SEA KAYAKINGSpark of Desireby Sharon TorcklerIn summer, January 2001, a steadynortheasterly wind encouraged a fewwhite caps to dance across the top ofthe waves. From where I holiday, thiswind comes straight through the gapbetween Takatu Point and KawauIsland, through the little islands,known to the locals as Rabbit and Goat,and reaches land, to buffet mycampervan. The wind makes itunpleasant to seek some vitamin Efrom the suns rays, or to try and get outto the favourite fishing spot to catchthe evening meal.This day as I sat playing cards with the kids, akayak came around the point from Algies Bay - Iwas surprised to see someone in so small a craftpropelled by man’s own strength, out in weathertoo rough for my powered tin boat. But even moreto my surprise 3 others accompanied him. I satand watched as they made their way across theKiwi Association of Sea<strong>Kayak</strong>ers N.Z. Inc.(KASK)KASK is a network of sea kayakersthroughout New ZealandKASK publishes a 146 pagesea kayaking handbookwhich is free to newmembers: the handbookcontains all you need toknow about sea kayaking:techniques and skills,resources, equipment, places to go etc.KASK publishes a bi-monthly newslettercontaining trip reports, events, book reviews,technique/equipment reviews and a ‘bugger’file. KASK holds national sea kayaking forums.Website:www.kask.co.nzAnnual subscription is $35.00.KaskPO Box 23, Runanga 7854,West Coastbay, heading for Mullet Point. What was theirdestination... Martins Bay? Motureka?, The BeeHive?, Kawau? Where had they come from ...Algies? Snells?, Sandspit? I longed to know. Theythen disappeared out of sight and I was left withthe thought of “what, when, where, why and howcould I do that?” It was my first experience of seakayaking. The spark of desire had been lit.Holidays over I meandered into the lunch room,for a coffee break and noticed a magazine on thetable, a New Zealand <strong>Kayak</strong> Magazine, could thisbe fate? I read that mag from cover to cover, andfrom cover to cover again. I just had to get myselfonto one of those amazing trips. Thinking it wouldonly be a summer sport, and with the chillytemperatures of autumn approaching, I made thenecessary phone call. I was talked into doing theSkills Course. I just wanted to go for a paddle,Hmm... but I took the advice, enrolled and itdid not take me long to discover that it wasexcellent advice.Friday night in the pool - freezing cold. Saturdayon Lake Pupuke - wet from re-entry practice.Sunday on the sea - windy. Being so unfit, I wassore and exhausted, but I was elated at what I hadachieved. Couldn’t wait for my next outing.Family commitments meant that, time on the waterwas spasmodic, but the desire had not beendulled. In July 2003 my husband encouraged meto buy my own boat. I debated that I didn’t getout enough to warrant owning a boat, but he waspersistent and the yellow piece of plastic waspurchased. (Sometimes husbands do showwisdom or was it something else?)Another Christmas came with Santa, holidays andsun, and it was now my turn to be the yaker onthe water. With the sun shining, the water calm, Iclimbed into my yellow craft and headed forMullet Point. Staying as close to the landmass aspossible, avoiding skiers and eager fishermenheading out for their day’s quota, I reached mydestination, but was wary of venturing further.Being on the water all alone was rather daunting.My mind was being filled with ‘what ifs’. What wasactually lurking in the depths of the deep bluesea? Not good thoughts when you only have a fewmillimetres of manmade product keeping youafloat. I decided just to do ‘group stuff’.Day paddles, organised by other clubbies, was myforte. On Labour Weekend 2004 I was encouragedto go on a Yakity Yak Weekend trip. Another pieceof advice for which I am extremely grateful, andanother of many firsts. We paddled further than Ithought paddle-power could take you. Yet, Ifound my muscles were still intact and ready formore paddling the following day. This was thenorm evidently for weekend trips, along with thedrinks and shared nibbles at the end of each day.It all added a new dimension to kayaking and itrefuelled my desire for more ... there was plentymore to come.In February 2005 - I finally took the plunge toconquer solo-paddle fear. Launching from myfavourite destination I unloaded, lifted andshuffled (wheels would be good here - definitelymy next purchase). I paddled off to Mullet Point.With a strong north easterly afternoon breezestarting to pick up, I cancelled the option of TheBee Hive, considered Kawau, which could be agood ride home, but chose to head round toMartins Bay. You may have realised by now that Iam in no way a risk taker. I lunched andsunbathed on the beach. With a headwind, andas the waves splashed over the bow, I wonderedif someone on shore was thinking similar thoughtsto mine back in 2001. Round the point the windbecame a tail wind. I surfed and played in thewaves as I headed back to shore. What a greatlife this is.In 2001 a desire was sparked. In 2005 I look backat what I have achieved through kayaking. I havepaddled to islands for day trips and overnighttrips. I have paddled up rivers. I have visitedpubs, which served food. I have visited pubs, withno food to serve. I have lunched at cafés. I havebeen in choppy seas. I have been on the harbourin its most glassy calm state. I have travelled toparts of NZ that I haven’t been to before. I haveboogie boarded, awesome! I have boogieboarded down a sand hill - yes I screamed, and Iwent back for more, fantastic!I have had many laughs with the amazing peoplethat I have met through the Yakity Yak <strong>Kayak</strong> Club.And ... there is still a desire for more.Photo by Dave Evans32 ISSUE THIRTYtwo • 2005
Book Review‘Coastal Sea <strong>Kayak</strong>ingIn New Zealand(A Practical Touring Manual)’For Sale<strong>Kayak</strong> ShopsInterested inowning your ownkayak shop?Review by Paul HaywardOK, I’ve a conflict of interest here - I think the photographsin this book are tremendous, because I took a number ofthem. That may not be enough reason for you to read it, butit leads nicely on to why you might want to consider it. It’swritten for us.Kerry writes both well and entertainingly. At the outset, he clearly states hismotivation. He feels we deserve a book which illuminates our local paddlingparadise, a book without the oft-seen pages on bear-avoidance and instantlynumbing cold water. He covers sharks and jet skis instead. He tempts us ‘togo beyond the confines of the harbour or bay and not come back beforedark’ - and gives both general and personal insights into why you should.Although Kerry says this is ‘not a book about how to sea kayak’, it really is.It’s about how to enjoy the process. No, he doesn’t tell you how to identify atrawler by its lights, nor yet how to phrase a PanPan on your VHF - much lesshow to do a roll. He does tell you why you might enjoy learning these things.Why you might enjoy seeking out knowledge and practising skills whichstretch your mind and body and deepen your enjoyment of the superbkayaking environment we have so abundantly available to us.Having sold you on why, he very usefully tells you where best to find theinformation. He covers just about everything I can think of: for trip planning:transport, food, equipment, weather and communications. He describes hissolo paddles and has some cogent advice on the benefits and dangers ofgroup expeditions.His final paragraph sums it up well: ‘That is what sea kayak touring...isultimately all about - getting to know yourself, your abilities and your limits,and your willingness maybe to push them a bit further next time.’Published 2005 by New Holland Publishers (NZ) LtdRRP $29.99 Available from any good book store and <strong>Canoe</strong> & <strong>Kayak</strong>.<strong>Canoe</strong> & <strong>Kayak</strong> Ltd is ready toopen Licensed Operations in newcentres and has the going concernHamilton <strong>Canoe</strong> & <strong>Kayak</strong>,The Corner Greenwood St& Duke St, State Highway 1bypass for sale.Phone: 09 473 0036Peter TownendManaging Director, <strong>Canoe</strong> & <strong>Kayak</strong> Ltdand I’ll be glad to have a chat.All approaches will be dealt with in confidence.ISSUE THIRTYtwo • 2005 33
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