Adventure 222

PHIL’S SEA KAYAK
Stewart Island
Locked and loaded, Pat De Jong setting a quick pace in a loaded kayak
fully supplied with 10 days worth of food and equipment.
There’s a reason it’s an isolated in inhospitable place. Leaving
Doughboy Bay, we entered the most exposed section of the
circumnavigation – The 10km of coastline before Easy Harbour.
Rocky bluffs meant there was no safe place to head back to shore
until a large channel gifting access to the shelter of Kundy Island.
Here we found out what it is like to battle the Southern Ocean
swells. The wind picked up and the swell began to build, soon
a few kilometres out to see we found ourselves taking on huge
breaking swells, combined with refraction swells bouncing off the
bluffs. It was an intense few hours drawing on all our white-water
experience.
From here it was the waiting game for the swell to subside
before making an attempt on the Southern Cape. 1 day later the
conditions looked good – Variable 5kts with 2.6 SW Swell. We
went for it and 7 hrs later we arrived into shelter and beauty of
Port Pegasus, in the shadow of the giant granite domes of Gog
& Magog. We rested up after what was a fairly massive day
paddling past the most epic coastal landscape imaginable.
From there it was plain sailing – Heading North, the end in
sight – Pegasus to Lords River – Lords River to Oban. 2 big but
achievable days saw our fatigued and broken bodies steer our
boats to a rest on the beach we’d set off from 12 days prior. The
boats up to their final resting spot – We weren’t the first and we
won’t be the last, but we’d got it done.
30//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#222
Capturing the expedition – This trip was shot
on the Canon R EOS with 70-200 f2.8 RF 24-105
f2.8 RF Lens.
It’s a challenge balancing capturing the expedition
to tell the story of being out there without taking
away from the authentic experience of just
enjoying it. Alone. Isolated. In nature – Exploring
somewhere new, untouched and beautiful. For
me the question is always – What camera set-up
to add to the monstrosity of equipment packed
into the boats? Ultimately, in the wild world of
adventure photography less is usually more. A
set up that gets the shot but doesn’t slow the
team down, that’s accessible to shoot and quick
to get shooting ensures the ability to capture the
moment.
Shooting from a kayak is a dangerous game.
There’s nothing quite as daunting as taking off the
spray deck of your kayak far out in the Southern
Ocean. Sacrificing the only thing stopping the icy
cold sea water from rushing in, sinking my bright
little kayaking just to get the shot – To access my
camera, balanced precariously between my legs.
And there were plenty of shots missed. Magical
moments on the water where I couldn’t dare get
my camera out, let alone take a hand off the
paddle. Scary moments where the sole focus
was survival – But that’s all part of the game, of
sharing the story.
Explore the pristine clear
waters of Stewart Island
with it’s amazing marine
life, bays and sandy
beaches.
Experience paddling paradise!
Stroll golden sandy beaches and take in the rich cultural history.
Full/half day/2 1/2 hour and sunset excursions available.
Registered owner/guide; passional sea kayaker.
Kayak rental available (some conditions apply).
PHIL@ SEAKAYAKSTEWARTISLAND.NZ | 027 4442323
WWW.SEAKAYAKSTEWARTISLAND.NZ