ThePaddlerezine.comInternational digital magazine for recreational paddlers

Sea kayaking Sydney HarbourPADDLING

SydneyAUSTRALIA

Issu

e 4

SUP the ‘Channel of Bones’M2OinHAWAII

Of Paddle NepalINTERVIEW withNIM B MAGAR

United StatesBy Karen and John Wrenn

AustraliaBy Angela Welsh

IcelandBy Mark Hirst

United KingdomBy Geoff Gedling

NepalBy Kelly Magar

Greece and TurkeyBy Sandy Robson

CanadaBy Christina Chowaniec

Sea fishingBill Bragman

CoachingBy Nancy Chambers

ContentsDecember 12

Photo of the month for December 2012Skopelos Island, GreeceBy Neil McAra (http://aegeanescapes.com)

EditorPeter Tranterpeter@thepaddler.co.ukTel: (01480) 465081Mob: 07411 005824www.thepaddler.co.ukhttps://www.facebook.com/ThePaddlercoukhttp://www.linkedin.com/pub/peter-tranter/36/bb8/134

Advertising salesAnne EganTel: (01480) 465081advertising@thepaddler.co.uk

Front cover: Angela Welsh paddling Middle

Harbour, Sydney by David Londonwww.londoncalling.net.au

Huge thanks to: Karen and John Wrenn,

Paul Hyman, Angela Welsh, David London,Mark Hirst, Nancy Chambers, Geoff Gedling,Phil Carr, Terry Wright, Nim B Magar, KellyMagar, Sandy Robson, Patrick Kinsella ofPaddlemag magazine, Christina Chowaniec andBill Bragman.

Not all contributors are professional writers and photographers, so don’t be put off writing because you have no experience! ThePaddler.co.uk ezine is all about paddler to paddler dialogue: a paddler’s magazine written bypaddlers. Next issue is January 2013 with a deadline of submissions on December 30th.Technical Information: Contributions preferably as a Microsoft Word file with 1200-2000 words, emailed tosubmissions@thepaddler.co.uk. Images should be hi-resolution and emailed with the Word file or if preferred, a Dropbox folder will be created for you. ThePaddler ezine encourages contributions of any nature but reservesthe right to edit to the space available. Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publishing parent company, 2b Graphic Design. The publishing of an advertisement in ThePaddler ezine does notnecessarily mean that the parent company, 2b Graphic Design, endorse the company, item or service advertised. All material in ThePaddler ezine is strictly copyright and all rights are reserved. Reproduction without priorpermission from the editor is forbidden.

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Issue 4

United States06

Australia20

Iceland30

United Kingdom50

Nepal66

Canada86

United States104

Where we’ve been…6 United States

Hawaii’s Molokai 2 Oahu SUP race throughthe ‘Channel of Bones’.By Karen and John Wrenn

16 United Kingdom2013 – year of SUP?.By Paul Hyman

20 AustraliaSea kayaking Sydney’s quiet side.By Angela Welsh

30 IcelandKayaking and rafting the Austari Jökulsa.By Mark Hirst

50 United KingdomThe Pendle Paddlers on Loch Sunart.By Geoff Gedling

66 NepalInterview with Nim B Magar and a shortreview of the 2012 Himalayan Festival.By Kelly Magar

76 Greece and TurkeyTracking the paddle strokes of Oskar Speck’s1932 expedition from Europe to Australia.Part two.By Sandy Robson

86 CanadaPaddling through Nuchalitz Provincial Park,Vancouver Island, BC.By Christina Chowaniec

98 Sea fishingThe essentials needed for a day’s kayakfishing.Bill Bragman

104 United StatesThe Running of the Bulls.Bill Bragman

108 United KingdomThe Tullett Prebon London Boat Show.

Regulars…46 Coaching

The hanging draw and running pry strokes.By Nancy Chambers

56 First paddlePhil Carr dons his Palm Spark Immersionsuit to see how it fares.

62 Testing, testing 123The Fatyak Kaafu reviewed.By Terry Wright

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PAGE06

When you sign up to do the Molokai 2 Oahu race it is more than just filling out a registration form, paying the entrance fee and jumping on a plane… it’s one third pilgrimage, one third adventure and one third death match. Because after you’ve signed up it hits you that you’ve just entered the most prestigious paddleboard and standup paddling event in the world. But all that wonder and mystique goes out the window as soon as you start trying to coordinate the logistical nightmare commonly referred to as the M2O. There is an unspoken sort of initiation

that goes along with the whole process, like a secret society or a fraternity. You can call friends, email colleagues, look at maps, plan strategies, ask questions, but as soon as people hear ‘Molokai 2 Oahu’, lips become tight, emails go unanswered, strategy sessions are postponed, questions are answered with questions…nobody seems willing to give up too much information. And who can blame them? They’re simply treating you the way they were treated, making you earn it and pay your dues. And after going through it, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

THE MOLOKAI 2 OAHU RACE THROUGH THE

EYES OF KAREN WRENN

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My name is Karen Wrenn, after living on Maui for seven years and falling in love with anything that happens on water, I moved back to the Pacific Northwest. I became a mother to three kids, a dog, two lizards and a fish. I’ve been married for 10 years. I am sponsored by Naish, Kaenon, Kialoa, Futures Fins, Camel-Bak, and Vitamin A. And I just might be out of my mind, because I entered the Molokai 2 Oahu race. (I wouldn’t con-sider entering Molokai 2 Oahu as being out of my mind, So maybe I say… Some people might think I am out of my mind? This race takes plan-ning, training and most of all, a sense of adventure. As I found out... and knew that I would... there are things that you will never think about pre-paring for until you hear the starter’s horn. I wish I would have talked to my boat Cap-tain about the route I wanted

to take so we all had the same plan in mind. For me, doing the M2O wasn’t just about making it be-cause I didn’t doubt that I would make it. I wanted to be competitive and have a fast time.

Training for Molokai takes one major thing, Dedication (with a capital ‘D’). Luckily, I enjoy train-ing and having something to train for. Living in Oregon and prepar-ing for the Molokai race takes a little more dedication and deter-mination than living other places. I spend solitary days peddling on the Willamette River in Portland, where it might be 38 degrees (3.3 C), pouring down rain, the water is freezing, muddy and full of cur-rents that are ripping with huge trees and debris raging down the river. I know this is twisted, but there is a part of me that actually enjoys it. It’s funny, people ask if me I get scared when I am out in the open ocean... but if you saw the winter conditions that I train in, you wouldn’t worry about me.

i

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As I headed off to compete at Molokai this year I was surprisingly calm about the whole adventure. I didn’t have any doubts that I was ready for the

challenge. I wasn’t scared about paddling across the Channel. I wasn’t concerned about the tricky currents. I wasn’t freaked out sharing the ocean with sharks.

The only thing I was unsure of were all of the little unknowns. Was there something I was forgetting or wasn’t prepared for? I had my whole family involved

The Molokai Channel is called the Ka’iwi (Kah-EE-vee) channel and Ka’iwi translated is the Hawai-ian word for ‘bone’. That is why people call it the ‘Channel of Bones’. That, and the fact that it has also claimed many lives. The race course is 32-miles long and the ocean plunges to 2,300 feet deep. The waters between Molokai and Oahu have the reputation of being one of the most treacherous channels in the world. This channel is where legendary Hawaiian big-wave rider and all-around waterman Eddie Aikau perished. Noth-ing to be taken lightly.

Today, the Ka’iwi Channel is host to official races for outrigger canoes, surf skis and the Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard and Standup World Championships. Each human powered race across the Channel of Bones is regarded worldwide as a crowning achievement of the sport. I am honored to be included in that list.

t

in the adventure and I wanted everyone to have fun and most importantly, for nothing to go wrong.

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The plane ride from Oahu to Molokai was filled with paddlers… the whole plane in fact... paddlers from all over the world; Oregon, California, Hawaii, Australia, Canada, Singapore, England and Japan. Most of them had done M2O before, so it was exhilarating to talk to everyone about the crossing. The buzz of excitement and our nervous/anxious energy felt like it was keeping our little puddle jumper in the air.

A

I met Glen Tanabe, my escort boat driver, for the first time at Dukes in Waikiki. Before the meeting I asked my driver how I was going to recognize Glen.

“Have you ever seen Karate Kid?”, he asked. “Look for Mr. Miyagi.”

I spotted him in a second. He looked exactly like him. Wax on, wax off.

He seemed eager in that laid back Hawaiian way where everything is just the opposite of eager. I handed him my paddles, and with a rum-n-coke in one hand and my paddles in his other, I watched him walk to Kalakaua Avenue, the busiest tourist street in Waikiki and I prayed that my paddles would be on the boat when he arrived in Molokai. Otherwise, I would really be up shit creek without a paddle.

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Race morning feels like a big rush.

Wake up... get dressed... brush your teeth... make some coffee... forget to drink it... eat an energy bar... fill up your CamelBak... pack up... check under the bed... check under the bed again... check out of the condo... make your way to the beach... get your board...find Mr. Miyagi... paddle your gear to the boat... paddle back to shore... participate in the Hawaiian blessing...figure out when you start... find your friends... and finally, find the starting line.

This all feels like it happens in 30 seconds. If you’ve ever seen the movie Snatch, picture the intro, you’ll know exactly how it feels.

As we landed, the escort boats were already showing up. I called my boat captain so he knew that I had arrived on Molokai. That’s when he told me he wouldn’t be ar-riving until the next morning, which was going to add a little stress con-sidering I had never seen the boat before. Trying to figure out which one it might be in a sea full of every kind of rag tag floating thing was going to be like finding a needle in a haystack. The only clue to find-ing the needle in the haystack was looking for a dive flag. I figured in a sea of fishing boats that there might be a lot of dive flags but the boat captain didn’t seem worried.

I

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Here we go… the start of the race… I really don’t have any idea what to expect out there. For example, I didn’t even know which direction we were headed from the starting line or where I should be start-ing to line up. The horn blows, and I’m off. Even though we would be going 32 miles we all sprinted off the line… SPRINTED, no one ever takes the start lightly.

The boats aren’t allowed to come near you until 30 min-utes into the race. When they finally do swoop in it is a cha-otic scene… zig zagging boats, boards, paddlers, boat wakes, wind, seagulls, and ocean swells, making it difficult to stay on your line. I found it im-portant to know my line and STICK WITH IT. But the line became my biggest problem because I didn’t really know it and hadn’t made a solid plan with my crew.

The seas were big, averaging 6-9 feet (2-2.75 meters) . Good conditions, but I was finding it hard to connect the swells like I can in The Gorge or on a Maliko run. I never felt uncomfortable or scared. I just really had no clue if I was go-ing where I was supposed to.

Even though you have a boat with you, the swells are so big that the boat is not close enough to have a conversation. But, I assumed my crew would let me know when I was off course and correct me. I figured since they weren’t yelling me that I was doing fine. I guess they had another idea.

Just as I was starting to feel vulnerable with thoughts of sharks, sea sickness, boredom and fatigue, I spotted some other paddlers ahead, and started catching up to them. It felt good to be ‘racing’ someone, and even better when I passed them. But I was disappointed as I realized

these paddlers were not the people that I considered my competition. By following these paddlers I had headed further off course.

As it turned out, I had drifted too far North, wasting about 45 minutes along Oahu’s China Wall with an outgoing current, just what

the race director had warned us of. This is when I knew my chances of having a top finish were over.

Forget winning, I had to focus on being happy that I was close to completing my first M2O and that I was doing something very few people would even accomplish.

My new goal was to finish strong, finish proud and finish with a smile on my face. I was nervous at what lay past the China Wall. Rumours had it that the finish was the most difficult part of the race.

I negotiated my way around the corner trying to avoid being taken out by the breaking waves. It would be great to catch a wave and take a long ride in but I had heard about boards getting broken and fins knocked off here. I didn’t want to deal with that after paddling 32 miles, so I decided to play it safe and work my way into the channel.

I heard my name being called on the loud speaker as I approached the finish line. I felt a sense of relief that it was over and I was proud that I had accomplished such a great feat. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t get a little misty-eyed. But I sucked up my emotions and chose not to be discouraged about my experience. This is a remarkable feat and I needed to take pride in that.

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Looking back on Molokai 2 Oahu I know it was everything that I thought it would be and ten times more. So many times I feel like people don’t understand why I choose to do things like this race. They don’t understand what I’m setting out to do. But, in this circle of athletes who have done this race there is no need to explain your motivation. You have joined a unique club. Individuals who share the same passion, spirit and love for the ocean and the sport. It’s a true test of your training, dedication and sense of adventure. I now understood why people don’t tall you how to prepare for the M2O and what to expect. You have to experience it for yourself.

Sometimes when you hear so much hype about something and then do it and you wonder what the big deal is? NOT SO with the M2O, it lives up to its prestige and mystery. It is in many paddlers bucket list and I am so happy to have checked it off mine. I will be back to Molokai next year, using what I learned this year and having a chance to correct the little things that went wrong. I can’t wait to have another opportunity to conquer the ‘Channel of Bones’.

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Weather: The wind blows east to west in Hawaii. Any time ofyear is a good time to visit. The average temperature is between 24°-29.5° C. Summer, between April and November, is warmer and drier(average temperature is 24°-31° C) while winter, between Decemberand March, is a bit cooler (20°-26° C). November through February isbig wave surf season on Hawaii’s north shores.

Geography: The state of Hawaii consists of eight main islands:Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe and the Big Islandof Hawaii.. The Hawaiian Islands are the projecting tops of the biggestmountain range in the world and Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain inthe world (measured from its base at the ocean floor).

M2O facts: The first Molokai to Oahu race was successfullycompleted in July 1997 and inspired by three paddleboarders: DawsonJones, Garrett Macamara and Mike Takahashi. Today the race sells out withboth prone and stand up paddleboarders (SUP) from around the worldwho compete in solo and team divisions.

The Channel Bones or Ka’iwi (kah-EE-vee) Channel is more commonlyknown today as the Molokai Channel, the Ka’iwi Channel separates theislands of Molokai and Oahu. Stretching 26 miles (42km) and plunging to adepth of 2,300 feet (701 meters), the Ka’iwi Channel has the reputation asone of the world’s most treacherous bodies of water.

SUP: If you are heading to the Hawaiian islands with SUP on your mindthen you won't be disappointed. Exploring the Hawaiian islands by SUP willgive you a completely different perspective of Hawaii and It’s one that youwon't want to miss. Look for the giant sea turtles, called Honu in Hawaiian.The Hawaiian Honu represents longevity, safety, Mana (spirituality) and isconsidered to be good luck. While paddling around you are sure to see themany beautiful reef fish darting around below.

Hawaii offers every type of paddling. Whether you are a beginner or anadvanced paddler you will find some of the best conditions in the world.Flatwater, waves, downwinding… Hawaii has it all. If standup surfing is whatyour dreaming about, be sure to check with a local shop to find out whereto go. There can be a little animosity between prone surfers and standupsurfers, but no worries, there are plenty of waves for the beginner standupsurfers where you are sure to get a shaka or ‘hang loose’ from the othersurfers in the line-up.

The experienced paddler might want to try one of the famous downwindruns that Hawaii has to offer. In Maui, it’s all about the Maliko run, a 9-miledownwind ride of a lifetime. You will be surfing the swells all the way downthe coast of the North Shore of Maui form Maliko Gulch to the KahuluiHarbor. There is a great downwind shuttle van to get you and your boardwhere you need to go. (www.moorewatertimemaui.com, 808-250-1984).

If you are on Oahu then the Hawaii Kai run is what you will want toexperience. The run will take you from Hawaii Kai to Waikiki. Check withwww.wetfeethawaii.com. Downwind runs start at $99 per person andincludes all equipment, transportation back from the finish. Morning orafternoon sessions are available. Transportation from Waikiki is available foran extra fee. Bookings can be made by emailing wetfeet@hawaii.rr.com orcalling 808-373-7873 to make reservations or for more information. A funonce in a lifetime experience.

Finding a board or a lesson will not be a problem. It is available all over theHawaiian islands. Grab a paddle, a board, and get up, stand up and startyour Hawaiian adventure the way it was meant to be… on the water.

INFORMATION

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ThePaddler 16

2013YEAR OF SUP?

Stand up paddle boarding, or SUP, is one of the fastest growingadventure sports. The boards look similar to large surfboards but mostof the boards used are wide – so a lot more stable than surfboards. Itssimple nature makes the basic skills quick and easy to learn. Most peopleare surprised how easily they can balance and paddle several km ontheir first lesson. Paddleboarding provides a whole body workout withplenty of work for core muscles. It’s also great fun and a good way to

enjoy seeing London landmarks from the river. Ages of people taking upthe sport range from around nine to 60 plus.

There is also the potential to continually developskills and to become involved in competitionthrough racing (on flat and moving water) orsurfing. SUP is well suited to expeditions andtours because a standing position is natural soit’s easy to keep going for hours without breaks.Last year adventurer Dave Cornthwaite paddledthe entire 2,600 miles of the Mississippi carryinghis expedition kit on deck. Next summer anexpedition is planned to Arctic waters inGreenland.

Paddleboarders have been on the Thames for a fewyears but in 2011 the sport started to growdramatically in London. A new company,Active360 began to run lessons trips, races andboard hire from Kew, Brentford and Twickenham.The Port of London Authority stated recently thattheir patrol boats now see more paddleboarderson the upper Thames Tideway than kayakers. InSeptember 2012 the first mass Thames paddle tookplace from Kew Bridge to Twickenham with nearly80 paddlers covering the 12-mile return trip.

By Paul Hyman

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first SUP club is planned for Twickenham. Thiswill create more opportunities to get involved inthe development of the sport. Richmond Counciland activists involved in regenerating thewaterfront are backing this initiative. A newFacebook page and website will provideinformation on this soon. Look out onwww.active360.co.uk for more information.

At Hampton, the Bell Inn will be hosting SUPtrips and lessons from the riverside next to thepub starting in March 2013. Also the HamptonFerry will be adding paddleboard hire to their listcurrent boat hire service.

Equipment is evolving fast. The boards aregetting faster and lighter every year and paddlesare becoming more efficient. The latest trend isthe improvement inflatable boards. These wereonce a lot less stable than ‘hard’ boards (madefrom carbon or resin like surfboards) but thelatest ones are stable and look and performmuch more like the ‘real thing’. They can also berolled up into a backpack and carried on trips allaround the world.

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In 2013 London’s New SUP club in TwickenhamBrighton paddleboardingNew SUP shop in ChiswickHampton paddleboardingChelsea paddleboarding – Cremorne centre New £15 board hire rateTrips to Chichester Harbour

Whitewater SUP20-mile Grand Union Canal Brentford Lock toCamden Lock ChallengeDiscount at Holiday Inns for Active360 customersBrentford site – new locationCamden Lock boot camps with Urban JogCleaning up the Grand Union CanalFundraising Event with MomentumPolar Bears and Paddleboards Project Twickenham Blue Mile Race event

The Outdoor Show at EXCEL 100-mile Thames ChallengeASI-SUP Affiliated Centre

Paddleboarding partiesSee www.active360.co.uk

ThePaddler 20A white dom

e hovers on the slo

pe. W

ith its curved façade of glass and concrete, it is often referred to

as ‘the spaceship’.

Between the northern suburbs of Mosman andSeaforth a sand-spit juts out. It lends its name toa less famous bridge, a bascule bridge, thatcrosses Middle Harbour. It’s not far from thesouth pylon that we take off each weekend.

Come along and I’ll take you on a toursometime. We’ll see a flying saucer, hear about atightrope walker, and further on, beyond thesounds and stories, we’ll paddle under the trees,float on just enough water and be quiet for awhile.

Today our crew of eight are all guides at SydneyHarbour Kayaks, meeting up for a two-daytraining session. We take off a little after 7:00,

trace a path through moored boats and around amarina. We pick the four knots sign on the rockypoint as our target, and cross the channel.

Ben, all of 18, has been paddling longer than me,and shows me up with his perfect bow rudder, aswe wrap around the point into Fisher Bay. A run-down houseboat greets us. It rests on a pontoonof cement, permanently anchored to the harbourfloor.

Built as a low-cost form of housing around thetime of the Great Depression, this houseboat isone of just four left on Middle Harbour. The fateof these last four depends on maritime services,which can tear them down or extend the lease.

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Sydney’s quietside

Seventeen miles from the HarbourBridge, out of reach of Sydney’s ferries,there’s a quiet corner of the city bestseen by paddle or by sail.

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Photos by David London www.londoncalling.net.auand Sydney Harbour Kayaks www.sydneyharbourkayaks.com.au

BYANGELAWELSH

In the 1870s, a French daredevil,

Henri strung up a tightrope

the bay andcontinue, until we level up with the Spit Bridge.We wait.

The bridge lifts up. The road falls silent.

Angling up, the street becomes a ramp for a fewmoments, and then stands vertical. The straightsteel edge cuts the sky. We take the far side andpaddle beneath the remaining section of bridge.We turn, and watch the line-up of tall ships passthrough the gap.

To our right the Seaforth shoreline extends before us. A white dome hovers on the slope. With its

We loop around

curved façade of glass and concrete, it is oftenreferred to as ‘the spaceship’. An architecturallandmark in the area, the house was designedand built in the sixties.

Kookaburras

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L’Estrange, and walked the full width of the bay – 1420ft.

compare ourversions of the story. ‘Vendome’ as it’s called, isoften thought to be the work of Jørn Utzon, theDanish architect who designed the Opera House.In truth, it was designed by Stan Symonds, alocal architect whose style is often described as‘organic futurist’, in that his buildings promoteharmony and a sense of something new.

Past boat sheds, inclinators and grand houses wepaddle. Nearing Seaforth Bluff we gather closetogether again. To our left, looking south, is LongBay. Here, in the 1870s, a French daredevil, HenriL’Estrange, strung up a tightrope and walked thefull width of the bay – 1420ft.

L’Estrange had cashed in on the name Blondin todrum up publicity for the event. By this time,Blondin had already walked across Niagara Fallsthree times. On the day of the first publicperformance, 21 chartered steamers left CircularQuay, loaded up with passengers paying twoshillings for a ticket.

Back in the present, we stare out at the bay, trying toimagine the rope sagging in the middle and startingto sway as L’Estrange crosses over.

We round the bluff. The wind is still but a breaththis morning. Crossing Powder Hulk Bay we tellmore of the stories we share on our tours, devisestrategies to let these unfold slowly, try not to giveeverything away at once.

The name of this bay, where we now float, speaks of themunitions boats once moored here. Elsewhere the littleenclaves, maybe gunner embankments, hint at MiddleHarbour’s military past.

Beyond Pickering Point the buildings drop away andthe bushland swallows them up. The tide is ebbing,but we still have time to explore the mangroves.

Crossing to the rocky outcrop at Castle Cove, our leadguide for this tour, Sol, tells us more about theHawkesbury sandstone, with its orange streaks fromiron rich soil leaching through after rainfall.

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We pause to

The sandstone formed over millions of years – 220million, geologists say – and is made of silica andclay. The cream and orange rocks provide acolourful backdrop to our journey.

Deeper into national park we paddle. Named afterthe original owners of the land, the GarigalAboriginal clan of the Ku-Ring-Gai tribe, this

bushland area spans almost 5000 acres. TheGuringai people have been custodians of the landfor thousands of years, and you can still someengravings in the sandstone, shelters and shellmiddens in the area.

We will visit one of these engravings on the wayback. Right now we scour the trees, looking out forthe white-bellied sea eagles. We spot one high up,catching thermals off the point. With wings aslong as our paddles, the majestic creature glidesabove us. Its wings are grey, but its head, belly andtail are all white. Over the past year, we have seentwo adults and at least three young, by mostaccounts. The younger birds are easy to tell apartfrom their parents as they have brown and greymottled plumage.

On the tour a month before, my group and I hadbeen lucky enough to see one take off right in frontof us from a low branch. While the guides always saywe haven’t trained the wildlife to come out on cue,we needed no such disclaimers that day.

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While the guides always say we haven’t trained the

wildlife to come out on cue, we needed no such disclaimers that day.

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Sugarloaf Bay mangroves

Ange, Aimee, Cathy - mangroves.

Crimson Rosella.

Cockatoo

ThePaddler 27

Being still for a moment,we listen to the dip of paddle blades, the footsteps

of herons foraging among the trees, the occasional call of a whipbird

now, we seehow far we can go before the water runs out. Foliagecovers the sky. We have found our hiding place. Being stillfor a moment, we listen to the dip of paddle blades, thefootsteps of herons foraging among the trees, theoccasional call of a whipbird.

Further in we delve. A little light peaks through the leaves.With the tide in between high and low we can see theaerial roots of the mangroves surrounding us.

The path between the trees narrows and we practice tightturns as we decide to double back. We cross Sailors Bayand handrail the shoreline along Northbridge on our wayto the Aboriginal engraving Sol wants to show us.

Tomorrow will be more of a challenge. In the morning, askills and scenarios session awaits us. We will practise oursweep strokes, edging, bow rudder, stern rudder, scullingdraw, low brace turn, and more.

We will manoeuvre through a narrow pathway, with twokayaks on either side, forcing us to slip between them. Wewill limbo under a horizontal beam formed by outstretchedpaddles. And how about we try that in reverse?

Tomorrow afternoon a risk management and worst casescenarios session is scheduled. Adam, a former combatengineer in the Australian Army will be leading this session.Everything that can go wrong, will go wrong; all as a trainingexercise. From multiple capsizes to (pretend) medicalemergencies, it’s all coming up. And I’m a little nervous.

For now, we can relax, and meander back to home base,reflecting on our tour and the stories worth telling.

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We manoeuvre through a narrow

pathw

ay,

with tw

o kayaks on either side,

forcing us to slip

between them

.

The Middle Harbour Eco Tour runsevery Saturday and Sunday fromSydney Harbour Kayaks at the SpitBridge, Mosman, from 8:15am to12:30pm.

Another option on weekends or byarrangement is the two-hour CoffeeTour, a circuit from the Spit Beach toGrotto Point, then to BalmoralBeach and back. Trip routes mayvary depending on the wind speedand direction.

Private tours can to be arrangedwhenever suits you, seven days aweek, and can be customised to suityour group (a minimum of sixpeople is required).

Sydney Harbour Kayaks also offerskayak and surf ski hire, group lessonsand private tuition, team buildingprograms, kayak and surf ski sales,and on-site kayak storage.

Details can be found atwww.sydneyharbourkayaks.com.au

Into the mangroves

ThePaddler 29

Victoria:Canoe Melbourne’s Yarra River, from Docklands toFederation Square and beyond. Kayak off St Kilda Beach or join sealsand dolphins on a day tour of the Mornington Peninsula. Learn to seakayak from Anglesea and Apollo Bay along the Great Ocean Road. Inthe Grampians, you can paddle the waters of Lake Bellfield, Lake Fyansor Lake Wartook. Whitewater raft the Mitta Mitta River or theHowqua and Delatite Rivers in Victoria’s High Country. In Gippslandyou can canoe and kayak through the Snowy River or glide fromBairnsdale along the Mitchell River to Gippsland Lakes. Take on whitewater adventure on the Upper Murray River near Corryong.

Visas: Unless you are an Australian or New Zealand citizen, you willneed a visa to enter Australia. New Zealand passport holders can apply fora visa upon arrival in the country. All other passport holders must apply fora visa before leaving home. You can apply for a range of visas, includingtourist visas and working holiday visas, at your nearest Australian Consulate.You can also apply for certain types of visas online. For more detailedinformation visit the Australian Government Department of Immigrationand Citizenship website.

Queensland: Canoe, kayak or aqua bike around Moreton Bay, nearBrisbane. South on the Gold Coast, learn about the area’s Aboriginal historysea kayaking with a local Balunjali guide. Meet dolphins, turtles, rays and fishon a kayaking trip from 1770. From Cairns, raft more than 45 rapids on theTully River or float your inflatable boat down the Barron River in BarronGorge National Park. Do a rafting trip down the wild North JohnstoneRiver or the gentler Russell River. Kayak from Mission Beach to Dunk Islandand other rainforest-covered islands on the Great Barrier Reef. InQueensland’s outback, canoe Lawn Hill Gorge in Boodjamulla National Parkor along Muttaburra's permanent waters.

New South Wales: Kayak from Rose Bay to Sydney Harbourbeaches or paddle around Manly. Kayak through the Royal National Parkfrom Bundeena in Sydney’s south. Coast along the Colo River in theHawkesbury Valley, west of Sydney. Canoe the gum-lined Edward River inDeniliquin, in the state’s country heart. On the North Coast, kayak withdolphins at Nelson Bay or through Bongil Bongil National Park. White waterraft on the Nymboida River or in Barrington Tops National Park. Glide alongthe Bellingen River or through Ballina’s mangrove forests. South of Sydney,sea kayak in Jervis Bay or canoe through Kangaroo Valley. Kayak through thewilderness of Ben Boyd National Park on the Sapphire Coast, further south.

Australian Capital Territory: Paddle around Canberra’sLake Burley Griffin on a canoe, kayak or hydro bike. Float fromCommonwealth Place past the Captain Cook Memorial and groomedparklands. Spot black swans and other birds in the Kingston Harbourwetlands. You can even kayak across Lake Burley Griffin to the MolongloRiver on a food and wine tour. Savour regional foods while looking backover the vineyards to Canberra’s iconic cultural buildings. From Canberra,you can canoe the quiet, bush-bordered waters of Googong Foreshores,which sits south of Queanbeyan. Paddle past Limestone Bridge Arch, thelimestone remains deposited by an ocean floor 420 million years ago.

INFORMATION

https://maps.google.com/?ll=-33.804612,151.240797&spn=0.070536,0.085659&t=m&z=14

http://www.australia.com

Australia

� At Northeast Kayaks and Paddles we pride ourselves on ourcustomer service and ability to provide the right equipment that isfit for purpose.

� We have over 150 kayaks in stock at all times and hold a verylarge stock of other equipment.

� On 20th of October 2012 we moved to our new premises andopened Northeast Kayaks and Paddles along side NortheastRoof Racks.

� Northeast Kayaks and Paddles are easily accessible from theA1068 as you enter Amble (in the Coquet Enterprise Park) oronly 6-miles east from the A1. We have ample parking spaces at alltimes.

� The Northumberland Coastline is only a mile away and the AmbleMarina and Harbour are only a few minutes away. We are also onlya short distance from Duridge Bay, which has access to the coastand a large lake available for demonstrations.

� Northeast Kayaks and Paddles has a warm and friendlyoutlook and our experienced paddlers and Instructors will be ableoffer expert unbiased advice.

� If you don't see what your after on the website don't worry! Wecan still get it for you, just give us a call on 01665 714039.

� Northeast Kayaks and Paddles also has a full range of Thuleequipment, which will be able to get you on your way with roofbars and kayak carriers.

Tel: 01665 714039Web: www.northeastkayaks.co.ukEmail: sales@northeastkayaks.co.uk

The Blue Building, Coquet Enterprise Park, Amble,Northumberland, NE65 0PE

WILDEOne of the last

ThePaddler 32

Rising from the third largest glacier in Iceland (Hofsjökull 64°49’N18°49’W ) The Austari Jökulsa (East Glacial River)is without a doubt oneof the silent giants of the European rafting world. If you ask any raftguides or rafting fans to name their three top European rafting rivers, Iam sure you would hear river names such as the Inn, Coruh, Ubaye. It isvery rare you hear the name of the Austari Jökulsa mentioned.B

y Mark Hirst

ERNESS

frontiers of Europe

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ThePaddler 34

Rafting began on the East Glac

The first 12 km of the river are flat and an easy warm up

as you make your way through the desert.

Kayaker:Mark Hirst, UK

Rafter : EinarBjarniBjornsson,Iceland

Kayaker:Aapo Hanska Halonen, UK

Rafter :Finnur Sigurdarson, Iceland

Rafter :Madhu Pahari, Nepal

Kayaker:Sayas Ghimere,Nepal

Rafter :Kalu Gurung, Nepal

As you can imagine setting up a rafting operationon a river in the north of Iceland was a missionin itself. Buying equipment, advertising and mostof all training or hiring guides with suitable class4-5 experience and knowledge was going to bean uphill struggle.

Two local companies managed this and are stillaround today to bare the fruits of there earlylabour. Iceland can now boast its own uniqueguide culture.

Both of the companies based in the north have adiverse mix of European, North and SouthAmerican along with Nepalese raft guides. Therehas been a strong partnership over the yearsbetween Nepal and Iceland. Each year aroundeight guides come here from may until lateSeptember. Iceland also has a small communityof guides that have now settled in Iceland andstarted families.

Each year the teams from both companies pittheir wits, skills and knowledge against the EastRiver. In July 2012 a team of guides tackled themulti-day upper section of the East Glacial River.

The small village of Varamhlid is the base forrafting in the north of Iceland. The off road 4x4drive from Varmahlid takes about three hoursand takes you high into the interior desert of theSpringisandur region. A true no-man’s land!

The drive to the river in its self is a expedition inits own right. Tough 4x4 vehicles are needed tocope with the rugged moonscape. The occasionalwater crossings are sure to get the pulse racing. Itis a common thought amongst the rafting worldthat if the journey to the river is tough. The riverjourney its self will be tougher. This speaksvolumes of the East glacial river.

As we were all lazy raft guides we did not leavethe base until 1pm we knew that we could takefull advantage of the midnight sun.

The put in point for the East Glacial is a mere20km from the Hofsjökull Glacier on a clear daythe Glacier is visible in all of its splendour. Todaywas a lovely clear sunny day. The raft wasunpacked we made a improvised harness fromwebbing to lash our bags to and we were readyfor the off.

Flat and a easy warm upWe put on the river at around 4pm. The first 12km of the river are flat and a easy warm up as youmake your way through the desert. You slowlystart to notice the river narrowing and somepretty spectacular rock formations in thedistance. These formations mark the start of thefirst canyon. A quick picture and nature stop on asmall beach on the river left prepared us for theaction to come

The next 20-25km of the East Glacial is aconstant barrage of long technical read and runclass 3-4 rapids. We cautiously ran the first fewrapids until we started to relax and tune into theriver.

Once we were all in tune each member of theteam had the biggest ear-to-ear smile on therefaces. The rapids flowed into each other Justgiving enough time to make a quick scout fromour boats and a snap second decision aboutwhich line to take. Due to the fact that thissection only sees around two or three trips pre-season none of the rapids have names yet.

Us kayakers were having the time of our lives. Aapomentioned that he was just waiting for the river toerupt into a solid class 5. I smiled and assured himfrom my previous trips that it would not.

ThePaddler 35

cial River in the mid-90s.

on this sectionof river would not be highly recommended so wetook conservative lines on all of the rapidsensuring our team safety at all times.

The milky grey glacial water made reading theriver at times tricky. The raft could rely on thekayakers to roughly scout the lines for them.Paddle commands came in real useful duringthis section. Uncontrolled cartwheels and loopsin creek boats was a signal for a big hole.

You might think that rafting in Iceland is coldand you would be right it is but on a run such asthis the cold was the last thing on our mind.After 2.5 hours of solid concentration andpaddling the river gently eased a little.

Amazing sunshineThere had been no wind and amazing sunshineall day. It wasn’t until around 7pm I felt a touchof the cold north wind on my face this was asignal to get our heads down and start to paddle.As we were still on the water so late in the day wealso had to deal with the low sun too.

In the far north of Europe in the summer the sunsets and rises in the north. This daily ritual of sunset and sunrise takes about five minutes. So tosum the situation up it was around 7pm we wereseven guys – four in the raft and three kayakersheading in a northerly direction against anortherly wind with the sun right in front of ourfaces. We had just paddled an amazing section ofwater. The mood was high we had around onehour paddling to our camp.

All of a sudden I heard a loud psssst noise from theraft my heart sunk. The boys had started on thebeers. Been the official unofficial trip leader I madea deal with the boys to just have one beer until wegot to the camp and to be fair they kept to thereword. By doing this I killed two birds with onestone, the boys stayed alert and sober and thenthere was a beer for me when we got to the camp!

Camp was a loose term though. I was starting toget the “where is the camp?” Questions from theteam I knew we were not far away. Imagine beingin the middle of nowhere when all of a sudden acosy heated cabin pops up next to the river in anamazing valley. We hurriedly unpacked the raftand made out way to Hildersel, our palace forthe evening. The Hildersel cabin is a bunkhousecomplete with fully equipped kitchen gas heaterbunk beds with blankets and a view to die for. Atrue Oasis in the barren landscape thatsurrounded us.

I wanted the members of the team with nomulti-day experience to kick back and relax.Myself and the Nepali boys Madhu, Kalu andSayas got stuck into the catering. We had a teamof three crack commando Nepali chefs preparingsome top-notch food. Kalu and myself started offthe proceedings by serving popcorn and Kalu’svery own recipe for rum punch. whilst Madhuand Sayas made a chicken curry to die for.

Once we were all full with the dishes washed wesat round with a few beers, big smiles wind andsun burnt faces all around and did what raftguides do best we talked absolute garbage. Wewere all soon in the land of zzzz!

I was the first to wake in the morning with myhead still intact. Hailing from northern Englandmy job was simple! Breakfast. Pints of tea easilywashed down the egg bacon and mushroomsandwiches. Funnily enough team Nepalunderstood the concept of the English breakfastbut the Nordic members of the team Finnur andEinar from Iceland and Aapo from Finland couldnot quite grasp the idea of it all.

We cleaned Hildersel, packed the raft and slowlymade our way down stream to the start of thelower canyon of the East River.

The lower canyon of the East glacial river has thenickname ‘The Mini Zanskar’. Each day eachguide no matter how many times he has run thelower canyon (over 200 for some of us) gets thatlittle feeling in the pit of your stomach that says,“I wonder what will happen today am I going toget it today.” The Lower East is not a river whereyou can allow the voices in your head to takeover.

ThePaddler 36

A swim or a flip

The full English!

ThePaddler 37

The canyon is beautiful and intimidating atthe same time. Tall 80-metre walls box you in dueto the nature

of the volcanic rock –climbing out is a dangerous option

g

Our trusty 4x4!

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ThePaddler 39

Sayas in the ‘Green Room’East Glacial River

Iceland

day was all about technical rafting. Today’s styleis going to be big punchy rapids. We slowlydescended down into the lower canyon. TheMerkigil Bridge our silent farewell to the worldabove. The canyon is beautiful and intimidatingat the same time. Tall 80-metre walls box you indue to the nature of the volcanic rock – climbingout is a dangerous option.

We tackled the warm up rapids allowingourselves to adjust to the change in speed andvolume of the river. As all of the water was nowstarting to become channelled in to a canyon nomore than 25 metres wide in places. We also hadto start to deal with surging features boatswallowing boils and eddylines. We started to usethe helicular flow of the river to keep us right inthe midstream, so that we did not get caught upin any unwanted eddylines.

The average summer time level for the east glacialriver is between 50-70 cumecs. Anything over 85cumecs the river starts to become a realchallenging proposition class 5 in places. Theriver has been kayaked and rafted around the 120cumec mark a few times. Each trip with its ownunique set of stories.Today the river was atthe dreamy level of 65cumecs just enough tokeep us on our toes.

‘Alarm Clock’The first major rapid onthe river, ‘Alarm Clock’was tackled withconfidence. The rivernarrows down to a five-metre slot with somepretty impressivehaystacks and standingwaves as you arebottlenecked throughthe slot.

Once through AlarmClock the river is non-stop for the next 15km.A series of rapids withcrashing standing waves

ThePaddler 40

Theprevious

The sun was already low as we put in.

ThePaddler 41

leads us to the next big rapid, ‘Commitment’, aclass 4 river wide pour over with a must makeriver right line. The kayak team today all musthave our synchronized kayaking heads on. As weeach perfected the ‘power backloop and roll’manoeuvre as we crashed through the rapid. Imanaged to roll up with enough time to see theraft graciously glide down the rapid (bloodyrubber bus) I thought to myself.

The river kept us on our toes through a series ofrapids until we reached ‘Green Room’ the biggestrapid on the river – a three-step class 4+ lottery. Aquick chance to get out and stretch the legsbefore the draw for today’s lottery.

A mess of churning confused waterIn Green Room you have to punch the wave onthe first drop right in the sweet spot in order tokeep your line for the second drop. The seconddrop is guarded by a intimidating magneticmidstream rock. Any type of line besides forwardsand pointing down stream and you are ‘gone’ – toquote the words of the chief. The famous Maoriraft guide that hails from The Shotover River inQueenstown, New Zealand. The third step ofGreen Room is a mess of churning confused waterthat has been known to send unsuspecting raftcustomers underwater for a while.

Sayas, myself and Aapo were the first to go so thatwe could lay down some safety for the raft. As weleft the eddy we quickly gave each other the, “Stayclose but give me my space look.” All three of uscoasted through the rapid. We sat in the eddywaiting for the raft to come down. Each of ussecretly wishing for some upside down action.

Left: The raft crew approach their first rapid.

Sayas fullyfocussed.

The river kept us on our toes through a series of rapids until we reached ‘Green Room’

the biggest rapid on the river – a three-step class 4+ lottery

like they were going todrop the raft sideways into the second drop. I satup in my kayak ready to punch the air in delight.It was not meant to be a cheeky sweep strokefrom Kalu squared the raft up at the last secondthey had enough speed to punch the hole andnegotiate the third drop no worries.

We tackled the last rapids on the river with ease.The final rapid on the river ‘S Bend’ allowed us asafe passage out of the canyon and back to theoutside world again.

It has been said that Tolkken had an Icelandicnanny. The nanny is said to have taught himIcelandic so that he could read the Icelandicsagas and stories from a young age. Parts of theEast Glacial River could be straight out a chapterfrom the Lord of the Rings. As I drifted downtowards the takeout I kept my eyes open for orcsand princesses to no avail.

We cracked one last beer at the takeout beforepromptly falling asleep in the bus. We had beenvery lucky with the fickle Icelandic weather, wehad made the correct decisions on the river. Wehad bonded as a team of guides but most of allwe had shared an adventure on a river that willstay with us always.

ThePaddler 42

The raft boyslooked

Parts of the EastGlacial Rivercould be straightout a chapterfrom the Lordof the Rings.

Green Room – almost gone!

Sayas about to drop into commitment.

Enjoying a wave train.

ThePaddler 43

The classic pre-trip photo.

Aapo in G

reen Room

.

ThePaddler 44

Weather: The weather in Iceland is not as cold as some maythink. (Winter is lot colder in Minnesota than it is in Iceland!) Theclimate is relatively mild because of the influence of the AtlanticOcean’s Gulf Stream. Average winter daytime temperature in Reykjavikis 31 degrees F. (−1 degrees C.)

Iceland lies just south of the Arctic Circle. Winter nights and summerdays are long. On December 21st in the capital, the sun rises at11:30am and sets at 3:30pm. On June 21 the sun sets about midnightand rises at 3:00am. It never gets darker than twilight at night duringthe late spring and early summer.

Paddling: Iceland with its rugged and deeply indented coastline and manyoff coast islands, is ranked as one of the best places in the northernhemisphere for sea kayaking. There are many suitable sheltered areas for less-experienced, as well as for demanding adventurers. One of the most popularplaces to paddle is Hornstrendir, at the area of Westfjords. Iceland also offerswhite waters for all standards. Some rivers are clear water (drinkable!) andothers glacial melted water with a shining silver surface. Iceland also has thelargest waterfalls in Europe! Tungufljot and Hvita are popular rivers to paddle.There are also many good rivers not too far from Reykjavik.

Animals: There are not many animals which inhabit Iceland because ofthe harsh surroundings and isolation. There were two species found inIceland upon its settlement: mice and foxes. Domestic animals such ashorses, cows, sheep, dogs, cats and hens came with settlers to Iceland.Because of the isolation of the island the domestic animals have notchanged much and the Icelandic horse remains a purebred.

Population: Iceland is populated by 293,577, which was last estimated31st December 2004.

Visas: Citizens of the Schengen area in Europe as well as citizens from USA,Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore do not requirevisas. Tourist stays are permitted for up to three months and can be extendedif needed at local police stations. If you do not live in one of these countriesmentioned above, then contact the Icelandic embassy or consulate in yourcountry to check on requirements before entering Iceland.

Health: Life expectancy, at 81.3 years for women and 76.4 for men, isone of the highest in the world with a state healthcare system.

Language: The Icelanders still speak the language of the Vikings,although modern Icelandic has undergone changes of pronunciation andvocabulary!

Electricity: Icelandic electrical standards are the same as othernorthern European countries (50Hz, 240 volts) round two-pin.

Geography: The Icelandic terrain is like no other. Iceland has manymountains, ice fields, glaciers and the coast is deeply rugged by the manybays and fjords. There are also many natural hazards such as earthquakesand volcanoes.

Money: The Icelandic monetary unit is the króna.

INFORMATION

https://maps.google.com/?ll=64.595613,-19.27002&spn=10.92226,24.609375&t=m&z=6

Iceland

http://www.visiticeland.com

ThePaddler 45

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You are bouncing down a rapid enjoying the ridewhen suddenly you notice one of those just hiddenunderwater rocks dead ahead and you need to keepthe boat running straight to make the rest of the line.This is where the hanging draw and running pry areindispensable strokes. Both allow you to move theboat sideways and continue running the boat straight.

These strokes can be used in tandem and soloboats, I will describe their use for both. It is a goodidea to try these strokes on flat water before takingthem onto moving water.

Solo boat hanging drawIf you want to move sideways towards the paddleside, a hanging draw is your stroke.

In a solo boat as you are paddling along do a powerstroke, then recover the blade out of the water tothe side of the boat. Place the blade fully into thewater opposite your hips. Feather the front of theblade so that it is slightly open creating a v shapewith the hull, this pulls the water inwards and yousideways. The blade should be placed around anarms length away from the side of the boat;however, you need to ensure that the paddle shaft isvertical to create maximum efficiency. This generallymeans that the top hand has to be outside thegunnels of the boat. When doing this manoeuvre tryto have a slight bend in your bottom arm to allowmovement in the stroke and also if you accidentallyhit the paddle off the bottom of the river then itgives you some flex to absorb this and less strain isput through your joints.

Once you have got the blade position correct theboat will move sideways, whilst still allowing you tokeep the nose of the boat running in a straight line.If the nose of your boat veers off course, then trypulling the blade either forwards or backwardsthrough the water to correct this. If you have anarrow canoe you can edge the boat away from the

Nancy Chambers is a BCULevel 5 Open CanoeCoach who works atGlenmore Lodge, the

Scottish National Centre..She is passionate about

paddling and will be foundin many different craft. She

is also a BCU Level 3Coach in Sea Kayak and

Inland Kayak.

Nancy's paddling has takenher to many different partsof the world to journey onrivers and waterways, but

she always says thatScotland has some of her

favourite open canoejourneys.

ThePaddler 46

For solo and tandem open canoes

The hanging d running pry st

By Nancy Chambers – BCU Level

Solo boat hangin

Solo boat runnin

ThePaddler 47

paddle side allowing the boat to slip more easilythrough the water, in a wider canoe this issometimes difficult and you can edge the boat gentlytowards your paddle, if doing this be aware that ifyou edge too much you can catch the side of theboat and this can become very unstable for you.

Solo boat running pryIf you want to move your boat away from yourpaddle side, then try a running pry. To set this strokeup, paddle forwards. On your last stroke before youpry, don’t do a correction stroke unless absolutelynecessary. Take your paddle out of the water andbring it forwards towards your hip. Now slice thepaddle into the water just behind your hip and bringit in towards the boat until the leading edge of thepaddle comes in contact with the hull, creating anarrow shape. This arrow shape deflects the waterand pushes you sideways away from your paddle. Ifyou find the boat veering off at the front or back ofthe stroke then try placing the blade in furtherbackwards or forwards, changing the angle of thepaddle underwater or running the blade forwardsalong the hull whilst doing the stroke to correct theveer. You will notice that the running pry will slowthe boat down.

For both of these strokes if you are not quite gettingthe feeling of it, ask a friend to stand on the edge ofthe water holding onto the back of your canoe. Set upyour paddle either in a hanging draw or running pryand get your friend to push you away from the edge.This simulates the forward motion that is required andif you have your paddle set up correctly it will eitherpush or pull you sideward. It is a great way to get thefeeling of where you need to put your paddle in thewater to complete the stroke.

raw and trokes

5 Open Canoe Coach at Glenmore Lodge

g draw

g pry

Overhead hanging draw

To go sideways as a tandem team you can both do ahanging draw on the same side (the bow paddlerdoing a cross deck hanging draw) or hanging drawand running pry together. Both strokes if donecorrectly will get you moving sideways without anyveering of the canoe. Communication is the key tosuccess in both strokes. Ensure you have talkedthrough what language and words you are going touse in the strokes to avoid confusion, does shouting“right” mean go right, or obstacle on the right?

In a tandem team, the bow paddler will usually bethe person who spots the obstacle to avoid, so theyare usually the best one to co-ordinate the strokes.You first need to decide which way to go to ensureavoidance. This will dictate which strokes you use. Ifyou need to go towards the side that the sternpaddler is paddling on you have two choices ofstrokes, these are;

� The stern paddler will put in a hanging draw asdescribed earlier and the bow paddler will do across deck hanging draw. To do this stroke, thebow paddler takes their paddle out of the waterand keeping it square to their shoulders, willrotate their trunk around and place the paddlein the water on the cross deck side in a hangingdraw position. The power face of the paddle willbe towards you. A key indicator that your handis in the correct position is that your top thumbwill be facing forwards. The blade should beslightly open and the paddle shaft vertical withyour hands outside the gunnels of the boat.Once you have moved far enough sideways, slicethe paddle forwards out of the water and returnyour paddle to the normal side.

� The stern paddler will do a hanging draw asbefore and the bow paddler will do a runningpry, as described for the solo paddler. Timing isoften the key for this and it is important to keepcommunicating throughout the manoeuvre.

If you want to go towards the side the bow paddleris on, reverse the previous steps so the bowpaddler will do a hanging draw stroke and the sternpaddler will do a running pry.

Once you have mastered these strokes on the flat,take them onto a gentle piece of river and practicethere. Finally taking them onto faster moving waterwith real obstacles once you get more confident inyour skills. Using these strokes are a great way ofincreasing your manoeuvrability in bigger water.

Enjoy them.

ThePaddler 48

The hanging draw and running pry strokes: Tandem

Cross deck hangingdraw tandem.

Tandem draws.

Tandem draw and pry. Tandem running pryand hanging draw.

Cross deck hangingdraw tandem.

ThePaddler 49

ThePaddler 50

Written by Geoff Gedling who travelled with his crew of:The Grant clan, Steve, Julia, Scott, Callum, Meg,

ThePaddler 51

PendlePaddlers

on Loch Sunart

We have ventured north of the border for about

eight years now and each time it has been

both challenging and exciting, but also a

wonderful time of exploring and

becoming acquainted with

new areas. This trip was

no exception!

Ian Blackburn, Trish Wilson and Andy Rushton

After a long drive, we finallymet up at the first night’s

bivi. Geoff and Trish arrivedlast just before dark andmanaged to set up and

cook a meal by dusk. Trishwas camping by the lochside near the Grants, Ianwas on top of a hill and

Geoff and Andy slung theirhammocks under the trees.

Next morning, we set off by about 9.00 andpaddled east towards Riska, an island near thenorth side of the loch. There was about a force2/3 blowing from the west, which helped usalong, but we had to cross about 800 metres ofopen water to hide behind the larger island ofCana in the lee. That was quite difficult as thewaves were coming side on, but we all made it.

Cana provided excellent shelter from the windand there were loads of mussels ready for pickingas the tide was low. We emerged at the south endinto a quiet bay and stopped for lunch. The tidewas beginning to flow now, which providedsome help as it was going the same way as wewere. However, after lunch we had a toughpaddle into the wind for a couple of miles. Thewind against tide pushed up some peaked waves

ThePaddler 52

Andy catching dinner.

that were difficult to paddle against, but onceinto the spur, we moved with great ease as thetide pushed us along, which was fun.

The next job was to find a site for the night,which we finally did by 5.30. We found a spit ofland backed by trees, so there was something forground dwellers and tree dwellers alike. Trishpitched right at the end of the spit and wassurrounded on three sides by water – a superbspot. Andy and Geoff found some trees for theirtarps and hammocks. The Grants all managed tocrawl in under a single tarp – amazing! Juliadecided it was too crowded and pitched a smalltent alongside.

Geoff brought a frontier stove from work andonce it was stoked up was very efficient forcooking. Andy and Geoff cooked fish, musselsand sliced spuds in garlic butter. Ian had his brilliant fire pit made from an old calor gas container.

ThePaddler 53

High tide was 8.00 am, so we used the it topaddle down towards Sunart taking the westchannel, which Steve had said several timesbecame a grade 3 when the tide was in full flowor ebb. I think he was trying to rattle us, but itdidn’t work. There was a strong flow and as weglided along we all fished for our supper. Andyhad moved up market since last year and cameequipped with a mega rod and mackerelfeathers catching four at a time – and they werea good size! Ian also had mackerel feathers andcaught quite a few. The rest of us had tomanage with spinners, but between us we allcaught something.

That night there was feasting!

Later we had a banana party and cookedbananas with chocolate drops in Ian’s fire andall in bed by 9.30pm! It was dark and wewanted to make the most of the daylight onSaturday so we were up by 6.00am.

Funny thing happenedduring the night, wehad visitors at 1.30am.I woke up and hearddistant voices andcould see flashlights.They came closer andafter 10 minutes a voicesaid, “Hello, how youdoing, would you liketo come round for afew beers.” We had ashort chat, and it seemsthey had a place abouthalf a mile away andhad seen us arrive andthought it would befriendly to have a drinkwith us. I declined andthanked them, weshook hands and theydisappeared back intothe night. Weird!

The day’s catch (thanks to Andy)

Up early at 6.30, breakfasted and ready for the dayby 8.30. The tide was just beginning to ebb, so wepaddled back the way we had come drifting alongand fishing as we went.

This time we took the west channel that Steve hadwarned us about – no problem! The tide wasebbing quickly and there was a strong currentaround the rocky outcrops, but some easy eddiesto break into and that’s often where we found thefish, just lurking out of the current, waiting.

We ambled along taking our time and looking forwhat we thought were good places to catch fish.Andy did well again, but lost his feathers whenthey became hooked in seaweed. Ian lost hisfeathers the same way, but not before between uswe had a good haul. Probably 85% of the catchwas down to Andy and Ian, real pro’s!

For lunch we stopped in a small a bay just by themouth of the spur and discovered a bothy up asmall hill. There was a picnic table at the top wherethere was a lovely view down the loch – so we hada leisurely lunch and enjoyed the view – and themidges!

The we paddled down the west side of Canahoping for fish and looking for mussels, butrealised, nearly too late that a strong wind hadsprung up so the return paddle was very difficulttaking 90 minutes to cover two miles.

By now the tide was beginning to flow again so wehitched a ride back up to our camp. Cooked whatwe caught and turned in by about 9.30pm.

We were getting good at getting upearly and being on the water by8.30am, where it was decided to headback across to the north side of theloch to find somewhere to camp forthe last night. The wind and weatherhad been unpredictable, so it madesense to be on the same side of theloch as the cars on the last day in caseTuesday’s weather prevented uspaddling. At least we could walk backto the cars and bring them to wherethe canoes were.

The trip down the loch was

ThePaddler 54

Ground dwellers encampment.

Basking sealswaiting for thetide to come in.

Sometimes wehad rain - lotsof it.

There was a picnic table at the top where there was a lovely view

down the loch – so we had a leisurely lunch and enjoyed the view

ThePaddler 55

uneventful. We took the west channel again as itwas shorter, but as we emerged into the lochproper there was a strong westerly and the sectionacross to the north side was challenging with largewaves rolling in at about 45 degrees behind us.Trish found it difficult but battled on and made itinto the lea of Riska. From there we kept close tothe north shore and dodged in between rockyoutcrops to get as much protection as we couldfrom the wind.

As we rounded the headland into the bay wherewe spent the first night, we decided to camp thereagain. The MacGrant clan had to be back forTuesday evening so they waved as they paddled onto the next bay but one where the cars were parkedin a layby. The waves were so big, that as theyreceded into the distance, there were momentswhen all that could be seen of them was the top oftheir heads above the peaks.

That evening as we sat around Ian’s fire at the topof the hill, we got smoked out, rained out andmidged out! Early night again.

Up at the break of day, breakfast and pack up. Wewere on the water before 9.00 and back at the carsabout 45 minutes later, and on the road by 9.30.

That’s when everything began to go pear-shaped!Geoff put £30 fuel in to get home and after wedriven a few yards, an urgent warning sign lit up,so we stopped and turned the engine off. Itwouldn’t start. Didn’t know what was wrong, so Iphoned the RAC. Eventually, Donnie (he wasn’tcalled Jimmy even though he was from Glasgow)figured out the problem. Diesel pumps have blackhoses and nozzles – right? Not necessarily inScotland! Geoff had put £30 unleaded petrol inhis diesel tank!

Finally after many calls, Donnie tracked down agarage that would send out a van to pump out thepetrol and replace it with diesel. By now it wasgetting dark and after paying for the work we setoff and arrived back at Geoff’s by about 11.30. Nota good way to end a great trip – but I for one willnever forget to double check which type of fuel touse in Scotland!

Tea time. Lunch stop on Cana.

Fresh mussels- delicious!

The SPARK

of genius?There have been a number of constants in my paddling kit over the last 25 years. One of which has been the presence of at least one piece of

Palm Equipment. Earlier this year I picked up a Palm Spark Surface Immersion suit for all season paddling and have been using it weekly since its purchase.

By Phil Carr

ThePaddler 56

ThePaddler 57

of the last sixmonths plus the Palm Spark Surface Immersion Suit has been worn a fairbit. I’ve worn it during WWSR courses, kayaking, canoeing, ww rafting andbell boating, so it has had a really thorough test.

For the record I have a large Palm Spark. I'm 6ft 1" and 210lbs and the suitfits really well with no excess/flapping fabric and without any feeling ofrestriction. This stems from the fact that the Spark shares much of its designwith the freestyle tops in the Palm range, such as the Atom and Flow.

As with most suits the Spark has a large zip running across the back. Palmhave used a TiZip on the Spark which is a plastic based zip that is bothflexible and water tight. The TiZip system has less bulk than a traditionalbrass zip, which is perfect for this kind of application. The positioning ofthe TiZip does work really well; the zip crosses the back at the shouldersand then across the top of each arm. At first it does feel a little strange as itis different to other suits, but it makes sense. In my case I find it easy to doup and undo the zip myself.

The suit has an additional TiZip installed for ‘emergency stop’ purposes.You can’t pee in a suit so having this feature really helps and prevents theneed to strip off to pay a visit. This feature has been fully tested and workswithout fault!

You can't help but notice the colour of the Spark and I love it, howeverhaving a couple of other colour combinations available would probablyplease quite a few potential buyers.

ThePaddler 58

Over the course

The positio

the z at the shou top of each

This is what PalmEquipment saysabout the Spark: A sleek, flexible, highperformance suit offeringultimate freedom ofmovement for dynamicwatersports. Neopreneneck and ankle gaskets,supple and breathable XPthree-layer fabric andflexible TIZIP® MasterSealzips for all-day comforton the water.

Sizes: S, M, MB*, L, XL, XXL

Colour: Lime/Mist/Jet Grey

Materials: XP four-layer fabric,Cordura® 330D four-layer reinforcement

Cut: 4D Multi-Articulated Cutfor dynamic paddling

Neck seal: Advanced GlideSkinneoprene neck gasket

Wrist seals: Natural latex wristgaskets with adjustableover cuffs

Zips: Flexible TIZIP®

Masterseal 10 shoulderentry and relief Zips

Feet: Neoprene ankle gaskets

Size options: S, M, MB, L, XL, XXL

ThePaddler 59

ning of the TiZip does work really well;

ip crosses the back ulders and then across the arm.

a dry suit; it's aSurface Immersion Suit. This name seems somewhatcontradictory. In essence the Spark is the suitequivalent of a semi top as the not all of theseals/gaskets (neck and ankles) are latex based. Thatsaid the seals work pretty well. The only latex basedgaskets on the Spark are on the wrists. They also haveadditional neoprene/Velcro over cuffs to help protectthe latex gaskets.

The ankles of the Spark have neoprene gaskets withadditional neoprene/Velcro over cuffs. Whilst standingin water I have found that I do get a little water workingits way in via the ankle gaskets despite them being areally good fit on my legs. However the neck seal ispretty much there and works almost as well as a latexgasket but is far more comfortable, and probably farmore durable. During a number of playboating sessionsI did find a little bit of water getting its way in throughthe neck but this is no different to the cags I own thatuse a latex neck gasket. Taking all of this into account Ifeel secure in the fact that the neck seal does a prettygood job, and as a result I plan to send the Spark back toPalm to have the socks added to the suit (approx. £35).

I've been over the suit checking both the stitching andtaping and have found the construction and finish tobe superb. The fabric seems to have a good balance oftoughness and flexibility. It certainly seems to bestanding the test of time and will hopefully see meright for the next couple of seasons.

It really does look as if Palm are on top form and arebanging out some fantastically designed pieces of kit.The Spark definitely sits well within this category.

ThePaddler 60

The Spark isn’t

During a number of playboating sessions I did find a little bit of water getting its way in through the neck but this is no different to the cags I own

that use a latex neck gasket

www.palmequipmenteurope.com

ThePaddler 61

BCU qualified coaches, We are open

a

Explore Milos Island, Greece 6 Day-trips with 8nights B&B for €560 pp. Genuine hospitality, quality equipment, an amazingplace to paddle. BCU qualified coaches. We are openall year, everyone is welcome.

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Firstly let’s have a look at the kayak as delivered… itwas bright orange, so won't miss me on the waterbut hey, what is the difference between orange,green or white, when a fish looks up through tenfeet of cloudy water?

The Fatyak Kaafu comes in at just short of 10 feetlong and 30 inches wide.

The first things you notice are the two hatches withlids. The lids I can say are really tight, mind you I thinkthe temperature made them stiffer and a quick spraywith WD40 made them easier. Two small mouldedtubs sit below these lids. Useful? I think there is workto be done there.

The storage area at the rear is quite big withcountersunk scuppers and drainage channel. Thereis a continuous bungee cord through six padeyes.

This is OK but I will bechanging it slightly tohave clips and twobungee that can be pulledover gear rather than tryingto squeeze stuff in. Minorpoint though. It should be notedthat all factory fitted padeyes arescrewed into encapsulated threads ensuring security,

There are two shaped flat areas behind the seat, rodtubed size and there is a flat area in front of the rearhatch and another near the bow hatch ideal for a fishfinder. There are paddle holders both sides by therear storage.

Side moulded in carry handles are great. It reallydoes make this an easy kayak to lift it does not seem20kgs. The balance is spot on around these handles.The carry handles either end are part of the

New paddles

Waikiki FishingSystemCorran have unveiled a prototypeof a new fishing system for theWaikiki.

This system is fairly lightweight,and attaches to the board inseconds with bungee straps. Itworks with industry standardcoolers such as the one shown,and is comfortable to use andeffective.

The (prototype shown) structurewill be made from aluminium, andhas a backrest to lean backagainst so you can paddle seatedusing a standard Stand Up Paddle.A rod holder on each side isintegrated into the system fortrolling, and the cooler isaccessible at all times so you canget at everything from yourtackle, to beverages and ofcourse, store your catch. Theboard itself has a front hatch soadditional storage space isavailable inside the board.

These are just the preliminaryimages of the prototype, for moreinformation see:http://corransup.com/waikiki-fishing-system/

ThePaddler 62

Testing, Fatyak Kaafu http://www.fatyak-kayaks.co.uk

Two hatches

with lids

Side paddle

holders

Moulded

carry handle

Moulded

carry handle

Side moulded

carry handles

The Kaafu came with two tube style rod holdersfitted and before I put it on the water I wanted toput a few extras on to make it more of a fishingkayak. I had to contact Neil at H20 kayaks to getsome bits and Saturday morning saw them arrive. Iwas ready to go. By Terry Wright.

ThePaddler 63

gThePaddler.co.uk test station. If youwantyourproductreviewedanditwillbeofinterest to paddlers - email us: reviews@thepaddler.co.uk

moulding too. My wife Steph saw them and triedlifting one end and found it much more comfortablethan the corded handles on my other kayaks.

The built in 'skeg' moulding (above) looked as if itmight aid tracking and the roll of the bow looks as if itwill deflect water away from the boat nicely.

There are six scupper holes which would clear waterswiftly if you were swamped in the surf. The front pairare recessed enough to fit a transducer.

Now’s the time to get the drill outFirst off I wanted to get an anchor trolley. I had theH2O Kayak’s anchor trolley kit, which has a range offixings, rivets with neoprene seal, well nuts andstainless nut and bolts. You should note that all hisnuts are Nylock so you will need a ring spannerideally to tension the nut whilst tightening. For thetrolley padeyes I decided on rivets and aimed for asfar towards bow and stern as possible. Five millimetreholes and a blob of silicon and job done. The kitcomes with all you need.www.h2okayaks.com/engine/shop/pro....hor+Trolley+Kit. I did add one extra though an extra carabiner toclip the rope to the nylon ring. Quick and easy job.

Then came the zigzag cleat, the ideal place is in thehandle recess, I tried it with double sided tape andpicked the yak up to make sure the lift wasn't impaired.I wanted to bolt this but to do that I need access toinside the hull. No problem. Out came the Drenel(lookalike) first a metal cutting disc and then the sanderand tah-dah… access and the cleat is done.

Testing, testin

Next came fitting a rod tube…the flat area in front of the rear

hatch is the mould plug and is easilydrilled out and then a bit of sanding

and the recessed socket is fitted, boltedagain with access through the opened up

hatch

So all done now to try it on thewater to see how the Kaafu feelsSadly I would be out alone so no photos other thanthe view that greeted me at the launch point and atthe access to the River Wreake where I had plannedto fish.

First thing to say is how easy it was to board, I wasgetting on from the canal towpath with a drop of 18"and the Kaafu was very stable. I noticed that therewas water at the top of the footwell scuppers(possibly down to my 14st 10lbs) but the seatingarea was dry.

I sat at first without a seat and there was loads of legroom, then with a basic seat there was still plenty ofroom. Finally with a Crazy Creek II and now my feetcould only go in the last foot peg but that was noproblem, I am 6ft 1". I left the Crazy Creek in it tosave a numb bum.

I paddled along the canal/River Soar and I wasimmediately surprised at just how straight and swiftthis 'little' boat was. I have to say the effort to get itmoving was not noticeably more than the P13 andwith only the bare minimum of corrective strokes. Itwas also obvious that the roll on the bows did itsjob. Then I tried manoeuvrability and no surprisethere, at 10 ft it did what it should and turned on asixpence.

About 1/2 mile down river I had to haul out for alock and drag the Kaafu over a field and I have to saythe moulded handle made that more comfortablethan many other hauls I have done.

As the fishing was so poor, I emptied the gear ontothe bank and did a couple of self-rescues, A doddleto right the yak and to haul back on, again as oneshould expect. I sat side saddle and as we arenowadays expecting it took more tilt than you arelikely to use to tip it. I tried the anchor trolley and Iwas very pleased with how she settled.

Back at the car I checked inside the hull and the selfrescues had caused no water to get in.

I ended up paddling about four miles and I have tosay I was pleasantly surprised with the performance. I

am not saying I am getting rid of the P13 or my SINKbut when I am looking to do just a bit of lure fishingand cutting back on all the gear or to take the wifeor grandson out then this is just the job

Others have reviewed the Kaafu as a saltwater vesselso I will only comment on it as a fresh/flat waterfishing kayak.

Hand on heart I found myself smiling as I paddled, itis a great first kayak for people on a budget but alsoldeal for lure and fly fishing. It is stable anddeceptively fast and straight. If you are looking for acompetitively priced British made 10ft kayak thenconsider the Kaafu starting at £299. I don't think youwill be disappointed, I wasn't.

All parts came from Neil at H2O Kayaks who gaveexceptional service. If you haven't dealt with Neilthen you are one of the few. H2O are regularlypraised for their customer service. Rightly so!

www.h2okayaks.com/engine/shop/index.html

Fatyak Kaafu Surfing and Fishing Kayak (boat only): From £299 UK. Colours: electric blue, flaming orange, hot pink,lemon yellow, lime green, raging red and purple haze.Fatyak Kaafu Surfing and Fishing Kayak boat, paddle and seat back: From £339 UK.

ThePaddler 64

Go on, give us a ‘like’ on our Facebook page andbe entered into a free draw to have the chanceto win a pair of tickets to The Outdoors Show at:

https://www.facebook.com/ThePaddlercouk

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ThePaddler 66

An interview with…

ThePaddler 67

11-time Nepali National Kayak Champion and captain of Nepal’s national rafting team

Nim BMagar

here and what was your first paddle?My first actual paddling experience was in aNepalese traditional dugout canoe called‘dhunga’. My grandfather and father both had theduty in our local village for river crossing as therewas no bridge to access our community. Thisduty was to be passed to me; however, I foundmy own path and was the first person in myfamily to ever go to school. Now-a-days ourvillage is accessible by hand powered cable car.

My first real paddling experience was raftingfrom Simaltal (my village) down to Devghat inChitwan on the Lower Trisuli – Narayani River.For many years as a small boy, I saw raftingcompanies pass my village. “Bye bye” I wouldshout as they passed. They camped close to ourfarm, so I would go and try to help the guides inany way I could, by collecting firewood, washingdishes, peeling potatoes etc. Finally after manyyears, many groups, many different companiesand many attempts, I was allowed to join the raftwith Osprey Waterways in 1991 on a one timeexperience trip. In 1992 I was actually taken onby that same company as a trainee. I trained as ariver guide from 1992-1994 with them. In 1994,I joined West Himalayan Outdoor Company andstarted to learn kayaking with my first instructorMr Prem Lama.

Where did you grow up?I was born and grew up on a small subsistencefarm in a mud and manure house on the banks ofthe Trisuli River in Simaltal – Chhimkesory – 5,Tanahun, Nepal. Our family raised chickens,goats, pigs, cows, and buffalo and survived on therice, lentils, vegetables and fruits we grewourselves.

ThePaddler 68

W

Paddle Nepal was created in 2006 by Nim Magar with his

brothers Santosh and Som, whom are well known and respected in the international paddling community.

Together, they share over 35 years experience

guiding rivers in Nepal and around the world and their enthusiasm for paddling is

both inspiring and infectious.

ThePaddler 69

Is kayaking your only sport?I love football, but unfortunately I have badankles and as a child the doctors severed myankle ligaments disabling me from running well.It seems paddling and using my arms and not mylegs was my destiny.

If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be? What would you say to them?I don’t know.

What is your biggest accomplishment in your paddling?I have the most overall championship titles inNepal white water competitions.

What was your first international competition like?Ohhhhhh boy… it was interesting, challenging,terrifying, exciting, confusing and amazing! Myfirst international competition was in 1998 atTrechnet, France for the Down River Race WorldChampionships.

I remember arriving at Paris airport and myarrival instructions told me to catch the ‘yellow’train. I waited, waited and waited at the trainstation for a yellow train to appear, but after many hours, feeling hungry and thirsty and tired and overwhelmed no such train ever came. Eventually I saw another guy walk by with a paddle and quickly ran to ask him where he was going. Of course he was heading to the same

competition, and so he was able to help me! Ithen learned that there was no yellow train, butthat I was supposed to find the ‘yellow track’. Iwas very thankful that this guy (whose name Inow forget) was happy for me to tag along andwe found the competition site.

I was put together with a group of nations thathad very little experience and small teams suchas mine – only one! I had never seen or sat in adown river kayak in my life. I remember the firstday being surprised by the flat water lake trainingas I sat in the heavy plastic Perception WaveHopper. The kayak turned completely differentto what I had ever experienced and it wassoooooo difficult and uncomfortable for me. Iwas wishing I had a carbon boat like most of theparticipants – I felt embarrassed and frustrated.After a couple days of training, my instructorallowed me to run the short river course. In theend I am very proud to say that I came 33rd outof over 100 participants for 46 nations, but I donot remember the exact amount of participants.

One funny story is from the opening ceremony.All the different nations marched together withtheir teams and in front a local child held eachnation’s flag. As each of the national anthemswas played as the teams entered the arena, I wasalone as I walked between two large teams withcoaches and managers etc, and my Nepalesenational anthem was missed! I felt sad and aloneas I wore my traditional Nepalese dress trying torepresent my small country.

Nim B Magar

What would be your ultimate achievement?Now that I am older, I would love to be theNepalese National White Water Slalom Coachand help to train and escort our young Nepalesepaddlers to win a medal in the Olympics. Evennow, I am still very good at slalom and took firstplace in this year’s Himalayan White WaterChallenge. I would love to share this passion ofmine and give our new young paddlers a betterchance and support than I had as a young athletemany years ago at international competition.

What was the best advice you were ever given?Gerry Moffat once told me to never panic, toconcentrate and remain calm no matter what s?!thits the fan on or off the river. He also explainedto me to visualize my goals and be positive andthen I will realize my dreams.

Where is the best place you have ever been to?Nepal! Maybe after all my travels around theworld, I still believe that my own country ispretty amazing and feel very proud to be Nepali.I have been very lucky and have seen someamazing places. My son was born on Vancouver

Island in Canada, I have competed in Europeand I have worked and coached in Japan – andall of these countries have wowed me in someway, but after a few months of being away, itsnice to call Nepal home.

Have you ever had a role model?My father. My father taught me be honest andhard working. He showed me the concept of‘karma’ in our Nepalese culture. If we live life inan honest, kind and good way we will continueto live a long and healthy life over and over, butif we cheat our way to success then we will live ashorter life, less and less. He taught me thereward of working hard and living by a goodexample.

Thanks foryour time Nim.

ThePaddler 70

My father taught mebe honest and hardworking. He showedme the concept of

‘karma’ in ourNepalese culture. If

we live life in anhonest, kind andgood way we willcontinue to live a

long and healthy lifeover and over.

ThePaddler 71

ThePaddler 72

H I M A

W H I T E

Story and photos by: Kelly Magar

ThePaddler 73

W H I T E 2 0 1 2 R I V E R F E S T I V A L – N E P A L

L A Y A N

W A T E RThis year’s 11th

Himalayan White Water Challe

nge was “the best river

festival Nepal has ever seen,” accor

ding to many participants! Held on

the Trisuli River

from 23- 26th November, we had f

our days of action packed competit

ion, sunshine

and good times. This year saw a hu

ge number of competitors with 51 N

epali and 38

other nationalities including 18 stu

dents from the World Class Acade

my and six

women who joined us from 13 dif

ferent countries around the world.

ThePaddler 74

the crowd went crazy when

Sandra Hyslop from the World C

lass Academy

cruised through with a perfect run

The first day was the slalom race,

with a very challenging course of

14 gates pushing paddlers to their

limits. Not many people managed

a clean run, with lots of missed

gates and tired boaters at the

finish line. Competitors from

Paddle Nepal cleaned up the

slalom race with Nim Bahadur

Magar’s perfect run taking yet

another first place, followed by

Furba (Shyam) Tamang in second

and Mahadev Katuwal in third.

The music was pumping and

spectators dancing down between

gates 8 through 12, and the crowd

went crazy when Sandra Hyslop

from the World Class Academy

cruised through with a perfect

run and a time that put her in

eighth place overall with the men

– really outstanding paddling.

The next day was the freestyle

rodeo – a favourite event among

local spectators. With an

international judging panel

including Raphael Thiebaut,

Stephane Pion, Jacob Sedivy and

Ben Hawthorne, the boaters were

keen to impress.

The freestyle feature was a nice

clean wave but required a fair bit

of skill and strategy to combine

moves without flushing. In the end

it came down to just five paddlers,

each struggling to match the

highest scoring ride. After the first

two runs, Dipesh Gurung of Paddle

Nepal held on to first place while

the other four paddlers worked

hard to score big points and take

the title. While stamina started to

dwindle, crowd favourite Subash

Sedhai from Jigi Outdoor

impressed the crowd with some

really outstanding linked moves on

his final ride and took the first

place title. Dipesh Gurung of

Paddle Nepal held on to second

place and Raju Gurung of GRG

Adventure Kayaking took third

place.

The last day of the kayak

competitions featured Boater

Cross – a mass start sprint with

groups of six paddlers fighting

their way to the finish line. A

knock out style race pushed the

first two paddlers through to the

next level, until the final race was

down to six competitors. As a

new event in Nepal – there was a

bit of confusion to the rules of

race which led to a heavy amount

of disqualified paddlers. Once the

remaining competitors figured out

the rules and created a strategy, it

quickly became an exciting and

entertaining show for spectators

with a fair bit of carnage and

some very tight finishes, keeping

the crowd pumped up right to the

end.

While waiting for the awards

ceremony, fun games were held

and prizes such as Bungy Nepal

and Zip Flyer were up for grabs.

Finally after a huge dance off – the

organizers from Nepal Kayak

Club were ready with incredible

prizes lined up on the stage.

ThePaddler 75

Anup Gurung, president of the

Nepal Kayak Club and primary

organizer of the River Festival

took the stage to announce the

winners while Megh Ale, chairman

of the Nepal River Conservation

Trust assisted by giving out prizes.

Nepali winners received prizes of

international kayaking gear such

as paddles, spray decks and dry

bags, most of which was donated

by Tom Page from Canoe Shops

Group UK, Robson Paddles,

World Class Academy and

Aquapac. International winners

received prizes such as

Parahawking Tandem flights,

Frontiers Paragliding Tandem

Flights and Chitwan Jungle Safari

Adventure Packages and

Ayervedic Spa Gift Certificates

highlighting Nepal’s incredible

diversity of adventure activities to

our participants from around the

world.

Unfortunately our female

competitors did not receive any

special prizes and were not

recognized at the awards

ceremony for their participation

and incredible achievement, which

was an unfortunate oversight,

disappointing not only the ladies

but also all the men who cheered

them on. KUDOS ladies and

thanks for paddling alongside the

men and helping to inspire Nepali

women in the sport of white

water kayaking.

That night’s party saw a lot of

tired paddlers from all walks of

life shrugging off their fatigue and

celebrating together on the dance

floor while Nepal’s very popular

rock bad ‘Cob Web’ played into

the night.

The final day enjoyed a fun raft

trip down the Trisuli River from

Royal Beach Camp back to

Fishling, followed by a friendly

mass protest, which closed the

main highway of Nepal for about

15 minutes to help raise

awareness of the plight of Nepal’s

beautiful white water rivers and

the Nepal River Conservation

Trust’s efforts.

Nepal Kayak Club would like

to say thank you to all the

generous sponsors,

supporters, volunteers and

friends who made this event

such a success. Most

importantly we would like to

thank Nim and Kelly Magar

from Paddle Nepal for their

incredible contribution to

this year’s River Festival and

for their many dedicated

years of service providing

technical logistics to the

Himalayan White Water

Challenge. Additional thanks

go out to Maila Gurung and

Chrissy Dawkins from GRG

Adventure Kayaking, Bishnu

Gurung from Adventure Aves

Nepal and Deepak Nepal

from Hard Core Nepal for

their valuable support.

If you would like to be a part

of next year’s event or are

interested in providing

sponsorship, please contact

info@nepalkayakclub.com

Stay tuned to

www.nepalkayakclub.com

for next year’s Himalayan White W

ater Challenge.

We hope to see you there…

ThePaddler 76

Following the

paddle strokes of

Oskar SpeckReproduced courtesy of the

Australian National Maritime Museum.

ThePaddler 77

Following the

paddle strokes of

Oskar Speck

Part 2: Greece to Turkey

Story and images by Sandy R

obsonEdited by Patrick KinsellaFirst published in Paddlem

ag in Australia

ThePaddler 78

When the wind has a name, then you know it is something to be respected.

Here the wind is called Meltemi and it can blast for days at a time. As I paddled, I could see gusts marchingacross the ocean surface toward me, sometimes spiralling around with suchforce that I had to brace my paddle close to the kayak and wait for the furyto pass.

Self portrait on a windy day from Tilos to Alimia.

I had my share of perfect days, with an oceanvista complemented by a view all the way to thesea floor through crystal-clear water. The littleblue and white churches perched on the cliff topsin remote coves reminded me to give thanks forthe beauty of my surroundings.

But then there's the wind. When the wind has aname, then you know it is something to berespected. Here the wind is called Meltemi and itcan blast for days at a time. The islands are unlikeanywhere else I have paddled. Normally you canlook at a forecast and paddle on the shelteredside of an island, but in the Aegean, there is nosheltered side. The wind blows onto one side ofthe island, climbs up the peaks and blasts withkatabatic force over the water on the other side of the island.

ThePaddler 79

Kayaking in the Greek Islands can be idyllic. The route took me south from Thessaloniki and along the coast of the second largest Greek Island, Evia – so huge that until you reach its southern cape, you forget that it's an island at all. Then the real island hopping begins, first Andros, then Tinos, Mykonos, Naxos, Koufonisi, Amorgos, Kinaros, Kalymnos, Kos, Nisyros, Tilos, Halki, Alimia and finally Rhodos.

Wonky donkeyinspecting my dinnerefforts in Greece,

ThePaddler 80

As I paddled, I could see gusts marching acrossthe ocean surface toward me, sometimesspiralling around with such force that I had tobrace my paddle close to the kayak and wait forthe fury to pass. I know from previousexperience that when the environment getstough you have to adapt and go with the forcesaround you rather then fighting them. Dayplans have to align with nature more and witha wristwatch less.

In Greece this meant long siestas in the middleof the day, getting back on the water in the lateafternoon and paddling until it got dark.Sometimes it meant not getting on the waterat all.

The crux of this section was the Cavo D’oro.This strait between Evia and Andros has afearsome reputation as the most treacherousarea in the entire Aegean, and people werewaiting to see if I could paddle it in a kayak.Entering the bay near Karystos at the southernend of Evia Island, I immediately got a taste ofCavo D’oro conditions. Strong meltemi andkatabatic winds blasting across the bay wereproducing a terrifying swell that I foundmyself battling against, whilst looking over myshoulder at a rocky shoreline that I did notwant to end up against.

I was pushed out of my comfort zone and ittook every bit of muscle power I had to get

Oskar’s craftwasn’t designed for the ocean and, surprisingly, he couldn’t swim.

When he got worried he would tie himself to his kayak with a rope!

Oskar in his boat.

Reproduced courtesy of the Australian National Maritime Museum.

ThePaddler 81

Oskar’s craftwasn’t designed for the ocean and, surprisingly, he couldn’t swim.

When he got worried he would tie himself to his kayak with a rope!

through the fury and safely onto the beachthat day. Far greater than the physicalchallenge though, was the mental challenge ofwaiting out the next three days until theconditions eased.

The strain of deciding when to stay and when togo is, for me, the toughest part of a kayakingexpedition. Here, for the first time, I startedquestioning my ability to complete the trip. Icouldn't yet see and judge the Cavo D’oro straitthat lay around the headland from my camp,and my trepidation rose and fell with the tide.

Eventually conditions did abate andthankfully the crossing was easier than

expected. Oskar was welcomed to Andros byEnglish-speaking children. Beaching my kayak,I too was met by three children who spokeexcellent English and who quickly arranged aplace for me to camp near their grandfather’shome.

Local fishermen proved an excellent source ofinformation when it came to understandingweather patterns. After a strong meltemi suchas I'd just experienced, I was told there canoften be a fortnight of calm conditions. Thisproved true, and I got myself across the AegeanSea in that weather window.

Greek Campsiteon roof of Tinoschurch.

Greek Campsiteon Alimia.

Mai

n ph

oto:

Sand

y cu

ts a

lone

ly fi

gure

leav

ing

anta

lya.

Phot

o by

Sey

fi Yilm

az.

ThePaddler 82

To help Sandy continue with her adventure, she needs 1,000 people willing to give 20 AUDS. Contact Sandy for details on how to make a donation at: robsonsandy@hotmail.comwww.sandy-robson.com

Kekova, Turkey. Photo by Sandy Robson

ThePaddler 83

But, he got it. He understood why I was makingthe journey. He told me he admired the fact thatI was chasing a crazy dream, because everyonehas dreams but most people do not dare torealise them. He relates to me because he left'normal' behind in Istanbul to come and live onthe coast. He also relates to me because he is afisherman who loves being out on the sea. Heand I share the knowledge that there's an awfullot in this world that we can do without, butdreams are not one of those things.

Crossing into Turkey by ferry I accepted. Turkeyis an amazing place to paddle and never have Ihad so many cups of tea and such warmhospitality from complete strangers. I will neverwin the lottery because I've had my luckhundreds of times over in experiences andfriendships.

It felt like some outside force was bringingeverything together perfectly so I was extremelydisappointed when bureaucracy again stoppedme kayaking across to Cyprus. I couldn't retraceOskar's route around Cyprus either, because it'snow a divided island and once you land in thenorth there is no way you can go by sea to landin the south.

to complete the trip and became comfortablewith whatever the weather threw at me, newchallenges emerged. Like Oskar, I was runningout of money and sometimes only ate two mealsa day to make my funds go further.

More frustrating though, were border crossingsand bureaucracy. Relations between Greece andTurkey were such that I was advised not toattempt to cross over by kayak. I triedtelephoning an agent that organised yachttransits into Turkey – after all, I did have a sail onmy kayak – but he hung up the phone.

When I'd exhausted all other options I gave upand crossed the border by ferry. The problemwas, people don't realise what a girl in a seakayak can do. If they'd authorised me to go, thenthey would be taking responsibility for myactions, and nobody wanted to put their job onthe line for some foreign girl with a crazy plan.

“Are you crazy?” is a question I've heard severaltimes since I started following Oskar Speck. ATurkish fisherman said he could relate to mebecause “I have something broken.” I lookedpuzzled, wondering if part of my kayak wasbusted, so he clarified: “Something broken in thehead.”

As I gained confidence in my ability

To help Sandy continue with her adventure, she needs 1,000 people willing to give 20 AUDS. Contact Sandy for details on how to make a donation at: robsonsandy@hotmail.comwww.sandy-robson.com

Far Left: Andros Camping. Photo bySandy Robson

Left: Packing the kayak Antalya Turkey.Photo by Seyfi Yilmaz

“Are you crazy?” is a question I've heard several times since I started following Oskar Speck.

A Turkish fisherman said he could relate to me because

“I have something broken.”

ThePaddler 84

Sandy began paddling Stage 2 on the west coast of India in December 2012 and is now paddling southfrom Mumbai... you can follow the journey as it unfoldson www.sandy-robson.com.

To follow Sandy’s expedition view:www.vskc.org.au/ExpedDashboard.asp?ExpedID=13

For more information on Oskar view:www.anmm.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=1416&c=915

expedition onthe Turkish Cypriot side and visited themonastery where Oskar stayed at CapeAndreas. From here I gazed over the vast oceanto the horizon and thought of Oskar settingout to paddle for two days to cross to Syria inthe east. Surely he would have been terrifiedfor his life, paddling that distance in thefolding kayak.

With all the red tape I'd recently bumpedagainst, I was no longer sure how and where toend my paddling for Stage One, but there wasone place I still wanted to see: CapeKormakitis. Oskar was so fatigued by thecrossing from Turkey to Cyprus, that he losttrack of reality. He started to be unsure if hewas alive or dead. As he got closer to CapeKormakitis in the dark, he saw two crosses onthe hill and he thought maybe he hadperished, and these crosses were for him andthe puppy Mehmet that travelled beneath thespray cover.

At Cape Kormakitis, my frustration about thebureaucracy I'd been battling against wasabruptly exorcised from my mind. When you'refollowing your dream, nothing can truly get inyour way, it's just a matter of paddling aroundthe obstacles and staying focussed on yourdestination – however far distant that mayseem.

I made a short

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ThePaddler 86

BIGis

Nuchatlitz Provincial Park

Vancouver Island, BC, Canada

By Christina ChowaniecDam Good Logistics, Inc. Adventure Logistics & Trip Planninghttp://damgoodlogistics.com

ThePaddler 87

BIGis

Nuchatlitz Provincial Park

Vancouver Island, BC, Canada

By Christina ChowaniecDam Good Logistics, Inc. Adventure Logistics & Trip Planninghttp://damgoodlogistics.com

ThePaddler 88

When you think about paddling onVancouver Island, it is probably the BrokenIsland Group in Barkley Sound near Ucluletthat comes to mind. It is the most popularand definitely the busiest route on the island.The truth is that Vancouver Island is big,31,000 square kilometers, or roughly onequarter the size of England, and it has acoastline of about 3,400 kms, so the paddlingopportunities are massive as well. One tripthat presents a great combination of stunningscenery, fantastic wildlife viewing andmanageable west coast Vancouver Islandpaddling, is the Nuchatlitz Provincial Park and surrounding area. There is plenty of great paddling in the more protected sound and if the weather and sea conditions allow, you can venture out along the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island.

Wreck of a Greek freighter inLouie Bay (near Tongue Point)

The pieces form sculptures that are almostpretty in post-apocalyptic kind of way

ThePaddler 89

Wreck of a Greek freighter inLouie Bay (near Tongue Point)

is located onthe west coast of Vancouver Island just north ofNootka Island. It comprises most of the smallislands off the northwest coast of Nootka Islandas well as a portion of the northwest tip ofNootka itself. It is a great place to paddle as thearea is relatively protected and the paddling is anintricate a maze of small islands and reefs. Theseremote islands offer both exposed coast andprotected waters for paddling, quiet coves and amultitude of beaches. You can also leave the parkproper and paddle west out into Nuchatlitz Inlet.There are sea caves, sea stacks, reefs and hugebeaches all along the north shore of the inlet.

The whole area is steeped in history. NootkaIsland, just to the south of the park is whereCaptain James Cook first set foot on VancouverIsland in 1778. He came ashore at Yuquot(Friendly Cove). Later Captain George Vancouverwould use Nootka Sound as his winter harbourwhen charting the coast in 1792-93. As with

many stories of howplace names cameto be, it was amisunderstandingthat gave Nootka itsname. As CaptainCook approached toland at Yuquot thelocal people, theMowachahts, calledout "itchme nutka”or "go around” (tothe sheltered cove).Cook mistook thisas their name forthe island and it hasbeen known as‘Nootka’ ever since.The rights toownership ofNootka, and its

accompanying, and very lucrative, sea otter tradeled the Britain and Spain to the brink of war inthe early 1790s.

Sea otters are one of the main reasons to visit thearea. It is one of the best places in the world tosee otters in their natural habitat. They areridiculously adorable and are so much fun to sitand watch. There are hundreds of them living inthe waters in and around the park, you can’t helpbut see them. They are a constant, in big wavesand small, good weather and bad, floatingaround on their backs or bobbing upright in thekelp beds.

In late spring and early summer the young onesare around as well, often resting on theirmother’s backs and really, the only thing cuterthan a sea otter is a baby sea otter. Otters are akeystone species. They are essential for keepingthe sea urchin population in check and ensuringthe health of the giant kelp forests. They werehunted to extinction between the 1790s and theearly 1900s, their thick pelts were worthincredible sums in the Chinese markets. Theywere reintroduced in the 1970s and have sincereclaimed two thirds of their original territoryand have restored the ecosystems of the westernkelp forests.

Sea otters aren’t the only creatures inhabiting thearea. There is a chance you will see Grey whales.You will no doubt come across both seals andsea lions. The bird life is rich and varied and theintertidal life is a given.

I would suggest having 5-6 days to explore the area,especially if you want to spend a day paddling onthe ‘outside’ of Vancouver Island. Overleaf is oneapproach to exploring the area. It will give you asense of the paddling and of the things to see anddo. Between the caves, the intricate shorelines,wrecks, trails, wildlife and fantastic beaches you willnot be for want of interesting corners or greatcampsites. I think you will find that the only thingyou are short on is time.

Do keep in mind that despite the protection ofthe islands that you are still very close to theexposed west coast. Wind can be a problem.Strong inflow winds into the long access inletscan make for difficult paddling. Make sure thatyou get early starts, monitor weather and put indistance before the wind comes up.

ThePaddler 90

Nuchatlitz Park

The whole area is steeped in history. Nootka Island, just to the south of the park is where

Captain James Cook first set foot on Vancouver Island in 1778

ThePaddler 91

Sea caves and waterfall betw

een Belmont and

Benson Points near Nuchatlitz Inlet.

Day 1Leave from Zeballos, drive out and put in at LittleEspinosa Inlet (see below for exact drivinginstructions). Little Espinosa becomes Espinosa,which leads out into the park. Wind your waythrough the intricate maze of islands in the parkand choose a campsite on one of the sandybeaches of Rosa Island or the unnamed islands37, 40, 44. They are all inviting. The paddlinghere is the most intricate as you paddle throughthe islands off the coast of Nootka proper.

Day 2Leave the park and paddle east towardsNuchatlitz Inlet. Paddle along a really interestingshoreline of sea caves, reefs, sea stacks betweenBelmont and Benson Points in the NuchatlitzInlet. There is one spot where two caves are sideby side and one cave has a waterfall comingdown over its entrance. You can paddle into thecave on the right side, beach your boat and thenwalk behind the falls to the cave beside it. Thereare more stunning white sand beaches up atBenson Point for camping.

Day 3Explore Louie Bay. Between Florence Point andTongue Point there are coves and beaches andgreat protected paddling.

There is a really interesting wreck of a Greekfreighter in Louie Bay (just inside Tongue Point).It was towed into the bay and blown-up to besold for scrap. That never happened and thepieces form a strange art gallery to paddle though (high tide) or walk around (low tide). The pieces

form sculptures that are almost pretty in post-apocalyptic kind of way.

At Tongue Point there is a Native youth campand at the back of it is a trail to a WWII radarstation. A great way to stretch paddling legs andsee some big trees and west coast forest.

There is also a lagoon in Louie Bay (be sure totime it with the tides to avoid dragging yourboat) paddle to the end of the lagoon, beachyour boats and tie them up and them walk to theouter coast. The trailhead for the Nootka Trail(35km walking trail along the west coast ofNootka between Louie Bay and Friendly Cove) isat the end of the lagoon.

ThePaddler 92

One approach toexploring the area

Paddle along a really interesting shorelineof sea caves, reefs, sea stacks between

Belmont and Benson Points in the Nuchatlitz Inlet

Campsite at Garden Point on the west side ofEsperenza Inlet (just behind Centre Island).

ThePaddler 93

Here you can make the decision to head ‘outside’and paddle down the coast a bit. If you decide todo that, there is a beach at Calvin Creek Fallswhere water cascades into pools on the beach. Itis about a 10 km paddle one way to the beach soyou might want to consider camping there andreturning the next day. Keep in mind that thereare few beaches and landing points between thepoint and Calvin Creek so you may not be ableto get out of your boat until Calvin Creek Fallsbeach.

Day 4 (or 5)Retrace your steps back towards the park. Campat one of the sandy beaches of Rosa Island andthe unnamed islands 37, 40, 44 that you missedon the way out. Or continue to Garden Point onthe west side of Esperenza Inlet (just behindCentre Island). Very pretty little islands, reefs andsandy beaches. One of the nicest camping spotson the whole route.

Day 5 (or 6)Make an early start and head back throughEspinosa Inlet to the take out.

Exiting Espinosa Inlet into Nuchatlitz Park.

ThePaddler 94

Weather: Vancouver Island benefits greatly from being detachedto the rest of the continent as it sees a much more temperate climate.The ocean air brings more humidity to the island, keeping it warmer,but this also brings rain. Vancouver Island is truly lush and green withincredible forestland. There is a weather division along the islandbecause of the mountains. The west side of the island sees the snow inthe winter and also the most rain. In fact, the west side of the island hasthe most annual rainfall of anywhere in North America. In return, themountains protect the east side from harsh winds and weather andthus it is much warmer with mild winters. For very detailed BritishColumbia climate information, check out Environment Canada's BCclimate page and select the specific locations you're interested in.

Access to Nuchatlitz Provincial Park: The park islocated approximately 18 km southwest of Zeballos, on the west coast ofVancouver Island between Nuchatlitz and Esperanza inlets. Access is byboat or float plane only. Camping is free. Reference Canadian marine charts#3676 and #3662 for more information.

Drive north along Highway 19 past Campbell River and up to Woss. AtWoss you go west on a well-maintained Forest Service Road to Zeballos(42 kms). The best place to launch your trip from is Little Espinosa Inlet(which will take you into Espinosa Inlet and into the area surroundingNuchatlitz Park). Drive about 5 kms past Zeballos (towards Fair Harbour)and there is a bridge across Marmat Creek. Cross over the bridge and parkon the pullout. There is a small rapid where the creek meets the inlet, butyou can launch just under the bridge at the base of the rapid without anyproblem. There is a small kayak shop in Zeballos, but the boat selection is abit thin. You should definitely call ahead to make sure someone will be thereand to make sure that the boats are available. Otherwise you can rent inVictoria or Nanaimo and bring them in yourself.

Dam Good Logistics (http://damgoodlogistics.com) is a Vancouver basedcompany that specializes in custom self-guided kayak tours on the BC coast.We match your skills and expectations with a trip that suits you best andthen we equip you to do it. You get the convenience of a package tour withthe independence and flexibility of a custom designed trip. Personalizedroute planning, gear, food and transport for trips into the Nuchatlitz andother west coast paddling destinations.

Largest and tallest: With a length of approximately 460 km and anaverage breadth of 100 km, Vancouver Island is comparable in size to somecountries such as the Netherlands and Taiwan. Rain and mild temperatureshave fostered the development of temperate rain forests. Vancouver Island ishome to two UNESCO biosphere reserves – Clayoquot and Arrowsmith.Della Falls, in Strathcona Provincial Park, is Canada’s highest waterfall, at 440metres (1,452 feet) and one of the ten highest in the world. CarmanahWalbran Provincial Park is home to some of the world’s largest spruce trees,some reaching heights in excess of 95 metres (310 feet) and living for 800years and more

Geography: There are 9,396 lakes on Vancouver Island and there areover 1,000 recorded caves on Vancouver Island.

INFORMATION

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Vancouver

http://damgoodlogistics.com

ThePaddler 95

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BOATHOUSE ON THE TAY FOR SALE 10m access to Tay FREE

An OttawaodysseyBy Todd Zillwood-HuntOne car, two paddles, a couple of spraydecks, various other bits of outfitting onkayaks and a soul or two. This was thebroken list from the KJO Burners onour return from a two-week trip toCanada, not bad for nine of us really.Before I get into the story, I shouldprobably mention no one’s soul wasactually broken – we all came awayfrom Canada buzzing and eager for thenext trip. Although a couple of swimsdented the pride of some people alittle.

To read further visit:

www.thepaddler.co.uk/expottawa.html

Vancouver IslandA trip of contrastsBy Kathy PatchingAn idea set in motion a year previouslycame to fruition in August – a trip of alifetime to wilderness sea kayak withwhales off Vancouver Island.

We spent six months planning and thesame time increasing our paddling,expedition and rescue skills inpreparation for the expectedunpredictable weather and conditionsand isolation of the coastal areas.

To read further visit:

www.thepaddler.co.uk/expvancouverisland.html

ThePaddler 96

To read further visit:

www.thepaddler.co.uk/expvancouverisland.html

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ThePaddler 98

ThePaddler 99

Something my Mother used to tell mewhen I was growing up and when shewanted me to clean my room. It resoundseven more now when it comes to takingout my kayak for a day of fishing.

Everythingin its placeand a place foreverything

By Bill BragmanPresident, Yak-Gear Inc. Houston, Texas

ThePaddler 100

Next I looked at my lines of sight

to see where taller things can be put to not hinder your vision and especially to not hinder your casting

ThePaddler 101

boatperson there was so much room to storeeverything. So where do you put everything now?What anchor do I use, what about an anchortrolley or just install an anchor cleat? Shouldeverything be leashed, or do I take a chance ofthings not getting lost, or slipping off my kayak?There are so many choices and so manyapplications.

Personalizing my kayak has become a favouritepastime for me. It started eight years ago and aneed to put “Everything in its place”. Bungee kitsto hold things down and in place. Leashesspecifically made for paddles or fishing poles.The easiest decision ended up being what kayakto buy, even though I thought at the time is wasthe hardest. Then the hard part truly began in“rigging it right.” How much gear do I actuallybring on each and every trip? Am I comfortablewith drilling holes in my perfectly good kayak?Where are resources for me to even start to learnabout what should I do. The hard part eight yearsago was the resources were not there as they aretoday for me to learn or even buy a lot of thethings I wanted to install. Even when I did findthings, they were boat parts that I was installingon a kayak. Purchasing a 6-inch anchor cleat justseemed like a little overkill.

The best idea, I found was to take my kayak withnothing in it, put it in the water and paddle alittle and realize where my paddle stroke was to

make sure that anything I did install did not getin the way of my stroke. I also took a Sharpie andput small dots where I thought I wanted toinstall different things. Next I looked at my linesof sight to see where taller things can be put tonot hinder your vision and especially to nothinder your casting. When I got home, I drew upa version of my kayak and went to my local kayakshop just to see what they had. I got some greatideas, and bought a few things but then alsosearched online for the things that they did nothave. When I was done designing, I began todouble check and triple check by sitting in mykayak with my drawing and checked and double-checked before I started drilling holes. The garagedoor was up and I am sure my passingneighbours thought I was crazy. But, it wasimportant to understand where to put the items Ihad selected. Many times the experts at your localkayak store can make recommendations.Remember, that you are different than the lastperson they talked to. Your height, weight andagility come in to play when placing things.

Growing up as a

Two flush mount rod holders – to installbehind me. One was to hold my extra pole andthe other to hold my anchor.

Front rod holder – to hold the pole I wasactively using and to also use it for trolling. I likethe idea of being able to see the rod in front ofme when trolling then having it behind me.

Pad eyes – I realized quickly that you can neverhave enough pad eyes, to secure things to.

Two anchor cleats and anchor trolley –realizing that I would be anchoring in shore andoffshore, I knew I needed both.

Drift anchor and 3.5 pound drapnel anchor –different anchoring and drifting opportunitiesdepending where I was. I also learned how toRock Rig an Anchor after I lost two of them onmy first few trips.

A milk crate – to go behind me to store afew things, such as water, food bars, extralures, a first aid kit and extra lengths ofrope for my anchor.

Leashes, leashes and more leashes –were on my list. Actually on my secondlist, because the first time out I almost lostmy paddle when I capsized and I did loseone of my Fishing poles. After I boughtleashes, it never happened again. Thecapsizing did, but not the losing part!

ThePaddler 102

These are the itemsI wanted for my firstattempt at everydayfishing…

Eight years ago very few things came in kits, soeach installation had its own trials andtribulations. Always remember to save the smallcutouts from your flush mount rod holders to usea plugging material when you make mistakes. Anddon’t forget the waterproof silicone, a must for‘rigging’. Lately a lot of the items I buy are alreadyin kits with all the necessary hardware andinstructions, so I can ‘rig it right’. It’s fun topersonalize your kayak, and for me the fun hasnever really stopped. Over the last eight years andfour kayaks later, I am still adding more riggingand finding out better ways to use each and everypart, for the thing I enjoy most:

kayak fishing.

Kit drift anchor

Anchor 3lb grab kit

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ThePaddler 104

On the Texas Gulf coast each year, as the first fewcold fronts come drifting from the north, we haveour version of this known as the ‘Bull Red Run’. The‘Bull Red Run’ is about spawning. Bull reds, whichare mostly female red drum, move from the Gulf,closer in to shore and close to Gulf passes thatconnect various Texan bays to the Gulf of Mexico.Matured male and female redfish begin to filter outof the bays, where they have lived, to the beachfrontin order to congregate with the spawning fish.

During this time, usually September through lateOctober, the Redfish also have a hefty appetite,different from Salmon that do not eat when theyspawn. The beaches and passes start getting heavytraffic from various anglers, boaters, kayakers andbeach fisherman all looking to catch a prized ‘BullRed’. The term ‘Bull Red’ is given to any Red Drumover 28 inches in length, and can get as long as 50inches with weights starting at about 12 poundsrunning up to 35 pounds. Most anglers do ‘catchand release’, which is the right thing to do.

The first weekend in October 2012, we headed toour favourite beach spot in search of the prizedcatch. We leave early afternoon, stopping at a smallinland waterway to cast net for bait. ‘Bull Reds’ likefresh Cut Menhaden or Cut Mullet. Typically inthe inland waterways Mullet is easily found. Whenwe get to the beach front, we will cast net again forMenhaden. Now the work starts by readying ourlines, getting the kayaks outfitted and various otherpreparations. During the early afternoon weventured off shore in our kayaks. We basically takeeverything out or off of our kayaks to minimizewhat we are carrying. One strong 5-foot off shorerod, three or four extra leaders and a small coolerof cut bait. Through the surf and then paddling outabout 200 yards off shore we toss the bait, paddlea little and then anchor up. Anchoring in itself isdifferent than our typical fishing trips. In 30-40feet of water, about 100 feet of anchor rope isneeded. We also put a float on the end of the ropebefore attaching it to the kayak. We do this so wecan release the anchor when a catch is on, sleighride with the fish pulling us around and oncecaught and released, easily find the anchor ropebobbing on top of the water, only to start the ritualall over again.

Once the night fell we began to use the surf rodson the beach front, wading waist deep and heavingthe bait at the end of these 12 foot rods as far as wecan. We also set up large lights to shine in thewater to help attract bait and our prized targets.Settle back in your chair, listen to the waves andthe wind and wait for the ultimate bend in yourrod and the whirring of the reel that somethinglarge has hit it. We usually stay overnight or at leasttill midnight. We try to choose the right days, theright conditions and today we were pleasantlysurprised with the catch. Five Bull Reds during theday and an additional six at night. Like ‘TheRunning of the Bulls’ in Spain, we look forward towhat next year will hold. Once you have tried itand are successful, you are hooked, and hopefullythe Bull Reds are too!

In Pamplona, Spain each year they have ‘The Runningof the Bulls’, a wonderful or not so wonderful yearlyritual, where the participants run screaming down thestreets, being chased by angry bulls with half of themare run over or gouged.

The runningof thebulls

ThePaddler 106

FatYak KayaksTel. 01984 632026www.fatyak-kayaks.co.uk

The Fatyak Kaafu is a one piece rotationally moulded kayak, no seams no joints and ismanufactured using high grade high density UV stabilised polyethylene. It has moulded in padeyefixings giving unsurpassed leak protection. All Fatyak kayaks are manufactured in accordance toBS7852 in Somerset England. The 2012 Kaafu from fatyak offers the versatility that Sit-on-Topkayakers want. It’s unique stable lines ensures that children, fishermen, sport and recreationalkayakers will all have an enjoyable time.

We believe in good value for money and strive to provide you with the best product at a great price.We are innovative and are always looking to expand our range. We have many years of experiencein rotationally moulded products and are hand to answer any questions you may have.

Available to purchase from our accessory section are fishing rod holders etc.

The Fatyak Kaafu

If you missed…

Simon Everett’sKayak fishing

in the seafrom issue 3 Then see the online magazine athttp://issuu.com/thepaddler/docs/thepaddler_3or on:

ThePaddler.co.uk www.thepaddler.co.uk/startseafishing.html

All Fatyak kayaks are manufactured in accordance to BS7852 in Somerset, England.ISO 9001,14001, 18001 accredited manufacturer.

The Fatyak Kaafu is a one piece rotationally moulded kayak, no seams no joints and ismanufactured using high grade high density UV stabilised polyethylene. It has moulded in padeyefixings giving unsurpassed leak protection. All Fatyak kayaks are manufactured in accordance toBS7852 in Somerset England. The 2012 Kaafu from fatyak offers the versatility that Sit-on-Topkayakers want. It’s unique stable lines ensures that children, fishermen, sport and recreationalkayakers will all have an enjoyable time.

We believe in good value for money and strive to provide you with the best product at a great price.We are innovative and are always looking to expand our range. We have many years of experiencein rotationally moulded products and are hand to answer any questions you may have.

Available to purchase from our accessory section are fishing rod holders etc.

Testimonial“The Fatyak Kaafu is a superb kayak with lots of cleverly designed features. On our tests, we found it a very dry ride;the only water we had in the cockpit area was from paddle drips. The hatches were dry and fixtures well placed.

“The kayak tracked well and paddled really easily. This is a very responsive kayak. It's also very easy to handle and puton the roof rack due to the fixed balanced handles. The recommended retail of the bare kayak is around £300 so this isa very affordable option and sure to become a favourite amongst us kayak anglers."

North Wales Kayak Fishing.co.uk

Full review: http://northwaleskayakfishing.co.uk/index.html

The Fatyak Kaafu

The annual Show, this year situated withinExCeL’s South hall, is widely renowned for beingthe first place to see the latest marineinnovations, design and technology. The 2013Tullett Prebon London Boat Show will host thelatest launches, products and marine brands, aswell as offer a wide range of activities that willentertain the whole family –there will besomething to suit every taste and budget!

2013 ShowAttractions IncludeThe Knowledge Box This is the place to head for those keen to learnfrom leading experts on a wide range of subjects.This year’s Knowledge Box programme will consistof a variety of talks such as how to successfullymaintain an engine, which lifejacket to select tocompelling tales of journeys across the oceans. TheShow’s lineup includes Richard Harpham,kayaking traveller, along with marine experts,nautical adventurers, experienced sailors andtechnical specialists daily.

Multi-Activity PoolsThe On The Water multi-activity pools are at thecentre of the Show’s action and offer the perfectopportunity to test your skills at a variety ofactivities. You can either try canoeing or kayaking,or if you prefer not to get wet, head down to theMicro Magic attraction to watch and take part inthe model yacht racing. Mini match racing andregattas of the radio controlled yachts will be takingplace throughout the full nine days of the Show,don’t miss your chance to be crowned champion!

World CruisingBrand new for 2013 the World Cruising attractionwill immerse visitors into the life of a cruiser. Showvisitors will have the chance to speak with expertsand gain first hand ‘how-to’ advice as well as beingable to talk with specialists who provideequipment for these type of journeys. You will alsofind three ARC and ocean cruising yachts that arefully kitted out to enable long term living on boardto explore. To top this off there will be theopportunity to take a tour of the globe through arange of masterful photography showcasingbeautiful images from the world’s seas and oceans.

The Marina and Dock EdgeScaling from model boats right through to thelargest vessels on display at the Show, the marina isan essential spectacle, as is the 500m of dock edgewhich will boast some impressive craft and on-water displays from four times British Jet SkiFreestyle Champion Jack Moule.

Used Boats MarinaAmongst the action outside, the Used BoatsMarina is perfect for perusing a variety of usedboats for sale, catering for all budgets and needs.Whether you are in the market for a previouslyloved boat or simply intrigued about the price ofyour current vessel, make sure to visit thisadditional sector in boat retail to see just how faryour money can go, and of course with no buildtime, these boats are ready to sail away straightafter the Show.

Feature Boats Two Global Challenge yachts will be out on themarina for the 2013 Show. These 72ft boats thathave sailed around the world twice, the wrong way,

ThePaddler 108

The Tullett Prebon London Boat Showreturns to ExCeL London from 12-20 January2013 and promises to light up the capital with astunning showcase of all things marine.

will now be available for visitors to climb aboardand explore. Sarah, from the Tall Ships Youth Trustwho now use her to provide people with ‘theultimate Sail Training experience’ and CatZerofrom the company of the same name who workwith young people to get them back intoemployment, will be there for the full 9 days foryou to get up close and personal with.

UK Star ChampionshipsFor three days Fine Art Sails, a first-of-its-kindcollaboration between world class yachting andinternationally acclaimed fine artists, will bringsomething truly different and exciting forspectators and Show visitors. On Friday 18through to Sunday 20 January 2013, ten Star classkeelboats will take to the waters of the RoyalVictoria Docks, outside the Tullett Prebon LondonBoat Show, to race in the introductory CNMEstates UK Star Championships. See over 18renowned Olympic and World champion sailors,boasting up to 10 Olympic medals among themwill be taking part in the regatta. This includestriple Olympic medallist Iain Percy, doubleOlympic medallist Andrew Simpson and Olympicmedallists Pippa Wilson, Ian Walker, Mark Covell,Michael McIntyre and Bryn Vaile.

BoardwalksBack inside the South Hall the boardwalks aredesigned to look exactly like a marina; just withoutthe water. For the 2013 Show there will be severalboardwalks dotted around the Show allowing youto step onto a selection of the world’s best powerand sail boats.

The Luxury Brand ShowThe Tullett Prebon London Boat Show continuesthe element of enjoying the very best that themarine lifestyle has to offer. Enjoy even moreluxury and glamour at the 2013 Show, with thecomplementary Luxury Brand Show, situatedwithin the South hall.

The London Bike, Outdoors andActive Travel ShowsFrom Thursday 17 to Sunday 20 January 2013, theNorth Hall, opposite the Tullett Prebon London

Boat Show, will play host to the London Bike,Outdoors and Active Travel Shows. Access to allthese shows, including The Luxury Brand Show isgranted with just one ticket, offering excellentvalue for money with entrance to five shows forthe cost of just one.

Located at ExCeL, it could not be easier to visit theShow - with the new cable car spanning the riverfrom Greenwich to the Royal Docks; you can takein views of London on the way! It is also accessibleby DLR, rail and car parking tickets can bepurchased in advance for a daily price of £12 withan adult or concession advance Show ticket*.

Keep updated on Show news and developmentsvia the Tullett Prebon London Boat Show website

www.londonboatshow.com

ThePaddler 109

SHOW TICKET OFFERBook Standard Adult tickets in advance from£10, valid Monday 14 – Wednesday 16 January2013 OR come on any other day from £14. Totake advantage of this £14 ticket offer, simply callthe ticket hotline on 0871 230 7140** andquote your promotional code of L32, offer endsmidnight 11th January 2013. For every adultticket purchased, two children aged 15 years andunder can be admitted for free†.

Other great ways to experience the Show:

• Late Entry Tickets from £10*• NEW! Parking book in advance and save –

from £12. Subject to availability terms andconditions apply see website for details

* £10 tickets available for all day admission on14th, 15th and 16th January 2013 only. £10tickets are also available for admission after3pm on any day of the show.

** Calls cost 10p per minute plus Networkextras. Calls from mobile phones may costconsiderably more.

† Terms and conditions apply. Seewww.londonboatshow.com for details. Alldetails correct at time of going to press.E&OE.

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