island, visited Puysegur Point, walked up to the old Stamper in the Wilson river. It was on the latter trip that Giselle disappeared for 2 days and triggered a major SAR exercise. We worked with the official SAR team and happily the outcome was successful.
I am in the process of writing up the trip in detail ( to appear soon) and I am happy to publish further accounts in this newsletter if members email them to me.
Marine Wilderness Areas
I was approached by Sue Maturin of the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society asking me to do a presentation to Environment Southland in support of Marine Wilderness areas. This I was unable to do as I felt we owed a dept of gratitude to various skippers of boats, helicopter pilots and the staff at Preservation Lodge during our time at Preservation and I did not want to restrict their use of the area. However I see in Saturday's Southland Times the Dunedin Skeggs Group are applying to Environment Southland for a resource consent to operate two large tourist boats our of Milford and the Queenstown business are beating the Gondola drum again as the saviour of Milford. I have just penned a letter to the Southland Times Public Opinion about these important issues.
Sue has asked to meet with our network to canvass feelings among our members about Marine Wilderness areas and I will be organising a meeting in due course.
Rarotoka (Centre Island)
I received the following email from Oraka Aparima Runaka_
Our rünaka is working with the Department of Conservation and other community groups on this project ( to revegetate and keep the island predator free) . It may be that in time to come members of your group may wish to join us in this work which could give you access to the island in controlled circumstances. In the meantime, if you, your group or any one you know wishes to have access to the island I would request that you contact the Öraka Aparima Rünaka Office at [email protected] or Phone 03 234 8192 to see whether or not your request for entry to the island can be accommodated. In the interim, at least until bait stations and other quarantine procedures are established, this may mean that you would not be permitted to land unless there was already a presence on the island. I hope that you understand and respect what we are trying to achieve on this island and our concerns as expressed in this email. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch with myself or with the rünaka.
:-)
Käti ra
[email protected]
P O Box 20
Otautau
027 220 1315
Fax 03 225 8812
I ask all members to respect the wishes of the Runaka and if you are interested in doing volunteer work on Rarotoka to let me know so I can organise a work party.
Rolling practice
Ross Hunter contracted me last week to say he has arranged for rolling practice at the Bluff Swimming pool. This is on Monday and Wednesday evening between 6-8 PM. The fee is the normal admission fee. Contact Ross on 2127275.
Navigation/GPS
the Mountain Safety Council are organising a course in this soon. Contact [email protected] Note the Navigation update/GPS is
23/2/05 with W/E at Mavora..
For Sale
Nick Smart is selling all his kayaking gear as follows
Tasman express lite (yellow) with factory thigh brace and fishing rod holder
H2o NW passage quicklock paddle
Q-kayaks neoprene spraydeck ( med)
Q-kayaks paddlefloat
Q-kayaks medium dual wheel launch trolley
Beckson bilge pump
Macpac Taniwha paddle jacket med/large
used 10 times, brand new condition, selling due to back injury
prefer to sell complete
Price is $3000.00 ONO
call Nick 03) 2468-579 or leave a message
or email [email protected]. kayaks located at curio bay
Tasmania
Belinda and I are leaving in a week for a sea kayaking trip in Tasmania and will be away for 3 weeks. If anyone wants to organise a sea kayaking trip contact Terry so he can publicise on our web site. I would encourage members to take up the offer of rolling practice with Ross at Bluff as its not easy to organise these. We will have a social evening in April when I have recovered from my Tasmanian adventures.
Safe kayaking
20th February 2005
Dear Southland Sea Kayakers
A week ago the main Preservation Sound party returned by boat to Riverton. In the evening I flew out by helicopter from Kisbee with Simon, Mick and Giselle ending an anxious time after our search for Giselle. The trip exceeded expectations and I think was greatly enjoyed by everyone. We were blessed with 8 days of fine weather at the start and made it around Gulches Head in fine style into Chalky Sound. This is the more spectacular Sound. We found Gronos's cave on the Tasman Coast, kayaked up Edwardson Sound, climbed Shoulder Hill and Square Top, drank percolated coffee mountain tops skillfully provided by Roger, portaged through to Long Sound, reached Lake Victor, Lake Widgeon, climbed Treble peak ( Simon solo), returned to Coal Island and completed our DOC project, explored the Maori Pa at Spit Island, slept in caves on Steep-to Island, visited Puysegur Point, walked up to the old Stamper in the Wilson river. It was on the latter trip that Giselle disappeared for 2 days and triggered a major SAR exercise. We worked with the official SAR team and happily the outcome was successful.
I am in the process of writing up the trip in detail ( to appear soon) and I am happy to publish further accounts in this newsletter if members email them to me.
Marine Wilderness Areas
I was approached by Sue Maturin of the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society asking me to do a presentation to Environment Southland in support of Marine Wilderness areas. This I was unable to do as I felt we owed a dept of gratitude to various skippers of boats, helicopter pilots and the staff at Preservation Lodge during our time at Preservation and I did not want to restrict their use of the area. However I see in Saturday's Southland Times the Dunedin Skeggs Group are applying to Environment Southland for a resource consent to operate two large tourist boats our of Milford and the Queenstown business are beating the Gondola drum again as the saviour of Milford. I have just penned a letter to the Southland Times Public Opinion about these important issues.
Sue has asked to meet with our network to canvass feelings among our members about Marine Wilderness areas and I will be organising a meeting in due course.
Rarotoka (Centre Island)
I received the following email from Oraka Aparima Runaka_
Our rünaka is working with the Department of Conservation and other community groups on this project ( to revegetate and keep the island predator free) . It may be that in time to come members of your group may wish to join us in this work which could give you access to the island in controlled circumstances. In the meantime, if you, your group or any one you know wishes to have access to the island I would request that you contact the Öraka Aparima Rünaka Office at [email protected] or Phone 03 234 8192 to see whether or not your request for entry to the island can be accommodated. In the interim, at least until bait stations and other quarantine procedures are established, this may mean that you would not be permitted to land unless there was already a presence on the island. I hope that you understand and respect what we are trying to achieve on this island and our concerns as expressed in this email. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch with myself or with the rünaka.
:-)
Käti ra
[email protected]
P O Box 20
Otautau
027 220 1315
Fax 03 225 8812
I ask all members to respect the wishes of the Runaka and if you are interested in doing volunteer work on Rarotoka to let me know so I can organise a work party.
Rolling practice
Ross Hunter contracted me last week to say he has arranged for rolling practice at the Bluff Swimming pool. This is on Monday and Wednesday evening between 6-8 PM. The fee is the normal admission fee. Contact Ross on 2127275.
Navigation/GPS
the Mountain Safety Council are organising a course in this soon. Contact [email protected] Note the Navigation update/GPS is
23/2/05 with W/E at Mavora..
For Sale
Nick Smart is selling all his kayaking gear as follows
Tasman express lite (yellow) with factory thigh brace and fishing rod holder
H2o NW passage quicklock paddle
Q-kayaks neoprene spraydeck ( med)
Q-kayaks paddlefloat
Q-kayaks medium dual wheel launch trolley
Beckson bilge pump
Macpac Taniwha paddle jacket med/large
used 10 times, brand new condition, selling due to back injury
prefer to sell complete
Price is $3000.00 ONO
call Nick 03) 2468-579 or leave a message
or email [email protected]. kayaks located at curio bay
Tasmania
Belinda and I are leaving in a week for a sea kayaking trip in Tasmania and will be away for 3 weeks. If anyone wants to organise a sea kayaking trip contact Terry so he can publicise on our web site. I would encourage members to take up the offer of rolling practice with Ross at Bluff as its not easy to organise these. We will have a social evening in April when I have recovered from my Tasmanian adventures.
Safe kayaking