October 13 Newsletter - Waitemata Canoe and Multisport Club

www.wcmc.org.nz
SuperDune
6th October
By SportzHub.com
The 6th October marked a new era for the popular Superdune multisport race as it moved from its home of
27 years at Bethells Beach, sixty kilometres north to the scenic Lake Ototoa South Head Kaipara. After the
thrilling racing through this secluded wilderness, teams and individuals were singing the praises for the
new location just an hour out of Auckland. The clover leafed course kept the action to a single transition,
making life easier for competitors with no support crew required, and for spectators with all the action in a
single location on a reserve above the lake.
Right from the start of the 14km kayak the action was fierce with Phil Exeter and individual Vaughan
Reed in K1 sprint kayaks quickly jumping to an early lead with the other top individual contenders not too
far behind. After two laps of Lake Ototoa team Artstop flyers kayaker of Phil Exeter was first to transition
(53:39) with Reed alongside. Exeter tagged team member David Holloway, with a bunch of individuals
close behind which included Lance Smith (55:13), Bart Muylle (57:57) and Josh Scott all only separated
by 4 minutes.
The 26km mountain bike weaved its way through private Woodhill
forest including 4x4 trails, forest road and single track. Individual
Reed took the lead, however after a slower kayak Pete Sharlott was the
biggest mover with the fastest MTB time, putting him in sight of the
leaders.
Down into the final 10km trail run the race was right open with the top
four of Reed, Smith Muylle and Scott just hundreds of meters apart as
Bart Muylle
they headed into the forest one again this time on foot.
As the leaders emerged from the forest the top order table had turned
with Muylle running through the lead pack, from 4th to first under the cool shade of the forest with Smith,
early leader Reed and Scott all in view once back in the open.
Louise Mark
Two hours and 43 minutes after starting it was Muylle who held
onto his late claimed lead to win 2013 Superdune multisport
race at Lake Ototoa, with Smith and Reed all filling the podium
with just 90 seconds separating all three. For top women’s multisporter Louise Mark the race was much more straight forward
as she lead from start to finish (2:53:38), challenging the men
and recording the third fastest run of the day to claim
6th overall. Anna Barrett was second and young rising star
Heather Davidson was third.
The Superdune offered a short course challenge, consisting of a
7km kayak, 15km mtb, 6.5km run which was won by individuals Al MacFarlan and Pam Smith.
Continued . . .
Continued . . .
For the first time in the history of the Superdune a couple took out the open mens and womens. “We were
both quite excited about the new venue. Racing a different course is always fun.” commented men’s winner Muylle after the race. “We had cycled up South Head Rd, probably up to about halfway, a few times
before but didn’t really know what was further up so it felt a bit like exploring another part of the Auckland area.” “For me, it was all about minimizing the gap behind the faster club paddlers in the first leg.
Similar to Lou (Mark), I did not have the greatest MTB leg, losing a couple of places along the way. I’ve
learned the hard way over the years to race my own race so just focused again on keeping the gap as small
as possible. Luckily the legs were willing for the final run so I put the hammer down and managed to get
in front by the 6km mark. Not wanting to give Lance a sniff of a comeback, I just kept pushing the last
4km.”
“We loved the course at Bethells but it was logistically very
hard, for competitors and organizers alike, especially trying to
get kayaks to and from the lake.”
“Afterwards everyone seemed to have enjoyed the new course.
The stunning lake and easy access to the transition were definitely highlights.”
Getting support crew can be a task and a half for athletes so the
clover leaf format was a winner for all. “With no support crew
needed this is probably one of the best events for novices to give
Lance Smith, Vaughan Reed, and Bart Muylle
the sport a go. At the same time it sure was challenging enough
to keep experienced racers honest.” Added Muylle.
“My goal was always to compete with the boys” added women’s winner Mark’s. “I was quite happy with
my kayak time, paddling my brand new JKK Magnatar for the first time. From there I felt I did not have
the power to stay with the boys, probably because I did some intervals on the bike the day before.” Once
on the run things clicked for Mark’s “..recording the 3rd fastest run time. Next time I’ll work to given the
guys a bit more of a run for our money.”
“We absolutely loved the venue, set-up and good honest fast course.” Commented Muylle. “We’ll be
there next year again for sure.”
Jimmy McAtear
Pam Smith
Lance Smith
SuperDune
By Heather Davidson
SuperDune was my very first individual multisport
race back in May 2010, and for the past 3 years I
have also been involved in organising Waitemata
Canoe & Multisport Club's annual event.
In the past the race was held at Bethells Beach but
this year the venue was changed to Lake Ototoa at
South Head. SuperDune wasn't one of my focus races
this year so I was simply racing to train. I was out to
enjoy myself, explore a different part of the country,
and experiment with a few different things during the
race. Dad was doing the timekeeping so it was also
my very first race without a support crew.
First leg was 2 laps of the beautiful lake for the 14km paddle. Very little breeze made for fast paddling, but
I still soaked in the peacefulness of the morning. Racing conditions were fantastic - overcast and a
comfortable temperature. The pack quickly split up with half a dozen paddlers forming a bunch at the front
with the rest straggling along behind. Managed to wash hang for about the first kilometre.
Coming off the water in second to last place I had a quick
transition onto the mountain bike and managed to gain
another place. The 26km ride started off with 2km of 4wd
track before hitting the forest roads. Fast riding, with only
one real climb. About halfway up I remembered that the
course did two laps of this section so we'd be riding up there
again. Still, it wasn't much of a hill compared to what I'm
used to. By the beginning of lap 2 I slid back into second to
last place again, being passed by Anna Barrett (2nd OW).
Heather Davidson
The 10km run headed back down the same 4wd track into the
forest then turned off onto a sandy track which undulated
gently uphill for several kilometers before spitting us back
out onto the forest road and back up the 4wd track to the
finish. The cloud cover was breaking up by this time so it
was getting a little warm.
I finished in a time of 3:30:16, 3rd (and last) woman.
Rudy Baptist
Josh Scott
Bryce Gibson
Bart Muylle
Whanganui River
150km Kayak Trip
28th-30th September
By Carol Exton
14 people registered for this trip. As we were to kayak in two and a half days what most take four to five days
to complete, we planned several hearty practice days to toughen us up. Tinopai, Orongo, Karaka, Hoteo.
Great get togethers where we honed our skills, sorted gear and got excellent team work going. Unfortunately
though, it was a bit like bottles falling off the wall as our large contingent dwindled before our eyes. Four
pulled out due to work/family commitments, another with the flu, Kevin had an appendectomy (but not an
episiotomy as I had mentioned to one startled friend). Allen broke his sternum when cycling as a car door
was opened in front of him. Due to this he was unable to practice but still joined us for the big trip.
Tina, the stalwart Kaipara training organiser, came around to
my house for tea and a gear check, and got bitten in the leg by
my flatmate’s dog. No dinner party but a bloody dash to the
local A&E clinic resulting in nine stitches and a large missing
piece of skin. Our group was now down to eight leading up to
the big weekend, with Tina (a postie who had never been bitten
on the job) getting daily medical treatment to ensure her
wound healed. She was committed to the journey but decided,
along with hubby Lindsay, to forgo the top grade two rapids,
not wanting to risk falling out.
Onwards now the stalwart six. Kay puts her wet suit on both
back to front, and inside out. As the Whanganui was running quite high, we started higher up at our Fri night
accommodation, the Taumarunui Holiday Park, Manunui. Hideo immediately draws attention to himself by
falling out at the very first rapid. We hadn’t even properly left the park! Back in and continue on. Kay buddied up with our adventure racing gun Allen in his double Duet, confident of an easy weekend kayaking as he
was in charge. Crash!! Into the shingle bank at Herlihy’s rapid resulting in a badly cracked kayak. Out comes
the repair tape and tentatively through the next rapids to Ohinepane where we meet up with Tina bandaged up
and using a soccer shin pad to protect her wound.
Out go Kay and Allen with the dinged in Duet, heading in to town to hire replacements, and in come Tina and
Lindsay, keeping the group to a delicate party of six. A very fresh and fast river ensured good speed, easy
rapids and a fairly straightforward 63km journey to Whakahoro and the DOC schoolhouse for the night. Very
comfortable too! Kay and Allen show up with two hired heavy plastic sea kayaks, with Kay realising that her
ideal of feet up and minimal paddling at the back of the double, was off. Although Tina paddled very well,
her wound still got damp and she was rightly concerned about it getting infected so she and Lindsay decided
not to continue. Dave our wonderful driver arrived very well provisioned so we commiserated over several
bottles of red wine then an early night in readiness for the next day.
Back to the original six, but this time Hideo started off (and stayed) reasonable dry. Today Kay manages to
have her wetsuit turned the right way in, but now back to front. An uneventful but very pleasant paddle to
John Coull hut for lunch. I met the warden who was from my
home town. He barely remembered me, but asked after my son
who had obviously made an indelible (and no doubt very naughty)
impression at some stage. Kay takes her wet suit off for lunch and
then puts it on inside out. We continue kayaking to Mangapurua
and a fast walk to the Bridge to Nowhere, then on down to Tieke
Kainga Marae. 66kms kayaked today. This is where I discovered
I had left my icebreaker knickerbockers at Whakahoro. They were
part of a new, matching and very pink underwear set. Those who
know me would realise the rarity of any new, let alone matching,
clothes.
Another early start and we all watch to see how Kay puts her wetsuit on this time. Maybe squeeze into it
upside down? Yet last day and finally success where she properly fits into it first time. On a previous
occasion I enthused about a cave which had shell fossils, and some mud. Someone fell in face first, and
we all got horribly muddy, and I couldn’t find the shells (wrong cave!), so there was some resistance to
repeating the exploration. This time we viewed the mud cave safely from our clean kayaks on the river
and had a quick look at the fossils round the corner so I redeemed myself. Having filled fear into the
hearts of the entire group about a particularly difficult rapid just above Pipiriki, we kayaked past it without
even knowing. So easy as and a hassle free exit at the wharf.
Facts emerging about this trip: No-one would have any doubt
that talented and fit Lynda would have excelled on this expedition. She did as a calm and thoughtful influence. The immense surprise was that Roll Out Rose, the holder of the
WCMC award for most kayaking can outs on previous trips,
did not fall out once!! Not once. The only time Brent upset
the apple cart was when he complained I had provided too
much food. Duh? Kay, unexpectedly needing to paddle on
her own, pushed on like a real trouper. Hideo after his initial
hiccup, is well on his way to being a very competitive C2Cer.
So prior, an attrition of 50%, then the flu, a broken sternum, an appendectomy, a bad dog bite. On the
river over 150km, one busted boat, and only three swims. Post trip recycling of unexpectedly large
quantities of empty red wine bottles. This was a relatively uneventful trip, with beautiful scenery, and a
fantastic farewell for me on my last trip.
WCMC members: Carol Exton (Leader and Scribe), Brent Rose, Hideo Yoshihama, Tina Jacques.
Tag along friends: Kay Wilcocks, Lynda Langridge, Allen Small, and Lindsay Jacques
A big big special thanks to our non kayaking driver Dave Best who spent three days on the road following
us down, driving into town, picking up gear, buying provisions etc etc. The trip would not have been
possible without you. Thanks heaps Dave
WCMC Events
Our 6-race Spring Series kicks off on Wednesday 23rd of October.
3km run / 6km kayak every second Wednesday
10th November - 15km/8km Kayak Race
Series
Ray Baker Handicap Series
Beginning in January 2014
Summer Run / Kayak Series
March 2014
Club Executives - 2013/2014
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Multisport
Terry Newsome
Erika Currie
Jim Davidson
Mike Conza
021 074 8485
027 434 5946
021 648 085
021 667 497
Club Captain
RIB Manager
Secretary
Phill Exeter
09 420 9343
Terry Newsome
09 273 0173
Heather Davidson 09 827 5780
Email:
[email protected]
New Members: contact any of the Executive for general information or assistance on club matters.
Please send in your race reports,
photos and articles. Whether it was a
race, an interesting training session or
an adventurous holiday, we would
love to know what you’ve been up to!
Contributions can be emailed to:
[email protected]
Monday Night Training Sessions
On the water at 5pm
Classified Advertising Rates:
$10 per issue for a business card sized ad.
Email [email protected] for enquiries.
Phone Richard Couchman
818 2580
Events Calendar ~ November - December
Whangamata Adventure Race
whangamataevents.co.nz
26
October
10
November WCMC Kayak Race - 15km / 8km on the Henderson Creek
10
November The Maunga Cycle Challenge - Cycle race around Maungatautari near Cambridge
16
November Steelman Ironmaiden - 34km cycle, 12km kayak, 33km mtb, 17km run
16
November Lake Waikaremoana Challenge - Multisport race
16
November Karekare Rogaine
lacticturkey.co.nz
23
November Kauri Run - Trail run on the Coromandel Peninsula
arcevents.co.nz
24
November Rodney Coast Challenge - Multisport race from coast to coast
rcc.org.nz
30
November Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge
30
November Gazuntite Trail Run - Range of options at Atiu Creek Regional Park
1
December Gazuntite MTB - 65km, 45km, 15km at Atiu Creek
7
December Sprint Kayak Regatta #2 - Rotorua
7
December The Goat - Mountain run on Ruapehu
8
December Rasdex Classic River Race - Waimakariri River
8
December WCMC Christmas BBQ
For more events visit www.wcmc.org.nz
lacticturkey.co.nz
lacticturkey.co.nz
thegoat.co.nz
Submarines
Lance Smith - Twice up the Huruhuru
•
Booking Club Boats
Use from the Club is free.
Away from the Club:
Daily Hire is $50, with the inclusion of buoyancy aid,
paddle and spraydeck. Fibreglass boats must not
be taken on rocky rivers.
Rules
Club Hire
a)
You must fill out the online form or contact the
Club President, Terry Newsome (021 074 8485)
b)
Pay for the hire before you take the boat and
accessories.
As this is not a commercial venture but a service to the
Club members, we request that you report any damage
to the boat or accessory equipment to the President
immediately upon return of hire. Neglecting to do this will
affect your right to hire equipment in the future.
If any damage to club gear occurs during the period of
your hire you must pay for the repairs.
Date
Wed
Wed
Wed
Wed
Wed
Wed
23/10
30/10
6/11
13/11
20/11
27/11
High Tide
23:31
16:43
22:30
14:41
22:24
13:01
Welcome to new members:
Bryce Gibson
Jenny Stewart
CLUB KAYAK TRAINING
6:00pm Wednesday time trial/race
5:00pm Friday Night of Pain
7:30am Sunday endurance based session.
Check with Phill for details
Coaching available Sunday.
It’s fun, social and extremely beneficial to you.
We would love to see you there!
Or by appointment Call Phill 09 420 9343
Date
Sat
Sat
Sat
Sat
Sat
Sat
High Tide
26/10
2/11
9/11
16/11
23/11
30/11
Waitemata Canoe & Multisport Club PO Box 83-037 Edmonton
13:15
07:02
12:45
07:04
12:01
05:31
Auckland 0652