20 September  –  27 October, 2017
Fortunately this section of the west coast offers many convenient vehicle access points. These first five short day trips in familiar territory were to take advantage of these and serve as a “shake out” period where the learning would be steep in my new (and first) SIK with new skills to hone, nutrition and hydration options to trial, while building some paddle fitness for the inevitable longer paddle days to come.
THIS TRIP: Ngamotu Beach to Kiritehere    5 paddle days
Overall Distance 125.5km  Time 20.1hrs  Speed  6.23km/hr
20 September, 2017 Â Ngamotu Beach – Turangi Road
And so the journey begins at daybreak from our usual kayak launch spot on Ngamotu beach. Rookie (Martin Rook) is joining me today in his Barracuda SOT on a slightly different paddle than our usual summer tuna fishing missions that we embark on from this beach. We paddle into a great Naki sunrise as I settle into my brand new (plastic) Skua.
Planned to do 40km to Urenui or Waiiti today however after a solid paddle for 4 hours to Waitara we both started to wane. Some headwind and bad adjustment of foot peddles didn’t help. Instead of pushing through for another 2 hours to Urenui we decided to call it a day and pulled into Turangi Rd.
23 September, 2017 Â Turangi Road – Waiiti Beach
An easy Saturday afternoon paddle in a light following wind. Despite knowing the coast reasonable well it was difficult to make out Waiiti beach when approaching from deeper waters. A high tide and the usual dumping surf at Waiiti saw my first turtle a few meters from the beach. Look forward to the re- launch from there!
19 October, 2017 Â Waiiti Beach – Mokau
After a smooth break out from Waiiti, had a bumpy ride in the backwash as I passed close by the White Cliffs. Feeling more comfortable in the seat today as I increase my time on the water. Winds mostly around 10-12kts WSW (port beam/quarter). Strengthened to 15+kts when I landed smoothly at Mokau at 1300hrs.
20 October, 2017 Â Mokau – Waikawau
Low surf conditions meant taking the opportunity for an easy launch out of Mokau. Forecast is similar to yesterday with winds picking up after lunch so plan is for a quick “sprint” to Waikawau this morning. On the water by 0825 with light off-shore and gradually turned into a SW tail wind rising to 10kts by the end of the trip. Assisted in making a good speed.
Highlights: great to cruise new coastline which is littered with waterfalls, ironsand beaches and surely good fishing. Definitely an option for remote overnight camping trips (in low surf conditions). Distracting moments when a huge Air Force Orion flew really low overhead, as well as small Cesna. Landed easily in the lee of Ngarupupu reef at the very familiar Waikawau beach to wait for pickup from Shaz.
27 October, 2017 Â Waikawau – Kiritehere
Picked the conditions right for a launch at Waikawau. Low tide offered protection from the surf with Ngarupupu reef exposed. Easy light SW breeze made for very pleasant paddling conditions. Tirua Point has always been a curiosity of mine being the first dramatic headland out of New Plymouth and often a demarcation within the Raglan weather forecasting area. Feels like my first little tick in the box. Just off the Point is the Piritoki Reef that at low tide stood proud and at a distance appeared to have breakers extending quite a distance towards the shore. Was shaping up to take the safer route outside the reef when, as I got closer, an easy enough passage opened up on the inside. Taking a NE course now, the SW breeze picking up to 10kts for a time as I tried to make out Kiritehere on the distant landscape. Having fished out of there a few times I knew I would recognise it when I got close enough however from a distance of a couple of km’s I still needed to confirm with Shaz by VHF that I was on track. I aimed for the stream at the northern end of the beach where I knew Shaz would be parked. A low swell offered a nice ride into the beach and an easy landing, then Secala got whipped out from under me as I was “too casually” exiting. Shaz watching on had a good giggle as I ended up on my bum.
