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Kayaking in Paihia
Photo taken after I retrieved my kayak when the tide carried it away while I enjoyed my cup of tea. I really enjoyed sea-kayaking when I tried it in Canada last year - so I was looking forward to having another go here in N.Z. Although last time I was in a tandem kayak with the instructor
doing most of the work. This time in Paihia the guide said I should try a single kayak - the main difference would be I would be in control of steering aswell as the paddling.
I got paddling and the steering was quite tricky(possibly it as adjusted properly for my short legs) - I just seemed to be going zig-zag the whole time making alot more work for myself. It wa hard work and the sea despite being in a sheltered bay was quite choppy. We headed out towards an island, the guide said I was doing well so he decided we could go around the long way. However once we got out to into the open sea the wind and swell had really picked up and half way around the guide realised we should probably go back and take the short cut through the narrow bit of water between the rocks!!! Well I just did as I was told and headed back. I Waves
There are big waves here - honest!!! was dead on target for getting through the little inlet until the current dragged me off course at the last minute and bashed me and my little kayak into the rocks. Trust me to become stranded with the front and back of the canoe wedged onto rocks - my instructor did not seem to worried about this and told me just to push off with the paddle. I was scared I was going to put a hole in the kayak (Titanic style) but eventually a big wave came which helped me get off the rocks.
So I lined myself up again and against the waves and wind I got through the rocks unsathed where I waited for the instructor. When he got through he spotted the waves breaking on the beach where we were to stop for cup of tea, and the even bigger waves crashing over the reef which we were meant to paddle right out to avoid. I was pretty relieved when he said we should turn back, but not so impressed with having to go back through the rocks!!!
It was a little easier this time because the waves and wind were behind us and I soon picked up speed - which wasn't so good when I headed off course for more rocks!! Silly me decides she can get back on course by putting her hand out to push myself off instead of using the paddle - well I won't be making that mistake again!! Anyway I got through but this time with a few scratches then we found a little sheltered area on the island to have a well deserved break!!
Before long it was time to get back in the kayak and head back to shore. The laid back instructor briefed me on our course and showed me how to spot the big waves coming in
which made me feel loads better ; ) . We headed back in against the waves, wind and salt spray. It got to the stage where I could not see a dam thing partly because the swell was so high all I could see was waves but mostly I could not see because my eyes were stinging. After being caught in a few currents and carried off course again I eventually made it to shore - almost. The guide calmly told me that the tricky part was still to come - getting on the beach and out of the kayak without tipping over! He was correct I ended up going for a little swim because I didn't get out of the blasted thing quick enough and the next wave came in and tipped me over.
I was so glad to get back on land and changed out of my wet clothes, I went into town and sat in a warm cafe where I still felt like I as bobbing up and down. As I warmed up with a hot chocolate the trees and parasols outside were blowing over in the wind and the waitresses were talking about
gale-force winds which they were expecting that afternoon!! Although it was windy, when I looked back out to sea it did not look nearly as bad as it was from sea level an hour ago. I desperately wanted to get a photo of the massive waves crashing on the shore but no - my pictures look like a nice blue sea - perfect paddling. I was assured that it always looks OK from land its not til you are out you realise the size of the waves.
Anyway I have not bee put off the kayaking - the instructor told me he has taken blokes out in calmer conditions and that I still did better than them, so I was pretty chuffed knowing I had coped in Intermediate/Advanced conditions on my second trip!! Next time though I will be a little more picky about where and when I go out in a canoe.
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