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Previous KASK Events
KASK 2007 Annual Forum
The forum was at Anakiwa (Marlborough Sounds), 23 - 26 (Fri-Mon) February 2007.
The feature of the 2007 forum was keynote speaker, Nigel Foster, his partner Kristin Nelson and the return of David Winkworth from NSW.
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Nigel Foster |
KEYNOTE SPEAKER ~ NIGEL FOSTER Nigel Foster began kayaking as a teenager in southern England in a canvas kayak. He was first to circumnavigate Iceland, has crossed France from north to south, ventured across the Hudson Strait in Canada, and explored the Faroe Island coast, where 2,000-foot-high cliffs glare down on 10-knot tidal streams in the North Atlantic swell. He makes a living teaching kayaking skills all around the world and in addition, does kayak and paddle design work. Nigel has written several books and many articles on kayaking. He has also produced a series of six sea-kayaking instructional DVD's. Nigels keynote presentation was about his latest exciting trip to Ungava Bay and Labrador in sub-arctic Canada. With Kristin Nelson, they did a 675-mile wilderness trip (one village at one end, the next at the finish). They had to figure out the complexity of the forty-foot tidal exchange, which exposed rocks and ridges the height of five-story buildings, and had close encounters with polar bears. This was covered in the June 2006 Sea Kayaker Magazine. |
Other topics and events included:
- Great Opportunities to network with local and overseas sea kayakers
- Take part in practical and theoretical Sea Kayak Training covering for example paddling skills, rescue skills and first aid. Involving Nigel Foster and local NZ experts
- A chance to see and share ideas on sea kayak design and equipment
- Local Area information and exploratory paddles
- The KASK AGM
- Overnight paddle and camp out on the Sunday night at Mistletoe Bay
Canterbury Sea Kayak Gathering 2007
27-28 January 2007, Okains Bay, Banks Peninsula
This was the 13th Okains Bay forum/instructional weekend with about 70 attending. More importantly, it was, as usual, a free instructional weekend for all kayakers.The weather looked doubtful on Friday night but was perfect for the weekend.
Saturday was rescues, held in the lagoon, and paddle strokes out at sea. In the afternoon the groups changed over and all the sessions were out in the bay.
The evening session was run by CSKNet's resident ornithologist, Kerry-Jayne Wilson.
Sunday's surf was "messy" though there were some who used it to improve their skills. With the high mid day tide, a lot of paddlers explored the upper reaches of the lagoon and incoming rivers. Some stayed for lunch at the picnic table near the upper bridge.
Canterbury Sea Kayak Gathering 2006
18-19 February 2006, Okains Bay, Banks Peninsula
A weekend of fun and practical sea kayaking sessions. As usual, it was held at Okains Bay. There was good weather and over 60 participants enjoyed the time learning, talking and playing in the surf, when not tripping and watching dolphins.
Saturday concentrated on rescues in the lagoon, paddle strokes out in the bay and a trip up the coast.
The surf had increased a bit on Sunday and the bay was covered with kayaks in various stages of "up-rightness".
As usual, it was all free and the instructors generously gave their time, on and off the water.
KASK Forum & AGM 2005
Anakiwa, Marlborough Sounds ~ The forum was held during
Easter weekend, 25 - 28 March, 2005
at Anakiwa, and with an overnight paddle and camp-out at Mistletoe Bay.
The Forum was one of the best ever, judging by the feedback received. Weather was inclement up till Monday morning when it came right for the paddle back from Mistletoe Bay.
Speakers and instructors were great, venue was outstanding, catering superb and we are already planning to rebook for Easter 2007.
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David Winkworth |
KEYNOTE SPEAKER ~ DAVID WINKWORTH FROM NSW David has extensive expedition experience; one of his recent paddling trips was from Cairns to Darwin (KASK newsletter 107/9). On a previous trip in 1999, whilst paddling from Cairns to Thursday Island, David's paddling mate was attacked by a crocodile (n/l 84). David rescued his mate by racing out and leaping on to the back of the crocodile. He was later awarded a bravery medal by the Australian Government. David also builds sea kayaks and has extensive experience as a sea kayaking guide and instructor. |
Canterbury Sea Kayak Network Forum
19 - 20 February 2005, Okains Bay, Banks Peninsula
This was the 11th Okains Bay forum/instructional weekend with more than 70 attending. More importantly, it was a free instructional weekend for all kayakers. Instruction included falling out of your kayak, towing, rescues, surfing, how to spot dolphins, little blue penguins, more surfing and falling out of kayaks and generally enjoying perfect weather and kayaks.
The Saturday afternoon, for those who wanted it, was rescues, held in the lagoon, and definitely included falling out of kayaks.
There were not as many as many wooden kayaks as at Rotorua, just 10, but there were enough to be noticeable.
The evening session was run by CSKNet's resident ornithologist, Kerry-Jayne Wilson, and included the call of the sooty shearwater, the one that keeps you awake most of the night if birdwatching on the right islands.
Sunday's surf was bigger, so those out for the usual "round the bay" paddle had to punch out through that and then think about what it would be like later coming back. Out across the bay the swell was running up to near 2 metres, certainly higher than many had paddled in. All the while dolphins were popping up around the kayaks and you had to be careful not to hit one on the head.
Hopefully next year there will be similar weather. The event is held about the same time of year each year, when there is a mid day tide in February.
How about a really big wooden "kayak"? The waka moored up the river at Okains Bay.
For more information please contact:
Sandy Ferguson
Ph 03 322 9066
E-mail: Sandy Ferguson
New Zealand Kayak Builders Get Together
18 - 20 February 2005, Blue Lake in Rotorua
Based at the Blue Lake in Rotorua. A very sucessful weekend and 26 people turned up in the end although a count was never done (shame!). There would have been about 20 homebuilts with 18 of the 26 paddling with Greenland paddles, which was good to see. Hopefully a fuller report to come.
KASK forum 2004
Orewa, Auckland
The previous KASK forum was held in March 2004, at Orewa, Auckand and was hosted by Coastbusters. There were numerous education sessions and a great variety of guest speakers, including John Dowd of book and DVD fame.
A Search and Rescue, helicopter rescue practice was staged off shore. There were skills sharing and training exercises on the organised paddle as well as a tremendous Greenland paddling display during a demonstration pool session. This is to name just a few of the activities.