Yakima Roof Rack Gear

We are now selling Yakima roof rack gear.

We love the Bowdown J cradles for their extreme cushy ride.  They took ten minutes to install and open the first bottle of beer with their integrated bottle opener.

Evenkeel do everything you need at a really good price given they come with all the tie downs.

Check out the whole range here

http://longcloudkayaks.co.nz/Roof-Racks-Cradles-Saddles-nz

What is it?

I'm not refurring to Ian McKensie!

We had a wild encounter at the end of a surf session at Sumner.  We often see Hectors dolphins surface and swim around us at.  This mammal came up in front of us and we assumed it was a Hectors, but this dolphin was too big.

It surfaced once more before running itself aground on the rocks.  At first we thought it might have been driving fish up close to the rocks to catch but it kept going and got stuck on its side.   We paddled over to help it back into the water.  It kept moving and it eventually wriggled back into the water without our help.

Can anyone identify it?

There was a photographer, Lake Sinclair, on shore and he sent these photos.

Success!

UPDATE
I couldn't  id it as a dolphin so I contacted DOC and this is what they said.

Hello Daniel,

Thank you for your email. As you’ll see below we think that what you saw was a baby Pilot whale that has been seen in the area since first being found in a tidal pool at the mouth of the Waimak on Wednesday morning. It was refloated, only to be found and refloated by CCC rangers at Spencer Park.

Yesterday morning it was found stranded dead at South Shore.

From the marks on the body we can tell that is was a new baby from the nucal folds (marks on its skin) and it’s not normal for a baby to be separated so young.

If in the future you do find anything and can notify DOC cal the 0800 DOC HOT-line (0800 362 468). This is a 24/7 number and you can be directed to a local ranger.

Thanks again,

Craig

Craig Alexander 

Tiderace Sea Kayaks due to arrive in New Zealand soon!

Tiderace sea kayaks are due to arrive on the 18 of December.  Half the boats are already sold!

http://longcloudkayaks.co.nz/kayak-s-ing-NZ-Christchurch/Sea-Kayaks-nz

Wasabi Paddles

I asked David if he wanted to try out a new paddle on the last Wednesday night paddle.  Here are his thoughts...

David Welch on 01/12/2013

I paddled with one of LCK's new carbon paddles this evening. 15 to 20 kt E with a good chop on the harbour. Good looking, very light and at 210 cm, fitted nicely with me and my Greenland T. The paddle has a medium-large blade but it did not feel uncomfortable, both into the wind and running with the sea. It has a narrow shaft and is faintly oval on the right hand side. A key grip could be added for those who prefer a larger grip or bigger indicator. It is a two piece paddle and comes with a cam-locking unit. I found it to be secure and easily adjusted to desired length or degree of feather with well marked graduations, (210 to 220cm range). Under load the blades worked well, though some flutter was experienced on the first couple of hard acceleration strokes, but exited the water cleanly. For this price, I think this paddle would be ideal for those wanting a light-weight carbon paddle, but without the usual price tag. Fine as your principle paddle, or as your spare/split.

Wasabi Paddles

Are you a Low Angle or High Angle Paddler? Kayak Paddles New Zealand

We now stock both Werner's most poplar High and Low angle paddles, the Shuna and Camano.

http://longcloudkayaks.co.nz/Kayak-Paddles-nz/Werner-Shuna-nz

http://longcloudkayaks.co.nz/Kayak-Paddles-nz/Werner-Camano

Here is a quick explanation by Werner

LOW ANGLE vs HIGH ANGLE PADDLING
In sea kayak touring there are two common, yet very different, paddling styles, Low
Angle and High Angle. These styles correlate to the angle of the shaft in relation to the
surface of the water.

Low Angle is the most common paddling style. It is a more relaxed touring style and
relaxed cadence. Our Low Angle designs have longer and narrower blades designed to
pull through each stroke with the right amount of surface area for good power while
maintaining a smooth forward stroke.

High Angle paddling is typically a more aggressive style of paddling with a faster
cadence and a larger variety of strokes being used on each paddle outing.

Our high angle designs have short wide blades for a powerful catch and stroke with a
slight dihedral for smooth linking strokes. High Angle designs work best when used with
shorter paddle lengths of 205cm - 215cm. The combination of shorter paddle length and
a shorter wide blade allows the right amount of balanced blade area to enter the water
sooner, supporting a faster cadence, without having to over extend the upper arm.

Werner Shuna high angle

Werner Camano low angle

Dry Bag giveaway

Peak UK dry bags feature in Adventure magazine giveaway.

Get in to win.

http://adventuremagazine.co.nz/win-a-set-of-three-peak-uk-dry-bags/

Okains Bay Sea Kayaking

This isn't the best video quality but it gives you some perspective on the size of Okains Bay.

Looking out over Okains Bay on the walk to Little Okains Bay

Akaroa Harbor - kayaking out toward the heads

There is no place to stretch your legs for quite aways but the views were outstanding, high cliffs, water falls, and blue seas.

Photo credit : David Welch

Sea Kayaking at Gough's Bay on the Banks Peninsula

Great Weather, Great Weekend.

Notice the excellent deployment of the low brace.

Most excellent still photos by David Welch, thanks Dave.

Rolling and Rescue Practice at Cass Bay

Always a good idea to practice those skills early in the season....snow on the hills!

http://longcloudkayaks.co.nz/kayak-s-ing-NZ-Christchurch/Sea-Kayaks-nz/Vital-174-boreal-design-sea-kayak-NZ-Christchurch

New Zealand Sea Kayaking with Kids

What to do with the kids in the school holidays..... take them kayaking.  

We had a nice sunny afternoon paddle around Cass Bay.   The kids were taking turns paddling and playing on the beach with their friends.  We even had a good long visit from some Hector's Dolphins on the way over to Corsair Bay. 

And of course we ended with an ice cream at Lyttleton!

Great way to spend the afternoon.  Long Cloud Kayaks Tandem Sea Kayak

The Boreal Design Esperanto is a tandem sea kayak big enough to take the children and all the camping gear you could need or just lots of gear.

The boat is easy to paddle and control even with little help from the front paddler.  With an adult in the front and child in the middle you cruise along easily.

New Zealand Kayaking: Gear Close Up - Peak UK Throw bags

Comparing Peak UK's throw bags http://longcloudkayaks.co.nz/Kayak-safety-gear

Te Oka Bay, Banks Peninsula - Kayaking in New Zealand

Knowing when to turn back....

This is Te Oka Bay small swell and calm winds last weekend.

By the time we reached the head the swell was two metres plus.  This was fine but it was pretty choppy so we couldn't get into the rock gardens.

The problem was we were being hammered by offshore winds, to the point of being knocked off balance.  You gotta know when to call it and just enjoy a picnic in the rain!


A few views from the top looking down into Tumbledown Bay, it calmed down when the tide came in.

Gear Close Up Peak UK Pogies

Here is a little video close up of the two types of Peak UK pogies we sell.

This is what a customer has said about his nylon version.

Mark on 19/09/2013

These pogies are perfect for when there is a wind chill that you want to keep at bay. I use them for early morning paddles and if I find I get too warm they can easily be stored in your PFD. They are a generous length compared to other pogies on the market.

Pogies

Creeker One Piece Drysuit by Peak Uk

Review from Playak  http://playak.com/article.php?sid=5412

http://longcloudkayaks.co.nz/Kayak-clothing/Kayak-paddle-jackets-dry-suit/Creeker-One-Piece-Peak-UK-NZ-drysuit

Peak UK River Guide Vest

Here is a link to Playaks review River Guide Vest

http://longcloudkayaks.co.nz/PFDs-Life-Jackets/River-Guide-Vest-Peak-UK-NZ-PFD

Peak UK Whitewater Spray Deck

You can Checkout the new deck here Whitewater Spray Deck

Doug Test Driving the Vaag 174 by Boreal Design

Boreal Vaag review

About the reviewer:

Doug Aitken – 185 cm, 83kg. Using this boat for a combination of day trips around Banks Peninsula, overnight trips on Banks Peninsula, longer 3-5 night trips, and open crossings. 7 years sea kayaking experience, previous owner of around 10 sea kayaks, NZOIA Sea Kayak Instructor.

Cockpit Outfitting

The foam seat is glued in and is as comfy as I have experienced – the back rest is one of the major controversial things about this boat – it is a solid foam block. The longest I have been in this boat so far without getting out is 3 hours. At the end of this I was pushing my feet past the pedals and taking the pressure off my lower back, but was not sore. With the system it is possible to lean far back before hitting the back of the cockpit. This is beneficial for back deck rolls and hand rolls.

The foam is comfy in the thigh braces. When there was a bit of water in the cockpit and I was pushing hard on the foot pegs whilst surfing I found there wasn’t much purchase, and my leg slipped. I guess this is the case with any system that doesn’t have white-water type thigh braces.

Hatches

The main hatches front and back, are fine – they have been totally dry after a very wet surfing session. The day hatch, the second main controversial thing about this boat, is in the centre of the boat, rather than the usual offset. I don’t know about you but I don’t turn round to look into the day hatch unless it is very calm. So far I have found this centred system fine; the day hatch is actually bigger than I’m used to – so there is plenty of room to get both hands rummaging around for what you’re looking for. The one down side I can see it there is not as much room to get longer things in, such as a pump.

The fore deck hatch. I know some people don’t like them, but I’ve decided I do. In the 5 or 6 times I’ve been out so far I’ve used it for my VHF, a small water bottle, cereal bars, sweets, and a waterproof camera.

Speed

The speed was much as I expected. Its faster than my 5m plastic boat (obviously) and not as fast as my previous glass boat which was 5.5m long and 54cm wide. For me, this boat is fast enough for any trips, short fast bursts, or open crossings that I choose to do.

Stability

I’ve been out in my boat in fairly choppy water – not big or scary but a bit choppy. I did find it reassuringly solid. I think it’s because of its fairly flat hull and hard chines that gives it good primary stability. There have been a few times that I’ve been happy to take my hands off my paddle and take photos when I think in other boats I would have been hanging onto the paddle!


Hull Shape

The hull shape is a thing of beauty! Have a look at one of these boats on a flat bit of ground and you’ll see that the back third of the boat is off the ground. As well as looking good it means when you lean the boat hard all this stern section is out of the water – meaning the boat turns very well. I’ve heard the hull described as hard chined with the edges rounded off. Pushing into waves can be an issue in flat hulled boat, giving a ‘slap’ each time you hit the water but I didn’t experience that with this boat – its is not overly flat hulled toward the bow.

Control

The boat seemed to push into a quartering wind well and didn’t need the skeg . With such little boat deep in the water behind the seat it was expected to have to use quite a bit of skeg going downwind. The skeg did its job though, so no dramas.

The boat comes into its own when making tight turns. It turns as tightly as any sea kayak I’ve paddled, which is one of the main reasons I like it so much. This combined with the high primary stability make it a great boat for playing in!

Finish

There are some nice finishing touches such as the deck lines are interwoven with reflective strip, and the Vaag decals are highly reflective. The carrying handles are held off to one side by the elastic – seems to work fine. The skeg slider is a bit further out the way than I’m used to, but the trade-off is I haven’t even come close to banging my hand against it whilst paddling. When using it I have found it to feel solid and smooth. The general gel coat finish seems to be great. At the front of the foredeck is a loop which i assume is designed for a greenland paddle - which gives a hint to the origins of this boat.

Conclusion

So far I am very happy with my new boat. It has been just what I’ve been looking for; playful, small enough for a day boat, but big enough for trips, great manoeuvrability, good stability from a flat hull, which also means it surfs very well. And of course, it looks great!

 Long Cloud Kayaks Vaag 174