Keeping it fresh

Yesterday I took the time to venture out of my traditional training ground of the Evans Bay, Oriental, Frank Kitts Park and Seatoun circuit to head out to The Porirua Harbour and Pauatahanui Estuaries on the Welly Paddlers Hayden Molokai Surf ski.
It's always good to get out on another stretch of water to keep it fresh, and keep the motivation up. Saturday was a big day out at Onepoto with the Mana Kayak Racing Club group the first one's I spotted doing the hard yards with some big numbers of paddlers out on the water. Big thanks to Matt Archer for yelling out to me to turn off the headlights in the Welly Paddlers Ute.
I did a quiet little 90 minute session, this was way laid a tad by helping two young female double skullers get back in their capsized double skulling craft, while the their rescue boat was still heading across to assist them, they did a great job getting back in and following instructions on how best to do this.
Anyhow heaps of rowers out there training which was great.
The Waka Ama/Outrigger canoe/Va'a people were out and about as well, as the Women were holding a National Training camp for the World Va'a Champs in New Caledonia next month. It was like a family reunion, caught up with most of the Local girls along with Claire Sykes from Motueka, Kaye Ross, (used to be from the Tron where I resided for a spell in the mid 80's to early 90's)now in Hawkes Bay (I did time there as well)
It was just awesome being amongst all the Sports and their paddlers/rowers out on the water that day, the weather was warm with a moderate Northerly and the water was well........ warm for Wellington, but not as warm as Tahiti though.
Anyhow myself, Les Morris and Dean Ford are heading over to do the Portage race in Picton on Saturday May 15. The race starts from the Picton Foreshore with a 10km Paddle leg then a 2 km portage of you craft over the hill to Portage (the place)then Paddle 7km South down the Kenepuru, exit for another portage of 3 km, then head back over to the other side and finish with a 10 Paddle back to where we started.
I think we should all cover the distance in some where between 2hrs 30min and 2hrs 45min.
For those who aren't up to the above challenge and want to race in Wellington, the Mana Kayak racing club have unfortunately placed their event on the same day Saturday May 15, which we would have all loved to have done but anyhow, they have about 3 courses, a half marathon, a marathon and a race for new participants into the Sport.
It starts early, so be there early to register and be briefed etc.

Any late info on the above.
Chester 022 6455 820