Wasps, Wakas & Wallabies Nepal Update Getting ... - Canoe & Kayak

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Technical caught in a tree. To perform a rescue we first had to remove the kayak from the middle of a strainer (a tree that acts like a net in the current). I tried the standard rope systems and in doing so pulled the ten year old pine tree that I had used as an anchor down a 4 metre slope. It was clear to me at this point that all the river rescue systems I had been taught could not deal with this situation. “What can I do now?” I asked myself My thought process went along these lines. 1/ I need some way of exerting enormous pulling pressure on this trapped kayak. 2/ I have already spent too much time using the only type of anchor point available and risk pulling another tree down. What’s more, most of my rescue gear is hopelessly tangled under a ton of tree and pumice. 3/ The water is moving fast and there is nothing dangerous downstream. 4/ If I attach my last throw rope’s end loop to the kayak and trail it down stream how can I get the weight of the moving water to pull on it as if we had a large sea anchor? I have held onto both ends of many throw ropes during rescues in the past. If you have ever done this, you will know the amazing amount of pull that is generated. So the answer was to get the rest of the kayakers who were at this stage watching the rescue from the opposite bank to jump into the river and grab the rope attached to the kayak. With 15 people on the rope the kayak tore free of the tree and allowed me access to where the kayaker was trapped and to continue with the next stage of the rescue (which ended successfully). The end result was using knowledge I had picked up from general boating and sea kayaking combined with my knowledge of river rescue systems - a successful rescue. Take 5 Check List During the Professional Development sessions in August we worked on the draft “Take 5” check list. This has been developed to encourage a more robust process/debate when embarking on a kayaking activity. Stan Lemmon, a Kayak Instructor from Canoe & Kayak Hamilton and ‘Kermit’ The Take 5 check list translates as, “Take five minutes before you start to assess safety”. In this context it works as a final checklist by listing areas the group needs to discuss during the briefing to plan their safe trip. It worked well while trialed during the Professional Development sessions, feedback was incorporated and Take 5 forms are now available from your local Canoe & Kayak shop. Drop in and grab one, trial it and any ideas you have on improvements will be gratefully received. I am running the Professional Development training days for Canoe & Kayak’s Yakity Yak Club Leaders and Instructors year round. If you would like to attend them please contact me at pete@canoeandkayak.co.nz or by phone on 0274 529255. proud sponsors of the speight’s coast to coast suppliers of spot prizes including the QK Hurricane, Cobra Tandem, Seattle Dry Bags and NZ Kayak Magazine Subscriptions. see us for all your training and equipment requirements. freephone 0508 529 2569 canoeandkayak.co.nz 34 ISSUE FIFTY Two • 2 0 0 9 www.kayaknz.co.nz
Jane Brockies a trip leader from the North Shore Yakity Yak club extends her skills with a seal launch on the Professional Development training on the Waikato River Photo by Peter Townend
Page 1 and 2: ISSUE 52 Getting Kids into Kayaking
Page 4 and 5: Issue 52 contents Kayaking With Kid
Page 6 and 7: The Perfect Family Tonic Carol Twee
Page 8 and 9: Wasps, Wakas, Waterfowl and Wallabi
Page 10 and 11: View from the lookout between Lake
Page 12 and 13: Stunning beauty is revealed as the
Page 14 and 15: Product Focus The team at Barracuda
Page 16 and 17: Canoe Slalom the race may not go ah
Page 18 and 19: White Water Join Your Local The who
Page 20 and 21: Kayaking With Kids - tips to get yo
Page 22 and 23: Feature Kayaking With Kids continue
Page 24 and 25: great base for a family Panmure Pla
Page 26 and 27: Keep the Kid board this su Mission
Page 28 and 29: Success on the Manukau Harbour by S
Page 30 and 31: Fishing The Buddy System - Scott Ch
Page 32 and 33: Multisport 2009 MULTISPORT CHALLENG
Page 37 and 38: Whitewater NZ White Water They’ve
Page 39 and 40: Phone 0508 529 256 for more info &
Page 41 and 42: Selection - Knowledge - Experience
Page 43 and 44: You’ll find it all at canoe & kay
Page 45 and 46: You’ll find it all at Canoe & Kay
Page 47 and 48: You’ll find it all at Canoe & Kay
Page 49 and 50: The Struggle Continues Despite thes
Page 51 and 52: Now available at Canoe and Kayak st

Wasps, Wakas & Wallabies Nepal Update Getting ... - Canoe & Kayak

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