Date:    11/01/15
River:    Hurunui River, North Canterbury, NZ
River Conditions:   21 Cumecs at Mandamus. Grade 2+(3), water clear.
Weather Conditions:  Warm, slightly overcast with strong, gusty NW winds.
Number on Trip:    10 kayakers.
Time on River:  2.5 hours.
Comments:   This was another unscheduled, unofficial trip, planned to enable me to get a kayaking trip on my day off, while the official club trip wen to the West Coast. Early interest seemed to peter out, but was rekindled while I was at work on Saturday and so when Sunday arrived, it was off to The Peg to meet up at 8am.

With the lower flow and a slightly more experienced group, we decided to put in at Dozy Stream and get out after Maori Gully, with the possibility of an additional Gully run if anyone was still keen. We took three cars, got changed at the Maori Gully get out and loaded the extra boats into the ute before driving up to the put in. A slight misunderstanding saw four of us crammed into the back set of the Amarok, after the other vehicle drove off before loading was complete.

Bob runs Devil’s Fang Falls

Debbie enters the Maelstrom

Most of the group chose to run Devil’s Fang Falls while I took photos from a rock protruding from the river. Looking back over the photos, I would have had a great picture of Ross getting some air after bouncing over a rock, if I’d managed to keep him in the frame.

Ross gets some air

It was a uneventful trip down to Seawards, with plenty of eddy catching and playing, the lower flow making the rapids less challenging and features easier to access and stay on, though the strong wind gusts created their own issues. We had a bit of a play at the Magic Roundabout and worked out way down Maori Gully. Apparently a couple of swims were had, but from my position as tail end Charlie, I missed them.

Alvin in Maori Gully

The main rapids presented no problems until we got to Cheese Grater, which has a tendency to kick left into an undercut, especially at lower flows. Debbie and David got out for a look and to video proceedings. Taking various lines from hard right to right of centre, resulted in various outcomes and five of the group apparently ended up rolling at the bottom. My line was similar to previous trips, a little right of centre, straight down the V and so I was somewhat surprised when I shot to the left and found myself hard against the undercut rock with foaming white water boiling about my boat. Fortunately I was able to keep my cool and my balance whilst clutching my paddle in one hand and was able to use the other hand to move further down stream away from the undercut. I escaped and made my way into the eddy on the opposite side of the river, where I hoped to get a few photos of the last two paddles running the drop.

I’m sure Debbie was there a moment ago

Debbie emerges from below Cheese Grater

From here, the remaining drops were easily managed and we stopped at the corner rapid and a number attempted to surf the large hole at the bottom of the rapid. It was difficult to catch due to rocks and other features blocking the way. Bob watched me almost make it but noted my lack of determination on the final push that would have dropped my Blitz in to the massive boat eating hole for a brief surf, which would have most likely been followed by a good spanking (something I prefer to avoid).

The pop up spot wasn’t really working at this flow but David managed to pull a number of whoopees on the eddy line near the get out, which was pretty cool and not something that you see much these days, with slicely tails having been replaced with high volume creekers.

David pulls a whoopee

As we got changed in the warm sunshine, enthusiasm for a second gully run evaporated and we headed back to town, arriving home by 3pm, even with a stop for an ice cream in Amberley.