Washing hanging on the surf ski

Evans Bay today.

You know when you're wash hanging off someone and they just about drown you with their blade............. that lifts more water out and hits you in the face every second stroke............well think that's bad............try washing hanging off this sucker.

NZ Offshore Power Boat Fairview windows and doors out training with me this afternoon..............going that quick you're not really on the wash for toooo long :-)
Turns out that the Power Boat broke the previous quickest Cook Strait crossing record by 10 minutes in a slightly lumpy southerly swell............on TV3 news it looked like it would have been a near perfect day for surf skis Click on photo to enlarge

Other activities coming up in Welly:

Tuesday Oct 2 start of the Mana Kayak Racing Club handicap series starts in Evans Bay Wellington

Saturday Nov 3 Visit to Wellington by Emma and Phillip from Standing Room Only NZ magazine

Thursday Nov 15 Welly Paddlers/Fergs Kayaks surf ski/SUP demo day and race 

View our race calendar on the left of the page for further info and other events

Think surf skis at record low prices

Just been in to Fergs Wellington this morning to piece together images to place on our Welly Paddlers Think kayaks slideshow.

As mentioned previously the Think glass skis orange stripes are $3250 ($4000 last season) the Think kevlar skis yellow stripes are $4400 ($5000 last Season and the carbon black (yellow seat) with yellow stripes are $5400 ($6000 plus last season)

The Think skis are "lookin blinging" again this year and picking the Think Kevlar Evo II up it felt like 0.5 of a kilo lighter than last years model (it feels lighter than my one anyhow)

The Think Eze in glass is definitely lighter than the stated 15 kg. Fergs Wellington have also added 2 to 3 brand new Think skis to their hire fleet at this stage they have 1 x Think Eze and 2 x Think Evo II one is a 2010 Evo II and this is also for sale just pop in and see Dave Annear and inquire. They are hoping to add another Think Eze to the hire fleet as they are a perfect beginers surf ski that will suit most people who'd like to do the "Magnum P.I. thing" and get out on a surf ski rather than paddle one of the other fleet hire kayaks.  

 Anyhow better get out on the water myself, I've completed my work this morning now's time to get out on the Uno Max and get some training in for the Ocean Kayaks Canoe Showdown (Warkworth) in a few weeks time.

Click on any of the photos to enlarge also check out the NEW Think Kayaks images loaded on the slideshow on the right of this page.

PFD's for all Paddlers in Wellington.

We've had a few whoopsies with a Fishermen drowning only 50 metres from shore in Wellington Harbour other fishermen getting into trouble Waka Ama also and now Rowers getting into spots of bother, these are all near misses regardless of how competent we all think we are at getting out of said situations.

View the latest red flag to all the Authorities below:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/7694140/Girl-swims-200m-for-help-after-engine-fails

Four Times Olympic Gold medalist Ian Ferguson (pictured) always wears a buoyancy vest (PFD) when he races with us in Wellington (click on photos to enlarge)

The Harbour Police and also the Greater Wellington Regional Council Harbour Department are going to be scrutinising kayakers and all watersports groups and individuals activities even more now. They have been warning us all for the last 3 plus years with articles in many newspapers.

The Greater Wellington Regional Council Harbours Department under current legislation do have the power to fine water users who fail to comply with the bylaw with $100 fines...........they have been very generous till now.............not to do this on many occassions.

For anyone Organising a Watersports event and not advertising and also briefing particpants to wear a Buoyancy Vest (PFD) is not a great thing in my opinion.

Simple rule this Season:

Buoyancy Vests...............preferably Worn.......... but can be carried, must be secure in/on your craft, quickly and easily released..........only workable if your craft is within arms reach at all times, and it doesn't blow away or sink (with the carry method).

Leg leashes are also a good 2nd option for many surf skis, SUP's and Waka Ama and recreational sit on tops.
We ourselves have been little too generous, with not policing PFD's further than just the event flyers and some times not mentioning them in briefings.
Forgetting a vest or leg leash shouldn't be used as an excuse anymore................don't allow any paddler to enter your event without them.


Time for everyone to start beating to the same drum or paddling with the current.
If we all don't lead by example, every child or water user thinks if they don't why should we.
Set an example for everyone in our Commmunity

Final Winter Series Race

Big thanks to all those who have supported the 2012 Winter Paddle Series again to Jörn for this great series he started back in 2010, we hope everyone has enjoyed the Series and we all look forward to seeing you all and many more for the 2013 Winter Paddle Series.

Fergs Kayaks have been awesome supporters to many of Wellington's paddling groups this Season and the best thing we can all do is to support them with our future purchases..............and avoid the temptation of buying it cheaper off the internet.

Remember why would they support us if we choose not to support them? 

Dave Annear at Fergs Wellington has done us proud with the $2322 retail value of spot prizes that we dished out today, he was also supported well by the New Zealand Agent for Adrenalin who came to the party with some of the extra donations of their fine products.

Thanks to 4 times Olympic Gold medalist Ian Ferguson for taking a break from the Upper Hutt Fishing expo and coming down to see what we were all up to today. Ian is next down for the Welly Paddlers Surf ski and SUP demo day on Thursday November 15 there will also be a race the same night that Fergs Kayaks Wellington are Organising and that will be followed by a BBQ.   

Finally thanks to Jörn and Tania, Turi and Pania, Sharlene and also Glenn Butcher and Howie Clarke for all drawing many more paddlers into the Wellington Paddling Scene.

Lastly special thanks also for those who get off their butts and travel to races the Wairarapa Waka Ama people and also Mike Tate travelling from Levin............. those who live 20 to 30 minutes away and don't turn up shame on you :-) :-)

My motto is don't just bring yourself along to these events bring at least 4 of your mates..............or when you're in a club you should bring along 12 of your clubmates................then just think how big an event we'd have in Wellington...............then I wouldn't hear people say this or that is bigger in Auckland :-)

Finally yet another thanks to the team at www.sportzhub.com for placing our pre and post race articles like this one below on their site http://www.sportzhub.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15261&Itemid=1 

Keep an eye on our events calendar if there's something on and I hear about it, I'll post it.

SUP's 2.7 km
17:16 Howie Clarke
17:49 Quintin Reweti
18:00 John Toomath
18:42 Karl Lequesne
19:17 Tio Leota
19:37 Will Farmer
21:53 Katie Townsend (women)

W6's 8km
35:25 Outlaws mens
37:31 Wairarapa Mixed
39:17 Kokiri women
39:51 Moutere women
40:44 Kikoikoi AJ women

W1's 8 km
40:45 Sefo Misky
41:23 Peki Emery
41:25 James Sadler
44:04 Rick Kopa
44:07 Chris Fox (women)
45:06 Chris Mike
46:28 Terry Gardiner
47:32 Ange Schofer (women)

Kayaks 8 km
37:46 Rodney Wallace MK
40:37 Sandy Winterton SK
46:31 Pete Notman SK

Surf ski 8 km
35:43 Matt Archer
35:44 Mike Tate
38:24 Kyle Christensen
39:06 Brian Grace

Race this Sunday

The Wellington Rowing Club have a 500 metre rowing event on Sunday............it was postponed last weekend................ and is now on this weekend.


They intend having it in Wellington............... but if it's too windy it may well be based from the Wellington Waterski Club as well............ so.............

Because we are so wired and can shift ourselves and course so quickly to get the best of the best.

We are going to move to "The Giant Oars" on the Petone Foreshore at the end of Cuba

In that way we will avoid any stray rowers that can't look where they are heading for obvious reasons :-)

So..................... we have good parking, a better beach, a nice 20 kmh Northerly what more can we ask for?

Any questions

Chester 022 6455 820
Sharlene 027 4581 005

See youse all 2moros.............also read the posting below.

Think XO SUP

Click on photos to enlarge
Above is the only Think XO SUP in NZ and Australasia for that matter...........currently.

First Official Pix in NZ bought to you by Welly Paddlers


It comes in at 4270mm (14 ft) long and 710 mm (28 inches) wide.

Dave Annear requested this SUP for the Fergs Kayaks Wellington shop.

The SUP is currently down till September 16 and will be at the final "Winter Paddle Series" race at Petone that day...........then it's back to Auckland then down permanently from November 15 for the first of the Welly Paddlers / Fergs Kayaks surf ski and SUP demo days at Frank Kitts Lagoon on the Wellington Waterfront.

Winter Paddle Series final

Winter Paddle Series Race 7

Final race is at Petone

Sunday September 16

Registration from 9am, race start 10 am

Wellington Waterski Club

SUP course 3 - 4 km

Long course 8 - 9 km

The weather is looking pretty good for Sunday fine with light winds, either a light Northerly flicking to a light Southerly.
The final location will be posted on www.wellypaddlers.blogspot.co.nz by 10 am Saturday Sept 15

Entry fee:
$5 singles
$10 doubles
$10 sixes

Remember Fergs Kayaks are our series sponsor and I popped into Fergs on Queens Wharf yesterday and picked up $1500 worth of Spot prizes spot prizes dished out at the last race..........the more people who turn up this Sunday will mean that the prize pool will increase as well..............remember all entry money goes into the spot prize pool.

We will also have the latest Think XO 14 foot SUP there to demo it's the only one in the Country and also in Australiasia currently and was ordered by Dave at Fergs, for the Wellington shop.

The results and photos will be on here by 9 pm Sunday night.

Kayaking road trip

Currently on a road trip with the Think kayaks fleet. Sunday I participated in the Twin Rivers Kayak race in Blenheim, this year for the first time the Wairau River was in flood so we had to make do with an alternate course that started and finished in Blenheim. For a change it was actually blowing it’s tits off in Blenheim and I paddled the Think Uno max but didn’t get settled into the gusty conditions and lost ground to a stack of paddlers, who to there credit, coped a little better than I did. Hindsight is a great thing and I may well have benefitted from paddling the Think Evo II, never mind live and learn. The results should appear here at some stage www.marlboroughmultisport.wordpress.com
On Monday evening I rolled up for a training session with the Nelson locals at the Nelson Marina ( just off Ackelson street by the Port of Nelson) Andrew Martin leads the training session and last night we had a series of 1km and 2 km efforts for everyone to blow a few cobwebs out. I spent most of the session obviously chasing the Andrew Martin/Flow Kayaks Sharps up and down the breakwater. There were heaps of Sharps obviously with the odd scattering of Epic, Fenn, Wildabout, Sisson, Maski and JKK kayaks.

While in Nelson I made the most of the opportunity to take the Flow Kayaks Superstar surf ski http://www.flowkayaks.com/site/ out for a spin. The Superstar surf ski and the Rockstar multisport kayak, like the Sharp kayak and surf ski both sensibly share the same hull for each model. The Superstar surf ski was well fitted out very well and I found it to be very well balanced on the water and very responsive. This surf ski will provide some very serious competition for all the other imported brands coming into New Zealand, it will also prove to be a hit with many of Andrews loyal customers and also many multisporters in New Zealand. Well done I think the Flow Kayaks team are onto a winner.

Surf skis and Stand Up Paddle Boards

The first Think Kayaks shipment of surf skis has arrived in the Country and along with this consignment Dave Annear from Fergs Wellington requested one of the new Think XO SUP's for the Wellington Store.

So popular has this choice being, Auckland are keeping it up there for demo till November 15...........then we finally get it down to Wellington for first of two Welly Paddlers demo days for the 2012/2013 Season..............yes they are in Wellington!

demo1 is on Thursday afternoon/evening November 15...........demo 2 a Tuesday afternoon/evening in late January TBA.

Breaking News : The Think XO SUP will be down in Wellington briefly on Sept 14 and 15, you can demo it at the last race of the Winter Paddle Series on Sunday the 15th.

Normally Fergs Kayaks get one container a year of Think Surf skis into New Zealand...............but this year it may be likely that they will be getting a 2nd container landing on our shores again in December!..........this is good news for me as I have requested a Think Evo II carbon ski..........weighing in at 10.5 kg.............and yes it does have a bouyancy rib running through the centre of the ski.

Two containers of the same brand of surf ski into NZ in the same season is very unusual...............what's going on................well maybe there are a number of pre orders and also the first container may have nearly sold out already? Another positive aspect The Thinks Surf ski cost up to a massive $750 less than they did last season.............probably why they are selling so quickly.

The pricing on the container that has just landed:

Think glass ski (15 kg) $3250
Think Kevlar ski (12.5 kg) $4400
Think Carbon ski (10.5kg) $5400
Think XO SUP $3125

Epic skis Black line (15.5kg) $3900
Epic ski red line (12.3 kg) $5300

* Note: There may be a price variation if another container comes in December it depends on the number of skis, shipping costs and currency conversation at the time............www.fergskayaks.co.nz

Talk to Dave in Wellington................ or Alan in Auckland.

Below is a video clip with the Carbon layup Uno Max, which is riden by "Mr Think" Daryl Remmler.

http://www.surfski.info/latest-news/item/1428-video-of-the-week-rip-riding-in-vancouver.html 

I can't speak highly enough of the Think product I bought the 2011 models of Think Uno max and Think Evo II in the last 8 months................ as they work well for my paddling styles and stabilty in the various waterways I paddle on..........previous to that I've owned 3 models of think surf skis (1 x Evo 1, 1x Legend and 1 x Evo II)

Photos by Sharlene Winiata: 1. Uno Max - 2. Evo II - 3. Evo II with removable flip rudder fixed to handle securing points. - 4. Matariki Race - 5. Race 6 Winter Paddle Series............click on photos to enlarge.

Click the link below to check out the SUP Bible in NZ..............Standing Room Only NZ (SRONZ)

http://www.standingroomonlynz.co.nz/ ..............also read what Annabel Anderson says about the sport in issue 2.

Click the link below to read about Annabel Anderson the number 1 womens SUP paddler in the world (who also cleans up many of the men in International races I might add)

http://annabelanderson.wordpress.com/tag/annabel-anderson-sup/

This link is from Howie Clarke to find out what boards there are over in the land of OZ www.standuppaddle.net.au

For all future SUP converts this is what you can do on a SUP......... check out these guys riding the swells in Hawaii

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNnFl39u9zc

Also check out the vimeo of the Think XO SUP http://thinkkayaks.com/ click the arrow on the big photo and the SUP video will appear.