Landing Development

The Auckland Unitary Plan was released 27th July 2016 and the Auckland Canoe Club is included. See attachment below...

Attachments:

The Landing Concept Plan - Unitary Plan

[Plans for the development of the Landing]

885 kB

Motuora- MotuRekareka paddle

I saw Gerard's kind invitation and organising of a paddle in an area I dearly love so even though  coming off a busy set of night shifts , thought make an effort man ,get the second wind and get on out there.

Brilliant day for it and after a Foodbar and quick crossing from Sullivans Bay straight out to Motuora I spotted the others off the Southern end of Motuora and tagged along.

Decision was made oh so much easier by the great Weather report and promise of a nice tail wind home leg , so the usual clamour for paddling equipment and a quick double /triple check to see all the gear chucked in the ute ,then ETA one hour or so at Sullivans Beach.

Late call to Gerard that morning was taken and though I would be late , a plan to rendevous out at Motuora was hatched and accomplished.

 Caught up to the group on southern end of Motuora where a Seal colony looks quite established, with young pups and some good pinniped rock scaling abilities for best perch!

Lucky Eskimo or Inuit Soapstone type totems- original hunting fishing vessels these kayaks , you can sure see why they were so efficient!

The one at back with Igloos pretty cool with them cleaning their catch.

Gerard leading on out of Still Bay-

It was just after the rendevous with the paddling party that I thought, "Hmmm- I wonder if the Snapper hang around Seal colonies?"

So had deployed a Softbait and started to paddle off to set up my other casting rod when -Whammo it buckled in half .

Initially thought a Seal had latched on , such was the insistent strong pressure ,but no it was a boomer of a Snapper and it had too much oompffh and managed to spit the small jig after a fun few minutes battling it amongst the seaweed and rocks of the shallow inshore reef area .

Solid paddle across to Motu Reka reka island then a short cut through Islands reef gap where the Gannets working had attracted Gerard and my attention as the Kahawai that a couple of the boys were towing lures for had been obvious by there absense and they wanted some action.

Wasn't to be though , so we cut through to the other side by the wreck of the Rewa and went ashore for a well earned Lunch and cuppa with discussions about the efficacy of Deer Stalkers culling fat ground dwelling  Pukeko's on Motutapu , next to the sign warning of Broadifacoum use on our lunch island!

Agree to disagree on 1080 and such was also raised so a bit like Politics and religion best not mentioned on a Cruisy Sunday.

 Soaking up the Ambiance around the Rewa

After a nice rest we headed back towards the entrance to Mahurangi heads with a steady tail wind but on approaching the mainland I peeled off and went fishing as it was just so darn great out there and I had'nt had much chance to dilly dally around dong the slow casual driftalong Softbaiting I enjoy, plus no fish yet !

Raring to go -

Soon hooked into a good 60cm or so Snapper that put up a Sterling effort but fresh Kai Moana required so catch consigned to the Catch bag on the rear deck .

Choice-I havn't been fishing much of late with weather being uncooperative, so kept drifting and soon had a smaller one for a nice bonus feed.

About then along towards Big Bay drifting along in my reverie, I was startled by an almighty roar!

In the still conditions , realised the sound echoing and magnified somewhat off the cliffs was in fact about an acre of the cliff face landsliding down .

Not a crashing jet or maniac Boatie roaring down on me-Whew!  

No resulting tidal wave as it glanced off the foot of the cliff so all good.

I appreciated Gerards flexibility in allowing me to tag along with the group and it's always great to get out in a group like this and much safer and more enjoyable, so the texting and co ordinating was great .

The group was always in contact in same area and looking out for each other and the cruising speed factor was excellent as similar style Sea kayaks and paddler abilities, soon evident.

The Cliff thing was a reminder to me that even close in to launch area things can crop up so I admit my hastily loaded (say gear chucked in and hasty launch) had my Handheld Vhf buried somewhere in my day hatch eluding my groping fingers .

This would have been sorted if I had landed and had a sort out but the fishing had priority so as per Bugger file on KASK I will fess up and have it in a better more accessible spot in future.

I am in two minds about the wearing of handhelds and a plethora of bits and pieces as they all add up ,and a school of thought has all the extra bits like hydration bags and such negating half the positive floatation of the PFD .

The secondary means of Communication (waterproof cellphone in a wet bag) was however working fine so plan B wasn't required.

Even more reassuring was as I headed in I saw Gerard and a couple of others had hung back to check on me , so thanks once again Gerard and guys-

Great day on the water .

Attachments:

23-8-15 mahurangi 016.jpg	[ ]	847 kB
23-8-15 mahurangi 017.jpg	[ ]	916 kB
23-8-15 mahurangi 018.jpg	[ ]	933 kB
23-8-15 mahurangi 019.jpg	[ ]	934 kB
23-8-15 mahurangi 021.jpg	[ ]	875 kB
23-8-15 mahurangi 022.jpg	[ ]	809 kB
23-8-15 mahurangi 024.jpg	[ ]	981 kB
23-8-15 mahurangi 026.jpg	[ ]	929 kB
23-8-15 mahurangi 027.jpg	[ ]	909 kB
23-8-15 mahurangi 030.jpg	[ ]	939 kB

Crossing to Ponui

Heading across to usual paddling fishing haunts around Kawakawa Bay /Ponui Island area trying out the Panasonic DMC-FT1 I carry for photos and short video clips.

Just put in in Gorilla tripod and twisted to decklines , it gives full HD video of great quality , plus the digital shots are of great quality for limited input on photographers part.

I've found this another great adjunct to going for a paddle and have a good file of photos and video clips .

The wind was fresh on this day but not whitecapping but the surfing gains on the side chop can be seen giving assistance to speed made good. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iImgQAGvyas

Attachments:

UCjEa0Is23-cw4gAb9WBg0Rw

[ ]

0 kB

Mid Winter paddling -4 seasons in one day gamut!

 Dude it's tough out there- Tuesday foray

Slept in and expecting weather or house fixing chores to stymie any adventurous notions but on seeing a glimmer of sun out the window and the missus says " Might be the only chance to get out Kayaking for a while with the weather like they're picking"  
Sooo not much convincing needed to hustle on out with a nice cut lunch and get some fresh salt air  
Had'n't been out long and bites were a little tentative when I realize those real ominous black nasty looking clouds are bearing down real fast and I was just whipping the Spray jacket on as it actually whomped on in.
Before I could even pull the PFD back on it struck  and man was it fierce , the Hail stones were lashing the sea to froth and stung like all get out , cowered me down real smart and made like the stock in the paddocks, turned my back on it , hunkered down and ran off downwind.

Attachment:

[ Viewed 348 times ] 

It blew through pretty quick, so as it eased I found the trailing rod had a snapper on so all good 

Attachment:

[ Viewed 348 times ] 

Decided to carry on as Blue sky in distance so on around island prospecting and a few 40ish Snaps secured along with a KY -nice.
Good to be out after enforced servitude and then it got even better as I was Tiki Touring along the Dolphins turned up and a couple of the enthusiastic younger ones did a great choreographed double leap off the bows belly to belly , body slammed together then arced back in backwards   Brilliant- but buggar not ready to film, need a head mount cam and trigger.
Got some vid but can't paddle and film as I'd left the cam gorilla mount in the ute  
Great to paddle along with them for a spell and they went off on patrol and soon heard them sorting out a shoal of fish further up the Firth.
While I was cruising with them I noticed one with a red nasty looking wound healing up on it's back and it was cautious and staying away while the others shepherded around me.
Real intelligent and you could hear their squeaks and such as they came in some swimming belly to kayak hull (to friendly  )and sussed the trailing line and kept wary while it was out but got closer and more playful when retrieved.

Attachment:

[ Viewed 348 times ] 

Caught a feed , had a great interaction with the dolphins and sea had settled nicely - amazing how quick it changes out there , the sun even came out as I had my nice packed lunch the Mrs had made  

Attachment:

[ Viewed 348 times ] 

Attachment:

[ Viewed 348 times ] 

Nice catch to boot -

Attachment:

[ Viewed 176 times ] 

Couple of quick camera video grabs of the Dolphins-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3uN5rLKM3M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4KAYzNguIM

Attachments:

watch	[ ]	0 kB
watch	[ ]	0 kB
watch	[ ]	0 kB
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4KAYzNguIM	[ ]	0 kB