Matt Coles - Hucks the Wonder of Westport

Matt Coles a Westport local has made the first descent of Big Totara falls. After a bit of extra rain Matt, Shannon and Sam went up there on Friday for a look and it looked good so off they went. After several hours of logistics Matt finally took the plunge. Thanks for the report matt and the photos.





The falls themselves are about 1.5 km up from the normal get in for the Big Totara. For those that have been on the Big Totara the amount of water flowing over the falls in the photos are not enough to actually do the run but seem to be ok for the falls themselves. But watch this space as I'm sure others will get up there to see what it looks like at normal flows to make the full descent from the waterfall to the road bridge. I was up there once when it was bank to bank (remember that run Kev) for the bottom run! I can only imagine what the falls look like at that flow!!






Shannon hitting a good line! (Photo - Matt Coles)

Sam not such a good line but he was ok!! (Photo - Matt Coles)

CROWDS ON THE WAIMANGAROA

The Waimangaroa River north of Westport had not seen this much action since the historic days of the Denniston Incline. Today our numbers were 7 far from the normal 2 that descend these waters. 2 English a few Kiwis and a token German to make a nice crew for the run. Not expecting the levels to be as high, it was a pleasant surprise to get there with a normal to high flow making for perfect conditions for boating not to mention fairly good for the photos with the sun beaming down on us.

Matt Coles taking on the crux of the run.



The crew having a look at the crux rapid from above.



Matt leading the way.



Matt



Local boater Chris Osauskas looks on as Matt completes his line.



Sara the only female on the river lines it up.



Sara taking doing it with English Class.



Artistic Kayaking!!!



Shannon having some time away from the students.



Model stroking all the way!



Shannon punching the thick stuff.



Englishman Adam waiting patiently gets his turn.



Now you see him.



Now you dont!!!



All in a days works.

Wonder of Westport 2011

Back in for another look at this great looking waterfall near Westport. We had 55 mil of rain over the course of the previous day so it seemed like a good time to go check it out. Unfortunately we did not manage to run it as we decided that we needed a bigger crew rather than just the two of us so that our safety options were better!

Isaac having a good look at the lines before deciding against it.

Lower down we found a neat little gorge that could offer up some extra stuff up higher when the water level is right for the bottom section (this is below the falls thought). Not sure if it was a first decent of this part of the river but Im fairly sure that it is.

Running the drops on the little gorge.

A stunning place to be on a Monday morning.

Footage of the falls themself

LOW FLOW ON THE STYX

Dispite being very low Isaac, Whity (Andrew White) and Benis (Ben Algie) and myself went up the Styx for a run. Whity and Benis were making somewhat of a comeback to the kayaking seen after a lengthy layoff. For Whity, Ben and myself it was a bit of a reunion of sorts after not paddling together since studying back in 2006!

Isaac Leading the charge on the walk in.

Whity starting to remember what it like to walk in with a boat on board.

At least the side creeks were not dry as Whity takes on some H2o.

After getting to the top it seemed that there would be enough water for a run down.

Isaac and myself having a look a bit further up.

And after much discussion on where to go this is what happened. And giving the camera to Benis this is what he got.

Howie

Isaac

Myself on the first major drop. After almost deciding not to run this due to the large rock half way down I managed to hit a good line and got a sweet boof at the end. Isaac took control of the camera for the series of photos that follow.

Isaac back in his boat making his way through the numerous boulder gardens.

Normally it is me following Ben's line but after some time off the water it was Benis watching my line but after having a look he fired it up. Good to see him back in his boat afer 4 year layoff and it did not even look like he's been out of if! I will be following him again very soon I suspect.

Isaac finding a boof.

Whity

good to see Ben has not lost the facials as well.

LABOUR WEEKEND ON THE MOKIHINUI

Mokihinui! click on images to view larger!

What to take?? Gear carnage morning of day one.

Everyone out of the mazda... might not make it.

Virgin flyers- Isaac and Ricky.

Chris Sinclair. Or should that be Pilot Sinclair.

Flying over, the first crew of the day preparing to run from the forks down the lower Mokihinui Gorge.

There were three choppers for us on the day due to larger numbers flying to the forks earlier in the day. It meant for a fast efficient start to the trip. Lucky we showed up just in time to catch the flight.


The Crew from left to right, Chris Sinclair, Brendon Robertson (Bezel), Nick Leach, Craig Adams, Sophie Ballagh, Isaac Wilson, Ricky Hurst, and me in front (Howie Wilson).

Isaac Wilson liking what lies ahead.

Believe this is some of New Zealand's best untouched wilderness.

Ricky Hurst picking his line.

Adams giving the new boat a work out.

Bezel showing us the line on one of the trickier drops.

Nick Leach picking the right lines.

The crystal clear waters of the North Branch of the Mokihinui.

Craig Adams taking the direct route.

Sophie Ballagh having some time out from teaching kayaking. Get amongst it SOPH!

Chris Sinclair, the style master, still has it even with a lengthy layoff.

The team finding their way down.

Thats a strange looking rock

The green machine Ricky Hurst lining it up.

Great hut but make sure you take insect repellent! The sand flys here have to be some of the worst on the coast. It's got six bunks but we managed to get 11 in for the night.

Look closely. Being a photo boater requires more than just shots on the river, but capturing some of the things that you get to see by being out there.

The Forks clearing.

Night life on the river.

Gearing up for day two.


Plug the first rapid on day two if you want to cure your hangover from the night before! Bugger all that GOON!

After two days of paddling it was time to enjoy the scenery that the Mokihinui has to offer in the lower gorges.

Bezel and James having some quality time together.