ISSUE 4 5 Trans Taupo Race Results - Canoe & Kayak

Colville to Waikawau – Coromandelby Leighton StokesSarah enjoying the sun. Square Top Islandand Great Barrier in the distanceI currently study at A.U.T, for aDiploma in Outdoor Recreation andLeadership. As part of my coursethis coming semester, I have beenkayaking, improving skills and justhaving a great time. One of the tripsI organized was a ‘circumnavigation’of the Coromandel Peninsula.I had intended to start at Coromandel Townand finish at Matarangi, but with only four daysavailable this was not possible.The Colville Bay Motor Lodge became basecamp and departure point for Johnny, Josie,Sarah and me. Mark and Wendy, owners of thelodge, offered to be our shuttle taxi service toand from Waikawau Bay. This was a huge helpand greatly appreciated. Moreover, at only $8ppfor a tent site, it was a bargain.The first day’s forecast was a 20 knotsouthwesterly with a sizeable easterly swell.Starting our 27 kilometre journey on thewestern side of the peninsula we thought theswell would not trouble us. We paddled out ofColville Bay with the wind on our port quarter,helping us heaps.The wildlife around these parts is incredible. Nomatter the size of the swell Sooty Shearwaters,flying at one with the ocean, rose and fell, alwaysa foot above the sea; and there were Gannets,plenty of Terns and quite a few Blue Penguins.The wind was increasing. At Channel Island itwas averaging 36kn, and the swell had pickedup to 1.5m. Occasionally, scary 2 metre wavesbroke over our fully laden kayaks.As we pulled into Port Jackson for thenight we were battered by catabatic windsgusting up to 40kn.The wind blowing 20 knots.18 ISSUE FORTYfive • 2 0 0 8