Former Coast to Coast Top 3 competitor from the late 80's early 90's Brian Sanders Organises this series for the locals are are predominantly from the local Wairarapa Multisports club. The Club members are very active with cycling, duathlon and multisport mainly so to get more out on the water a few changes have to be made around various waterways.
Henley lake is a base for many paddlers particular around Masterton, though in the warmer months the lake can be closed due to poor water quality due to algae blooms etc. In the Summer Gladtstone on the Ruamahanga River has been a base for some of the monthly meets but lower water levels make navigation and equipment damage a kayak repairers delight....or is simply too hard on the gear.
Last night they shifted to Tuhitarata and based themselves approx 1 km downriver from the Tuhitarata Bridge access off East West access road.
It was areal treat the cut at Lake Ferry was blocked off so this lead to a higher than normal water level which was great, clear freash water it was a nice change from a layer of salt on the face (from paddling in the sea) afterwards.
Rueben Hill and myself headed over the Rimutaka range to get to the event taking 1 hr 40 to get there from Evans Bay through pre peak hour traffic. Great to catch up with Brian Sanders, Local Kayak doyen Les Morris, Lance Hayes (2 nd in the Coast to Coast in the late 80's) Derek Cox and last but not least Eric Barber. Really missed not seeing local Waka Ama supremo Paddy Rimene who would have fired around this course in quick fast time.
Anyhow the course was 3 x 2.5 km laps heading North and around the Tuhitarata bridge back past the start/finish then around a down stream buoy. We had balmy warm conditions with a 20 kmh westerly with flat smooth water.......shallow on a number of corners but then move to the centre to grab the fast deep stuff and all was good...a little further to paddle but a faster line in the end.
click on any photo to enlarge
Thank you everyone for your hospitality and Rueben for your good company on this trip. The next event over there is March 19...anyone else keen to join us ?
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