The Big SUP day out

Big day out on the water today promoting SUP. First up we had a reply back from Capital Times roving reporter Amanda Weatherall who said we'd love to do an article what's this SUP thing all about?..............well not in those exact words but Amanda was keen to get out on the water in work time and conduct an interview while paddling, multitasking at it's best!   Anyhow Amanda was a diamond customer and through my average instruction tecniques she managed to stay on the board no problem at all.

Big thanks to Fergs Kayaks for supplying the board paddle and all the safety equipment.

Next up it was Sharlenes turn, today she was being my model student. I wouldn't say that I had her doing pirouettes or headstands on the board but she is steadily gaining confidence, going with the flow with the wind and small swells providing fewer wobliness than previous outings.

If anyone needs a good reference to how good SUP is go and talk to Wellington Sports Physician Dr Ruth Highet we've previously spotted this unknown lady on her SUP in Evans Bay "with dog on board". After an e-mail from one
 of our SUP gurus Howie Clarke the other day we put 2 and 2 together and realised it was Ruth. By the way our other Wellington Region SUP Guru is of course Glenn Butcher from Foxton.

Anyhow I digress Ruth was out tonight with her trusty female Lab "Pinot" who was so happy to see us out on the water too she wagged her tail every time we paddled close to them.

It was quite a pleasant night to be out on the water and I also spotted Sam Cuneen in the distance on his new Think Eze surf ski that he purchased just the other day.                                                                                                                                                  Sam is from Perth and is making the most of our beautiful Harbour while here doing a tour of Duty at Hutt Hostpital over the next 8 months. His ski is quick and stable and his wife is also able to paddle it no problems at all. The photo of Sam is not exactly a close up, but as you can see though he is happy to be out in the middle of Evans Bay putting his new ski through it's paces.

No one misses out in Wellington, on November 15 newcomers can check out both SUP and surf skis through a demo evening at Frank Kitts Lagoon on the Wellington Waterfront.

Watch out also for a flyer of a SUP leisure/training Pod from November 22............. likely to be held every 2 nd or 3rd Thursday from this date.
Ruth has a 10 ft Fanatic Board, Sharlene was on Starboard 12ft 6 Racing/touring board,  Amanda was on Fergs NSP 11ft hire board and later in the eveing we also saw another guy out on Naish 12ft 6 race board the same as the one Glenn uses.
 Click on any of the photos to enlarge.  

Foxton Loop race Results

Article and photos in post below results    Also article on www.sportzhub.com

Junior Men 18km
1:30:24 Lachie Cromar
1:30:31 Toby Brooke
1:31:16 Max Brown
1:41:26 Mark Lace

Open Men 18km
1:34:42 Glenn Muirhead
1:40:44 Matt Archer
1:52 13 Martin Leighton
1:57:07 Paddy Urlich
1:58:01 John Pritchard
2:04:01 Steven Toole

Open Women 18km
1:43:25 Marianne Archer
1:50:18 Marianna Hodges
1:54:16 Katherine Allan
1:56:56 Phoebe Cromar
1:58:56 Melz Grant
2:08:07 Margaret Leyland

Vet Men 18km
1:30:28 Brian Scott
1:30:38 Peter O'Sullivan
1:33:49 Malte Hagener
1:40:46 Ian Ferguson
1:42:12 Chester Burt
1:43:29 Les Morris
1:44:26 Liam Drew
1:48:13 Sandy Winterton
1:50:17 Jeff Booth
1:51:01 Peter Brown
1:54:08 David Fisher
1:54:28 Ray Mennie
1:55:46 Andrew Day
1:57:18 Brian Sanders
1:58:46 Colin Crampton
2:02:48 Nic Green
2:06:02 Andrew Rider
2:09:04 Kim McKay
2:12:27 Tim Arbuckle

Vet Women 18 km
1:58:36 Kris Jarvis
2:20:57 Prue Fry

Mens Sea kayak 18 km
2:10:09 Sam Notman
2:21:40 Pete Notman
2:30:18 Andrew McKenzie
2:41:25 Davey Hughes

Womens Sea Kayak 18 km
2:27:03 Sharon Henderson
2:31:07 Diane Morgan

SUP men 6 km
41:04 Glen Butcher
44:11 John Toomath
44:21 Nick Kapica
59:09 Dave Mumford

SUP women 6 km
1:00:44 Ilka Kapica
 

The 24 th running of the Foxton Loop race provided all the paddlers with a good challenge with a handy little North Westerly flicking around and keeping everyone honest. At the start the wind was pretty tame but after the 1 hour mark it picked up a few more clicks and made for a few challenging wind swells especially out on the Manawatu River. The wind wasn't the only challenge as the first 9 km to the Foxton Township turn point was into the outgoing tide.

I guess it all came down to experience knowing how to tuck out of the wind and the tide and when to cross the river and on the bends where on the Manawatu River, where to cut or go wide on the corners, which were quite shallow. I guess there were a few of us old salts that had it figured and had the right boat and a more measured approach over the 18km................hey not everyone can win...............you just have to get out there and enjoy the challenge as most paddlers did.

There were also 6 SUP paddlers this year and they did a 6 km out and back course with most managing to make it to the finish before the wind started to pick up. Local Glenn Butcher from Wind Warrior did a great job getting a good number of people through some SUP demos up to 3 hours before the race started, so big ups to Glenn.

The total number of paddlers out today reached 51 which was a pretty good turnout considering the circumstances. I think by looking around there were a couple of paddlers from Wairarapa a good turnout of Juniors and also Seniors from Wanganui Multisport paddlers from The Kupe Canoe Club in Wellington who may have out numbered those from fellow Wellington Club Mana Kayak Racing also well supported by paddlers from Ashurst, Levin and not forgetting Palmerstom North.

The event was ably run by the Ruahine White Water Club with help from a few friends who assisted in promoting the event. They had a selection of hot soups and bread tea and coffee at the finished all funded from the entry fees competitors paid and also well supported by the Manawatu Marine boating Club who have just awesome facilites that all the paddlers surely apreciated. The event wound up with medals for the first 3 in a number of classes and also a good few handfulls of spot prizes. For results and other photos go to www.rwwc.org.nz

Not only were there paddlers out in force but a big thanks must go to Kelvin Texeira from the Horowhenua Mail for putting both a pre race and post race article in the free weekly local newspaper. Also Michael Feyen a passionate local supporter of the Foxton Loop and Manawatu River for his video and TV work on the race and interviewing some of the locals and the odd famous identity that happened to turn up to this iconic event.


Attached are a few photos that Sharlene took before she was called away take care of my ski. Ian Ferguson, Matt Archer, Marianne Archer and myself.............. and also the first 4 across the line and Liam Drew feature................click on any photo to enlarge
  

Around the traps

Heaps coming up over the next three weeks but first whats happened this week.

Mana Kayak Racing Club Rubber Ducky Series Race 4 was held from Greta Point on Tuesday. There was a nice little Southerly so the course ran around the fountain and back.
There were between 20 and 30 paddlers at a guess, and another great course like last week with a few harbour swells and bumps to ride.

Personally I think all the starts should be at Greta Point near the Kupe Canoe Club whether it is a Southerly or a Northerly it saves any confusion. The event is advertised for an Oriental Parade start in a Southerly www.manakayakracing.wordpress.com

It makes  more sense as about 3/4 of the paddlers come out of the Kupe Canoe Club sheds so it makes sense that they don't all have to paddle all the way around to Oriental Parade then back into a stinker of a Southerly as it does turn inclement.

Coming up

Saturday October 27 Foxton  Loop Race www.rwwwc.org.nz
Saturday November 3 SRONZ Wellington visit (Standing Room Only Magazine) Emma & Phillip - 10 am paddle Wellington Waterfront howieclarke72@gmail.com
Saturday November 3 Whanganui River Race aaron.cox@xtra.co.nz

Wellington Kayak Week

Tue Nov 13 Mana Kayak Racing Club Rubber Ducky Series www.manakayakracing.wordpress.com
Wed Nov 14 Ian Ferguson One on One Coaching ian@fergskayaks.co.nz   
Wed Nov 14 Ian Ferguson group Coaching Session at Kupe Canoe Club
Thursday Nov 15 Ian Ferguson One on One Coaching ian@fergskayaks.co.nz  
Thursday Nov 15 Welly Paddlers surf ski and SUP demo evening

View the flyers on the right hand side of this page.
    

Sorry it's Sold

Out it goes a 2012 Think Eze surf ski from Fergs Kayaks Wellington.

It's been given the Welly Paddlers treatment with 3M rubberised strip added to potential high wear areas of the ski to keep it looking good. Also added are the Think Kayaks leg leash and Think Kayaks PFD, both a must.

See more of these and other surf skis at the Welly Paddlers Demo day along with Ian Ferguson on November 15.

Also don't forget the Foxton Loop Race this Saturday October 27 Ian Ferguson will be entering this event for the first time, turn up and see the Olympic Legend in action and also if he'll be paddling an Epic Kayaks V12 or a Think Kayaks Uno Max surf ski?
Click on photos to enlarge

Coming Up

Wind Warrior in Foxton Beach has Bill Dawes down from Auckland running a SUP instructers course in the Foxton Area we've advertised this one about a month or so ago so I'm not going to repeat the advertisement, just click on Glenns link Wind Warrior Kitesports and SUP's on the left hand side below the events calendar.............wait there's more they will also be running SUP demos from 10 am through to 4 pm.

Speaking of events next Saturday October 27 is the Annual Foxton Loop Race it starts at about 1 pm which is later than most years, plus it's on a Saturday not a Sunday. This event used to run every August but it's been changed due to Ruahine White Water Club members having other activities on that month, click on their race on the event calendar left hand side of page for all the info

The weekend later on Saturday November 3 Aaron Cox is running the annual Whanganui River Race race e-mail him on the events calendar to find out more.

Race 4 of the Rubber Ducky Series is this Tuesday from Greta Point it starts at 6pm click on this event on the event calendar.

  

Twilight Kayaking in Wellington

Race 3 of the Mana Kayak Racing Club Rubber Ducky Handicap Series was held last night. The conditions were perfect for surf skis with a NW and a good little downwind run on each of the 3 laps tucked inside the relative shelter of Greta Point in Evans Bay.

At a rough guess there were about 25 paddlers on the water and of these 11 were on surf skis there was one lone K1, not surprising though, Wellington City is the epi-centre for Surf skis and Multisport Kayaks.

There seems to be a few extra faces that sneak out each week and I know there are still a few others that are looking at the weather out the window knowing that they just have the wrong kayak for the conditions after choosing something too tippy for their ability maybe?

The equation is simple it's horses for courses you need 2 boats in Wellington and one of them should be a surf ski I'm afraid............but of course I'd say that.



 
So if you'd like to try a surf ski turn up to Frank Kitts Lagoon for the 4th Annual Welly Paddlers Surf ski and SUP Demo day on Thursday November 15, Ian Ferguson will be there to share his expertise with a full range of both Think Kayaks and Epic Kayaks surf skis............and don't forget you can also demo some Stand Up Paddle Boards.

Think Kayaks leg leashes and PFD's are now in stock at Fergs Kayaks Wellington. Sandy Winterton says the PFD's are one of the most visual he's seen, he can spot me from quite some distance away. Click on the photos to enlarge.

Also the demo day flyer is on the right hand side of the page thanks to Sharlene of course and also Mike Begbie www.clickhappy.co.nz for their work blinging up the flyer.

Sharlene on SUP day 1

Sharlene started her training programme for the Foxton Loop Race today. I have some photos of her gracing the Oriental Parade Beaches in Wellington late Sunday afternoon.
We've got a Starboard 12' 6" x 31.5 " Racing touring board from last Seasons Starboard stock. It's as stable as, so perfect for Wellingtons bumpy harbour conditions and Sharlene can build up all the core skills required while on this board without having too think too much about stability.

I know it's only 11 days to go till Foxton, and Butch from Wind Warrior Kitesports, Foxton Beach is setting the SUP courses for the Organisers RWWC, so I'm sure she'll breeze through on the novice course without any problems. Thanks to Fergs Kayaks for the hire of the SUP paddle, while ours is in transit.

I'll be paddling one of the Think kayaks surf skis, more than likely the Uno Max after piecing together a new bigger blade paddle on a crankshaft like my other small bladed version i use on the Think Evo II.

Over the next month or so I'll be converting to my mate Corey Hoggs Napier manufactured blades. Our SUP paddle from him will be here next week, this will be on a carbon Kilwell shaft (Rotorua). My other two paddles have carbon/kevlar balanced crank shafts made in Rotorua by Rochfort Paddles (River Sticks) and I have the Legend Hydra (small) 208 cm and also Legend Fluid (medium) 212 cm both made in Christchurch.

Don't forget Emma and Phillip from SRONZ www.standingroomonlynz.co.nz will be visiting Wellington on Saturday November 3 and are keen to hook up with Welly SUPers, contact them through their website to find out where they'll be.

Demo day and Coaching

Coming Up

Welly Paddlers in association with Fergs Kayaks
2012 Surf ski and SUP Demo day
Thursday November 15
4 pm to 6.30 pm
Frank Kitts Lagoon
Wellington Waterfront
Followed by BBQ and demo day Special offers at Fergs Kayaks Wellington
Event flyer will be available within the next few days.

Mana Kayak Racing Club had Rubber Ducky number 2 on Tuesday, still looking for all the kayakers to surface from their couches :-)
It's not too windy the courses are very sheltered so no one will fall out this year if it gets gusty.

An announcement will be made on November 15 about mid week coaching/training pods for Surf skis and SUP's in Wellington.

These will take place every 2 to 3 weeks on a Thursday with a 6 pm start time and they will be run from the best venue for the Northerly or Southerly winds for that day.
The scheduled venue and activity will be posted on www.wellypaddlers.blogspot.co.nz the day before (after checking forecasting), you can also call Chester on 022 6455 820 to get the latest info.

The Venues will be anywhere between Fergs Kayaks Wellington City and the W.C.C Marina at the bottom of Cobham Drive, Evans Bay Wellington. On occassions we will have specialist High Profile NZ Coaches and Elite athletes who will come to give paddlers the best possible guidance, there will be a charge for the specialist coaching nights.  

If you don't have either of these craft................get with the programme and go and buy one................ these two sports are finally going to take off in Welly.

Canoe Showdown Oct 6

Well an interesting day on the Mahurangi River this event is only part of the big Kowhai Festival in Warkworth. The town was a log jamb of stalls and activities so it was a bit of a squeeze for kayakers to get a car park, on the flip side they weren't metered!

The Race Organiser was Terry Newsome from ipaddle (Jantex and Nelo Agent) and he's also the President of the Waitemata Canoe and Multisport Club and if that's not enough he also Organises the King of the Harbour!

Terry was ably assisted by a good team of people, his good wife and also Carolanne and Ron Oosterdyk and also 3 or 4 other helpers . Also being the first year that Terry has organised this race so he's still getting a feel of it (after 20 years in the local hands of Jim Sonerson).

33 paddlers stirred the water up on Saturday and I'm sure there are another 100 odd Aucklanders that could have supported it as well.

I travelled a distance to it from Wellington, as did 15 year old junior Toby Brooke from Whanganui who also did well finishing close behind winner Simon Mc Larin.
In the feild were a good mix of multisport, sea kayaks, sit on top kayaks, surf skis and K1's. Among the paddlers was Olympic Kayak Legend Ian Ferguson who was out with me racing on the Think Kayaks Surf skis and another noticable point was that the Waitemata Canoe and Multisport Club still have a good number of their paddlers at these events.

Click here for the results http://regonline.activeglobal.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=1134770

A mixture of Photos:
Carolanne, Ron, Jim Sonerson, Ian, Terry, me in the front page of the Rodney times :-) also proof that I was paddling as well and not larking around sunning it up. click on any of the photos to enlarge

                           

Kayaking roadtrip

Currently on tour to do the Ocean Canoe Showdown in Warkworth. The event is on the Mahurangi River which is tidal, the event has 5 km 10km and 20 km options, the course is a 5 km loop course so I'll be doing 4 laps. I last did this event when I was based in Hamilton well over 20 years ago so it was time I revisited it again.

The trip is a good opportunity to assist Fergs Kayaks and take a couple of Think Kayaks surf skis on the road with me, so I've taken the Think Uno along for a joyride (though it will get wet on this trip also) and I will be paddling the Think Evo II at the race. Ian Ferguson is also joining me at this one and will be paddling a Think Uno, which belongs to son Alan. Ian normally paddles an Epic V12 so it it is a rare foray onto the Think ski for Ian, but I'm sure he will love paddling the Think Kayaks  surf ski, as much as I do.

Sharlene will get a nice surprise when I get back as I've just picked her up a Starboard SUP a 12 ft 6 inch long version which is 31 inches wide..............as with all new good things I had the opportunity to try it out first and had a great 30 minute session in Okahu Bay this afternoon ...........thanks to Fergs Kayaks for the loan of the SUP paddle..........we will be getting our own paddle as soon as my mate Corey knocks one up in Napier.

Corey has been making paddles for Canoe Sports New Zealand for the last 26 years and he's now making Kayak, Waka ama and SUP Paddles so you'll see ours shortly with our custom designed logo in the blades and ours will be tinged with a red colouring as per our specs, our adjustable SUP paddle will be here next week. Buy New Zealand made.

Photos of me on the board not the best the last one is with Devonport in the foreground..............click on photos to enlarge.

First Twilight race tonight

Mana Kayak Racing Club kicked off their first twilight handicap race tonight.............. if you didn't know about it............... Brian Grace said there had been an e-mail communication glitch.

Mark Watson also said at the briefing that they will do a better job at getting information out over the next week

Anyhow there is a very quick brief on the Series on the Mana website if you use their website as a favourite to check comings and goings, and they do have a facebook page if you are a facebooker.

Hopefully for many of those who missed the Series Announcement an e-mail may be sent over the next week and they may put full details and a contact phone number or two out so you guys can make enquires etc.

At the briefing there were about 15 paddlers ready to go...............then the Lyall Bay Surf Life Saving Clubbies turned up and added another 18 or so paddlers to double the size of the feild.

No excuses not to turn up tonight as it was a nice easy North Westerly that didn't prove to be too challenging..........and we all loved that big wash from the back markers coming through the field..............excellent :-)