EYE4ADVENTURE

Issue # 4 of CUMEC - out soon

2008-02-21T11:37:00.002+13:45

Here's the cover for the next issue of CUMEC Magazine. Which will be released in early March.

Paddler: Jared Meehan
Location: Godafoss, Iceland
Photo: Ben Brown

Xmas @ Kaituna Video

2008-02-21T11:36:00.004+13:45

Here's the video from the Xmas at Kaituna event that we organised in December :D

Tekapo Throwdown Video

2008-02-21T11:36:00.003+13:45

Here's the video from the Tekapo Throwdown that we organised in November :D

Bliss-fest

2007-10-09T14:45:00.000+13:45

Bliss-Fest was held successfully over the weekend despite some miserable weather for the surf competition on the Sunday.

I'll get around to writing something longer next week, but for now I'm in Melbourne promoting the magazine.

So until then check out this link to a video from TV3 news on Monday night.

http://tv3.co.nz/VideoBrowseAll/SportsVideo/tabid/317/articleID/36425/Default.aspx#video

CUMEC Magazine Issue 3

2007-10-04T00:08:00.000+13:45

Now that all the fireworks and smoke are clearing I can finally let everybody see the cover of CUMEC Magazine Issue 3.

Starring......

None other than Mr Eden Sinclair and Senor Jonathan Ramsey on the 'Home Run' in Norway.

Photo Credits go out to Sam 'Pacman' Hughes

Other than that, go out and get yourself a copy... at kayak and bookstores all over NZ by the middle of next week.

Cheers

Antz

Feed The Rat - You know you want to!

2007-09-04T10:12:00.000+12:45

Just came accross this clip from the boys at Feed The Rat over in Melbourne, really makes you want to get out there and do something... damn southerlies.....

Big Thursday - The Nevis River

2007-09-03T19:17:00.000+12:45

So here's a rough cut of footage from last years trip on the Nevis River. Not much editing done here just some good quality paddling.

playing with photoshop..

2007-07-01T18:37:00.000+12:45

Been playing with layers in photoshop, good fun :D

New Job - paid to ski....

2007-06-21T12:48:00.000+12:45

After a few weeks of being "between jobs" I've found a job working for Alpine Expeditions driving shuttles from Christchurch to Mt Hutt, so basically I wake up, drive to the mountain, go skiing, drive home, and then get paid. Pretty sweet really. Will also be doing some shop work at McEwings Ski & Snowboard Hire on Yaldhurst Road.

Other than that I've been wrapped up warm in my office doing tax & gst returns for the business, also have a few more ideas in the melting pot. Stay tuned for updates.

Castle Hill - The video

2007-06-18T22:36:00.000+12:45

A soiree at the castle in honour of the queen...

2007-06-05T13:49:00.000+12:45

Queen's birthday, a time to celebrate our continued governance by her royal highness. We all thought it would be quite fitting to head to the castle to celebrate her June birthday.

Castle Hill I mean,

Winter had arrived and as per usual an early June southerly starting blowing into Christchurch early on Saturday afternoon. We had arranged accomadation in Castle Hill village courtesy of the St Andrew's College Outdoor Instructors Staff House. Kim, Lindsay & Lucien headed out into the hills early in the day to ride the Craigieburn mountain bike track, while Megan and I waited in Christchurch for the day. (Watching/playing netball).

At 5pm I had arranged to pick up my nice new 'Wear on Earth' down jacket from Blair Jacobs, I am now the only stylish person in the known world to be rocking a 'Wasabi Green' two layer gore tex down jacket. Let it be known that I stand out in a crowd!

After parting with cash in exchange for warmth, Megan & I headed out to the village. Upon arrival we had a huge feed of Nachos courtesy of Lucien & his assistants. Dinner was washed down with various wines & some very amusing games of girls vs guys pictionary.

So sunday morning, the rain had stopped, the sun had risen and we eventually made it to Spittle Hill. With two castle hill newbies (Lucien & Kim), there was a quick introduction to smearing & slopers. Lindsay was quick into action working the V4 Torpedo in the first 30minutes, before finally sticking the top hold.

Megan once again returned to the self-titled 'Megan's Problem' which she managed after a couple of attempts this time around. 'Megan's Problem' soon became 'Kim's Nightmare' as she tried at least 20 times to tame the beast within....

Lucien & I soon discovered an interesting problem adjacent to 'Megan's Problem'
- A combination of tiny feet with one solid arete and a miniscule crimper - then throw high to a solid sloper, hope you feet don't pop and yell/grunt.
After an hour or so I finally stuck the top hold & felt satisfied having solved an interesting problem.

The rest of the afternoon passed & the sun faded beyond the hills, temperatures rapidly dropped and we all retreated back to the village, happy with the thought of a warm fire & some dinner.

Monday morning saw the first solid frost that I've seen all year, a hearty bowl of not quite original porridge & a couple of coffees saw us packed and heading back to the hill.

Our mission at the start of the day was to find a boulder and not leave until we had climbed to the top using 5 different routes. After about 4 successful missions on various boulders it was lunchtime, right beside the 'Lung Dyno' Lindsay & I both had played around on this before we were both keen to see if we could actually top out...

While Lucien, Lindsay & I played around with the grunty throw & hold on to nothing problem the girls headed off to find some nice technical slab climbs.

The Queen's party started to die down so we all slowly made our way back to Christchurch, a great weekend & definetely an escape we shall have to do again soon. (Considering Castle Hill is only an hour away).

Antz

Whoops - I missed out May!

2007-06-05T13:38:00.000+12:45

May : The month that comes between April & June, it appears that the whole month dropped off my rader & that I didn't do anything interesting at all. Well that's probably true, I'm sure that no one really cares what I've been doing! It is just a simple way of making myself feel good about myself... possibly an outward expression of my thoughts & 'doings' that makes everything in some strange way seem worthwhile.

So on that note I am happy to say the May was not a wash-out, I actually think that it may have been one of my busier months this year:

- A trip to Dunedin
- Lots of climbing (beginning to get the inspiration to climb back, possibly due to poor surf conditions & low rivers....)
- Back into instruction....
- A fresh new qual - Wilderness Pre Hospital First Aid.
- The magazine has been sent all over the place, and subscriptions are coming in from all over the place.
- I paddled the Rangitata Gorge again, it'd been a few years...
- I finished working at Kayak Unlimited and starting looking for winter work... although the looking has been delayed several times by instruction & first aid courses.
- We had a pirate party, we all dressed up like pirates & had a great shin-dig. With famous appearances from Danger Dan, Wild Weasel & Mongrel Mark from ye old port of Timaru.
- Some night climbing at Albert Terrace (darkness makes it a little harder & a lot more amusing.

Anyway I'll have a few posts online soon. As I try and catch up on what has been going on.

Antz

An afternoon on the Toaroha

2007-04-26T18:55:00.000+12:45

Two weekends ago I went over to Greymouth to visit Megan who's doing a physio placement at the Greymouth Hospital. While I was there we met up with Ben & Elise from Wavemonkey Australia.

Ben & Elise were in NZ for two weeks and were keen to check out some of the West coast creeks, unfortunately there had been no rain. We checked out the Styx which looked very low & opted to go for walk up it's neighbouring river the Toaroha. An hour and a quarter of boggy mud later we were at the put-in, low water meant that the rapids weren't technically difficult but a good time was had by all.

Check out the photos & video. All photos are courtesy of Ben & Elise www.wavemonkey.com.au

Meg's enjoying the pleasant walk.

Elise getting a taste of NZ's natural beauty.

Ahh the put in.

Megs

Megs

Elise

Ben

Antz

and a small video, I'm just getting used to the new video editing program on the MAC.

River Festival & Slalom Photos

2007-04-24T14:44:00.000+12:45

Here's a collection of photos from photochick.co.nz she keeps popping up at kayak events throughout the south island. Some quality shots which are all available free online via her website.

A few of her shots from Bullerfest 2007 made it into issue 2 of CUMEC magazine too.

Aaron Osborne from Rotorua, currently ranked #1 in the NZL slalom team.

Me, mid extreme race on the Citreon Rapid.

Me leading the peleton... well actually there was about 8 people infront.

Ngaio Hart

Stu Daniels playing during the mass start race.

Dylan Thomson in the head 2 head extreme race.

James Dawson on his way to winning the national C1 title.

Barney Young gets amongst like it a true west coaster.

CUMEC Magazine Issue 2

2007-04-19T02:04:00.000+12:45

After a few months of playing around in Indesign, emails back & forth from contributors & a few anxious nights Cumec Magazine Issue 2 is finally here.

Ready to make it's mark on the NZ & Australian kayaking communities, a real stand alone independent kayaking magazine for the general public, no shop or business affiliations just kayakers providing news & articles for kayakers. I'm stoked so hope everyone enjoys (despite the few grammatical errors!)

Teva River Festival 2007

2007-04-17T21:37:00.000+12:45

The Teva River Festival was held of Easter Weekend in Central Otago, the event ran alongside the NZ Open Slalom Nationals. Mike Dawson from Tauranga dominated both events winning the extreme race, mass start down river race & Open Mens Slalom Championship.

A top weekend which consisted of the head 2 head extreme race on the Citreon Rapid - Grade 4, Grand Prix Slalom in plastic boats & a mass start down river race. I kept my performances equal and finished in the middle of each event. Knocked out in the top 16 for the extreme race, getting about 8th in the slalom & somewhere about 10th in the mass start.

Since I was too busy enjoying being on the river all the pictures are by Jono Conway & Megan Foster.

The Arnold River & Random Pic's

2007-04-17T21:29:00.000+12:45

The Arnold River is a short drive from Greymouth, a small grade 2 river that is the local training grounds for Tai Poutini Polytech & Grey High School students. A regular flow and nice eddy lines make a fun little trip down the river.

Spent the afternoon in the sun with Megs & Viv Buxton who has just starting working at Grey Vet's. The first half of the run was pretty smooth with some nice little eddy lines, we spent about 20 minutes playing in the most pathetic hole I've ever stopped to park 'n' play in!

Further down the run there were a few nice catch on the fly waves & holes.

As with many rivers the Arnold is under threat from a dam proposal, submissions have closed and we await to see the outcome for a fantastic wee run that would be impossible to replace if lost.

Now to the random photos

Meg's showing off! Photo Antz Longman

A quick stop by Maruia Falls, we didn't feel like paddling.... Photo Antz Longman

Being crazy.... Photo Megs or Kim

The Arnold Put in, Viv's trusty brown wagon. Photo Antz Longman

Viv playing in our mini park 'n' play. Photo Antz Longman

More New Brighton Surfing

2007-04-17T21:23:00.000+12:45

Megs cartwheeling in the whitewash. Photo Antz Longman

How's the serenity? Photo Antz Longman

They call him the Sandman... Photo Antz Longman

Megs Wavewheeling. Photo Antz Longman

A little bit of air... Photo Antz Longman

Maybe there are alternatives to kayaking? Kiteboarders dominating the foreshore... Photo Antz Longman

More Buller Fest Shots

2007-04-17T20:46:00.000+12:45

Mikey Abbot being a show pony.... Photo Antz Longman

Sam Sutton working the airscrew. Photo Antz Longman

Louise Urwin drops in. Photo Antz Longman

Zak Shaw gets a little competitive in the slalom. Photo Antz Longman

Some people just 'flipped' out with the heat (sorry couldn't help the poor pun) Photo Antz Longman

Murchison with the Girls..

2007-03-16T10:27:00.001+13:45

Megs & Kim had just finished their first 6 week posting for the Physio year & were keen to escape the city and go for a paddle.
Hoping that the rain that had hit the west coast had reached Murchison we hit the road.

Straight into the Lower Matakitaki, I quickly realised that it was lower than week before, we slowly negotiated our way through the first few sections. Near the end I managed to pin myself on an undercut rock. Still able to breath and knowing that as long as i didn't move I was alright I waited for Megs & Kim to get into a position of safety.

After about 5 minutes (no exaggeration) I was contemplating my options.

- push myself backwards and hope to flush off the other side of the rock, then tuck to my boat to avoid being pummeled by more rocks.
- pull deck and hope the changed water pressure would move the boat (or potenially pin me worse)
- reach over the rock and try and pull forward and through the small gap between the two rocks.
- use a throw bag to get a lateral pull from the girls on the bank.
- and i'm sure some other plans were thought of too.

I felt around and tried to push backwards to no avail, I then felt underneath the rocks I was pinned against & realised that their was a lot of water pushing through a small gap below me. A gap that I wouldn't go through very easily!
I found a new hand hold on one of the rocks and managed to pull myself higher out of the water, which gave me enough power to pull over the top of the rock. I stalled slightly as the boat tried to fall into a crack, but quickly came to rest in the water on the other side.

A decent little scare, and an interesting situation. All turned out alright but another reminder of how quickly things can change on the river.

We finished the run and headed down to check out ariki falls (again lower than i've seen it. Not keen to drop into the churning/surging hole at the bottom. Camp was at the Earthquake put-in, sandflys made the night miserable and got us out & on the river early the next morning.

A scratchy run killed our enthusiasm and we decided to head back to Christchurch. Mental note Murchison low can be a little bit annoying/boney.

Having trouble attaching photos right now, so no pretty pictures to look at :(

Greenstone Instructing

2007-03-16T10:11:00.000+13:45

Straight after Bullerfest I headed south to Queenstown & then on to the tip of the Lake and the Greenstone River. I was there instructing for Wakitipu High School.

The river section we used under the bridge was grade 1, which proved an interesting location to introduce the kids to paddling as their were no eddys, or decent still sections. The 1st day was spent rotating groups of 3-4 kids through strokes and then negotiating the one small eddy we had available.

The following 24hours were a torrential downpour, the 1st rain Queenstown had seen in over a month, everything went from pristine green water to chocolate thickshake with logs. Luckily the bulk of the rain fell during the day that we were'nt kayaking.

Sarah-Jane & I snuck away and went to check out the Routeburn in flood. The route burn normally being a class 4 boulder drop creek was instead a mass of crashing waves/holes. Bearing a higher resemblance to a big water run on the Kawarau. We headed back to camp where Ken McIntyre & I jumped on the swollen Greenstone for a slalom training session, SJ was feeling sick so I got to try out her brand new Double Dutch Slalom boat, was awesome to be back in a slalom boat and feel the speed and satisfaction of carving some sweet turns. Also felt the burn of training with Ken. (Just 5 more..... 10 later!)

Our next day of kayaking was re-positioned to the lake front, which gave the kids more of a chance to play around in their boats and learn strokes etc.

After that SJ & myself headed back in town for a feed of the legendary FERGBURGER, picked up a hitchhiker in Glenorchy or was one of the stinkiest people you could ever have the experience of smelling. We shoved him in the back of the van :D

A quick stay at my parents & i was back on the road to Christchurch. (6 hours of boring driving). Next mission.. back to murchison with Megs & Kim for the weekend.

Buller Festival 2007

2007-03-14T09:43:00.000+13:45

Around the first weekend of march each year the infamous Buller Festival is held in Murchison. Around 3 1/2 hours drive from Christchurch I made my 1st ever pilgrimage to the event. This years event held on the 2nd, 3rd & 4th of March was ripper.
I just made it in time to enter the Extreme Race on the Lower Matakitaki Section. First up was a time trial to create seedings for the head 2 head races. I came through in the middle of the pack and was paired off with 3 others who had similar times to me. The winner of the time trail gets paired off with the slowest etc.

1st head to head race I got out of the blocks quick, after a few paddle blows & some pushing/shoving! I was well clear at the finish and touched the Teva Banner stoked. Next round I moved up and was racing against Sam Sutton from Rotorua (little ripper) a big charging swede and someone else. Some slow strokes straight out saw me playing catch up to Sam & the swede. Didn't quite make it and that was my extreme race over.

The finals saw a completey different line up to 2006 with some fresh faces making an impact in the race. Men's final was Sam Sutton, Zak Shaw, Josh Neilson & Nate?

Zak blew the field away a clear winner leaving the other boys to scrap it out for 2nd/3rd. Josh snuck in with 2nd & Nate took 3rd.

In the womens Nikki Kelly robbed Jess Brown at the final banner to claim yet another extreme race title for CV.

Saturday was a day of intense heat for the kayak slalom & rafter cross. A huge turnout and some fast times saw everyone amping for Saturday nights "rock the buller" party. Live music and general kayak riff raff kept the night going until the early hours.

Sunday morning was time for the big air, a slow moving herd of kayakers found their way to the Ramp site and proceeded to hurl themselves off the ramp in a range of gyrations & aerial donkey flips.

Zak Shaw on his way to winning the final - Photo Antz Longman

Josh vs Nate for 2nd place - Photo Antz Longman

A quality write up on the event will be available in the next issue of CUMEC Magazine due out middle of April.

Results as I can remember were.

Extreme Race

Mens

1st - Zak Shaw
2nd - Josh Neilson
34d - Nate

Womens

1st- Nikki Kelly
2nd - Jess Brown
3rd - Polly

Slalom

Mens

1st - Lucien Holgate
2nd -
3rd - Zak Shaw

Womens

1st - Louise Jull
2nd - Linda Wensly
3rd - ?

Big Air

Mens

1st - Nick Smith (with a leg in cast!)
2nd - Sam Sutton
3rd - Justin

Womens -

1st -
2nd - Louise Urwin
3rd -

Christchurch to Queenstown & Back

2007-02-22T16:54:00.000+13:45

Last Friday a felt a need to escape the city. I arranged an extended weekend and organised a little trip south.

1st stop was the Tekapo Release on Saturday, I'd heard through the grapevine that a few of the good old Dunedin crew were coming up. So after packing the car I drove the 3 hours south to Lake Tekapo.

High temperatures meant that the normally icy cold water was a welcome relief from driving in a car that's window doesn't wind down. A solid 5 hours of playboating in the top hole wore me down & I decided to head to Timaru for a cold beer.

Craig Adams trying to suss out an entry move.... Photo: Antz Longman

Howie - Photo Antz Longman

Craig again - Photo Antz Longman

After a night in Timaru, Shanan & I headed out to Jack's Point for a midday surf, clean small waves dished out some nice flip turns from Shanan, a few blunts n donkey flips for me. Also one huge backwards bounce to something by me...

Then I was back on the road to Queenstown to check out my parents new lifestyle as moteliers... Abba Garden Motel in Gorge Road if your looking for somewhere to stay in Queenstown! They are keeping busy and really have their hands full with cleaning, reception work, maintenance etc.

A couple days in Queenstown using Dad's computer to edit some footage for the Bliss-Stick Video Competition & I was on my way back. A stop at the traditional Tuesday Meg Night on the Kawarau was awesome. The Roaring Meg hole was working, although not at it's best but good fun for a few ends & loops. I then made the late night drive back to Timaru. Wednesday was spent relaxing in the sun and catching up with Gareth (check out the blacklight blog) for his view on Aoraki's 3rd year thus far... Also caught up with Logie as he supervised the 1st 1st year kayak intensive, supervising from his van. now that's the ultimate in laziness.

Then dinner with my brother at a Thai restaurant to semi celebrate his birthday and back to Christchurch.

The next issue of Cumec is coming along pretty nicely with articles & photos coming in from all directions. Advertising is starting to trickle in as well..

Antz

Surfing New Brighton

2007-02-06T10:26:00.000+13:45

Wicked, had a little escape yesterday and went for a midday surf at New Brighton. Lindsay Froggart came along and snapped some sweet pictures from the pier.
All photos copyright Lindsay Froggart (All paddlers me! haha)

The Local Bouldering Scene.

2007-02-05T10:09:00.000+13:45

After moving to a new neighbourhood it's natural to explore your new surroundings. First of all the local shopping centre. Ours consists of the local Pub "The Vancouver Inn" with free pool on Wednesday's, although we haven't been over for an evening yet. Next to the inn is Frank's Fish & Chips an establishment of fine repute (according to a guy I met at my brothers party in Timaru a week ago.) Then there is a hairdressers and a token cultural dairy.

We started exploring further afield and found Christchurch's Recycled Items SuperShed. So the lounge has now been adorned with 5 free arm chairs, and stereo cabinet, dining room table & chairs (plus other random items).

It was now time to test the recreational facilities, a couple of sports fields adjacent to Christchurch's Sewerage Facility. Makes for a stinky morning run. A short drive/bike & your at New Brighton Beach for a surf or swim.

Then back to the point of this article, we discovered a local gem. A sculptured outdoor climbing wall in Wainoni Park. The locals had even been kind enough to leave us various contact numbers for "a good time" as well advising us of there names "KO" and "AK". Looking forward to meeting the local boulderers and working some problems...

The girls in blue (Megs, Kim & Laura) with Lindsay in corner. Wainoni Bouldering Photo Antz Longman

Kim wonders where to go next, Wainoni Bouldering. Photo Antz Longman

Girls not interested in Lindsay's show of force, Wainoni Bouldering Photo Antz Longman

Megan defies the laws of nature & engages the rubber arm, Wainoni Bouldering
Photo Antz Longman

Lindsay climbs the mini arete, Wainoni Bouldering Photo Antz Longman

www.cumecmagazine.com

2007-01-31T00:16:00.000+13:45

The magazine has started it's advancement into the cyber realms. Although there is still no content it is a step forward!
So check into www.cumecmagazine.com for progress on the site.

In other news the good fellows over at Feed The Rat in Melbourne have been dealing with insomnia and have updated their website. Plenty of good stories to read about including my mission to Costa Rica, Panama & California at the start of the year. Make sure to swing by their Rat Gear section and check out the clothing range for sale.

I have also started some part-time work for Kayak Unlimited in New Brighton, just to keep myself even busier! Hopefully get out on a decent paddling mission sometime in the not to distant future....

Happy Days...

Antz

Back to work?

2007-01-24T11:21:00.000+13:45

The summer holiday finally wound it's way to an end. Now find myself in Christchurch setting up a new house, searching for a job & trying to get the magazine off the ground.

We finally got phone & internet installed yesterday after a weeks delay so we now have regained contact with the outside world....

A few more shots from the north island & travelling around the west coast.

Aratiatia Rapids, Photo Antz Longman

Finished another good run, Earthquake take-out on the buller. Photo Antz Longman

Charleston sunset. Photo Antz Longman

Castle Hill Rock formations. Photo Antz Longman

Looping at Kaituna Playhole, Photo Megan Foster

Up North Part 4 : The Wairoa

2006-12-23T23:30:00.000+13:45

I had 1 date fixed in my mind for the north island. Sunday the 17th of December, it was the only Wairoa release while we were up North. I had organised for a crew of mates to make the mission over and was keen to get on the river I'd heard quite a lot about.

An early morning drive from Rotorua we made it to the Wairoa at about 11am. Early morning being an 0830 get up! haha
For the top section Shanan & Jimmy were our "guides" and Gordy and myself were new to the Wairoa. The action was short and quick through the entry rapids and we made our way downstream quite quickly.
Time flyed and before I realised we were at Roller Coaster (site of the Wairoa Extreme Race) I got out for a look & grabbed the camera, Jimmy & Shanan went down to show us the lines but Gordy & I were both amused as they both went through the bottom of the rapid upside down. Then Sam Sutton & Coyo came through showing us some sweeter lines & then we were up.
No carnage stories unfourtanetly and we continued down to the slalom course and met up with Megan & Tully who had walked up the track.
The last few rapids were short boulder gardens before the final 2m waterfall and paddle to the take out.

Everyone had nice lines off the falls & we had break for lunch. After driving back to the put in we geared up for a 2nd run. While getting ready we watched a nameless paddler (maybe Mark Robertson) run McLaren Falls. Then the 4 boys had another run down the river, we were joined at the bottom of Roller Coaster by Louise Urwin, who was making a solo mission down in her new rad 175. She ended up having a bit of fun in the back wash of the bottom waterfall. Good clean fun for the whole family.

That was it for the Wairoa & everyone went their seperate ways. Gordy & Tully the long drive back to Masteron, Shanan to Waitomo, Sheree & Jimmy to National Park (Jimmy had a couple of days left before his shoulder operation). Megan & I headed south and checked into a campground in Papamoa to finally do some much needed washing of clothes & selves....

Shanan Miles run the Chicken Chute while Jimmy & Gordy watch on.
Photo - Antz Longman

Is it Mark Robertson? Mc Laren Falls
Photo: Shanan Miles

Sam Sutton goes through the center (Roller Coaster Rapid)
Photo - Antz Longman
Antz

Up North Part 3 : The Kaituna

2006-12-23T23:18:00.000+13:45

From National Park we made our way north to Rotorua, hoping that the NZ Kayak Buyers Guide & Cumec Magazine would be finished printing. After discovering that it was still at least 4 days away, we quickly made our way to do the 1st of many runs down the Kaituna River.

Megan had never paddled the Kaituna before so she followed me down. Tracing my lines through the 1st few rapids and then over Okere Falls (about a 2m drop). The river thens drops into a weir created by the old power station with the safest line being a boof hard right into the eddy.
Just down stream lies Tutea Falls 7m after briefing Megan on the line, I set off paddling left to right and boofed off the falls, landing on the pillow and being pushed out in to the pool. I turned to see Megan boof out from the drop land nicely and flip off the boil, she rolled up and had a big smile. Her 1st big waterfall. Although she had her eyes closed the whole time to keep her contacts in place.

The next few days were spent with multiple runs of the Kaituna, and as the weekend came around our crew of buddies started to roll in to town (Gordy, Tully, Jimmy, Sheree, Shanan)

We managed four runs on Saturday, including a couple of decent play sessions at bottom hole. Also tried out the new Bliss-Stick Mystic for 1 run down the river.

We were then ready to head to Taurangu for the Wairoa Release....

Antz

Antz about to run Tutea Falls
Photo - Megan Foster

Shanan Miles, Antz Longman & Gordy Bulford on Okere Falls & the Weir
Photo - Megan Foster

Local Rotorua boy Sam Sutton going big in his Mystic
Photo - Antz Longman

Up North Part 2 : Manganui a Te Au?

2006-12-23T23:04:00.000+13:45

After staying a few days in Palmerston north we headed north to National Park, catching up on Sheree & Jimmy and hoping for some Central Plateau action. All the rivers were low so we headed to the Manganui which according to the guidebook was paddlable at any flow.

We managed to rock dodge our way down through a scenic gorge and watch a couple of Whio (Blue Ducks) negotiate the same rapids as us.

The run was interesting but with some more water would be a great trip. Short Class 2-3 rapids lead into large walls as the river turns sharp corners.

Thats it for the Manganui a Te Au

Antz

Megan at the put-in
Photo - Antz Longman

Up North Part 1 : Mangahao

2006-12-23T22:55:00.000+13:45

Once again it has taken ages to get an update on here. Megan & I have been rolling around the north island for almost two weeks.

Part 1:

Mangahao Slalom Course & Whitewater Park.

First stop on the way north was Mangahao, NZ's 1st man made whitewater course based around 30 minutes south of Palmerston North near the town of Shannon. When we were there the course was running at 16 cumecs. Both Megan & I wished we had slalom boats but still enjoyed multiple runs down the course.
Megan spent the time adjusting to her new Prijon Creeker & I played around in a couple of the holes down the course.

A couple of local paddlers showed up while we there. Don't remember their names but they ended up sneaking their way into my photos.

Local paddler (who remains nameless) playing in a small hole mid course.
Photo - Antz Longman

Looking down the 2nd half of the slalom course.
Photo - Antz Longman

12 Mile Creek & big rain

2006-12-02T21:07:00.000+13:45

After a week of driving for queenstown rafting my rat was starving. A huge low had just passed over the lower south island bringing the Shotover river upto 220cumecs & washing out parts of the road, the Kawarau rose to over 600 cumecs and Lake Wakitipu was edging closer to flood level.
Thursday morning Megan & I headed out to check out Nevis Bluff at high flow, we were stopped by road workers blasting rock from above the road. We caught a glimpse of some big brown crashing waves from over a km upstream. On the way back to town we stopped and check out the few of the DogLeg Rapid, quite washed out with the high flow.

After some lunch we loaded the creek boats and headed out to 12 Mile Delta, a 40 minute walk up a well looked after walking track you come to San Somers Hut.

The Walk In - Paddler: Megan Foster Photo: Antz Longman

Just behind the hut lies a sweet 6-7metre drop. After some humming & harring I decided that the drop was good to go, we planned some safety and set up some cameras.

Scouting - Paddler: Antz Longman Photo: Megan Foster

I ran the falls twice with varying levels of success, a large boil pushes you into a small cave on river right, which isn't too bad & you can paddle out of successfully.

About to hit the lip - Paddler: Antz Longman Photo: Megan Foster

A little bit of a crazy shot - Paddler: Antz Longman Photo: Megan Foster

I then climbed out just below the drop and walked downstream with Megan, as we didnt like the idea of paddling the tight wood filled canyon at this high flow. We put in halfway down & ran some small & tight rapids. With a few sizable portages around wood infested sections.

12 Mile was sick, and can't wait to have another opportunity to explore the rest of the river & possibly the section below the Glenorchy Road (Altough this section traps even more wood.

Antz

Upper Shotover (Megs 21st)

2006-12-02T20:48:00.000+13:45

It's been a few random weeks so I'm finally getting some updates on here. I've been in queenstown since about the 16th of november, had Megan's 21st party on the 18th of November up at Ben Lomond Lodge then on the sunday headed into the Upper Shotty, I've attached a few photos from that trip, mixed with a few more from a trip in a few days later.

Paddlers: Megan, Jonny, Kim & Hamish Location: Upper Shotover Put In Photo:Antz

Paddler: Antz Longman Location: Bottom Hole, Upper Shotover Photo: Megan Foster

Paddler: Megan Foster Location: Bottom Hole, Upper Shotover Photo: Antz Longman

Paddler: Antz Longman Location: Bottom Hole, Upper Shotover Photo: Megan Foster

Paddler: Antz Longman Location: Bottom Hole, Upper Shotover Photo: Megan Foster

Paddler: Antz Longman Location: Bottom Hole, Upper Shotover Photo: Megan Foster

CUMEC MAGAZINE ISSUE 1

2006-11-14T19:15:00.000+13:45

Here's what its going to look like! 1st cover star NZ's own Mike Dawson.
What's going to be inside? Well Mike has spun a little bit of a yarn about the Slalom World Cup, a look into Bliss-Fest 06 the lower South Island's 1st kayak festival & Anthony Yap from Melbourne gives an explanation on how to get out your dish cloth and make your blunts clean (Clean Blunting that is).

Yes it's small, but everything has to start somewhere! Stay tuned to the blog for some feedback & check out the CUMEC blog at www.cumecmagazine.blogspot.com

Cheers to everyone that has given me feedback, articles, photos & advice as the magazine has been progressing.
Also support all the people advertising in the NZ Kayak Buyers Guide, because they too are just trying to make a living out of a passion.

Happy Days

Antz

Big Wednesday - The Video

2006-11-10T17:19:00.000+13:45

Here it is, a short edit of our big wednesday trip on the upper waikaia.

Antz

oh and the magazine is almost done...

Big Thursday - The Nevis River

2006-10-21T11:20:00.000+13:45

What do you do after having a Big Wednesday? Our answer - Have a Big Thursday.

7:30am on thursday morning I was lying in bed wondering what to do with the day.
BEEP BEEP new text message received "Pack your gear we're heading to the Nevis see you in 30 minutes" Quite a late time I thought but hey what else am I going to do. A quick text back to Dylan "nuff said".

I rushed around collecting my gear from the back of the car, the basement, the washing line, in the wardrobe and several other locations. A small pile of gear, a paddle & a kayak sat on the footpath waiting for Dylan & Olly to arrive.

Amazingly they arrived to the minute & we were on our way to the Citreon take-out to meet Pete Simpson & Kent Huxford who were making the mission from Hawea.

We arrived at the Citreon take-out at about 11:40 about 40minutes later Pete & Kent arrived. He quickly loaded the kayaks on Pete's truck & headed off for diesel & the big shuttle to the Nevis Crossing.

Pete's truck loaded to go... Photo Antz Longman

Despite ominous looking weather & gusting Nor-westers we made it to the put-in & got on the water at 2:15. Quite a late start really. Luckily Pete, Dylan & Olly had all run the Nevis before. Wouldn't have been possible to start so late if you didn't know the river.

Dylan braves the wind for a photo op. Photo Antz Longman

At the Put In (Nevis Crossing). Photo Antz Longman

Central Otago schist walls started to grow in height as we progressed further down the river. After about 15 minutes of class 2 Dylan wave-wheeled his scud over a little wave only to land on a rock & snap his paddle in half. A few minutes trying to figure out which boat we could fit the larger of the two halves into. Finally we were moving again (Dylan now using our only split paddle).

The gradient picked up & we soon made it to the mandatory portage with a spectacular yet dodgy seal launch. Horizon lines everywhere we read & ran heaps of class 3-4 water. Occasionally having a short scout or jumping out for photo opportunities.

Freight Train was a sweet two stage drop which made for some awesome photos & video.

Olly Yeoman catches the Freight Train. Photo Antz Longman

Pete Simpson hitting the bottom drop of Freight Train. Photo Antz Longman

Time was still ticking so we kept moving finally breaking for tea at about 5pm midway through a big portage.

Dinner time. Photo Antz Longman

Finally we made it down to the big ones! Little Brother & Big Brother.
We all hit little brother, but I was feeling the effects of a long day & not enough food so opted out of Big Brother.

Kent & Pete running Little Brother. Photo Antz Longman

Dylan bottom drop of Big Brother. Photo Antz Longman

Olly boofing the bottom drop of Big Brother. Photo Antz Longman

After big brother the gradient stays consistent & you have fast moving grade 3 for about 4kms until a short flat water until the confluence with the Kawarau.

By this stage we were all well & truly tired. We just had the matter of dealing with a big water finish. Citreon flowing at about 300cm3. Pete went 1st as we opted for the "bomb it strategy" no scouting. Pete went left, hit the buffer really high and got launched skyward. We all quickly changed lines and hit the right of Citreon Rock.
I was 3rd through, came through to see pete still upside down on the left, infront Dylan was upside down amongst some huge crashing waves.
Had to keep focus for a few more minutes paddling through the crashing waves I made it to the bottom without flipping (so did Kent). Not so for the other boys, Pete was upside down for most of the rapid, Dylan contemplated pulling as he became disorientated from waves & having no indicator on the paddle shaft. Olly got back looped coming into the top of the right line.

Huge smiles & a massive stoke factor as we floated the final kilometre down to the takeout.

Was a massive day, absolutely stunning & will be hard to top. Although was an expensive day:
Snapped Paddle - Dylan
Cracked Boat - Olly
Possibly Cracked Boat - Antz
Lost Memory Card - Antz (it belonged to Pete)
plus petrol & food.

But really money can't buy the satisfaction that you get from having an awesome adventure with some good fella's.

Cheers boys still stoked on the good times.

Antz

Waipori Slalom

2006-10-15T17:26:00.000+13:45

It had been over 4 years since I entered my last competitive slalom race. Back then I was in 6th form at Taieri High hanging out with mates and having a good laugh on the river. I had no knowledge of river dynamics, strokes (except a healthy power roll), or much more than the basics of slalom.

Today I headed out to Waipori for race 1 of the South Island series. The race had been organised by Dylan Thomson & OCKC. First of all I had no boat, and definetely hadn't paddled a long boat in ages. Caleb Woodside my old paddling partner from high school came along too he hadn't even been in a kayak for over 3 years.

Caleb's brother Josh lent me his slalom boat for the 2 race runs. My first run was a little shaky through the staggers & definetely well behind the regular slalom racers.

Race 2 started off well through the upstreams and first set of staggers, I thought I was going well! Then while going for gate 14(downstream)I caught a rail and flipped. Not sure if I even went through the gate... I rolled up in time to catch gate 15 & paddle down through the last couple of gates.

Overall I ended up 13th out of 21. Great fun being back in a competitive atmosphere & picking up more knowledge from the regular racing crew. Might even have to venture to the next race in the series at Hawea! All depends on my workloads though.

Cheers go out to Dylan & everyone who made it a good day out on the river.

Antz

Big Wednesday - The Upper Waikaia

2006-10-12T14:22:00.000+13:45

The middle of the week usually comes around & I'm hanging out for the weekend. This week my weekend got brought forward. Some quiet banter at the weekend and talk was raised of a mid-week mission to the Waikaia. Levels had been sitting looking reasonable for over a week and a keen crew had been found.

The Crew from Left: Antz Longman, Olly Yeoman, Dylan Thomson & James Dawson. Photo Blaka Hanna

Tuesday night saw 4 keen boaters packing into James's Subaru, 4 creek boats & a couple hours driving south to Gore. The cold weather that had been battering the south all Tuesday was gone when we awoke on Wednesday morning. Back into the car and our drive began. Heading out towards Piano Flat & the Waikaia takeout. We had been lucky and obtained the services of a Mr Blake Hanna as a shuttle driver We quickly headed further up the road to the Canton Bridge. The road to the Waikaia climbs steeply for a long time, we couldn't really believe that over the 12km shuttle drive we had climbed steeply over the entire drive.

Olly Yeoman acknowledges that the SDC doesn't want us to die up there. Photo Dylan Thomson

We got to the put-in and were welcomed by a lovely sign from the Southland District Council advising us that "We don't want you to die up there". Blake headed of back down the road & we started the walk down to the put-in.

The Waikaia was flowing on the low end of the scale, but as we started paddling the scenery was amazing as we made our way down to the 1st scout of the day.

1st up - paddle in between two large chockstones pop out the otherside a few strokes and over a 4-5m drop.
The rapids were seperated by short-long flat pools and then it would steepen up quickly and the water was filled with massive boulders creating drops, sieves, slides, portages. Everything that can be on a river was there. A few mandatory portages, one I should have portaged.... and good times on a new run for us all.

Antz coming out of the hole and auto-boofing the drop. Photo Dylan Thomson

We eventually got to what we think is the "Waterfall of Death" a 2m drop into a 4m drop. It was clean and ready to go. The paparazzi popped up (Dylan & myself) and worked on getting some still shots & video. Working some funky angles it was a great bit of fun.

Dylan Thomson about to launch the Waterfall of Death. Photo Olly Yeoman

James Dawsons tempts fate while Olly watches from below. Photo Dylan Thomson

An awesome day out, a little more water and the run would be stunning. Can't complain though it was a Wednesday and we all probably should have been studying.

Now its Thursday my calves are burning from boat carrying & I'm back into magazine mode. Although we still thinking about what to do next Wednesday....

Antz

BLISS-FEST

2006-10-10T18:19:00.000+13:45

BLISS-Fest was successfully held over the weekend, despite no water in the rivers over 50 boaters turned up to dominate the Dunedin beaches & have a good time.
Gareth Hutton made the mission from Timaru & took some sweet pictures of the sundays competition.
Dylan Thomson took out the men's event & Sophie Ballagh took out the ladies.

Heres a few pics from Bliss-Fest, all pictures copyright Gareth Hutton.

Christchurch's Ian Waterhouse going big with a donkey flip in the men's final.

Me, walking back after my heat...

Ladies winner Sophie Ballagh

Waiting for the bounce, Antz Longman

Men's Winner Dylan Thomson going for the tube...

Back in the Huka

2006-10-02T15:48:00.000+13:45

I didn't really end up spending much time in Dunedin this weekend. After arriving back from Rotorua late on Thursday night, I was leaving again by early Saturday Morning.

Our plan to put our creekboats into use. Both Robin & I had been out of creek boats for months. (Well I hadn't been in mine since at least January!) Too much time in the little boat.

We drove straight to Central Otago with a predicted front bringing rain late on Saturday Night. For some reason we decided to head straight to Nevis Bluff to take a look, consensus it was big! Sitting at about 260 cumecs it was an entirely different rapid than when we've both run it at around 150. Huge waves and really big holes. We portaged down river left and put in below the the two top drops. Paddling the 2nd half was a quick re-introduction to being extra bouyant in a creek boat. I felt like I was being pushed around like a 3rd former in a rumble-line down the corridor.
I soon readjusted to the creek boat and we paddled down to Citreon, after some scouting we both opted for the right line around the Citreon Rock, I went 1st clean through the drop but flipped on some crazy water. I rolled up in time to find myself going backwards over another drop into a hole. I felt a firm thud as my boat connected with an underwater rock, I rolled up and quickly caught the next eddy possible.

Looking up I saw Robin run the drop fine then his eyes grow as he realised how big the water was. He missed an eddy and continued on through the big pushy water and caught an eddy after the rapid. I followed down and we were soon floating to take out. A quick hitch back to the car, and then we headed back to Cromwell for some much needed replenishing.
The weather reports were seeming a little unreliable, with no rain fall record & flows staying fairly similar we started questioning what Sunday's Mission should be.
We decided that we'd run with our initial plan and hope that the Young would be flowing high enough come Sunday morning.

We then drove to wanaka got some dinner and a cup of tea or two. Then on to the Albert-Town camping ground for the night. Robin in the tent and myself curled up in the back of the station wagon (Thanks for car Megan & Julia....)
We awoke in the morning to a light rain and we decided it was worth the risk to drive over to Makarora. While eating breakfast I heard a "Hey Antz" and turned to find Troy & Chelle camping next to us. They were down from Fox Glacier and off rock-climbing for the day.

1 hour down the road and we were opposite the Young River Valley, gearing up and hoping for a good day on the water. Just after 10am we set off walking, and we were still walking about 3 hours later.

The Young River is part of Mount Aspiring National Park and has a lovely walking track running up river left all the way to Young Forks. You would most likely enjoy the walk alot more if your weren't lugging a big plastic creek boat with you! The scenery was amazing though & I loved being back in beech forest.

Eventually we got to the young river flats & paused for lunch. We now had 6.5 kms of class 4+ water to take us back to our car at the main road.

Eddy hopping down the river we found some clean read & run rapids & also some need to scout blind drops. Our 1st portage was around a 2m chute that fed into an undercut rock. Neither Robin or myself felt compelled to risk a disappearing act underwater.

As we progressed the rapids started getting longer and stylier. We finally arrived at the crux rapid (Prioprism) and after some scouting we both got in our boats and ran some beautiful rapids.
The top of prioprism was a clean 2m fall which then wound around a few corners and lead into a big steep boulder garden.

We both got held up mid rapid by one hole and but managed to eddy out behind a rock before the next big drop.
The final big drop involved cutting behind one rock, letting the current catch your nose and swing your right back into the main flow, a big stroke to pull through the hole at the bottom & then catch your breath before the next 100m of rapids.

Robin went first, it looked like he was going to far right, then the last thing I saw as he dropped out of sight was the hull of his boat. Now I immediately thought that "that ain't right" so quickly paddled after him. I stayed hard against the top rock and then felt the current hit me and swing me back towards the right. I caught a glimpse of robin floating in boily pool, holding his boat. Not the nicest time to be out of your boat!
Robin self-rescued and pulled his boat into a small eddy, I followed behind, Robin had spotted his paddle floating downstream and quickly rushed after it jumping from rock to rock. Once all the gear was re-united and boat emptied we were back on the water.

It turns out Robin had gone hard right and the current pushed him into a small under cut. He felt his boat stop dead and got the instant feeling of "uh-oh" then what happened after that he couldn't really remember, but it all happened in a split second and then was cleaned up just as quick.

The river mellowed out from their on out with a few short rapids & and then a gentle float back to the car.
The paddocks were even full of new season lambs, some were still covered in blood and might have been born while we were on the water.

We were just left with the 4 hour drive back to Dunedin!

So that was another good weekend, Cheers Robin!

Antz

NZ Kayak Buyers Guide

2006-09-26T13:04:00.000+12:45

Right...

So I'm now in Rotorua, I've taken over from Natalie Meek as the editor of the NZ Kayak Buyers Guide.
We're working on getting advertising things out this afternoon & then everythings go!
I'm up here till thursday, which means a daily paddle down the beautiful Kaituna River and spot of playing in Bottom hole.

Yesterday was awesome went for a solo mission in a Jackson Kayaks All-Star, awesome boat & loved the bottom holes, cartwheels & split wheels. Even managed some unintentional back loops & tricky-whu type moves.

Very busy, will be back in Dunedin briefly before heading off creeking for the weekend. Will be working all next week then Bliss-Fest (not long to go now!).

Sweet

Antz

busy times

2006-09-23T20:31:00.000+12:45

I've spent today helping my parents shift houses from Milton to Mosgiel, is that a step up in the world?

Tomorrow I head off to Christchurch, then Monday fly to Rotorua! Heading up to meet DC from Sunspots and work out a deal about a magazine....
might even get done the Kaituna again, it is a hard life after all :)

Have been out surfing a fair bit recently, and a couple of pool session have meant that I'm almost sticking flatwater loops. Not long to the Bliss-Stick Festival & then the end of the year.

So much is coming up I'm going to be finding it hard to get spare moments.
Magazines, paddling, paddling, polytech, earning a few dollers, maybe a climb, 21sts.

Anyway I better keep getting organised & then head off to a 21st.

Antz

Re-Focus

2006-09-04T10:22:00.000+12:45

Can't get enough of that wonderful paddling.

I keep reminding myself, or getting reminded by others how fantastic kayaking is. Another beautiful day on the taieri yesterday. (Cheers Megan, Robin, Howie, Jock & Red). Beautiful spring sunshine & blue skies. Good flow and a great way to finish the week. The surf has been really good some medium-large swells rolling through and warm days. Even braved the shorty the other day.
Downside being a week ago I snapped my Rochfort at St Kilda. The first main piece of paddling kit i've ever broken. Now im back to paddling with the trusty "Mohaka". Just received word from Kyle in Coloma, that he's finally going to put my new H20 paddle in the post on tuesday! after two months it'll finally be on its way to me!
Really good to know that the paddle is somewhere and not lost in a global network of disgruntled posties/couriers.

On other matters, Polytech is ticking along and im generally keeping up (when I go...) Magazine progress is slow but steady. Still sorting out finance issues. I'm entering the AUDACIOUS business competition in Dunedin, so could possibly get some financial help from that if they think my idea is worthwile.

The kiwi boys have been representing well over at the Freestyle World Cup, Josh Neilson pulling 23rd out of 50 in the senior mens, and the young fellas making the cut into the junior finals. Well done boys.

This week is shaping up to be busy with tek, paddling, parents renovating the house, a little bit of work and other things bound to pop up.

Antz

DVDs and Byebyes

2006-08-10T15:32:00.000+12:45

Enter The Donkey DVDs now in stock. Available at $34.95 plus postage of $5 within NZ. Contact me at eye4adventure@gmail.com

Off to Timaru & Christchurch for the weekend. Hopefully paddling the Rangitata Gorge on Sunday and maybe a spot of climbing in Christchurch on Saturday. Actual point of the trip is to drop my almost Doctor brother at the Airport. The lucky fellow is off to Brasil for two months to work in a plastic surgery clinic. Then he's off to Thailand & Japan for another month. I figure that after all this time studying and working at medicine a nice trip on a plane and to foriegn lands will be quite refreshing.

Magazine update coming next week.

Antz

EYE4ADVENTURE in business?

2006-08-04T21:29:00.000+12:45

That's right I've taken the next step along the road to financial freedom or possibly financial doom.... well lets hope it will end up with the first possibility! If not I guess my student loan may get written off...

EYE4ADVENTURE is now the official NZ distributor for Effort Inc. Meaning enter the donkey will be available for purchase very shortly in NZ, Effort Inc. are also planning on producing future movies on the wonderful subject matter of Kayaking!

On other developments work is progressing soundly towards NZ & Australia's new kayak magazine. With articles in the works, business plans spinning around my head & very few hours not spent thinking about somesort of issue/problem. Advertising is the next matter to attend to while the articles are written (Articles will be coming in from Canada, California & Europe) as well as back here in good old NZ & Australia.

With nothing set in stone a release date is currently unknown. How the cookie ends up crumbling we'll have to wait & see.

Until I randomly update you again

Antz

P.S if interested in the Enter The Donkey DVD send me an email at kayaktrash@gmail.com - price 2B-annouced.

low water on the taieri...

2006-07-31T20:04:00.000+12:45

Here's a couple of pictures from our trip down the Taieri on Sunday afternoon. Twas mighty low flow (maybe 17cumecs) good times. Good to be back on a river and with a good bunch of paddlers.

Race through Pipeline - Danger, Blake, Roger, Shan

Shanan

The walk in - Danger & Chris

That's all folks

Antz

ENTER THE DONKEY! Update

2006-07-31T20:02:00.000+12:45

After a bit of time and thinking we've decided a perfect time to run a premiere would be.......

during the Bliss-Stick Kayak Festival (October 7th & 8th) based on the Taieri River and at St Clair Beach. More details to follow about the festival and timings.

ENTER THE DONKEY!

2006-07-22T23:06:00.000+12:45

Fresh from North Carolina comes "Enter The Donkey" and EYE4ADVENTURE is bringing Dunedin the New Zealand Premiere.

Just waiting for the arrival of the movie so that we can put it on a nice big screen to share with the masses.

Dunedin premiere will be sometime mid-august, and after that will be looking to arrange a Timaru & Christchurch screening.

For any further info about the movie check out www.effort.tv or contact me.

Cheers Antz

More News

2006-07-22T22:58:00.000+12:45

Dunedin's starting to heat up, lots of action starting to happen over the next few weeks. Here's a quick low down:

Thursday 27th July - Sean Waters presents a slide show on "Hidden Tibet" all about some unclimbed gems i believe. Being held at the St David Lecture Theatre from 7:30pm tickets $10 on the night. Check info at Bivouac Dunedin. (I could be wrong).

Saturday July 29th - Opening day for "Room 14" Dunedin's new bouldering facility. Stuart St big old school building. $5 entry from 2-7pm. Come along and support dunedin rock.

August ?? - Dunedin premieres of films from the Wicked West Coast Film Festival. Being run by R&R Sport. Tickets $15 or $10 for students.

October 7th & 8th - BLISS-FEST the return of the bliss-stick surf comp from last year sees an additional boater-x race on the Taieri River. A weekend of fun for all the paddling family! stay tuned for further info.

update...

2006-07-17T15:41:00.000+12:45

Dunedin, little chilly but still a wicked place to hang out. Am going to be here for until at least december now...
Wanted to avoid full-time work so have enrolled in some NZ Diploma in Business Papers to keep the qual's coming and still allow time to pursue my other interests... Those of course being paddling, climbing and anything else that sounds fun.

Queenstown was proving to be too cold, and then a quick stop in Timaru to catch up with the masses who've been having a ball through June massive snowdumps. Then back to dunedin where some nice waves having been rolling through St Clair.

Today's my 21st birthday so think it'll be approriate to head out for a boulder or surf pretty soon. Parties in two week time so if you've been fortunate enough for me to record your email address or cell number you've probably got an invite.

Looking forward to some good weekend missions throughout winter/spring before the summer 06/07 road trip north... as long as funds are around.
Heaps a few more pic's from my time in Coloma.

Who else but me, running something on the Kyburz Section of the Sth Fork American

and more of Kyburz, Sth Fork of the American.

Winter Festival

2006-06-26T19:16:00.000+12:45

Queenstown Winterfest has started down here, pretty timely with the cold weather. Friday night was the opening with live music and fireworks, since then crazy cats have been throwing themselves in the lake in birdman contests & other crazy events.
Witnessed someone base jump off a paraglider over the centre of town, which definetely was spectacular.

The cold itself has been keeping me indoors, with temperatures in the minus catagories. Ice on the side of the shotover river and reasonably frequent snow showers. The skiiers and boarders will be loving it.
A week of random work here then will head to Timaru for a few days before going back to dunedin to find a real job for awhile.

Until next time, hope your warmer than me.

Antz

Back to Winter

2006-06-17T16:22:00.000+12:45

So here i am sitting back in Dunedin, after 8 weeks in Costa Rica, Panama & California i've returned to winter. Why? Well various reasons, NZ still has that luring power so does the prospect of actually having cash in my pocket & spending time with my girl.

Will update the blog in the next couple of days with a wrapup of the Cali-Daze and the trip in its whole complete package.

Check back soon, for photos, words and maybe video???

Antz

Chamberlain Falls & Photos

2006-06-07T13:29:00.000+12:45

So monday was a write-off, just relaxed and had a short playboat run. Today paddled the Chamberlain Falls section of the North Fork of the American, again amazing scenery with some nice rapids, nothing that compared to the other day but still awesome to be in a boat.
Just over a week to go here in Cali, then back to NZ. So anyone with winter missions in the planning I may well be interested.

Check out the photos below from sundays trip on Giant Gap.

Antz

Giant Gap - Nth Fork of the American

2006-06-06T08:23:00.000+12:45

well yesterday paddled the Giant Gap section of the North Fork of the American, its quite a lengthy name really isn't it? 16miles of Class 4 & 5, was awesome, one of the deepest canyons in California and really really beautiful with wicked rapids. Had a 2.5mile walk in which was all downhill through poison oak and swarms of mosquitoes.

Was charging there were 10 of us, 2 kayaks and 3 rafts, so myself and another guide Christo were paddling and then everyone else was in rafts, they were all guides from here and there, first day of their new Class 5 of the week program. Not that its really a program they just decided that they should do at least one solid class 5 run per week for summer, and this was the first.

So I styled all the rapids, portaged one called locomotive, a massive river wide hole with two possibilities for lines hard right & left, but the boil behind the hole was surging between flat and sloping about 15 degrees back in to the meat. I didnt like this thought so went with the portage, one raft ran it. All clean and continued on down, only scouted one rapid for the day everything else we read & ran.

Only carnage for the day was in the final rapid, I was in front, did the top section, went to catch an eddy mid stream, washed out the back and was forced to go right (normal being left apparently). I dropped into a big juicy hole, pulled through allright then flipped on a seamline. Cracked my paddle against my head and cut about 2cm gash just above my eyelid. Its all good though, didnt even realise it was cut until i looked in the mirror, the water washed all the blood away and it just felt like I'd taken a hit.

So stats

16miles, Class 4-5, 2.5mile walk in, avg fpm 55, max fpm 125, flow about 1600cfs, duration 8 hours on water (damn rafts)

Paddled with Christo from Whitewater Connections, and guides from Voyages Whitewater

Antz

Bring on the class 5

2006-06-06T08:19:00.000+12:45

Arrived in Coloma

Been put up by my mate Kyle from Queenstown Rafting, so staying at Whitewater Connections Camp. First two day here have been spent on the Lower South Fork of the American, once in a raft and one kayaking. Norm & Piwi from Bliss-stick Kayaks hooked me up with MAC to use while im here, so thanks to those guys.
Plans are already in the making for some solid class 5 missions over the next two weeks.

So stay tuned for reports & hopefully photos.

Help Appreciated

2006-05-28T17:31:00.000+12:45

Been thinking that I should mention the people that have helped me along during this trip.

Rainforest World - Rafting company based out of Turrialba, Costa Rica. Run by American Phil Coleman. I have been on trips with the company and Phil supplied me with a kayak to use during my time here. Also Manfred one of the workers make fiberglass Kayak/Raft Helmets, so I have a new noggin protector. Check out http://www.rforestw.com

H20 Adventures - Rafting company in Quepos, Costa Rica. Again another company that let me tag-along on a river trip. Check out http://www.aventurash2o.com

Mundo Aventura - Outdoor Store and Climbing Wall, San Jose - good source of contacts nationwide, lots of gear and of course a good place to play on the plastic rock. Checkout http://www.maaventura.com

Feed The Rat - Australian Outdoor Company, a philosophy that makes what I do all seem logical and within reason. I have to paddle, climb etc or the Rat will consume me from within. These guys have set me up with a few pieces of clothing, stickers and a mission to share the Ratness. Check out http://www.feedtherat.com

Not to forget about the other people that have helped me along the way:
My parents, my brothers, Megan Foster, Abby Fuller & Sarah Malachowsky, My Tico family Rodriguez Arguedas and everyone else who is crossed my path in Costa Rica & Los Angeles.

Thanks everyone!

Antz

Time to Relax

2006-05-28T16:10:00.000+12:45

Only a few days left here in Costa Rica. Have forfeited to the river gods and accepted my fate with the Costa Rica Water, 4 rivers, 8 days in a boat. Not too bad when I look back it really.
Plan is to relax in Atenas until I fly to California, leave CR at 10am Wednesday arriving in Sacramento,CA at 10pm. From the there will head to Coloma in search of more whitewater, and possibly a side trip to Yosemite National Park if time allows.

Can´t wait to explore a completly new area and experience a different sector of America. Coloma will definetely be a stark contrast to Los Angeles, still will be on the anti-bush side of the country too!

Antz

Pacuare Photos

2006-05-26T06:57:00.000+12:45

In the middle of Dos Montanas Canyon

Waterfall, entering the Pacuare.

Cabecar Indian House, perched high above the Pacuare River.

Octavio running the Cimmarones Rapid,

Octavio in the middle of Pinball

Rio Pacuare

2006-05-25T14:05:00.000+12:45

There are times when plans seem to simply fall into your open hands.
Thankfully I timed my return to Turrialba perfectly to sneak on to a 2day trip on the Pacuare River, not that you need two days. This meant that I got to camp out mid river in the Rainforest World Campsite, and get fed copious amounts of food.

The river itself was beautiful, now I understand way every paddler I had met from Costa Rica had told me to make sure I got down the Pacuare. Possibly the greenest valley I have ever been in, fauna of every shade of green in the spectrum. The river itself was beautiful as well, carving its way through the valley with of 28 rapids in 26km of water. grade 3-4 rapids that kept popping up everywhere.

Definetely the highlight of my trip thus far, what the next few days deal up I don't know. What California has to offer again unknown. So right now Im just happy, content with being a travelling kayaker, who will probably run out of money one of these days. The importance of money bears little significance to the outcome of my trip now. If I eat plain rice and drink only water what does it matter, i've been lucky to experience pieces of Costa Rica that not all the swarms of Tourists get to see.

Yet still there is 6 whole days in Costa Rica & 13 or 14 in the USA.

Still adventuring...

photos to come....

Antz

Photo Update

2006-05-21T14:08:00.000+12:45

Well I finally figured out how to con the computer into recognising my camera. So have got some photos online. Takes ages to load so only 3 for now. Will work on downsizing the images to speed the process.
Am heading to Turrialba tomorrow so hopefully on the Rio Pacuare and Reventazon this week, which were the main rivers I wanted to paddle here in Costa Rica. Also beginning to make plans for California, have to decide whether to fly or bus from Los Angeles up to Coloma.

Antz

Rio Chiriqui Viejo, Panama

At the put in - Rio Chiriqui Viejo, Panama (Photo Stacy Heer)

Iguana - Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

I´m still here

2006-05-18T08:25:00.000+12:45

As I get further into my trip the time seems to be going faster, although i´m not sure if thats because im doing more. Or because I´m coming back sooner rather than later.

Last Thursday I changed my flights from Costa Rica, I now leave on the 31st of May. Then hopefully heading to Northern California for a couple of weeks boating around the Coloma Area. This change was brought on by overspending here and general lack of paddling (partially due to low water levels).

After sorting out my flight changes I felt like kayaking, so I headed to the Quepos/Manuel Antonio area on Costa Rica´s Pacific coast. Here I hooked up with Aventuras H20 and finally managed to get on another river.
This time it was the Rio Naranjo, a 3 hour section from the town of Narajanito to the pacific coast highway. A few nice rapids with lots of waves and holes all over the place. Had a bit of fun when the raft flipped sending 3 larger americans into the river, CARNAGE, great fun as i directed them to the side of the river. They seemed to be in a mild state of panic! All was well though and everyone was reunited in their little raft.
The river was really beautiful rainforest scenery with plenty of birdlife along the shores. Overall the river was graded 3-4 but once again nothing really difficult, one rapid would be awesome with more water, unfourtunately not to be at the moment.
So I stayed in the Quepos area for 3 nights, checked out the beaches and wildlife, got some nice photos and returned to Atenas.
Am having difficulty transferring my photos at the moment, the windows operating system is too old to recognize my camera. Hopefully will find a suitable system soon.

Having a couple days relaxing in Atenas now, catching up on friends from my old school. Will head back to Turriabla on Sunday, probably down there for the week.

Antz

down panama way...

2006-05-09T12:25:00.000+12:45

Since Friday i´ve been all over the show.
Again there were no rafting trips to the Pacuare, so i decided to leave Turrialba. I caught a few buses and ended up in Ciudad Neilly at the Southern end of Costa Rica. After a short sleep, i took up bumpy & scenic bus ride through palm & banana tree plantations to Pavones.
Pavones is a surfing town on the southwest tip of Costa Rica, basically on the border of Panama. Here is where the world´s 2nd longest left hand break can be found. Unfortunately for me it was one of the magical days where surfers have reputedly had 5-10 minute rides. I had to make do with 4-5ft waves that were clean and fast. My kayak handled the surf well, and got a few long rides, as well as some good airtime. The night was spent at some cabinas which a owned by a New Zealand surfer from the Mount. She wasn´t there though in Bali or somewhere tropical like that.

Sunday saw me heading back inland and down to the border. Through some random formalities, my first ever land border crossing in fact. I was in Panama, still am in fact, still right beside the border 24 hours later.
I met up with American paddler Stacy Heer & we tried to organise transport to the local river Rio Chiriqui Viejo. Lots of people tried to be helpful... but we ended up not knowing the time that bus actually arrived. So we opted to hire a van to the put-in.
All was well, the run was beautiful scenery with birds and butterflies filling the air. Occasionally coming upon local fisherman with bamboo poles. The run was grade 3-4 and had some very nice rapids. With more water it would definetly push up into the grade 5 realms and be a stunning outing. Nevertheless im content. Except for a bruised thumb from a not so friendly incounter with a rock. Hopefully it heals quickly.

Plans are still unknown for the next few days, will wait and see what we come upon.

Antz

finally got a boat

2006-05-04T13:50:00.000+12:45

After about 8 days, and lots of muddling around I finally got my hands on a boat (Dagger Super Ego). Then proceeded to convince some locals that a river trip would be a great way to pass the afternoon. I convinced 2 others and one shuttle bunny! all good... We went to the upper pejiyabe (spelling most likely to be wrong). Water levels were low which meant it was about a grade 3ish run, pretty simple clear lines the whole way through.

The new boat handled well, great for whoopies and stern stalls, cartwheels were a little harder to initiate than im used to with the Rad. All good though hopefully tomorrow will be on the Pacuare, and plans are underfoot to head to Panama next week.

Antz

1st weekend in CR

2006-05-02T13:58:00.000+12:45

So finally made it to the destination.

A weekend of brain'straining. Trying to decipher the spanish language once again. Its been all right but when i arrived mildly hangover and spent the 1st two nights tomando cervezas (drinking beers) i could expect perfection.
I spent the weekend in Atenas with my famila tico and now have caught a couple of buses to the town of Turrialba. Heres where i should end up in a kayak... Once i find one that is. looks like im purchasing one. Well probably sell before i leave again. To avoid the hideous cost of hiring.

So hopefully in a few days i will have fed my rat or maybe drowned it of sorts.

Adios

Antz

new address

2006-04-28T15:57:00.000+12:45

Made a new name for the site, hopefully no double ups this time around.

name change..

2006-04-28T15:42:00.000+12:45

well was randomly surfing the web and i found fall-line media as a name already exists. They also just like me are outdoors people they actually publish stuff too. Three magazines even skiiing, snowboarding and outdoors.

Hence i'll change my site address sometime. you'll notice the change of blog title.

Antz

Photos Summer 05/06

2006-04-27T17:25:00.000+12:45

Megan Foster - Dunedin Town Hall Wall - Photo Antz Longman

Antz Longman - Nevis Bluff (Kawarau River) - Photo Thomas from Germany
Antz Longman - Dog Leg (Kawarau River) - Photo Jess Matheson Antz Longman - Dolittle Wave (Kawarau River) - Photo Megan Foster

Made it to LA

2006-04-27T16:43:00.000+12:45

Finally i've completed the 1st major part of my trip to Costa Rica. I arrived this morning (April 26th) at LAX. The flight from Auckland to LA was drawn out and tiring. A 2hour stop over in Tahiti broke up the flight thankfully.

I am now in a dormitory at the University of Southern California. Im staying with my friend Sarah who was in Costa Rica with me last time around. I've spent today wandering out the university, even attended an anthropology lecture. Then walked down to south central LA slight change in scene. Have another friend Abby who lives there. Went to a film school short movie night before, Abby was staring in one of the films. Then headed out for a feed of dirty mexican.
Sleep wise im quite had it, the plane trip allowed me to have around 3 hours total sleep.

Next post should be from somewhere in Costa Rica. Filled with photos as I purchased a digital camera when I was in Auckland. Can't wait to get on some rock or a river....

4 Days in Queenstown

2006-04-24T23:29:00.000+12:45

Easter weekend: Typically Central Otago sees an influx of tourists for Warbirds of Wanaka, the Race to the Sky & Scenic Autumn views. A few friends and I had water on our minds.
On sunday Robin Scott and myself ran both Citreon (G4)and Roaring Meg (G3) on the Kawarau, before meeting up with Blake Reid, Shanan Miles & Tim Brady for a run down Nevis Bluff (G6-???).
Sunday night saw some rain which meant the upper shotover (G2+) was flowing for some quality playboating. Our crew had grown to now include sundays photographer Megan Foster.
Chilly temperatures mixed with serene views in Skippers Canyon meant it was an awesome day. Monday night saw Shanan, Tim & Blake head to Milford for more boating, leaving Megan, Robin and I to see what was on the next day.
Tuesday started with car issues for Robin. No more 4wd... still worked though. Go the mighty subarus. Robin and I went for surf at the Dolittle Wave on the Dog Leg Section (G3+) of the Kawarau. Wednesday and the upper shotover was back in for Megan & I, now joined by Mark and Johnny from Invercargill. .

First Post

2006-04-24T11:31:00.000+12:45

This is the first post of quite possibly many. Each post updating info on adventures around New Zealand and the world. The 2nd post will be made later today containing photos of 4 days of Queenstown Kayaking from Easter weekend.

Over the next 3 months sporadic updates will have photos and possibly even video links from Central America. Thats right the Fall-Line team (i.e me) is travelling to Costa Rica in search of good times, good shots & good stories.

Check back for the tales of sun, sand, rock, water, beer, tequila, mountains & valleys.