22nd May 2009
Today we had Paul, Sonny and their children Mia, Oscar and Daisy who wanted to do the Glow Worm Tour at McLaren Falls Park. We used two double kayaks and with a large center hatch we were able to put a the two smallest in their own little cockpit. It was a great night and as always after the kayak I offered them the opportunity to take a short walk to see the glow worms up close where you actually get to see the worm and their silk web. They had quite a busy day but Mia and his her Paul were keen to go exploring while mum and the two younger ones kept warm in the van. As always we found the native New Zealand Silver Fern and carried on to where the glow worms were where they got to opportunity to have a close encounter.
Showing posts with label kayaking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kayaking. Show all posts
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Matakana Extravaganza
13th March 2009
Rob and Nicola have been living in New Zealand for the last couple of years and were about to head back to England to live. After initially planning to head out in the morning, due to reasons beyond our control we had to reschedule for the afternoon. In the end it worked out great. The wind had died down and the habour was calm and glassy. It took no time for Rob and Nicola to master the art of kayaking and we were off across the harbour to Matakana Island. We had a bit of time up our sleeve so we got to explore the harbour for a little longer than usual. We soon got the call that their transport was waiting so we headed to Panepane for the pick up. Panepane is a favourite spot for fishing and great for catching kingfish. While Rob and Nicola were off on their horse riding adventure around Matakana I watched the fisherman with interest to see how they were going. They had landed a couple of big kingi's and had seen a couple of large schools swim under the wharf. A couple of hours went past pretty quick and Rob and Nicola were back at Panepane. They seemed a bit overwhelmed and told me they now wanted to stay after their tour of the island. We said bye to our hosts and headed back to the mainland in the kayaks. It was a beautiful afternoon and I think if there were better job opportunities in New Zealand Rob and Nicola would still be here.
Rob and Nicola have been living in New Zealand for the last couple of years and were about to head back to England to live. After initially planning to head out in the morning, due to reasons beyond our control we had to reschedule for the afternoon. In the end it worked out great. The wind had died down and the habour was calm and glassy. It took no time for Rob and Nicola to master the art of kayaking and we were off across the harbour to Matakana Island. We had a bit of time up our sleeve so we got to explore the harbour for a little longer than usual. We soon got the call that their transport was waiting so we headed to Panepane for the pick up. Panepane is a favourite spot for fishing and great for catching kingfish. While Rob and Nicola were off on their horse riding adventure around Matakana I watched the fisherman with interest to see how they were going. They had landed a couple of big kingi's and had seen a couple of large schools swim under the wharf. A couple of hours went past pretty quick and Rob and Nicola were back at Panepane. They seemed a bit overwhelmed and told me they now wanted to stay after their tour of the island. We said bye to our hosts and headed back to the mainland in the kayaks. It was a beautiful afternoon and I think if there were better job opportunities in New Zealand Rob and Nicola would still be here.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Spanish Armada
5th - 6th March 2009
Coca Cola in Spain had run a competition to promote Fanta. The winners were able to invite a friend or two to go for a holiday in New Zealand. Peter from Elements Watersports had the dubious task of organising everything and because of my relationship with the local Maori community on Matakana Island and i had kayaks he asked me if I could help. After months of planning we were all set to provide water activities and a cultural experience for them. The plan for the 5th of March was to provide several activities down at Pilot Bay, Mt Maunganui. These included sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, paddle board, sea biscuit rides etc. There was a bit of wind which was great for the sailing but a little frustrating for kayaking although we were able stay close tot he shore and avoid the w
orst of it. The day went until 1.30pm when it was time to pack up and start preparing to go over to Matakana Island to set up for the next days activities. Everything went smoothly and all we had to do was wait for the next day to come round. The weather gods were not on our side and the next day brought consistent rain. As with every well organised plan there are contingencies in place and we had a few. Once they all arrived on the island we transported them to the clubrooms on the island where three Young warriors performed the Wero (Maori challenge) before the Powhiri (Maori Welcome). The school children then performed the Kapa Haka (Maori song and dance) to which the Spanish performed their National Anthem. The men then had the Moko painted on their faces and learnt the Haka while the ladies learnt how to make a Poi, how to use the Poi and sing a song. After they performed their new learnt skills to the local community their was a 
break in the rain and the call went up for a game of rugby. The men raced down to the field followed closely by the local community. The ladies were given a tour of the local school by the principal Jack. It was soon time to head back to the lodge where we had set up some marques, toilets, showers and the hangi. Once everyone arrived the hangi was pulled up and everyone had dinner and a few drinks. It was soon time for the group to head back to Tauranga so after a song and haka performed by the adults they were herded into the vans and taken back to where the ferry returned them to town. Myself, a few of the helping hand and the locals stayed up to the early hours of the morning singing songs and talking about the day.
Coca Cola in Spain had run a competition to promote Fanta. The winners were able to invite a friend or two to go for a holiday in New Zealand. Peter from Elements Watersports had the dubious task of organising everything and because of my relationship with the local Maori community on Matakana Island and i had kayaks he asked me if I could help. After months of planning we were all set to provide water activities and a cultural experience for them. The plan for the 5th of March was to provide several activities down at Pilot Bay, Mt Maunganui. These included sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, paddle board, sea biscuit rides etc. There was a bit of wind which was great for the sailing but a little frustrating for kayaking although we were able stay close tot he shore and avoid the w
orst of it. The day went until 1.30pm when it was time to pack up and start preparing to go over to Matakana Island to set up for the next days activities. Everything went smoothly and all we had to do was wait for the next day to come round. The weather gods were not on our side and the next day brought consistent rain. As with every well organised plan there are contingencies in place and we had a few. Once they all arrived on the island we transported them to the clubrooms on the island where three Young warriors performed the Wero (Maori challenge) before the Powhiri (Maori Welcome). The school children then performed the Kapa Haka (Maori song and dance) to which the Spanish performed their National Anthem. The men then had the Moko painted on their faces and learnt the Haka while the ladies learnt how to make a Poi, how to use the Poi and sing a song. After they performed their new learnt skills to the local community their was a 
break in the rain and the call went up for a game of rugby. The men raced down to the field followed closely by the local community. The ladies were given a tour of the local school by the principal Jack. It was soon time to head back to the lodge where we had set up some marques, toilets, showers and the hangi. Once everyone arrived the hangi was pulled up and everyone had dinner and a few drinks. It was soon time for the group to head back to Tauranga so after a song and haka performed by the adults they were herded into the vans and taken back to where the ferry returned them to town. Myself, a few of the helping hand and the locals stayed up to the early hours of the morning singing songs and talking about the day.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Matakana Extravaganza
16th Feb 2009
I had been liaising with Judy from America via email for several weeks and had arranged to kayak over to Matakana and go for the Clydesdale drawn wagon ride. Judy, Dolph, John and Joanne were in Tauranga on Clipper Odyssey and and were in Tauranga on the 16th of February. Unfortunately that morning I got a txt from Hone saying he his boy had fallen off his motorbike and he had to take him to hospital. Needless to say I was not looking forward to telling Judy and the others. After some confusion and misunderstanding we finally decided to kayak over to Matakana from Omokoroa and go for a walk on the island and maybe get someone to take us over to the beach. Going to Omokoroa was definitely the right thing to do. It was absolutely beautiful. The harbour was like a lake and their was hardly a cloud in the sky. Once on the island I decided to see if I could get someone to take us over to the beach. I didn't have much luck so we decided to walk to the hall to see if I
could find anyone. On the way we stopped off at one of the 4 Kiwifruit orchards and spoke a bit about the island and the kiwifruit industry. At the hall I found Des who arranges activities on the island for me. I tried to get Judy and the others to go with Des over to the beach for lunch but they did not think there was enough time. We ended up having lunch at the hall at about which time Hone turned up. I left them in his capable hands and he drove them around the island as there was not enough time to get the Clydesdale's set up, although he did take them to the paddock where they were kept. In the end I think they had a good day
I had been liaising with Judy from America via email for several weeks and had arranged to kayak over to Matakana and go for the Clydesdale drawn wagon ride. Judy, Dolph, John and Joanne were in Tauranga on Clipper Odyssey and and were in Tauranga on the 16th of February. Unfortunately that morning I got a txt from Hone saying he his boy had fallen off his motorbike and he had to take him to hospital. Needless to say I was not looking forward to telling Judy and the others. After some confusion and misunderstanding we finally decided to kayak over to Matakana from Omokoroa and go for a walk on the island and maybe get someone to take us over to the beach. Going to Omokoroa was definitely the right thing to do. It was absolutely beautiful. The harbour was like a lake and their was hardly a cloud in the sky. Once on the island I decided to see if I could get someone to take us over to the beach. I didn't have much luck so we decided to walk to the hall to see if I
could find anyone. On the way we stopped off at one of the 4 Kiwifruit orchards and spoke a bit about the island and the kiwifruit industry. At the hall I found Des who arranges activities on the island for me. I tried to get Judy and the others to go with Des over to the beach for lunch but they did not think there was enough time. We ended up having lunch at the hall at about which time Hone turned up. I left them in his capable hands and he drove them around the island as there was not enough time to get the Clydesdale's set up, although he did take them to the paddock where they were kept. In the end I think they had a good day
Matakana Extravaganza
14th Feb 2009
It was gong to be a busy day. In the morning I had four to take over to Matakana for a horse ride with Hone and in the afternoon I had approx 50 surgeons and their families form around New Zealand for kayaking and clay bird shooting. I rang my good friend Ross to help out with the morning tour. Charlotte and Owen who had gift vouchers from Red Balloon and Daniel and Jenny who were form the cruise ship turned up at appox 9am. Once we all got kitted up and had gone through our safety briefing we were off. We soon arrived at Matakana Island and Janey was waiting for us at Panepane to take them back to Hone for their horse riding adventure. It was a beautiful day so Ross and I decided to kill time and go for a leisurely paddle up the harbour. A couple of hours later they were back from their adventure with Hone so we decide to take them for a short walk along the beach. It was getting close to the time that the first load of surgeons and their families would be arriving. My plan was to get Ross to take our four adventurers back while I hosted the group. Unfortunately Daniel and Jenny wanted to get back as they wanted to do a few other things before their ship left port and Charlotte and Daniel were having to good a time on their walk and had not returned. Tim arrived right about then with the first load for the afternoon so I decided to escort Daniel 
and Jenny back to Pilot Bay leaving our caterer and to prepare lunch for the group. I was hoping to get back to the island before Tim brought the second lot over. I almost did it but on the way back Tim passed me. I tried to ride the wake form the boat but was feeling the effects of the long paddle back to Pilot Bay and back to the island. I did however give the passengers something to laugh about watching me surfing the wake for a few minutes and I did earn a beer for my efforts. I was only a couple of minutes behind the boat and the first group had just finished their lunch and were having fun on the beach. Ross was about to head back with Charlotte and Owen so everything worked out fine in the end. The team building group split up into the clay bird shooting, kayak and laze on the beach groups. There had been a bit of fun on the boat as the tide was right in and The Enterprise could not get under the bridge as there was some cable hanging a bit low from the construction of the new bridge. The afternoon went smoothly and everyone had a good time. It was my first go at trying to run a couple of activities in the one day and i think we succeeded with a little help form our friends.
It was gong to be a busy day. In the morning I had four to take over to Matakana for a horse ride with Hone and in the afternoon I had approx 50 surgeons and their families form around New Zealand for kayaking and clay bird shooting. I rang my good friend Ross to help out with the morning tour. Charlotte and Owen who had gift vouchers from Red Balloon and Daniel and Jenny who were form the cruise ship turned up at appox 9am. Once we all got kitted up and had gone through our safety briefing we were off. We soon arrived at Matakana Island and Janey was waiting for us at Panepane to take them back to Hone for their horse riding adventure. It was a beautiful day so Ross and I decided to kill time and go for a leisurely paddle up the harbour. A couple of hours later they were back from their adventure with Hone so we decide to take them for a short walk along the beach. It was getting close to the time that the first load of surgeons and their families would be arriving. My plan was to get Ross to take our four adventurers back while I hosted the group. Unfortunately Daniel and Jenny wanted to get back as they wanted to do a few other things before their ship left port and Charlotte and Daniel were having to good a time on their walk and had not returned. Tim arrived right about then with the first load for the afternoon so I decided to escort Daniel 
and Jenny back to Pilot Bay leaving our caterer and to prepare lunch for the group. I was hoping to get back to the island before Tim brought the second lot over. I almost did it but on the way back Tim passed me. I tried to ride the wake form the boat but was feeling the effects of the long paddle back to Pilot Bay and back to the island. I did however give the passengers something to laugh about watching me surfing the wake for a few minutes and I did earn a beer for my efforts. I was only a couple of minutes behind the boat and the first group had just finished their lunch and were having fun on the beach. Ross was about to head back with Charlotte and Owen so everything worked out fine in the end. The team building group split up into the clay bird shooting, kayak and laze on the beach groups. There had been a bit of fun on the boat as the tide was right in and The Enterprise could not get under the bridge as there was some cable hanging a bit low from the construction of the new bridge. The afternoon went smoothly and everyone had a good time. It was my first go at trying to run a couple of activities in the one day and i think we succeeded with a little help form our friends.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
School Trip
February last year I was involved in an educational trip with Gisborne Intermediate. Now that I have got my head around blogger I thought I would fill you on on last years trip as they have contacted me again this year for more of the same, and man do I hope it's more of the same. For those of you who don't know, Gisborne is a city of about 40,000 on the East Coast of New Zealand. (My home town) Anyway Brendan Hart (Harty), one of the teachers contacted me and asked if I was interested, and of course, I was. There were two groups of around 60 children each. One group was going to Otoi and the other group to Mahia. First I was going to Otoi which can be best described as a very small rural community. Amazing landscape with steep gullies, beautiful lakes and rivers. On our arrival I helped out with the setting up of camp and general supervision of the children aged f
rom 11-13. The children were housed in tents while the adults were in the hall. After rubber tubing down the nearby rivers rapids and a few games in the paddocks it was time for dinner, followed by some card games. Soon it was bed time but Harty and I stayed up for a while chatting. When I decided to hit the sack one of the parents, who I will not name was snoring away and the more I tried to ignore it the worse so I packed up the sleeping bag and curled up in the back seat of my van. The next day our activities consisted of kayaking, biking and another ride down the river on tyre tubes. Not far from camp was a small, safe lake on private farm land that we had permission to use. It was ideal as the kids could be supervised form the shore if need be although saying that if I was not in the water with them a couple of parents and teachers were. Harty took another group riding over the country roads and when he returned they swapped around. It was a great day with beautiful 
weather. The next morning I packed up and headed to Mahia. (approx 1 hour drive) Mahia is another fantastic spot. Situated on a peninsular it is spoilt with beaches ranging from golden sand to rocky coast, clean waters and some of the best surf, fishing and diving in the country. The second group was staying at the motor camp and on my arrival we planned the days activities and off we went. Again I was in control of the kayaking with the help of one of the parents while a couple of the teachers, including the principal who had come to see how things were going went on a bike ride.At the time Mahia was the home of a dolphin called Moko. He/she would turn up out of the blue and had in the past played with swimmers. We were onto our second group when I heard a whole lot of excited kids and I turned to notice Moko swimming amongst them as did all the kids in the kayaks. They all headed into shore while I decided to kayak over to the group. Moko soon
noticed me and swam over and began nudging the back of my kayak. I took this as meaning he wanted to have a race so off I went closely followed by Moko. I managed about 30 meters before I needed a rest but Moko got in behind and started nudging me again so off I went heading back towards the group in the water. Someone threw a ball into the water and Moko took it and didn't return it. Grant to the rescue, or so I thought. Moko would bring the ball over to me but just as I was within reaching range he would take it away again. I decided to throw him my water pump which was a great idea to get the ball back but now I couldn't get my pump. Eventually Moko came right up to the kayak with the pump on his nose and gave it back. Let me pat him on the nose for a while before he heard the spalsh of the ball again so we had to do it all over again. Moko was like a pet dog in the water, totally superior in every way. It is one of those experience you just can not describe or explain. Even writing this almost 12 months I still get goose bumps. Was I happy to get asked to go again this year, HELL YES. Nature being nature though Moko may not be there this time but hey, I love what I do and Moko was just icing on the cake.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Plummers Point Paradise
January the 3rd and another group interested in Plummers Point kayak adventure. Julie had contacted me by email and subsequently phone and we were looking at the Mount Maunganui Marvel however the tides were not suitable and we decided on Plummers Point. The weather forecast was not looking good the day before so it was all on standby. The morning of the 3rd and the day was looking alright, however there was a large low coming up from the south but thanks to the met service I called Julie and said I thought we wold be alright. She was keen and her niece and nephew who were over on holiday from England were heading back on Monday so she thought it would be good to give them a day off before flying 
back. We arranged to met at Plummers Point at approx 11.30 after her husband Jes had finished work. I got there a bit earlier and set everything up to save time hoping to beat the rain heading our way. Julie, Jes, their son Daniel and Emma and Mike (niece/nephew) arrived soon after and off we set. We had all packed lunch and our plan was to head over to Motuhoe Island, explore the coastline, have a meal and then head back. Half way to Motuhoe Emma had spotted a bird in the water and was unsure what it was. After some confusion on distance and direction of this creature I spotted a blue penguin bobbing up in down in the water. Daniel debated the issue somewhat as he didn't think it was cold enough for penguins. I think I convinced him. The tide was high and it gave us an opportunity to get up close to Motuhoe shoreline and negotiate a few 
of the overhanging Pohutakawa Trees and also get nice and close to the white sandstone cliffs. A shout went up as a kahawai jumped out of the water nearby as we headed to our picnic spot. We found a nice little beach to have lunch and I explained a little about the local history of the area. Looking south there was the ominous sign of the predicted rain hanging over the Kaimai ranges so we quickly packed up a headed back. Daniel was feeling the pressure and his dad was having to do all the work. (you can reply to this Daniel and give your version of events) I decided to give them a hand and gave them a bit of tow. Three quarters of the way back and we got hit by heavy rain but the good new was it was gone as quick as it came and the kayak up the inlet was fine and calm and we were able to get packed up while staying relatively dry.
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