SAVEwith a - Canoe & Kayak

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way through the macabre scenes of vultures and dogs picking flesh from rotting bodies while the stench of decay hung in the humid air like a fog over the living. It was foreign to our Western sensibilities to be surrounded by death. But, the locals were unfazed, bathing themselves and watering their buffaloes. By week three it was clear that we weren’t going to be able to paddle to Varanasi in time for Doug’s flight home. So, we decided to catch the train for the 250 km section between Kanpur and Allahabad. Back into paddling mode, the pre-monsoon heat was unrelenting. The sun was a fiery dragon. By midday water bottles were hotter than a cup of tea and we craved cold drinks. Drenched in sweat we pored over our road map, which didn’t show bends in the river, to find any sizable town which might supply a coke or cold water. It became a bit of an obsession. At each bridge or village we put hand to mouth and called “Pepsi?” the international river greeting. Dolphins frequently accompanied us , showing us the main channel and coming right up to us. It was reassuring to have these beautiful creatures alongside. Every time they appeared we would drift for a while and watch them play and chase fish a few feet away. We reached Allahabad having survived being robbed at gunpoint, burned alive, charged by buffaloes, assaulted by bendy vegetables, the rotting body slalom and stench of death, Delhi Belly, the sand dune desert, the wind and a less than healthy addiction to Pepsi. We were ready for a pit stop ! We found it in the Hotel Yatrik with its lovely staff, swimming pool, room service and ICE. We spent two splendid days there grinning a lot and sipping cold ones by the pool. We left the hotel for the final 300 kms to Varanasi. Paddling wasn’t easy, for in addition to the scorching heat we were both sick with the runs and a chest infection possibly caused by the hotel’s air conditioning. But we still had the dolphins and a huge ice bucket which Doug had bought to be replenished at every opportunity. On our final day, as we rounded the last bend and passed under the huge bridge just upsteam from Varanasi, a flying Indian, in a large urn accompanied by a cloud of his charred remains, hurtled past me. We took great care to dodge the stream of ash and bones at this popular departure point for cremated Hindus on their way to heaven. Emotion and thoughts filled my head as we paddled past the famous ghats. My admiration for my friend and paddling buddy Doug, who had hardly ever kayaked before and who had persevered in spite of his Delhi Belly discomfort, was complete. I felt overwhelmed by the kindness of so many Indians who had offered us food, tea, accommodation and friendship, and gratitude to the guy who invented the screw-top ice bucket. It had enabled us to sit in the middle of the Ganges with a cold Coke and think “Maybe this aint so bad after all?” Next stop the Nile. It doesn’t get that hot in the Sahara does it? Editors Note - Kelvin isn’t paddling seven rivers ‘just for fun’ but to raise awareness and money for Save the Children. Their website is www.savethechildren.com 40 ISSUE THIRTYthree • 2005
KAYAK DESIGN & BUILDING The birth of a kayak - Dusky Bay Classic THE IDEA In 1992 the concept of manufacturing a polyethylene kayak in two sections, then joined in the centre to form a long sea going double, was born. More than 10 years on Max had a new longer oven, and finally the chance to get on with his double sea kayak project. THE DESIGN AND CRAFTING HER Using the foundation of our composite 6.25mtr Dusky Bay II, Max started on a shorter polyethylene model which would cater for weekend paddling in open waters, yet handle changing weather and tidal conditions. HULL: Much of the hull work was done, but in plastic, large flat areas are a no-go area, so the beautiful lifting rails, used in the elite ‘Torres’ sea kayak, shaped the hull beautifully, giving it extra strength, speed, and stability. Running the rails all the way to the bow, enabled any wash to shed early, making for a dryer deck. DECK: Here is where the fun began! We wanted good stowage in front and rear, without compromising a good length between cockpits to prevent paddle clashing. Could we fit a centre hatch in? How to make the cockpits comfortable for thigh and foot? There are similarities to our other sea kayaks, but working out where it all sits best, and then getting everything to the right measure and level, certainly took time. GETTING HER MOULDED After months of moulding bog, fibreglass, foam and sanding, the beast was ready for the Foundry. With eight of the team to lift her onto the trailer, by Sandy Wilson she was off and away. At the Foundry, Brett was not looking forward to the project. She was one big girl. Within a few weeks we had the alloy hull home. Many hours of sanding and sore hands went into getting a smooth finish. Just when we’d had enough, the deck turned up. The area was not as big, but detail was more complex, so more sanding, and more sanding ......... A heavy duty spider frame was made to lift her in and out of the oven. Max progressed with the seats, beefy rudder and all the finishing touches, while the team sanded and sanded ............. THE FIRST BIRTH Finally, a long time down the track, the ‘DUSKY BAY CLASSIC’ was ready to be loaded up and produce. You wait with baited breath at the first birth of a new model. Did you get the shrinkage percentage right, will the hatch rims come away, or will they buckle with pressure? Is the plastic distributed correctly, and is the thickness right in vital places? It is fantastic to see a new project come to completion. The process is long, and patience is not every one’s virtue, but the first birth ............ THE BEAST HERSELF So, once the fittings were complete - this was no easy task either - the ‘Dusky Bay Classic’ was ready to be paddled. Her hull design is smooth and fast on the water. The seats/backrests are comfortable, with ample thigh and foot room. The sturdy rudder is easy to lift and drop, and the footrests manoeuvre the boat effortlessly. So, we’re more than pleased with her! We hope you enjoy her too! And it’s onwards and upwards to the next project around here (but it won’t be quite so BIG!) Dusky Bay Classic Length 544 cm Width 74 cm Depth 39 cm Weight 44 kg Volume 685 Litres Cockpit 71 x 44 cm Accessories Paddles, lifejackets, spray decks Retail Price $2950 Max ISSUE THIRTYthree • 2005 41
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Page 49 and 50: Directory: Things To Do TAUPO Maori

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