27 July - 2 August
Location : Queen Charlotte Sounds, Marlborough
Weather : Sunny, Turning to Overcast, Raining/Gail Force Winds
Group : COE Group One
We arrived at Thompson Bay and went to Outward Bound were we parked up out the back and set up camp for the night after the long drive up to Marlborough. We woke up on Day 2, and made our way down to the beach after a big breakfast and a swift pack up. We began to unload gear and pack all of the sea kayaks ready for the trip ahead! We set off the beach after a quick safety briefing. We paddled into the sound and after a short time paddling we arrived at our lunch spot and had a cheeky munch on the beach. After it was time for a rescue session and rolling practice in the bay. With all this cleared up we paddled into the afternoon gloom towards the nights accommodation. We woke up the next day and got on the water quite quickly and efficiently, it was another amazing day to be paddling, and we set off towards Ratameara Bay where lunch was set up and quickly devoured. As we finished we got back in the boats and paddled over to the salmon farm on the other side of the bay, we passed by and then made our journey across to Bluemine Island where camp was to be set up in an old Army Bunker! After hauling the overnight gear up the hill to the bunker dinner was soon underway and a chilled night was in order.
The morning of Day 3 we awoke to a stunning sunrise from the bunkers view and made our way across the sound. We paddled up the sound using the coast as a handrail. We spent our afternoon doing rescues on the outskirts of a beautiful bay and then made our way across to Cannibal Cove were we would camp for the night, the possums were endless in this area and Mike couldn't go 5 minutes without getting his hand on one. Day 4 began early, we travelled up the coastline before our massive open water journey begun! We kayaked all the way across to Long Island, where we had lunch, then paddle down the left side of it, and across back to Bluemine Island, we followed this and went through the Pass! through to the end of the Island. We crossed over to Snake Point and followed the coastline back to Ratameara Bay. As we cam round we hit the most outrageous weather trying to cross the bay and it made for a painful journey! We reached camp and everyone was shattered and exhausted, Dinner was cooked up by a great crew and everyone was well fed.
We woke up to a stunner last day for the journey back to Thompson Bay, Anakiwa. The journey home was easy and a great scenic leg to end the 5 day mass mission!
Cobden Sea Kayak
14 / 09 / 2013
Location : Cobden
Weather : Sunny / Clear Skies
Tide : Mid Tide
Paddlers
- Rene
- Alister
- Sam
Clean waves throughout the day, practiced bracing and also leaning into waves. Managed to get out the back and fire up some decent waves. Clean sets are a winner!