Canoe & Kayak Waikato > Waikato Trip Reports
|
|
|
Waikato Trip ReportsLake Arapuni and Lake Waipapa 6/7 Match 2010
A pod of 17 kayakers (including BOP Yakity Yakker & guest) made their way to the Anglers Lodge on Lake Arapuni (many thanks to Marianne for organising accommodation) with 2 bunk rooms & plenty of tent campsites too J; for a weekend of paddling under the excellent guidance of Stan & Wendy (trip leaders). Also, thanks too Marianne for keeping the wetback stoked with wood & thus an ample supply of hot water for showers!
Day One: with our kayaks already handily stowed at the waters edge – a stones throw from the lodge itself, with even a little protected (albeit slightly weed-infested) inlet from which to launch everyone, including those who arrived on the Sat morning, paddled off down the lake towards the dam on Lake Arapuni. Along the way we stopped at a water ski lodge (with sections of carpeted shoreline for the boaties!) for morning tea, and then paddled on, stopping at Jones Landing for lunch (which has rubbish bins, toilet block & very friendly campers & dogs). Our BOP YYer & guest left us here to continue on their way, whilst we continued on ours. Lake Arapuni is surrounded by farmland, as well as spectacular cliffs that tower overhead, provide echo practise opportunities as well as lower cliffs / high banks & trees for people to jump off / swing from (ohhh to be young & have no fear!) We reached the dam and then returned the way we came, again admiring the cliffs (these need to be seen to be appreciated – fantastic colours & provide a very majestic side to the lake. Along the way we had a capsize practice and favourite hat rescue, which by chance also occurred in a patch of head wind which provided for some ‘digging in’ paddle stroke practice. The wind provided for some choppy waves in sections which were great fun, but the curves of the lakeshore provided more sheltered sections also, and overall the 25km paddle was superb.
That night we had a shared banquet feast – thanks to master chefs on bar-b-que & to everyone for their culinary contributions. A fire roared away in the old drum, and Stan & Harvey were entertainers par excellence with their guitars and singing.
Day Two: For the second day, there were just 8 of us going on to Lake Waipapa, where we started from the dam at the Waipapa Reserve end (where we parked the vehicles & hoped for the best & all was well); paddling towards the main dam / power generation at the Maraetai end of the lake (return journey of around / just under 20kms). Lake Waipapa is completely different in scenery and landscape to Arapuni – having high cliffs along both sides for most of the lake, with tall pines and an almost Alaskan / Canadian feel to it. The water is crystal clear & you can see the vast underwater weed forests in sections as you paddle on through. The lake is narrower than Arapuni so has a ‘gorge’ type feel to it which is broken only by the curves along the lake shore which keep the massive dam hidden from site until the very end. There is opportunity here for some white-water fun although as the signs overhead warn you – persons enter the ‘turbulent water ahead’ do so at their own risk. We had lunch on a small section of shoreline just back from the dam & then made the return paddle, admiring the scenery, trees, serenity and majesty of the location as we went. This was a really beautiful paddle and the lake has a lot more to offer than appears from the map. Wee challenge for those undertaking this paddle in the future – try & keep track of where you are on the lake on the map, as the subtle turns make this difficult.
Jerry & Sarah thank Stan & Wendy for giving us the opportunity to be ‘trip leaders in training’ for this day (especially after all hard work planning had be done) & also to everyone else for their support.
Kawhia 29-31 January 2010
The windy trip out to a book-a-batch (with a bath outside the main bedroom looking out across the estuary) was made by 10 Yakity-Yakkers including our intrepid trip leaders Stan & Wendy. While we were led to believe the Boat club is open Fridays & Sundays – this wasn’t our finding on the Friday but with the view from the bach, the tarp erected over the deck (handy nails, rope etc all supplied) and our own alcoholic supplies – no-one really noticed / missed this. The lesson of packing all one’s gear was experienced, and the high value of paddles in particular noted!
Day One: Sadly the advertised “water at the end of the driveway” neglected to mention the driveway was relatively (if portaging kayaks!) long & down a steep hill – but thanks to vehicles on hand – everyone’s kayak made an easy trip to the waters edge & after the customary trip briefing – we were off on our 20km paddling excursion for the first day. We had launched from Waipuna Point, went on past Te Waitere (edge of bay staying at & location of said Boat Club), and had our first foray into Kinohaku which has a bay & point with fantastic limestone formations and plenty of room and canals for 10 kayaks to rock garden and explore in unison and independently, which is both a beautiful romantic spot /or fantastic toilet depending on your point of view. From here we paddled on past a further 7 bays, and then made the return with a tail wind and one particular section against the tide which was fantastic endurance paddling for us all. Fortunately our trip leaders had sussed the tides correctly and we were able to get back into our launch spot without the need to follow a more exciting pathway up a small river (Plan B) or portaging across the mud/sand (Plan C). And many thanks to our club member who raced back up the hill to get his trailer & transported the kayaks back up the hill to the bach.
Day Two: having found an inlet river Awaroa from the main road (Hauturu), a slightly smaller number of us (6) committed to a paddle in drizzley conditions, on a journey to the estuary again (Mangakara Bay) but further around then the day previous. The Awaroa led us on a beautiful journey past Moses rushes, farmland, native forest with Nikau palms etc, a fellow kayakers holiday lodge (with wetback spa!), as well as mangroves swampland, and after a great deal of winding our way on towards the sea (with a quick check on a baby goat bleeting on the side of a cliff – note goats are better at climbing than kayakers!, & disturbing a giant eel during the landing); we did find ourselves at the mouth of the estuary again, past a fantastic mai mai (hide for shooting ducks) in middle of entrance to estuary with convenient boat mooring also), and more stunning rock formations. While 2 of us explored the options of cave dwelling combined with interior design features at the mouth of the estuary, the others paddled on towards Okehu Rocks where they were able to see a rare, inland, nesting colony of Spoon-billed herons. The paddle back was made against the tide, and those of us taking the easier paddling options used our river reading skills to pick the eddies and avoid the faster flows. A hunters decoy duck remains attached to its anchor despite our best efforts to set it free & we arrived back just as the threatening rain arrived.
All up a really nice weekend and excellent mix of estuary & river paddling and changes in scenery and conditions. Many thanks to Stan & Wendy – particularly as this is the trip where the old adage “Sleep tight & mind the bed-bugs don’t bite” failed on this occasion
Snells Beach 20/21 Feb 2010
Travelling to Snells Beach you can go past / over the new toll stretch of the state highway, and through the tunnel and choose to pay at the self-service stations or online later. The batch was really nice, easy to find, with all mod cons & lovely wooden floors but still retained its authentic batchiness, and no bed-bugs in sight, as well as plenty of parking & easily sleeping / fitting 8+1.
Saturday – the flotilla of 14 kayaks set off towards & past Sandscrett. This was a decent stretch across part of the estuary, past & through a yacht mooring, we explored up a meandering tributary, discovered large gaps in mangroves don’t always lead anywhere, and made our way up another branch to Matakana. The market here is apparently famous in New York, and the village does have a quaint architecture & feel, with a range of home-made & organic produces on sale; as well as a pub. Everyone had a couple of hours here, then we made our way back with a stop on the spit to see people walking on water before returning to Snells beach & back to the batch for a shared feast.
Sunday – saw a short morning sojourn going right towards Algies Beach (& possibly past although this would need confirming by those with better sense of direction & memory), with a morning tea stop at a Homestead, with all dairy, chicken & utility / implement sheds intact, set-up & preserved as a museum of living at that time. Was shut on Sunday, but you can look through windows & cracks in sheds to get a reasonable idea. There is also a public toilet with a sod roof & all of this (not just the toilet) can be accessed via road, although you need to be a competent gravel road driver to leave via the uphill section.
After a picnic lunch back at the boat ramp at Snells beach, the party split into groups, leaving early, going for a longer paddle, or practising rescue techniques.
Snells Beach 20/21 Feb 2010 Belated Valentines in Snells Beach
When your kayaking in the land of B.P’s (Beautiful People, no, not Bush Pigs), no wonder that love is in the air, upon the water and especially from the bach deck. Were those really sunset pina colada’s supped – or was it just the mere dazzle of all those wine bottle medal stickers? But Rodney district is the land of sea views, islands and the odd great pub – so straighty one eighters best advised to remain at home. Which is just as well – for the the Waka Yakkity Yakkers were almost lost, again, (do these mangroves remind you of the Coroglen?) as they paddled towards the Matakana Market. But the posh nosh, feijoa ‘bubbles’ purchases (the local tipple) and the taxidermy animalia stuffings in the pub - were not to be missed. Friendly locals were met at the inlet rescue of a floundering cow and an ex Waka clubber was welcomed to gate crash the entire weekend. A bit of a splash swim was had at Sand Spit while deciding which really was the best bach. Day 2 was a gentle meander across to a historical homestead in Scandscrett Regional Park with a return to Algies Dodging Boaties Boat Ramp, where options varied from:
a) paddle rescue practise for the hardy – (you know your good when you can smoke a ‘dah ree’ at the same time)
b) in sync with the Top Gear show of the day before, some Clarkson’d off for more or
c) the couples only option – you know – we need to get home early (Yeah Right)
Of course the kayaking was gorgeous – the company too – so next time in the land of B.P’s – is it Kawau Island or bust – or the iconic Paddle to the Puhoi Pub? You decide! Special TAHS to Mark for the whanau’s bach, to Stan for not just his kayaking tips but trailer skills too and of course Wendy – who without her trip mothering know-how – none of this would have happend! Just call her cupid!
(Christine Walton)
Hahei Sea Kayak Weekend 12/13 December 2009 Though the weather looked dodgy we managed to get two reasonable days paddling in. On the Saturday we were undecided initially on weather to paddle based on the weather. However at 8.45ish it looked reasonable so we hit the water. Five of us paddled from Hahei towards Whitianga, past Cathedral Cove. We were heading for Whitianga past Cooks beach when the wind picked up at Shakespeare Cliffs. It was decided there was no need to battle head on winds. We pulled in and had lunch. After lunch we headed back to Hahei in choppy conditions. On Sunday four of us were on the water at 6.10 for an early paddle round Mahurangi Island and the other small islands off Hahei and Cathedral Cove. After a cooked breakfast on the beach of Cathedral Cove, with music from a tourist playing the ukulele, we headed back to Hahei to sort out our accommodation etc. At 9.30ish we headed south to explore the caves and cost between Hahei and Hot Water Beach. Once again the wind had got up as we approach Hot Water so it was decided to return to Hahei. We arrived back at approx 12.00. After cleaning all gear and packing up we had a leisurely lunch and headed for home. Overall a good trip attended by two Hamilton club members, two Auckland club members and joined on the Saturday by one other Hamilton member. Ross Brunton
Mohaka River 11 July 2009 A group of 12 whitewater paddlers converged on Taupo on Friday night, all heading for the warmth of a local lodge. With temperatures predicted to drop to -2 in the night, camping was not a popular option. So it was a very civilised and comfortable overnight stay before hitting the river the next morning. Incredibly, we managed to stick to schedule and were all up bright and early for the drive to the put in. The plan was to do two runs, from McVicars Rd down to Glenfalls, then for the grade 2+ (and up) paddlers to run the next section down. The river was up so while a few waves were a bit higher, some of the rapids were washed out. It was a fun ride down and Bill decided he wanted to swim for a few stretches. (No one ever regrets wearing sharkskin in the winter!) We were moving it on as I didn't know how long it would take to do the second section. Stan sorted the shuttle for us so we had a much needed bite to eat at Glenfalls Reserve then set off for the next section. We managed to convince Harvey to come with us. I had laid it on thick and heavy that we needed to watch out for a strainer that I had been warned about so Harvey's eyes were on stalks looking for this. In the end, it never appeared - presumably buried under the high water level. The water was a bit more pushy than higher up river but nothing too hard. A few people took quick dips when they caught edges, and rolled up with a look of surprise (eh Greg and Margaret!), but really it was all pretty cruisy and fun. What made it more exciting was not having been there before and the challenge of route-finding. I also was banking on it taking us at least a couple of hours so when we turned up at the take out a mere hour and twelve after we set out there was a general air of disbelief. Are we there already? Turned out we were - a combination of high flow pushing us along and us not mucking about! Overall, it was a fun trip that gives us another whitewater option for the Mohaka.
Dacre Cottage 21/22 February 2009 Mohaka River White Water Trip Report, 4th - 5th October - By Josh Clarke We all returned home safe and sound on Sunday night after an awesome weekend away from it all on the mighty Mohaka River. With the sun streaming down on us on the Saturday, and the overall weather being much better than expected, the team morale was high and good times were had. .jpg) .jpg) .jpg)  All in all it was a fantastic weekend on and off the water and I can't wait for the next trip! Maybe the Anewhenua...very soon.... If you have a trip report you would like published on the website please email it to us at hamilton@canoeandkayak.co.nz .jpg) .jpg) .jpg) |