C&K mag #30 sp - Canoe & Kayak

More documents

Recommendations

Info

SEA KAYAKING A Paddle in the Harbour by George Lockyer I’m very fortunate to live in picturesque Governors Bay, on the Banks Peninsula, only 15 minutes over the Port Hills from Christchurch. It’s only a five-minute trundle from my house to Sandy Beach Rd and the water. After 17 years away from kayaking I purchased my Q-Kayak’s Tui at Canoe and Outdoor World in Christchurch, along with a two-wheeled trolley. I’d taken it out half a dozen times and so far had been very impressed. It’s a good basic, stable sea kayak with plenty of room for storage if you fancy a longer trip with camping in mind. It’s morning when I launch. The right blade of my paddle dips hungrily into the briny, powering my kayak a little further onward. The left one rises toward the blue sky as a few drops fall from it like diamonds to merge once more with the ocean. My back muscles bunch and relax and my breathing quickens as I step up the pace. I can hardly keep the grin off my face. Nothing exists but the sea, the sky and my boat knifing through the slight chop of the Harbour. I turn slightly to cut through the wake of a speedboat pulling a water skier. I must admit to feeling slightly nervous. The last Eskimo roll I attempted was in a heated pool a good 20 years ago and 12 thousand miles away so I’m taking no chances. I know I should have more faith in my 28 ISSUE THIRTY • 2005 abilities (albeit very rusty ones) and the seaworthiness of my boat. On my right I pass Governors Bay jetty, which stretches 400 metres into the water and where last summer my six-year-old son caught his first fish, an unappetizing dogfish, at which even the cat turned up her nose. A cormorant wheels overhead and the wind blows spray in my face. On my other forays into the harbour, the water had been as flat as a millpond but a Southerly has gotten up and things are getting a bit choppy. I approach the tip of Mansons Peninsula and maneuver the Tui through the narrow channel between the mainland and Plum Pudding. This tiny piece of land only becomes an island at high tide. The other side is more exposed to the wind and I really have to dig my paddle in to stay on course for the tip of Moepuka Point. Then it’s a short paddle, this time with the wind at my back to Quail Island, where I pull the kayak up onto the beach, get my flask out and sit down in the sun for a welcome coffee break. In front of me the steel ribs of a wreck point to the sky. There are four shipwrecks, intentionally sunk: nothing romantic I’m afraid. The island’s 81 hectares (or about 200 acres in the old money) sits solidly in the middle of the ancient volcanic crater that is Lyttelton Harbour. Captain Mein Smith was the first European to set foot on the Island back in 1842 of the schooner Deborah. He named it after the large number of native Quail encountered at the time (though not surprisingly, now long extinct). The Maori name, ‘Otamahua’ means, “to gather sea-bird eggs”. The Island is administered by the Department of Conservation and with the Otamahua / Quail Island Ecological Restoration Trust, they are embarked upon a project to rid the island of pests and regenerate the native forest. The History of the Quail Island is rich and diverse. It was acquired by The Crown in 1850 from the Ngai Tahu and sold into private hands soon after. It was farmed until 1976 when it became a Recreation Reserve. In 1987 administration of the Island was transferred to DOC. Both Scott and Shackleton quarantined their dog teams here en-route to the Antarctic while their boats were provisioned in Lyttelton. Quail Island was first farmed by Edward Ward who along with his two brothers, came out with the Canterbury pilgrims in 1850 aboard the Charlotte Jane. He herded his cattle from the tip of Moepuka Point, past King Billy Island to Quail Island. At low tide the water is only 600 mm deep but the clinging mud would have made it an exhausting business! As well as being farmed, the Island was also used at one time as a leper colony. Flask stowed away, life jacket on and paddle in hand, it’s back into harness and I continue on. Last year a pod of hectors dolphins was spotted on the South side of the Island, being pursued by something resembling a killer whale. I paddle to the jetty where a scenic cruise boat from Lyttelton docks and rest my arms for a few minutes.
Quail Island Kayak in Channel ISSUE THIRTY • 2005 29
Page 1 and 2: $5.95 NZ NZ Kayak Magazine Buyers G
Page 3 and 4: ISSUE THIRTY • 2005 3
Page 5 and 6: OTHER WORLD HAWKE’S BAY 15 Niven
Page 7 and 8: EDITOR: Peter Townend Ph: [09] 473
Page 9 and 10: WHITE WATER KAYAKING Waterfall Craw
Page 11 and 12: Louis take off, Tawhai Falls Louis
Page 13 and 14: Henry - Shepard Falls Shane - Taiha
Page 15 and 16: Trans Tasman Rivalry set for 2006 T
Page 17 and 18: Getting into Multisport Kayaking? A
Page 19 and 20: Swell is difficult to forecast and
Page 21 and 22: Nothing gets the heart pounding mor
Page 25 and 26: Perfect place for a filter coffee a
Page 27: The new owners of Auckland Canoe &
Page 31 and 32: Hamilton - It’s on the map by Rut
Page 33 and 34: Andrew Mount and his father Maurice
Page 35 and 36: Ferry choc-a-block with kayaks Phew
Page 37 and 38: PFD (PERSONAL FLOATATION DEVICE) Da
Page 39 and 40: Setting out Tent city ISSUE THIRTY
Page 41 and 42: Moody river Kids plus kayaks equals
Page 43 and 44: Tri/Sea Win Win For more informatio
Page 45 and 46: We have many more kayaks available
Page 47 and 48: We have many more kayaks available
Page 49 and 50: Accommodation available to Yakity-Y

C&K mag #30 sp - Canoe & Kayak

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?