Canoe & Kayak Waikato > Waikato Yakity Yak Club > Trip Reports - Hamilton
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Trip Reports - Hamilton
Hahei 21 - 24 October 2011
Our Gods smiled down on us for Labour Weekend 2011 in a variety of ways. The AB’s became World Champions again, and the weather was fantastic for our trip. Wellington and Hamilton joined forces for another successful trip to Hahei on the Coromandel Peninsula. Some members arrived at the campground on Friday and launched for a Firday afternoon paddle to Cathedral Cove. Alas, that was not to be as the wind gusts increased in strength to the point that the only safe thing was to retreat and save it for the better day to come the next day. Friday evening most of the balance of the 30 or so participants had arrived, and for the intrepid tent dwellers, a lovely sheltered area under the pohutakawas was fenced of for YY use only. Saturday morning found us breakfasted and on the beach at the allotted time of 9am for a paddle South to Hot Water beach. We broke into 3 pods with Jim, Shawn and Peter leading one each while Tony and Neil maintained oversight over the trip as a whole. Well behaved paddlers did a leisurely tour down the coast, exploring every nook and cranny, and enjoying the fabulous conditions and the amazing rock formations, tomos and caves. We even found a cave with a private staircase coming down into it. We arrived at Hot Water beach into a light headwind in time for lunch, with Café on hand for those who needed it. All but two had successful landings on the famously dumpy little surf, and the two who got wet shall remain nameless! The return trip was quick as we took a more direct line and were back in time for a social drinkies and nibbles. Dinner was a joint effort, and proved to be a spectacular spread with far more food than required, YMCA for Sunday (yesterday’s muck cooked again) Sunday brought yet more good weather, for the paddle north to Cook’s Beach. Once again it was a leisurely pace, with lots to see in the calm conditions along the way. All paddlers had a safe landing at the beach, and enjoyed a sunny lunch, with a few nipping away for a coffee. The return trip had a short stop and Cathedral Cove, where we filled the little beach with our kayaks, adding to the Cathedral Cove Kayaks commercial operator. There was some jealously over the coffee and biscuits they had laid out for their guests! Photo ops were done, a few braved a swim and then we headed home for a well deserved large group drinkies and nibbles next to the tents. Lots of laughs and stories were had till it was time to eat leftovers. By 8pm most had squeezed into the TV room to watch “the Game”. After a brilliant day the win capped it off, though the tension was a lot to cope with at the end. Fireworks were let off by the Campground in celebration and cheering could be heard all around the campground. Monday brought the best weather yet, not a breath of wind or a cloud in sight. Some had to head off early, some opted for the chill out day of walk/swim and relaxed packing up and the balance paddled out at the hangover induced time of 10am to paddle around the islands directly off Hahei. Report was made on return of the sight of a very large snapper just hanging around under a kayak! The trip was great for many reasons, and thank you Neil and Tony for giving all the paddlers the opportunity and to Peter for being a top notch Pod Leader. - Marianne Goudswaard. |