Mum look at me......no PFD

Just a few snaps out on the water today. A picture tells a thousand words so here's a snapshot of Evans Bay, Wellington this afternoon.

By the way a nice 24 kmh to 35 kmh Northerly today, great for running the loop of sheltered upwind and great downwind and swells at Greta Point on the SUP.

Click on any photo to enlarge

The countdown is also now on till the first event of the Welly Paddlers Winter Series 29 days to go.

Events here and around the World

It's that time of the year when we have our Marathon or Long Distance Champs. For Waka Ama the Long Distance Nationals are on in Auckland based at the AROCA Club at Okahu Bay they start on Friday and there should be around 300 competitors at this event.

On Saturday the Kayakers have the Marathon Champs which are at the Waitemata Canoe and Multisport club at Te Atatu there should be around 50 to 75 paddlers at this one.

Here's a clip of the mid week Series that takes place at Deep Cove just 35 minutes across the bridge from the Vancouver CBD.
Our mates at Deep Cove Outdoor and Think Kayaks International are both based in this beautiful part of the world. Warning the footage contains heaps of surf skis and Stand Up Paddle Boards!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=u6SOl35OS3Q

For me I usually do the Marathon Champs every 1 to 2 years, but rehabing at the moment, so I'll be back into it next year.
So today it was a nice hour and a bit paddle around the CBD waterfront and Evans Bay, usual promo route for Think surf skis in New Zealand and providing some extra entertainment for the Sydney and Melbourne AFL supporters from across the ditch.
See some you Sydneyites on Monday 6th at Rose Bay.

ANZAC day in Wellington

The day started early with a gathering at the centotaph by the grounds of parliament for the Anzac Dawn Parade, the middle of the day was spent catching up with cousins, then the afternoon spent on the SUP's in Evans Bay.

Spotted just as we headed out was another Think surf ski paddler in the distance, Kevin O'Connor on his Evo 2 Elite. Like myself he's pre ordered a Think Ion, Kevin is getting the Ion in the elite construction, while I'm getting an Ion in the

performance construction and an Evo 2 in the Ultimate construction.

Here's a couple of snaps of both Sharlene and myself on my Falcon 12ft 6 putting it through it's paces on the marketing front. We're all about creating the best images possible for marketing the products we use.

Thanks to Dave McPhee at Wild Winds for selling the board to me.

Tomorrow it's back out on the surf ski to get some more time on the water as I'm doing the Portage Race in Picton in a few weeks time.

Next week I'll be in Sydney checking out the first Think consignment (of the new range) into Australia this season, which contains the new Ion and Big Eze! I'll get some time on the water and a number of images which I'll post here.

In New Zealand our container arrives in September and we will have about 15 skis coming into Wellington mostly the Ion, Evo 2 Eze and Big Eze. A number of these skis have been pre ordered and the rest will sell very quickly this season, that's what I'm picking. If you didn't pre order you can still place a deposit on the others skis still...............including the Uno Max.


What did some of Wellington's SUP Paddlers do in the evening........... they went to watch the AFL at the Westpac Stadium. Sharlene, myself, Howie, Aaliyah, Zoe and Frank and his boys watched the Sydney Swans take out the win against St Kilda (Saints) 79 - 63. A great game to watch, though low scoring though due to

the slippery surface............22,500 there on the night

Click on any photo to enlarge

All Clubs supporting event

The 15 th Annual Tai Tonga 41 Evans Bay Marathon today was a biggy. Every one of the Hoe Tonga (Wellington Region) clubs were represented.........also a few surf skis and a lone SUP were also there to represent other paddling groups.

There were 3 start times, with two for the 10km distance and one for the 5km distance this helped to spread the W6's around and also catered around well around W1, W2 and junior, womens and mixed

crews.

The forecast was for occasional rain and a reasonable southerly or south easterly..........the rain was on the button but it was pretty much flat but an even enough paddling course for the full feild.

A really relaxed affair over the full day, a good meal and a whole bunch of prizes and spot prizes. I've done this event 5 times now and always like to turn up and catch up with everyone and to support a great Wellington event. Results will be on either the Tai Tonga 41 or www.hoetonga.co.nz websites in the next day or so.
The last 2 photos courtesy of David McKnight/Graham Daniel.

Click on any photo to enlarge

Tai Tonga 41 Evans Bay Marathon

Karmen Wallace the Organiser for this weekends event e-mailed me this morning asking about the weather and courses this weekend.

Well since I'm out there in the worst of the weather every now again, I have a good play on the angles and running a user friendly course. Don't be surprised if there are two course changes from what's been advertised.

I was out on the ski running one of the course options after lunch just to get a feel of the wind, tides, swells and general drift in the area. Currently the southerly will still be here on Saturday, so we'll wait and see if it will go South Easterly as one weather site predicts, and it's also supposed to be drop off as well.

Basically the Event has two courses a 10km and 5 km over 3 or 4 races so that craft can be shared.

The event should see W6, W2 and W1 Waka Ama, surf skis and maybe some kayaks participating.
www.hoetonga.co.nz for event and entry details. 

Millpond one day.......... nice wind again the next

Some might say I had my paddling days back to front yesterday and today.

Yesterday it was as flat as a pancake on the Harbour and I'm out on my surf ski.

Today a 33kmh Southerly gusting to 50kmh................guess what I took the SUP out today!

Yes Crazy Wellington, may have wind, by the bucket load most of the time but with this our geography of bays and contoured hillsides gives us plenty of shelter as well..............to start with...........then once you've warmed up it's right into some nice swells.

I didn't take the camera out today as it was fairly drizzly plus I'm not taking too many photos while I'm running the swells.

Here's a few snaps from yesterday some Fishermen hooking Kawhai flat out at Point Jerningham and the view across to Kilbirnie ASB Centre home to Wellington Sports Med and the home of SPARC'S High Performance Sport New Zealand Facility. For any Sports buffs caught Kenny Mc Fadden running some drills with 7 foot NBA draft Basketballer Steven Adams, while passing through to WSM yesterday.

Click on any photo to enlarge

Tomorrow out on the water on the ski to cram some time in so I can get around the Tai Tonga 41 Outrigger Canoe Clubs Evans Bay marathon on Saturday. I'm doing the 10km which is the longest distance for the event. Check out www.hoetonga.co.nz for more details.

Motorway Classic 2013 results

The 23rd Annual Motorway Classic just keeps going from strength to strength every year, this year 68 paddlers in 49 craft took to the water.

We like to run the Motorway Classic on a high tide. This year as with most years we are very respectful of other key events around the Country and this year we had to compromise slightly with the event run two hours after the high tide mark.

Ideally a high tide at 10 am is what we are after, so next year we'll stick to this script and it may clash with a major event..........but we must look after our own, and grow this event to put paddle events on the map.


A big thanks to everyone who travelled a distance to get here Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa, Kapiti and Horowhenua Peoples and also all the locals who showed their support. Thanks to Dave Annear, Fergs Kayaks, Dave McPhee at Wild Winds and Chester for throwing in a few extra spot prizes and also "Team Fanatic" for blinging up the event with banners and "the corporate tent". Also Sharlene and Alliyah Clarke for keeping things running smoothly on the day.

View the photo slideshow on the right hand side of the page

click on any photo to enlarge

Also view the article and photos on http://www.sportzhub.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16511&Itemid=1 and also www.hoetonga.co.nz 

3.3km SUP

26:55 Chaz Quin 12.6
30:06 Pare Puti Puti Nuku 12.6 (junior girl)
33:11 Frank Letoa 12.6

6.6 km SUP                   

48:02 Tim Haxell 14ft        
48:14 Howie Clarke 14ft    
51:06 Mike Nuku 12.6        
51:29 John Toomath 12.6
51:57 Troy Hohaia 14
52:35 Nick Kapica 12.6
53:29 Karl Le Quesne 12.6
53:54 James Court 12.6
55:23 Tio Leota 12.6
55:58 Roni Nuku 16ft (women)
58:51 Chris Mark 14ft
60:17 Brodie MacGregor 14ft
60:31 Hans Wannemacher 12.6
61:44 Woody Bates 14ft
62:26 Katie Townsend 12.6 (women)
62:57 Travis Peggs 10.6
80:23 Ilka Kapica 10.6 (women)

MK multisport kayak
SS surf ski
W6 wama ama 6 person
W1 waka ama single
SK sea kayak

13km Long Course

1:07:24 James Coubrough MK
00.00 Sharon Henderson MK (withdrew)
1:10:21 Dave Rudge/Jerry Sheppard MK double
1:14:54 Mike Tate SS
1:15:40 Hikoikoi Wahine Toa W6 (women)
1:16:07 Heather Kirkham/Dan Pringle MK double
1:16:29 Paddle Pops W6
1:17:09 Les Morris MK
1:17:27 Andrew Carey K1
1:17:53 Joern Scherzer W1
1:19:48 Team Moutere W6 (women)
1:19:54 Dave Ryde SS
1:19:57 Dave Dellabarca MK
1:19:58 Eric Barber MK
1:22:29 Paddy Ulrich MK
1:23:02 Glen Warner/Liam Drew MK double
1:23:52 Iain Gillies SS
1:25:30 Jonathon Alsop SS
1:25:32 John Taylor SS
1:27:17 Fiona Dowling MK
1:27:39 Bernice Cavanagh/Mark Hearfield MK double
1:27:57 Piki Emery W1
1:28:11 Karl Timu W1
1:29:51 Steve Toole MK
1:31:04 Sam Notman SK
1:31:43 Pete Notman MK
1:41:29 Mark Brown W1
1:45:50 Graham Daniel SS
1:52:25 Alana Joe W1 (women)

Motorway Classic notes.

Click on map to enlarge

Key notes for Sunday...........the one's you need to remember.....

• High Tide at 7:43am......Low tide 1.52pm event starts at 10am long course....... 10.05 am short courses.
• Current Forecast: fine weather 20 to 40 kmh North Westerly offshore, but quite sheltered on our courses thanks to the hill line along the Motorway.
• check your crafts steering and any other equipment way before the event.
• check and bring your PFD's, leg leashes and other safety equipment appropriate for your craft.
• suitable clothing for the conditions on Sunday.
• view the final course map, which will be posted here on Saturday morning.
• get there early, it takes time to register everyone, and to set your craft up.
• briefing at 9.50 am be on the shore..............it will be a brief and a concise one. 
• Shout out your event number as you cross between Sharlene and the finish buoy.
• If you fall out of your kayak, upright immediately, swim to shore get back in and complete the course.
• there will be no safety motorboats along the course.......wearing a PFD will save your life before a motorboat does.
• Enter on the day........we will be there from 8.15 am.

If we can start on time here is how the morning will pan out:

10.00 am 13km course starts........55 mins - 1 hr 35 min is the time it can take for some

10:05 am 6km course starts.......30 mins - 1hr 10 min SUP's, kayaks and waka ama

10:05 am 3 km course starts......22 mins - 35 minutes for SUP's

So if we add 15 minutes for the final person from the long event to put their craft on their roof rack.........

The final act *Spot Prizes * we should start giving them away at around 11.50 am.

Post event a group of our paddling mates tend to go to one of the local Petone Cafes to have a coffee and a munch..................this tends to happen at around 12.30 once we've all packed up

On the day we will use the cellphones below. 

Primary 0274 581 005

Secondary 022 6455 820
View the post below this also.

Motorway Classic...............1 week to go

Yes in exactly 1 weeks time to the hour a whole bunch of Paddlers will be on their way around the Motorway Course for 2013.

This event is not about promoting a big race it's about promoting the need for people to get out there and participate in a great event, it's not all about racing.

This event has always been tailored for everyone, and especially many who just want to enjoy a recreational paddle and a good social outing with a wider group of paddlers.

Our big focus has always been to encourage people to do the event and we always make sure that spot prizes are
as much as the focus, as is getting great images of people at the event and providing an environment where people mingle well with each other. Yes we do have the times posted within 12 hours of the event to track how people did compared to the last 6 years we've been running it.........just goggle the event to find results or scroll down to "older posts" bottom of the page to find each Motorway event.

Setting the best possible course to the weather conditions on the day can be a factor that we do have to consider at times, so we adjust the courses accordingly, sometimes this requires extra work but it's all about the best course for everyone on the water.

So this weekend we may see who are the best supporters of manufacturers craft....... will we may see more Mahi Mahi W6's, Hurricane or Pegasus W1's, Fanatic or Naish or Starboard SUP's, JKK or Flow or Ruahine Kayaks, Think, Fenn or Epic surf skis........then there's paddles, clothing and other equipment that we don't get to see...........which can be handy to see up close.

So if you don't belong to a club, or maybe you would like to meet
people from a club who maybe into multisport, waka ama,
kayak, canoe or surf life saving club what better place to
meet than at The Motorway Classic it's branded as "An event for everyone".......... we will see you there, won't we!
Click on any photo to enlarge

The Motorway Classic is partly sponsored by Fergs Kayaks and Welly Paddlers, all entry money goes into the spot prize pool.

Lead by example.............

From one Season to another pretty much, April is the cross roads, ending the paddling Season and winding down or going into maintenance mode over the winter.

Last year was quite busy, I made sure I supported all the local kayaking events but also got out on the road to support a few that also needed a boost in numbers.

Picton, Waitara, Blenheim, Foxton and Warkworth and even Nelson were places I made an appearance on one of my Think surf skis, sometimes I didn't do that well on the water but at least I was there to make up the numbers.

This Season I'll head down to Dunedin in either August or September for one of the Otago Canoe and

Kayak Club Winter Series events. I'll head back up to Warkworth as I was a bit out of sorts for that event, as 3 days earlier I had a big spill at a Fire in Wellington falling 3 metres down into a basement.

Injuries are part of life, part of the adventure I guess, as much as it's safer on the couch watching that square box in the corner of the room it's boring and the less healthy option to choose.

So to all those people who's events I've supported over the last 12 months, don't forget our the Welly Paddlers Motorway Classic is on in 9 days time!...........Sunday April 14.........view the flyer on the right hand side of the page.

Click on any photo to enlarge - Foxton Loop race 2012, you'll see this set up at Paddling events in 2013.

Watersports Facility at Petone

I had a meeting today with Michael Mercer from the Hutt City Council, he is the Sport Relationship Manager. Many other people and Clubs are also having discussions with him as well.

The Hutt City Council are planning to build a joint Watersports Facility within the Korokoro Gateway.

Potentially this could be the best Watersports Facility in Wellington with an array of watersports groups and maybe a mix of Commercial Operators as well?
The site is great in a Northerly, as from my rough count 80 % plus of the time we get a Northerly, or one that rockets through at a great rate of knots, the Motorway offers us fantastic shelter close to the shoreline down this stretch.

In a Southerly it's shallow enough to just shimmy along the Petone Foreshore and up the Hutt River and you can still squeeze a session in.

Watch this space if you are keen to set up a Kayak/Canoe or Stand Up Paddle Board Club get planning now and go have a talk to Mike to see how The Hutt City Council can assist your Club.

My hot tip for a Water sports Super site is between Greta Point and the Coastguard building on Evans Bay Parade a mix of Clubs and commercial retail/hire this area offers shelter in a Southerly and Northerly, heaps of parking and close to all the transport links that the Wellington public, tourists, schools and other organisations require.

Can it happen..............well, yes it can.