Summer 2016/2017

This summer was another one for the books, and I returned to the Kaituna take out to live in my van once again. I had been doing little bits of boating over the winter time, but was so ready for a full summer of kayaking again. I began to run laps of the Kaituna on a daily basis and slowly the kayakers started to flock in once again for the same reason. This summer I was feeling a need change my creek boat and decided to purchase a Waka Tuna. This was a game changer for me, and I believe this boat really helped me progress.

At the very start of this summer, there was a day I was boating with my friend Matiu Kapa and he got to the take out before me and told me he was setting safety on the infamous 'Trout Pool Falls'. I laughed and was about to head to the takeout, but then thought maybe its about time I sacked up and ran it. I always had a huge fear of this waterfall because of the retentive hole at the base of the falls. I then rallied off around the corner and had a sweet line, it felt amazing to get that one out of the way.

I spent a bunch of time on the training grounds (Kaituna, Wairoa) but also diversified and began to run multiple north island classic rivers. We got some good flood runs in, and some rivers which were a little further out of the way for most people. It felt good to be getting comfortable running new rivers and seeing that I could apply the skill set from my training, on to other rivers. I saw the Kaituna/Wairoa as my training days and then running harder sections as the 'game day'. This was allowing me to see results from the hard yards I was putting in. I was also really stoked that I managed to get a bunch of laps on Huka Falls, my favourite piece of whitewater.

I had always been fascinated with the finesse of kayaking, and saw it as an art form. I really began to focus on my style during this summer and trying to make the moves feel, as well as look good. I believe this really helped my timing improve, while using less, but more effective strokes.

South Island

In the new year, I decided it was time for me to head down to the South Island of NZ, in search for some quality whitewater. This was somewhat of an adventure because I went down with all my kayaking gear, but only had a ride to Christchurch. First off, we stopped in Murchison and paddled the Matakitaki & Buller River at high flows, which turned out to be super fun. Heading out of Murchison, we had to make the stop Maruia Falls. We had medium high water, which made it a great level for boofing this 30ft clean drop. Stephen Miller and I geared up and went to the put in, I was surprisingly nervous sitting above it, Stephen gave me a little extra beta, and off he went. Now it was my turn, I approached the lip and threw a huge boof, which lead to my bow being far to high. I felt completely out of control in mid air, but hit the bottom safely, and was in such shock of what just happened. Turns out you don't need to pull to hard on this drop!

Off we went to Christchurch, where this was the end of my ride with Stephen. I had to find my way round the rest of the South Island with all of my kayaking gear, as well as my camping kit. I started hitch hiking and was picked up by an old fellow with a van, who drove me all the way to Wanaka, my destination. I then spent a week or so chilling there playing around at the Hawea wave. Next, I wanted to head to Queenstown where all my paddling buddies were, so I hitch hiked again and was picked up by a grocery truck. I went through the crown ranges and met my buddies at the local BP in Queenstown, we then rallied off to the Kawerau to run some whitewater. The river was super high and sitting around 450 cumec, which blew my idea out of running Nevis Bluff. I spent a few days around Queenstown boating and chilling, but it was now time to move up the coast. We then rallied to Hokitikia, a kayaking mecca. We had a couple days here, and managed to get on bunch of west coast flood runs, as most of the other rivers were to high. The last destination of this Journey was the Rangitata river, where I met up with a bunch of old and new friends. I finally paddled the gorge which id always heard so much about, it was super fun to lap and get your big water game dialled in. It was time for me to head north again, I managed to snag a ride with my buddy Adam Ferguson.

The morning we arrived to the north island, Adam and I were fired up to try get some early morning Huka laps. We got up bright and early and caught it at a healthy flow of 90 cumec. This was the highest id run it, so i was definitely a little nervous. All the lines went super smooth and I eddied out above the falls. I went first and had the falls lined up perfectly, but somehow didn't get the greatest boof and ended up landing at the bottom on a huge brace, this immediately subluxed my shoulder and I found myself upside down trying to roll with my shoulder out, it didn't seem to be working for me and I ended up swimming in the pool below, but was lucky that it popped back in as I was trying to swim. I was in some pain, but I had a lot of adrenaline at this point, so I hadn't felt the full extent of the pain until later that day. I knew right then and there, that I was going to be out of kayaking for at least 4 weeks.

After 1-2 month break off kayaking to let my shoulder heal, I began to train again and get back to where I wanted with my kayaking. I needed to get ready for my up and coming season in the USA. I had some anxiety about how strong my shoulder would be leading in to this trip, and I was about to find out.

This summer was one of the best summers id ever had in my life!