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!