Up North Part 4 : The Wairoa

I had 1 date fixed in my mind for the north island. Sunday the 17th of December, it was the only Wairoa release while we were up North. I had organised for a crew of mates to make the mission over and was keen to get on the river I'd heard quite a lot about.

An early morning drive from Rotorua we made it to the Wairoa at about 11am. Early morning being an 0830 get up! haha
For the top section Shanan & Jimmy were our "guides" and Gordy and myself were new to the Wairoa. The action was short and quick through the entry rapids and we made our way downstream quite quickly.
Time flyed and before I realised we were at Roller Coaster (site of the Wairoa Extreme Race) I got out for a look & grabbed the camera, Jimmy & Shanan went down to show us the lines but Gordy & I were both amused as they both went through the bottom of the rapid upside down. Then Sam Sutton & Coyo came through showing us some sweeter lines & then we were up.
No carnage stories unfourtanetly and we continued down to the slalom course and met up with Megan & Tully who had walked up the track.
The last few rapids were short boulder gardens before the final 2m waterfall and paddle to the take out.

Everyone had nice lines off the falls & we had break for lunch. After driving back to the put in we geared up for a 2nd run. While getting ready we watched a nameless paddler (maybe Mark Robertson) run McLaren Falls. Then the 4 boys had another run down the river, we were joined at the bottom of Roller Coaster by Louise Urwin, who was making a solo mission down in her new rad 175. She ended up having a bit of fun in the back wash of the bottom waterfall. Good clean fun for the whole family.

That was it for the Wairoa & everyone went their seperate ways. Gordy & Tully the long drive back to Masteron, Shanan to Waitomo, Sheree & Jimmy to National Park (Jimmy had a couple of days left before his shoulder operation). Megan & I headed south and checked into a campground in Papamoa to finally do some much needed washing of clothes & selves....


Shanan Miles run the Chicken Chute while Jimmy & Gordy watch on.
Photo - Antz Longman


Is it Mark Robertson? Mc Laren Falls
Photo: Shanan Miles


Sam Sutton goes through the center (Roller Coaster Rapid)
Photo - Antz Longman
Antz

Up North Part 3 : The Kaituna

From National Park we made our way north to Rotorua, hoping that the NZ Kayak Buyers Guide & Cumec Magazine would be finished printing. After discovering that it was still at least 4 days away, we quickly made our way to do the 1st of many runs down the Kaituna River.

Megan had never paddled the Kaituna before so she followed me down. Tracing my lines through the 1st few rapids and then over Okere Falls (about a 2m drop). The river thens drops into a weir created by the old power station with the safest line being a boof hard right into the eddy.
Just down stream lies Tutea Falls 7m after briefing Megan on the line, I set off paddling left to right and boofed off the falls, landing on the pillow and being pushed out in to the pool. I turned to see Megan boof out from the drop land nicely and flip off the boil, she rolled up and had a big smile. Her 1st big waterfall. Although she had her eyes closed the whole time to keep her contacts in place.

The next few days were spent with multiple runs of the Kaituna, and as the weekend came around our crew of buddies started to roll in to town (Gordy, Tully, Jimmy, Sheree, Shanan)

We managed four runs on Saturday, including a couple of decent play sessions at bottom hole. Also tried out the new Bliss-Stick Mystic for 1 run down the river.

We were then ready to head to Taurangu for the Wairoa Release....

Antz


Antz about to run Tutea Falls
Photo - Megan Foster

Shanan Miles, Antz Longman & Gordy Bulford on Okere Falls & the Weir
Photo - Megan Foster


Local Rotorua boy Sam Sutton going big in his Mystic
Photo - Antz Longman

Up North Part 2 : Manganui a Te Au?

After staying a few days in Palmerston north we headed north to National Park, catching up on Sheree & Jimmy and hoping for some Central Plateau action. All the rivers were low so we headed to the Manganui which according to the guidebook was paddlable at any flow.

We managed to rock dodge our way down through a scenic gorge and watch a couple of Whio (Blue Ducks) negotiate the same rapids as us.

The run was interesting but with some more water would be a great trip. Short Class 2-3 rapids lead into large walls as the river turns sharp corners.

Thats it for the Manganui a Te Au

Antz


Megan at the put-in
Photo - Antz Longman

Up North Part 1 : Mangahao

Once again it has taken ages to get an update on here. Megan & I have been rolling around the north island for almost two weeks.

Part 1:

Mangahao Slalom Course & Whitewater Park.

First stop on the way north was Mangahao, NZ's 1st man made whitewater course based around 30 minutes south of Palmerston North near the town of Shannon. When we were there the course was running at 16 cumecs. Both Megan & I wished we had slalom boats but still enjoyed multiple runs down the course.
Megan spent the time adjusting to her new Prijon Creeker & I played around in a couple of the holes down the course.

A couple of local paddlers showed up while we there. Don't remember their names but they ended up sneaking their way into my photos.


Local paddler (who remains nameless) playing in a small hole mid course.
Photo - Antz Longman


Looking down the 2nd half of the slalom course.
Photo - Antz Longman

12 Mile Creek & big rain

After a week of driving for queenstown rafting my rat was starving. A huge low had just passed over the lower south island bringing the Shotover river upto 220cumecs & washing out parts of the road, the Kawarau rose to over 600 cumecs and Lake Wakitipu was edging closer to flood level.
Thursday morning Megan & I headed out to check out Nevis Bluff at high flow, we were stopped by road workers blasting rock from above the road. We caught a glimpse of some big brown crashing waves from over a km upstream. On the way back to town we stopped and check out the few of the DogLeg Rapid, quite washed out with the high flow.

After some lunch we loaded the creek boats and headed out to 12 Mile Delta, a 40 minute walk up a well looked after walking track you come to San Somers Hut.

The Walk In - Paddler: Megan Foster Photo: Antz Longman

Just behind the hut lies a sweet 6-7metre drop. After some humming & harring I decided that the drop was good to go, we planned some safety and set up some cameras.

Scouting - Paddler: Antz Longman Photo: Megan Foster

I ran the falls twice with varying levels of success, a large boil pushes you into a small cave on river right, which isn't too bad & you can paddle out of successfully.

About to hit the lip - Paddler: Antz Longman Photo: Megan Foster


A little bit of a crazy shot - Paddler: Antz Longman Photo: Megan Foster

I then climbed out just below the drop and walked downstream with Megan, as we didnt like the idea of paddling the tight wood filled canyon at this high flow. We put in halfway down & ran some small & tight rapids. With a few sizable portages around wood infested sections.

12 Mile was sick, and can't wait to have another opportunity to explore the rest of the river & possibly the section below the Glenorchy Road (Altough this section traps even more wood.

Antz

Upper Shotover (Megs 21st)

It's been a few random weeks so I'm finally getting some updates on here. I've been in queenstown since about the 16th of november, had Megan's 21st party on the 18th of November up at Ben Lomond Lodge then on the sunday headed into the Upper Shotty, I've attached a few photos from that trip, mixed with a few more from a trip in a few days later.


Paddlers: Megan, Jonny, Kim & Hamish Location: Upper Shotover Put In Photo:Antz


Paddler: Antz Longman Location: Bottom Hole, Upper Shotover Photo: Megan Foster


Paddler: Megan Foster Location: Bottom Hole, Upper Shotover Photo: Antz Longman


Paddler: Antz Longman Location: Bottom Hole, Upper Shotover Photo: Megan Foster


Paddler: Antz Longman Location: Bottom Hole, Upper Shotover Photo: Megan Foster


Paddler: Antz Longman Location: Bottom Hole, Upper Shotover Photo: Megan Foster

CUMEC MAGAZINE ISSUE 1

Here's what its going to look like! 1st cover star NZ's own Mike Dawson.
What's going to be inside? Well Mike has spun a little bit of a yarn about the Slalom World Cup, a look into Bliss-Fest 06 the lower South Island's 1st kayak festival & Anthony Yap from Melbourne gives an explanation on how to get out your dish cloth and make your blunts clean (Clean Blunting that is).

Yes it's small, but everything has to start somewhere! Stay tuned to the blog for some feedback & check out the CUMEC blog at www.cumecmagazine.blogspot.com

Cheers to everyone that has given me feedback, articles, photos & advice as the magazine has been progressing.
Also support all the people advertising in the NZ Kayak Buyers Guide, because they too are just trying to make a living out of a passion.

Happy Days

Antz

Big Wednesday - The Video

Here it is, a short edit of our big wednesday trip on the upper waikaia.

Antz

oh and the magazine is almost done...

Big Thursday - The Nevis River

What do you do after having a Big Wednesday? Our answer - Have a Big Thursday.

7:30am on thursday morning I was lying in bed wondering what to do with the day.
BEEP BEEP new text message received "Pack your gear we're heading to the Nevis see you in 30 minutes" Quite a late time I thought but hey what else am I going to do. A quick text back to Dylan "nuff said".

I rushed around collecting my gear from the back of the car, the basement, the washing line, in the wardrobe and several other locations. A small pile of gear, a paddle & a kayak sat on the footpath waiting for Dylan & Olly to arrive.

Amazingly they arrived to the minute & we were on our way to the Citreon take-out to meet Pete Simpson & Kent Huxford who were making the mission from Hawea.

We arrived at the Citreon take-out at about 11:40 about 40minutes later Pete & Kent arrived. He quickly loaded the kayaks on Pete's truck & headed off for diesel & the big shuttle to the Nevis Crossing.


Pete's truck loaded to go... Photo Antz Longman

Despite ominous looking weather & gusting Nor-westers we made it to the put-in & got on the water at 2:15. Quite a late start really. Luckily Pete, Dylan & Olly had all run the Nevis before. Wouldn't have been possible to start so late if you didn't know the river.


Dylan braves the wind for a photo op. Photo Antz Longman


At the Put In (Nevis Crossing). Photo Antz Longman

Central Otago schist walls started to grow in height as we progressed further down the river. After about 15 minutes of class 2 Dylan wave-wheeled his scud over a little wave only to land on a rock & snap his paddle in half. A few minutes trying to figure out which boat we could fit the larger of the two halves into. Finally we were moving again (Dylan now using our only split paddle).

The gradient picked up & we soon made it to the mandatory portage with a spectacular yet dodgy seal launch. Horizon lines everywhere we read & ran heaps of class 3-4 water. Occasionally having a short scout or jumping out for photo opportunities.

Freight Train was a sweet two stage drop which made for some awesome photos & video.


Olly Yeoman catches the Freight Train. Photo Antz Longman


Pete Simpson hitting the bottom drop of Freight Train. Photo Antz Longman

Time was still ticking so we kept moving finally breaking for tea at about 5pm midway through a big portage.


Dinner time. Photo Antz Longman

Finally we made it down to the big ones! Little Brother & Big Brother.
We all hit little brother, but I was feeling the effects of a long day & not enough food so opted out of Big Brother.


Kent & Pete running Little Brother. Photo Antz Longman


Dylan bottom drop of Big Brother. Photo Antz Longman


Olly boofing the bottom drop of Big Brother. Photo Antz Longman

After big brother the gradient stays consistent & you have fast moving grade 3 for about 4kms until a short flat water until the confluence with the Kawarau.

By this stage we were all well & truly tired. We just had the matter of dealing with a big water finish. Citreon flowing at about 300cm3. Pete went 1st as we opted for the "bomb it strategy" no scouting. Pete went left, hit the buffer really high and got launched skyward. We all quickly changed lines and hit the right of Citreon Rock.
I was 3rd through, came through to see pete still upside down on the left, infront Dylan was upside down amongst some huge crashing waves.
Had to keep focus for a few more minutes paddling through the crashing waves I made it to the bottom without flipping (so did Kent). Not so for the other boys, Pete was upside down for most of the rapid, Dylan contemplated pulling as he became disorientated from waves & having no indicator on the paddle shaft. Olly got back looped coming into the top of the right line.

Huge smiles & a massive stoke factor as we floated the final kilometre down to the takeout.

Was a massive day, absolutely stunning & will be hard to top. Although was an expensive day:
Snapped Paddle - Dylan
Cracked Boat - Olly
Possibly Cracked Boat - Antz
Lost Memory Card - Antz (it belonged to Pete)
plus petrol & food.

But really money can't buy the satisfaction that you get from having an awesome adventure with some good fella's.

Cheers boys still stoked on the good times.

Antz

Waipori Slalom

It had been over 4 years since I entered my last competitive slalom race. Back then I was in 6th form at Taieri High hanging out with mates and having a good laugh on the river. I had no knowledge of river dynamics, strokes (except a healthy power roll), or much more than the basics of slalom.

Today I headed out to Waipori for race 1 of the South Island series. The race had been organised by Dylan Thomson & OCKC. First of all I had no boat, and definetely hadn't paddled a long boat in ages. Caleb Woodside my old paddling partner from high school came along too he hadn't even been in a kayak for over 3 years.

Caleb's brother Josh lent me his slalom boat for the 2 race runs. My first run was a little shaky through the staggers & definetely well behind the regular slalom racers.

Race 2 started off well through the upstreams and first set of staggers, I thought I was going well! Then while going for gate 14(downstream)I caught a rail and flipped. Not sure if I even went through the gate... I rolled up in time to catch gate 15 & paddle down through the last couple of gates.

Overall I ended up 13th out of 21. Great fun being back in a competitive atmosphere & picking up more knowledge from the regular racing crew. Might even have to venture to the next race in the series at Hawea! All depends on my workloads though.

Cheers go out to Dylan & everyone who made it a good day out on the river.

Antz

Big Wednesday - The Upper Waikaia

The middle of the week usually comes around & I'm hanging out for the weekend. This week my weekend got brought forward. Some quiet banter at the weekend and talk was raised of a mid-week mission to the Waikaia. Levels had been sitting looking reasonable for over a week and a keen crew had been found.


The Crew from Left: Antz Longman, Olly Yeoman, Dylan Thomson & James Dawson. Photo Blaka Hanna

Tuesday night saw 4 keen boaters packing into James's Subaru, 4 creek boats & a couple hours driving south to Gore. The cold weather that had been battering the south all Tuesday was gone when we awoke on Wednesday morning. Back into the car and our drive began. Heading out towards Piano Flat & the Waikaia takeout. We had been lucky and obtained the services of a Mr Blake Hanna as a shuttle driver We quickly headed further up the road to the Canton Bridge. The road to the Waikaia climbs steeply for a long time, we couldn't really believe that over the 12km shuttle drive we had climbed steeply over the entire drive.


Olly Yeoman acknowledges that the SDC doesn't want us to die up there. Photo Dylan Thomson

We got to the put-in and were welcomed by a lovely sign from the Southland District Council advising us that "We don't want you to die up there". Blake headed of back down the road & we started the walk down to the put-in.

The Waikaia was flowing on the low end of the scale, but as we started paddling the scenery was amazing as we made our way down to the 1st scout of the day.

1st up - paddle in between two large chockstones pop out the otherside a few strokes and over a 4-5m drop.
The rapids were seperated by short-long flat pools and then it would steepen up quickly and the water was filled with massive boulders creating drops, sieves, slides, portages. Everything that can be on a river was there. A few mandatory portages, one I should have portaged.... and good times on a new run for us all.


Antz coming out of the hole and auto-boofing the drop. Photo Dylan Thomson

We eventually got to what we think is the "Waterfall of Death" a 2m drop into a 4m drop. It was clean and ready to go. The paparazzi popped up (Dylan & myself) and worked on getting some still shots & video. Working some funky angles it was a great bit of fun.



Dylan Thomson about to launch the Waterfall of Death. Photo Olly Yeoman



James Dawsons tempts fate while Olly watches from below. Photo Dylan Thomson

An awesome day out, a little more water and the run would be stunning. Can't complain though it was a Wednesday and we all probably should have been studying.

Now its Thursday my calves are burning from boat carrying & I'm back into magazine mode. Although we still thinking about what to do next Wednesday....

Antz

BLISS-FEST

BLISS-Fest was successfully held over the weekend, despite no water in the rivers over 50 boaters turned up to dominate the Dunedin beaches & have a good time.
Gareth Hutton made the mission from Timaru & took some sweet pictures of the sundays competition.
Dylan Thomson took out the men's event & Sophie Ballagh took out the ladies.

Heres a few pics from Bliss-Fest, all pictures copyright Gareth Hutton.



Christchurch's Ian Waterhouse going big with a donkey flip in the men's final.



Me, walking back after my heat...



Ladies winner Sophie Ballagh



Waiting for the bounce, Antz Longman



Men's Winner Dylan Thomson going for the tube...

Back in the Huka

I didn't really end up spending much time in Dunedin this weekend. After arriving back from Rotorua late on Thursday night, I was leaving again by early Saturday Morning.

Our plan to put our creekboats into use. Both Robin & I had been out of creek boats for months. (Well I hadn't been in mine since at least January!) Too much time in the little boat.

We drove straight to Central Otago with a predicted front bringing rain late on Saturday Night. For some reason we decided to head straight to Nevis Bluff to take a look, consensus it was big! Sitting at about 260 cumecs it was an entirely different rapid than when we've both run it at around 150. Huge waves and really big holes. We portaged down river left and put in below the the two top drops. Paddling the 2nd half was a quick re-introduction to being extra bouyant in a creek boat. I felt like I was being pushed around like a 3rd former in a rumble-line down the corridor.
I soon readjusted to the creek boat and we paddled down to Citreon, after some scouting we both opted for the right line around the Citreon Rock, I went 1st clean through the drop but flipped on some crazy water. I rolled up in time to find myself going backwards over another drop into a hole. I felt a firm thud as my boat connected with an underwater rock, I rolled up and quickly caught the next eddy possible.



Looking up I saw Robin run the drop fine then his eyes grow as he realised how big the water was. He missed an eddy and continued on through the big pushy water and caught an eddy after the rapid. I followed down and we were soon floating to take out. A quick hitch back to the car, and then we headed back to Cromwell for some much needed replenishing.
The weather reports were seeming a little unreliable, with no rain fall record & flows staying fairly similar we started questioning what Sunday's Mission should be.
We decided that we'd run with our initial plan and hope that the Young would be flowing high enough come Sunday morning.

We then drove to wanaka got some dinner and a cup of tea or two. Then on to the Albert-Town camping ground for the night. Robin in the tent and myself curled up in the back of the station wagon (Thanks for car Megan & Julia....)
We awoke in the morning to a light rain and we decided it was worth the risk to drive over to Makarora. While eating breakfast I heard a "Hey Antz" and turned to find Troy & Chelle camping next to us. They were down from Fox Glacier and off rock-climbing for the day.

1 hour down the road and we were opposite the Young River Valley, gearing up and hoping for a good day on the water. Just after 10am we set off walking, and we were still walking about 3 hours later.



The Young River is part of Mount Aspiring National Park and has a lovely walking track running up river left all the way to Young Forks. You would most likely enjoy the walk alot more if your weren't lugging a big plastic creek boat with you! The scenery was amazing though & I loved being back in beech forest.

Eventually we got to the young river flats & paused for lunch. We now had 6.5 kms of class 4+ water to take us back to our car at the main road.



Eddy hopping down the river we found some clean read & run rapids & also some need to scout blind drops. Our 1st portage was around a 2m chute that fed into an undercut rock. Neither Robin or myself felt compelled to risk a disappearing act underwater.

As we progressed the rapids started getting longer and stylier. We finally arrived at the crux rapid (Prioprism) and after some scouting we both got in our boats and ran some beautiful rapids.
The top of prioprism was a clean 2m fall which then wound around a few corners and lead into a big steep boulder garden.



We both got held up mid rapid by one hole and but managed to eddy out behind a rock before the next big drop.
The final big drop involved cutting behind one rock, letting the current catch your nose and swing your right back into the main flow, a big stroke to pull through the hole at the bottom & then catch your breath before the next 100m of rapids.

Robin went first, it looked like he was going to far right, then the last thing I saw as he dropped out of sight was the hull of his boat. Now I immediately thought that "that ain't right" so quickly paddled after him. I stayed hard against the top rock and then felt the current hit me and swing me back towards the right. I caught a glimpse of robin floating in boily pool, holding his boat. Not the nicest time to be out of your boat!
Robin self-rescued and pulled his boat into a small eddy, I followed behind, Robin had spotted his paddle floating downstream and quickly rushed after it jumping from rock to rock. Once all the gear was re-united and boat emptied we were back on the water.



It turns out Robin had gone hard right and the current pushed him into a small under cut. He felt his boat stop dead and got the instant feeling of "uh-oh" then what happened after that he couldn't really remember, but it all happened in a split second and then was cleaned up just as quick.

The river mellowed out from their on out with a few short rapids & and then a gentle float back to the car.
The paddocks were even full of new season lambs, some were still covered in blood and might have been born while we were on the water.

We were just left with the 4 hour drive back to Dunedin!

So that was another good weekend, Cheers Robin!

Antz

NZ Kayak Buyers Guide

Right...

So I'm now in Rotorua, I've taken over from Natalie Meek as the editor of the NZ Kayak Buyers Guide.
We're working on getting advertising things out this afternoon & then everythings go!
I'm up here till thursday, which means a daily paddle down the beautiful Kaituna River and spot of playing in Bottom hole.

Yesterday was awesome went for a solo mission in a Jackson Kayaks All-Star, awesome boat & loved the bottom holes, cartwheels & split wheels. Even managed some unintentional back loops & tricky-whu type moves.

Very busy, will be back in Dunedin briefly before heading off creeking for the weekend. Will be working all next week then Bliss-Fest (not long to go now!).

Sweet

Antz

busy times

I've spent today helping my parents shift houses from Milton to Mosgiel, is that a step up in the world?

Tomorrow I head off to Christchurch, then Monday fly to Rotorua! Heading up to meet DC from Sunspots and work out a deal about a magazine....
might even get done the Kaituna again, it is a hard life after all :)

Have been out surfing a fair bit recently, and a couple of pool session have meant that I'm almost sticking flatwater loops. Not long to the Bliss-Stick Festival & then the end of the year.

So much is coming up I'm going to be finding it hard to get spare moments.
Magazines, paddling, paddling, polytech, earning a few dollers, maybe a climb, 21sts.

Anyway I better keep getting organised & then head off to a 21st.

Antz

Re-Focus

Can't get enough of that wonderful paddling.

I keep reminding myself, or getting reminded by others how fantastic kayaking is. Another beautiful day on the taieri yesterday. (Cheers Megan, Robin, Howie, Jock & Red). Beautiful spring sunshine & blue skies. Good flow and a great way to finish the week. The surf has been really good some medium-large swells rolling through and warm days. Even braved the shorty the other day.
Downside being a week ago I snapped my Rochfort at St Kilda. The first main piece of paddling kit i've ever broken. Now im back to paddling with the trusty "Mohaka". Just received word from Kyle in Coloma, that he's finally going to put my new H20 paddle in the post on tuesday! after two months it'll finally be on its way to me!
Really good to know that the paddle is somewhere and not lost in a global network of disgruntled posties/couriers.

On other matters, Polytech is ticking along and im generally keeping up (when I go...) Magazine progress is slow but steady. Still sorting out finance issues. I'm entering the AUDACIOUS business competition in Dunedin, so could possibly get some financial help from that if they think my idea is worthwile.

The kiwi boys have been representing well over at the Freestyle World Cup, Josh Neilson pulling 23rd out of 50 in the senior mens, and the young fellas making the cut into the junior finals. Well done boys.

This week is shaping up to be busy with tek, paddling, parents renovating the house, a little bit of work and other things bound to pop up.

Antz

DVDs and Byebyes

Enter The Donkey DVDs now in stock. Available at $34.95 plus postage of $5 within NZ. Contact me at eye4adventure@gmail.com

Off to Timaru & Christchurch for the weekend. Hopefully paddling the Rangitata Gorge on Sunday and maybe a spot of climbing in Christchurch on Saturday. Actual point of the trip is to drop my almost Doctor brother at the Airport. The lucky fellow is off to Brasil for two months to work in a plastic surgery clinic. Then he's off to Thailand & Japan for another month. I figure that after all this time studying and working at medicine a nice trip on a plane and to foriegn lands will be quite refreshing.

Magazine update coming next week.

Antz

EYE4ADVENTURE in business?

That's right I've taken the next step along the road to financial freedom or possibly financial doom.... well lets hope it will end up with the first possibility! If not I guess my student loan may get written off...

EYE4ADVENTURE is now the official NZ distributor for Effort Inc. Meaning enter the donkey will be available for purchase very shortly in NZ, Effort Inc. are also planning on producing future movies on the wonderful subject matter of Kayaking!

On other developments work is progressing soundly towards NZ & Australia's new kayak magazine. With articles in the works, business plans spinning around my head & very few hours not spent thinking about somesort of issue/problem. Advertising is the next matter to attend to while the articles are written (Articles will be coming in from Canada, California & Europe) as well as back here in good old NZ & Australia.

With nothing set in stone a release date is currently unknown. How the cookie ends up crumbling we'll have to wait & see.

Until I randomly update you again

Antz

P.S if interested in the Enter The Donkey DVD send me an email at kayaktrash@gmail.com - price 2B-annouced.

low water on the taieri...

Here's a couple of pictures from our trip down the Taieri on Sunday afternoon. Twas mighty low flow (maybe 17cumecs) good times. Good to be back on a river and with a good bunch of paddlers.



Race through Pipeline - Danger, Blake, Roger, Shan



Shanan



The walk in - Danger & Chris

That's all folks

Antz

ENTER THE DONKEY! Update

After a bit of time and thinking we've decided a perfect time to run a premiere would be.......

during the Bliss-Stick Kayak Festival (October 7th & 8th) based on the Taieri River and at St Clair Beach. More details to follow about the festival and timings.

ENTER THE DONKEY!

Fresh from North Carolina comes "Enter The Donkey" and EYE4ADVENTURE is bringing Dunedin the New Zealand Premiere.

Just waiting for the arrival of the movie so that we can put it on a nice big screen to share with the masses.

Dunedin premiere will be sometime mid-august, and after that will be looking to arrange a Timaru & Christchurch screening.

For any further info about the movie check out www.effort.tv or contact me.


Cheers Antz

More News

Dunedin's starting to heat up, lots of action starting to happen over the next few weeks. Here's a quick low down:

Thursday 27th July - Sean Waters presents a slide show on "Hidden Tibet" all about some unclimbed gems i believe. Being held at the St David Lecture Theatre from 7:30pm tickets $10 on the night. Check info at Bivouac Dunedin. (I could be wrong).

Saturday July 29th - Opening day for "Room 14" Dunedin's new bouldering facility. Stuart St big old school building. $5 entry from 2-7pm. Come along and support dunedin rock.

August ?? - Dunedin premieres of films from the Wicked West Coast Film Festival. Being run by R&R Sport. Tickets $15 or $10 for students.

October 7th & 8th - BLISS-FEST the return of the bliss-stick surf comp from last year sees an additional boater-x race on the Taieri River. A weekend of fun for all the paddling family! stay tuned for further info.

update...

Dunedin, little chilly but still a wicked place to hang out. Am going to be here for until at least december now...
Wanted to avoid full-time work so have enrolled in some NZ Diploma in Business Papers to keep the qual's coming and still allow time to pursue my other interests... Those of course being paddling, climbing and anything else that sounds fun.

Queenstown was proving to be too cold, and then a quick stop in Timaru to catch up with the masses who've been having a ball through June massive snowdumps. Then back to dunedin where some nice waves having been rolling through St Clair.

Today's my 21st birthday so think it'll be approriate to head out for a boulder or surf pretty soon. Parties in two week time so if you've been fortunate enough for me to record your email address or cell number you've probably got an invite.

Looking forward to some good weekend missions throughout winter/spring before the summer 06/07 road trip north... as long as funds are around.
Heaps a few more pic's from my time in Coloma.



Who else but me, running something on the Kyburz Section of the Sth Fork American

and more of Kyburz, Sth Fork of the American.