South Stanislaus

I arrived in California on Sunday the 5th of May in San Francisco where Myles and Jesse picked me up  and we made our way inland.  After a couple of days to get sorted and catch up with Nick and Harmony it was time to get to business.  Ryan Mac had a plan and although there was a pretty good recipe for disaster the crew soon grew from not many to a lot and then back down to a solid 6.  The idea for the trip was, in Mac's terms the ultimate "Lifestyling" trip.  Now this word gives off this feeling of ease and achievability not usually associated with an epic adventure so spirits were high and we all felt good.  After a few hour drive we set camp at Pinecrest Reservoir and settled in for the night.

- Camp one at Pinecrest Res - Photo Ryan Mac

 In true  "Lifestyle" fashion we rose late and made coffee and oatmeal before packing up camp and heading to the boat ramp.  From here we would see across the Lake and up into Cleo's Bath and our run for the next day.  Now there is another far easier hike in from the ridge but word from the ranger was that it was closed hence this angle of attack.

- Packing boats at the ramp - Photo Josh Neilson

-Pushing off with the gorge in the background - Photo Ryan Mac

- Granite in our sights - Photo Ryan Mac

On the lake we were barely 30m in and we hear someone shouting from the boat dock. "Are you guys fix'n on running those rapids in there? Are you guys
 pro-fessionals? Are you sponsored? Because I know a guy who did it and all I know is if you don't have a Red Bull helmet and a helicopter you shouldn't be going there".  And so it began... we chuckled to each other as we thanked the kind man for his input and headed across the lake to the river.  The first part of the hike was easy but soon we were at Cleo's Bath and it was steep and up hill from here.

- Me and Nick stoked to have carry systems! - Photo Ryan Mac

- Roping boats up the steep section - Photo Ryan Mac

With a bit of rope work and some balancing acts we made it to the crest and chilled for a bit.  Now quite sore and tried we decided to leave our camp stuff and hike the empty boat to the put in.  As we made it up the river we found some sweet drops but it was stacked and moving fast.  About a mile up we decided to call it quits for the day and head back to camp. With a bit of rain on the horizon we decided to camp in a cave and avoid the elements.  Many theories were passed over the fire and soon we were all set on not hiking our boats any higher and enjoying the rapids we had from there out to fit with Mac's "Lifestyle" clause in the trip brief.

-Fire and food - Cave living - Photo Josh Neilson

-Stories round the fire better when in a cave! - Photo Josh Neilson

- Jamie Garrod on pride rock  - Photo Josh Neilson

The morning started with a quick fire to make oats and coffee and then we were off up the hill once again. With some quick scouting we could see the river had come up a bit but that was ideal.  Soon we were in our kayaks and with a quick warm up we were into it!

-Drop number 1 - Photo Josh Neilson

- Drop 1 - Photo Ryan Mac

-Jamie on a nice boof - Photo Josh Neilson

Feeling better now that we were kayaking and not walking we got through a few small drops before the crux.  Standing on the granite scouting in kayaking gear made the drops look a little nicer and I was fired up.  I really wanted to run the entry but was not to psyched about the ski jump in the middle before the off ramp.  In the end my mind was made up and I dropped in.  The entry drop was sweet and as I had expected I got slowed at the lip of the ski jump but made it through and out the bottom.

- Coming off the Ski Jump in the middle of the crux 3 - Photo Ryan Mac

- Bottom slide of the top 3 - Photo Ryan Mac

-Jamie on the slide - Photo Jamie Garrod


- Jamie Garrod coming down the slot - Photo Ryan Mac

- Nick Wimsett coming into the slot in his brand new Tuna - Photo Ryan Mac


- Me coming down out of the slot into the fast section - Photo Ryan Mac



-It just keeps going - Tea Cups - Photo Ryan Mac


- Chris coming into the double hot! - Photo Ryan Mac


- Another angle of double - Photo Ryan Mac


- Tight entry! - Photo Josh Neilson


- This is not photoshop - Jamie, Nick and I on Double all at once - Photo Ryan Mac


- Riley on the top drop - Photo Ryan Mac


-Jamie on Double Drop - Photo Ryan Mac



- Montage of me on Double Drop - Photo Ryan Mac

-Mac on the bottom drop - Photo Josh Neilson

It didn't stop there we had a tricky slot drop that everyone styled and then down through the tea cup section.  The best part was the double drop and a few of us ran laps on that part! From here we portaged round Cleo's Bath once again and paddled out to the lake.  Everyone was stoked and although the way in was not ideal we all loved the way out! We were hoping that our mate from the dock was there so we could let him know we made it out without with just your average helmet and no helicopter so he could rest easy. Stoked to be here in Cali running challenging whitewater again! 

Back at the car we checked out photos, had a few beers and then headed back to Coloma!  For another version of this river which shows the top part we didnt make it to you can check out Ben's Blog for the South Stan mission they did. 

Next mission is coming to Ill leave it at that! 

Cheers

Josh

Wainui River

-Powerhouse Open Gates warm up

As I came home from the Tuakopai on Tuesday I figured with 2 weeks left in the country that I wouldn't be needing my elbow pads for any more kayaking trips this summer in NZ so packed them away and headed back out on the Kaituna! Thankfully the lake was still full and we got a couple of laps in at open gates which is always a fun time!

- Waterfall at Open Gates

The weekend was in full swing with a few drinks here and there and before I knew it I was waking up to the sound of the Neighbors running round our house talking of rain in the Kaimais again.  A few seconds later Tyler came busting into my room with a smile on his face and all he said was "CREEKING?".  While I am often able to use the excuse of work to pass on less exciting activities there was no place for excuses today.  It was a run I had always wanted to do but never been in the right place with the right flows.
~Cue inspirational dubstep soundtrack~
Everyone scattered and re grouped all piecing things together for the day ahead.  Out came the packed away elbow pads and once again we were in the car heading for the hills.
A little drive up the coast and we were there looking back down the valley to the sea and the thought crossed my mind that we had to paddle out to an estuary so all that gradient was going to be made up of  waterfalls!

-Hike in to Wainui through some wild country

At the end of the short hike in I pulled up and heard Jamie explaining the optimal flows we had ahead and downstream Lorenzo was playing his Quena (Flute).  A golden liquid flowed swiftly through the dense native forest setting the scene for the day ahead.  Although the big waterfall was hot on my mind all morning it was time to seriously focus as the rapids pretty much all drop 10 or more meters and they are unending.

-Jamie (aka Htzhamez) Entering B's Rapid

-Dropping into B's Rapid

-The exit to B's Rapid

- Making my way through 'Freight Train'

-Brad coming down 'Freight Train'

- Jamie and Tyler coming down 'Double Drop'

-Entering double drop next to the illegal water system

-Brad on the bottom half of double drop

-Tyler on the bottom of 'Double Drop'

- Sanga on 'Double'

The first scout was at B's rapid which is a nice entry, boof off a nose, land skip out, turn, head left then off another big slide in the middle.  All good lines and we were doing well.  After an uncountable amount of sweet drops we got to the next real crux called 'Little Brother'.  It is a tricky lead in followed by a 30foot drop that is shallow so you need to boof but stomp your bow down to avoid breaking your back. Again we set safety and made our way off the drop.  1,2,3,4,5,6 clean lines and big smiles at the bottom.

-Lorenzo navigating the entry to Little Brother

- Jamie on the lip of the 30

- Getting the stomp on

-Tyler getting his lean on

-Sanga on Little Brother

Now the mind has been on full focus for over an hour of solid class 5 and you are only thinking about the rapid you are running but the Big one is close and its trying to occupy your thoughts!!
Not a single bad line by anyone all day so far meant optimism was high and everyone quietly knew they were going to run the big one.  At the lip it all seemed pretty clear cut.  The idea here is to 1- not land flat and 2- not go over the handle bars.  The line is off the middle with as little speed as possible.  You sit facing upstream about 2m from the lip and as you float out the back of the eddy you pull yourself out into the flow, turning downstream.  You hold the stroke over the lip to stabilise your boat so it does not over rotate.  Once you have your angle set you spot the landing and your weight co

mes forward then you toss the paddle away and tuck forward some more.  Impact.

-Attempt 2 - Sanga

-Attempt 3 - Bradley Lauder

- Attempt 4 - Me

-Attempt 4 - Me again

-Tyler sticking the line clean

- Attempt 6 - Jamie Garrod

- Stoked to be at the bottom

So while this explanation is the ideal scenario there were some varying degrees of impact but all good.  Lorenzo went a little over the bars and was ejected but all good.  I took some skin off my nose from the elbow pad but had a soft landing.
From here we were all buzzing but it still doesn't end here.

- Big slide!!!

A few more big drops and slides and finally made it into the flat water.  A few days before we were talking about our best run ever and I think I would now have to say this one.  I could even be so bold as to say this was my best day kayaking I have ever had.  A quick pack up and we were on our way to Te Puke Mc Donald's for some much deserved burgers!
Cheers to Lorenzo, Sam, Jamie, Tyler and Brad for such a sweet day!
Next update will likely be from Cali! Looking forward to it!

For reference we had 6.5 on the Waipapa guage.

Gopro Summer 2012/13 Ad

Although there have not been many kayaking updates this summer that will soon change! We have had a nation wide drought this summer so only the Kaituna has been running.  Soon the Cali season is fast approaching and I am more than a little excited! For now check out this shot Tyler took last year of me on South Silvers 'Skyscraper' rapid used as the Gopro Ad this summer.  They have just finalised the new ad which is on the Kaituna River so check that out in the new magazines! You can also buy these sweet cameras at Canoe and Kayak stores around the country!
Cheers
Josh

Buller Fest

Over the weekend a whole bunch of the Okere Falls crew headed south for the Buller River Festival.  Its a long drive but it was sunny and we stopped for many swims along the way.  Our car was not really interested in shopping in Blenheim for food and clothes so we headed off and found some cool swimming spots and a heard of Eels.  I may be wrong, it could be a flock...

Anyway back to the story.  Now on the road for the second day we slowly made our way into Murchison in time to put up the tent and I think we went for another swim! By this time you probably understand that it is quite hot!

Unfortunately the sun did not burn off the sand flies and we were not coping well.  Like big cities have traffic jams, ghettos have gangs and parliament has John Key, Murchison has sand flies and they are a pain in the... well everywhere! While I will not mention them again in this story just keep in mind that everything explained was done while battling them tirelessly!
Day 3 started with Boater-cross and as the fog drew back the sun pounded down on the course of rocks rocks and more rocks.  As the rest of NZ knows, the rain has been non existent this summer so the course was low.  Round 1 was a seeding race and I was up against Tyler Fox Matt Burton and 1 other.  Tyler had a fast start but I caught him and snuck through to take the win.  My second race I had the right side again and got out to an early lead and finished 1st again.  Race 3 was much the same but winning that put me up against Barny, John Snook and Jamie Sutton.  With a bad start I struggled against the wake.  I thought I found a gap mid way down but Snook spun me and I was out of the race.  Tyler and Jamie went on to the finals with Kenny Mutton and Murchison local 'Foxy'.  The Okere Falls crew couldn't hold him back and 'Foxy' took the win.  After that it was back to camp for dinner and a few drinks before going to the prize giving.
Day 4 was the slalom and raft race but I decided to have the day off and watch the racing from the bank.  After the racing was over it was time for the dress up party.  Okere Falls decided to boycott the party theme as we thought it sucked so we decided to all dress up as Ben Jackson.  It worked well and was a pretty fun party! Sadly the security took their jobs WAAAAY to seriously and it really put a downer on the whole thing.  Sunday was the Cardboard Cup race which the girls all entered by wrapping themselves up in boxes and swimming with a floating box.  They came in a close 2nd but were disqualified because they did not use enough cardboard?? Anyway they did not loose out on anything special so all was well.  That afternoon was spent eating, drinking and a couple of laps on Maruia Falls.

After a long, long weekend we were all shattered and on day 6 we started our long journey home. Not much to be said about the drive other than long and plenty of fast food.  Back in Okere Falls now for some more work and a wind down till the 5th of May when its Cali season!
Cheers for a great Buller Fest to all the Okere Falls Crew!

Josh

Summer in Okere

This summer has been great so far.  I found a sweet house on Okere Rd for Tyler and I and the best part is that its right over the fence from Sam, Flick and Jamie.  Communal cups of tea and gingernuts are frequent and the odd paddle and surf thrown in for good balance.  Not to mention every Thursday we have Wine and Cheese Appreciation Society meetings at either house! 

- A casual Thursday evening meal at the Society - Photo and preparation Felicity Thomas

I started the season off without a creek boat so I was doing a lot of freestyle in the hole which was a great change.  Once my shiny new green Tuna was ready I was back on the creeking schedule.  Due to bad knees I opted out of the 6hour Enduro Race where competitors had to paddle the river then run back up to tag their team mates over a 6 hours period.  It was one of the best run kayak events I have seen and hopefully next year ill have the knees to compete.  Next up was Xmas @ the Kaituna event which was a little last minute but great on the day. We decided on a structure change this year and Brendan came up with this awesome idea to run a progressive boater-x.  After a time trial ranked everyone for speed they were separated into groups of 4 who would race each other from the top to the bottom of the weir.  From here the 2 fastest and the 2 slowest were separated and it went on till the last race of 4 was down to the bottom hole.  The freestyle event was 2 groups who had 25minutes to display 4 award winning maneuvers.  Best trick, biggest air, retro move and most enthusiastic paddler.  I couldn't manage to pull off any big loops that day but came away with the retro move in an old olympia! Awesome day!

-Winning the retro move competition - Photo Brendan Bayly

-Trying to get some air in the big air competition - Photo Brendan Bayly

-Getting tricky - Photo Brendan Bayly

-Taking home the big dollars! - Photo Sophie Hoskins

Christmas and New Year were mostly spent surfing which was awesome! Now its back to the falls and earning money to make the next year better than the last! Where will I go this year... we will have to wait and see.

-Christmas at Castlepoint - Photo Josh Neilson

Cheers and sorry for the lack of updates lately! 

-A new creek I found this summer - Mangaone Megaslide - Photo www.wams.org.nz

-Simon Davidson's Birthday paddle - Photo Josh Neilson

-Jamie G on Trout Pool drop - Photo Josh Neilson

-Me, Soph and G-rod - Photo Josh Neilson

-Tyler on the put in slide - Photo Josh Neilson

- A shot from last summer but still out there fighting fires, saving lives - Photo Lake Okareka Fire Force

Josh