Tuesday 23 December 2014

Brollyaking - Kayak Sailing with a Golf Umbrella

The first boat I owned, Ciao, is not a kayak but a sailing canoe. The thrill of wind power, feeling the taut sail and flying across the water, leaving a gushing wake, can't be beaten. So how to replicate that in a kayak?

Kayak sails are expensive and semi-permanent on your craft. I chose to go with a golf umbrella instead and it works a treat! 
Brollyak back from Waiheke Island to Maraetai today. No paddle power needed.


Pluses:
- No kayak modification needed to accommodate it.
- Easy to manoeuvre.
- Quick to put up and take down. No fuss.
- Much cheaper than a kayak sail.
- Multi-purpose. Great as a rain or sun shield on the water or in camp on longer missions.
- Best of all, in the right wind, with the right umbrella, you MOVE!
Useful as a sun-shade too!

I've been Brollyaking for a few years already in Bluey. When Annette got Bluebell, the question was, 'can we do this in a double?' After a first unsuccessful attempt, we thought not, but trying since, we've found that it works beautifully. So, it's now off to the shop to find the best brolly for the job.

Things to remember:
- Not just any umbrella will do. Get a gust-proof, fibreglass-frame, double layer model - the larger, the better. The fibreglass will not rust. Double layer and gust proof will mean you can ride bigger winds and more surface area means more pulling power.
- Secure your umbrella to something but have a way to close it quickly in case the wind overpowers you. After trial and error, I now tie the handle to a front bungy on my deck with a slip knot. This means it will stay with me if blown out of my hand but is quick to release if I need to.
- Tilting the umbrella helps harness the wind as well as with steering. 
- Avoid tipping. If there is a strong wind from one side, I will not tilt my umbrella directly into it, but slightly forward, as well as having my rudder into it and paddle balanced out, almost like a catamaran arm, for stability. If the wind is too strong, paddle instead!
- Unless you can come up with a better way, paddling while Brollyaking is hard in a single kayak. If that is your aim, it's probably better to go for a sail.

Other considerations: 
- If you want to try sailing before committing to buying a beast of an umbrella, tent flies, (Google it), raincoats and plastic bags do the job as well. Plastic bags also make a good standby in the unfortunate event of losing an unsecured umbrella to the bottom of a lake. I will reveal no culprits' names, D...
Goodbye to Molly the Brolly - an unsuccessful Brollyaking result.

Most of all, Brollyaking is fun and a great way to cover ground - water(!) without wasting muscle power, except from holding-on-tight-to-umbrella muscles. 


Give it a go and let us know how you went!

Tuesday 16 December 2014

Just for fun - How not to drive with a kayak

This came out in the local newspaper today: How not to drive with a kayak
Quick summary - don't do this:




You're welcome for the tip!

Saturday 6 December 2014

A hidden gem

Where: Okura, North Shore, Auckland.
Who: Shirley and Annette in Bluebell
3 1/2 hours paddling

Do you have a kayak gathering dust in your garage? Get it out, and do this trip!  Today we discovered a true hidden gem, a beautiful piece of water teeming with fish and stingray, hemmed by bush and home to herons, plovers, oyster catchers and kingfisher.

We launched at the end of Okura River Rd, about 30mins north of Auckland. The tide was out and we were met with a wide stretch of mud between us and the water.
But, we have learned a thing or two since a rather disastrous muddy disaster early on.  We brought along wheels!

...and the wheels can be strapped to the front, out of the way.
 This wonderful invention is a cart that you strap at one end of the kayak, allowing you to wheel it to the water. However, I recommend that if you want to paddle the Okura River you launch at high tide.  It's much easier.
We launch and head out towards the open sea. You may notice the Christmas decoration that accompanied us. Shirley felt the need to be festive!

Once we got out to the sea we hung a right and headed along the coast to Long Bay. The sea was like silk, Rangitoto in the distance was surrounded by tiny white sails and the coastline busy with people out exploring.

While the scenery was stunning, the treats were also good.
The return trip back up the river provided us with some great opportunities for photography. As the tide carried us along at great speed, our waterproof cameras got some work.


And so here we were, floating upstream, paddling occasionally... when all of a sudden the kayak came to a complete stop (or as I called it, a 'stationary stop'... blonde moment). This river is very tidal and we had run aground on a sand bank.  Watch out for those when kayaking in tidal areas. It turns out that it is best to look out for the poles that mark the channel and stick close by them.

But, no harm done, Shirley dragged us safely back to deeper water while I sat in the kayak capturing the moment.

Paddling the Okura is by far and away better than the Puhoi River. I think it is the best beginners paddle around. Dust off that kayak and get out there!

Sunday 2 November 2014

Meandering to Maraetai and Boys with Muscles... I mean, Buoys with Mussels

Where: Opposite Umupuia Marae to Maraetai.
Who: Shirley and Annette in Ciao

What to do on a Sunday afternoon with grey clouds and a northerly wind? We decided to take Ciao to a favourite paddling ground, Maraetai.

Starting at Umupuia marae, we planned to paddle against the wind while we had energy, then turn around after a while to enjoy a sail back - because sailing Ciao is fun!

Those clouds look ominous, but it is good to be on the water again!
All worked to plan on the way there. The wind, while strong, didn't hamper us too much as we hugged the coast and enjoyed being on the water again. After a few minutes of paddling, we saw two ski buoys, both covered in mussels. Buoys with mussels have appeal! We made a note to collect a few on our way back.

Wait there, mussels - we'll be back!


After lunch at Magazine Bay, we pushed on for the final stretch to Maraetai beach, looking forward to turning around and flying back to the car with the strong wind in our sails.

We turned. The wind stopped. Almost immediately.

Sigh. This seems to be a regular thing for us - orca arriving at a place the day after we paddle there, free time with terrible weather, wind changing direction as soon as we try to harness it. Never mind. The tide and a few gracious puffs from time to time were enough to stop us from having to use our paddles. Meander, we did.

View of Duder's Point through the sail
Returning to our two mussley buoys, we collected a few to cook up. (In Auckland waters, the limit is 25 each a day, with no size limit. We chose 28 between us and only went for big ones.)

Back to the beginning. See the mussels we harvested?
Driving home, we felt sun and wind-kissed. The paddle to Maraetai and back was about 8km and just the right mix of relaxation, exercise and enjoyment of a beautiful area.

Home time - mussel time!

After steaming them, we fried them up in butter with onion, garlic, lemon juice, ginger, sweet Thai chilli sauce and a bit of olive oil. Yum with chunks of bread!

YUM!
A very agreeable way to finish off the weekend and a trip that we are sure to do again.

What we did well:
1) found a great, relaxing trip to take the weather into account - until the wind died.
2) became great hunter-gatherers, enjoying a delicious feed from our efforts.

What I did exceptionally well: bought two pairs of water-sports sunglasses online, reduced to $2 each, including postage. Annette doesn't seem so convinced about their fabulousness, but I think they complete my 'serious kayaker' look with croc shoes and bright orange hat.

The epitome of style - kinda.
Remember for next time: bring a bag for the mussels. They went in my dry-bag for the trip home and it still smells.

Our route

Saturday 4 October 2014

Interactive Kayak Water Safety Module

Coastguard Boating Education NZ offer a kayaking safety course that we will be taking later this month - can't wait. Looking on their website today, they offer a great, interactive story-based kayak water safety module - http://expert.cbes.org.nz/

Give it a go and see how you do. We have experienced before that kayak trips do not always go to plan - safety has been, is and always will be our top priority. Things are more fun that way too.

Screenshot of web module. Contact details are asked for but you can choose to skip them.

The main top ten safety points, from the module:

1) The skipper is legally responsible for the safety of their boat and for complying with all rules.

2) Take a correct size life jacket for each person - wear them.

3) Take at least two water-proof methods of communication (and always put your cellphone in a water-tight bag) - if you can't call for help, they can't rescue you.

4) Get a marine weather forecast before you go kayaking - the weather can change quickly at sea.

5) Don't go overboard with the booze.

6) Take a boating education course - the more you know, the better your boating.

7) Check the kayak and drain plug (if you have one) before you leave and don't overload.

8) Check you have the correct clothing and safety equipment - be prepared for the unexpected.

9) If you capsize - stay with your kayak and hold on to your paddle.

10) Watch where you are going and make sure others can see you - see and be seen.

Wednesday 1 October 2014

Puhoi River - So easy your mother can do it!

Who: Shirley, Annette and Annette's Mum - in Bluebell and Bluey
When: Wednesday 1 Oct 2014

4 hours easy paddling
Launching at Wenderholm


The day was sunny, but the winds were a bit wild.  This cancelled out kayaking on the ocean so we decided to head up the Puhoi River. This is a popular kayaking spot and is a sheltered and easy paddle. I invited my mum along for the day, her second paddle ever.  This is a great kayak to take beginners on. 
When kayaking a river, it is important to get the tides right.  If you can travel with the tide it will make your journey much more pleasant.  We had a 1pm high tide so it made sense to travel on the incoming tide, up the river from Wenderholm to Puhoi Village, have lunch while the tide turned and then travel back down the river. 
So, we launched at Wenderholm.  It is an easy launching spot with a good boat ramp in a sheltered spot at the northern end of the park.  There are plenty of places to park a trailer. 
Heading up the river there are beautiful spots of bush along the banks.  If you paddle the river in Spring then you will see a great display of Kowhai trees in flower.  We were just a week or two late to see them in all their glory, but they were still beautiful. A highlight of the day was the number of ducks on the river, with trails of ducklings swimming along behind them. Very cute!
  
Shirley demonstrates how relaxing it is to paddle with the tide. Let the river's flow do the work for you! The only downside of the Puhoi River is that at points it runs alongside State Highway 1.  This means a bit of traffic noise. However, the river weaves away from the road most of the time so the traffic is only your companion for short sections of the journey.  

Puhoi Village
After about 2 hours easy paddling we arrived in Puhoi.  This township is well worth a look. Settled in 1863 by Bohemian settlers, it has some fantastic historic buildings and beautiful trees.  You can find out more at: www.puhoinz.com
We found a grass bank which was an easy spot to pull the kayaks out of the water.  Time for lunch and an explore.    
We recommend a stroll around Puhoi and an ice cream before heading back home.
Mum and I head under SH1
 
On the way home the wind was in our favour and it was time for some sailing!

 Our route there and back again:
About 40mins drive from Auckland heading north
What we did well:
1) We used the tide to help us in both directions.   
2) We discover that a good strong umbrella will work as a sail for a double kayak.

What we learned:
1) Don’t leave chocolate on the top of your kayak as you paddle… Sunshine + Chocolate = chocolatey puddle...
2)  Watch out for sand banks!  On a low tide the river mouth gets quite shallow and it is important to stick to the deepest parts of the river.  Shirley found this out the hard way, as she ground to a halt and had to get out of her kayak and pull it across the sand bank to deeper water. We were laughing so much we forgot to take a photo!