5th October 2024: Avon River (Ōtākaro)

Date:    5/10/2024
River:    Avon River, Christchurch, NZ
River Conditions:   2.048 cumecs at Gloucester Street bridge. Water clear. Grade 1.
Weather Conditions:   Sunny but cool, NE winds.
Number on Trip:    1 person.
Time on River:  1.25 hours.
Comments:  We played disc golf on our “private” course in the Red Zone in the morning, as well as spending time with Billy the friendly neighbourhood cat, and as it was such a nice spring day, I decided a paddle on the Avon would be a nice way to spend the afternoon, while Lauri rested in her garden TreePod.

Paddling through the Red Zone from Swanns Road Bridge.

I carried the Blitz down to the river and did a seal launch off the gabion baskets that form my usual get out spot. The tide was out and the drop was around 1 metre, with not quite enough water for a nice landing. So after a slight thunk, I needed wobble the boat a bit before the nose released and the boat slid fully into the water.

The green of spring time.

As always it was nice to be on the river even if lack of practice had me feeling a little unfit. I decided to paddle upstream for a change, primarily because the return leg is easier with the current assisting.

River works near the Barbadoes Street cemetery.

With the tide out, the Avon flows more swiftly and I had to put a little more effort in to get up the narrow section near the Barbadoes Street cemetery. There were a number of whitebaiters positioned along the river, though I’m not sure that they were having a lot of luck. There also seemed to be some work going on in the river, with a series of waratahs staked across the river and a digger on the bank.

Under the Barbadoes Street bridge.

I paddled up just past the Barbadoes Street bridge, into our old neighbourhood, before the “impassable” Fire Station rapids put a halt to my journey. From here I turned around and headed for home, making good time the current aiding my passage.

Spring time blossoms.

There were still a few blossom covered trees around, but mostly winter’s bare boughs are now clad in spring green. It is quite a beautiful paddle in the middle of the city.

Looking upstream towards the Barbadoes Street cemetery.

It was good to give my kayaking muscles a stretch, especially I hope to take on the Hurunui in the not too distant future. Back at the put in, I clambered up the gabion baskets and hauled up the kayak before wandering home across the Red Zone for a shower and a cup of tea.