Yakker Runs Out of Steam
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Yak Yak Yak
Forum Description: The forum for Kayak enthusiasts
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52029
Printed Date: 11 Jun 2026 at 1:29am
Topic: Yakker Runs Out of Steam
Posted By: Hairy Little Dwarf
Subject: Yakker Runs Out of Steam
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2010 at 6:33am
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Kayakers warned to assess risks 22nd March 2010 Northland police are urging people to use common sense while out on the sea after a kayaker overestimated his paddle power and rang for help after tiring partway through his offshore journey. Northland search-and-rescue team member Constable Sue Grocott said a man rang police about 1.40pm on Friday by dialling 111 from his cellphone while drifting at sea. That sparked a search-and-rescue mission involving Whangarei Coastguard and a Northland Emergency Services Trust rescue helicopter. Ms Grocott said the 31-year-old kayaker had left Leigh about 9am that day and had planned to make the return paddle to the Hen and Chicken Islands the same day - a good 50km round trip. However, off the coast of Mangawhai, and still on his way to the islands, the kayaker rang 111 to say he was tired and needed rescuing, she said. He was uncertain as to where he was and was too far out to sea to paddle to shore, Ms Grocott said. About 20 minutes after raising the alarm, she said the man contacted police again and questioned where they were as he was starting to become concerned. Ms Grocott said the man was wearing a lifejacket and had a cellphone, but was ill-prepared for what was believed to be his first major open ocean paddle. "He was a little fish in a big pond," she said. "This could easily have been a tragedy." Given that the man had no idea where he was and that he was in a blue-coloured four-metre kayak, it made it difficult for emergency services to locate him. "Once we had the coastguard in the right area we found him quickly," she said. A NEST helicopter had been sent, but the man was found before it could start searching. The man was found about 4.30pm by the Whangarei Coastguard and taken to Marsden Cove Marina where he arranged his trip home by road. Ms Grocott said people needed to be realistic about what they were undertaking out on the water. "They need to be prepared. Going out in the kayak in the ocean like that was reckless," she said. If paddlers were considering such long distances they should have flares and a GPS that would enable rescuers to get to them quickly. A support boat should also be considered. She warned there was too much reliance placed on cellphones, which could get wet or have no coverage at sea, which was why flares were needed. Ms Grocott said paddlers should also stick close to the coast so that if something did go wrong they had the option of trying to make it to shore. "There have already been a number of drownings in Northland this summer. We don't want any more." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If it was 4m, that suggests it was a SOT rather than a Sea Kayak... ------------- The Dreaded Shark-Eating Man! |
Replies:
Posted By: Muppet
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2010 at 6:46am
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What a plonker.
Obvious and biggest mistake is he even thought about doing it alone.
Leaves at 9am to start gives him about 10.5 hours of daylight to start with.
Leaves from Leigh?? WTF you are paddling as about as far away from the chicks as you can would have been an incoming tide too on the weekend so most likely a wind against tide situation out there.
TBH would have been easier going to Little Barrier for him!
 If he just looked straight ahead...As the cops said a complete lack of common sense, what is wrong with these guys??
Lastly I hope it was'nt anyone off here....
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Posted By: Hairy Little Dwarf
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2010 at 7:03am
Nah, wouldn't have been any of us - no mention of any fish caught.
------------- The Dreaded Shark-Eating Man! |
Posted By: Muppet
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2010 at 7:16am
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True HLD
If the guy wanted a few fish he only has to paddle about 300m off NN, honestly some people....
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Posted By: nylg1
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2010 at 8:52am
And the unit of the year award gos to 
I like the bit how he rang back 20min later asking where they were.......  ------------- “The best computer is a man, and it’s the only one that can be mass-produced by unskilled labor.” ― Wernher Von Braun |
Posted By: Hairy Little Dwarf
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2010 at 9:21am
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Just to put this in perspective for people who don't know the area. This trip is equivalent of paddling RETURN from: Whangaparoa to Great Barrier Island Takapuna to Coromandel Mt. Maunganui to Whangamata ...Or Whakatane to White Island I was planning on doing a charity fundraiser at one stage (might still do it) of a "100k in a Day" paddle. Now, I'm fairly fit but was still looking at a 12 - 14 hour day... ------------- The Dreaded Shark-Eating Man! |
Posted By: Muppet
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2010 at 9:40am
Yeah why didn't he choose Army Bay to Miners Head.
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Hairy Little Dwarf wrote:Posted By: Finatic
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2010 at 10:52am
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Sounds like he was practising for a future Darwin Award!
------------- What's the cheapest type of meat? Dear balls. They're under a buck. |
Posted By: Kingfish killer
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2010 at 2:22pm
| Sounds like he was 2 kumaras short of a hangi ! |
Posted By: Snuffit.
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2010 at 2:43pm
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God my arms still hurt.
Nah, wasn't me!!!!
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Posted By: Limitless
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2010 at 3:20pm
| Also, what was the "blue coloured 4-meter kayak"? Sit-in or sit-on? Sounds like he launched, pointed a finger, and said I'm going there! Excellent trip planning - NOT! |
Posted By: Kenshin
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2010 at 3:34pm
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use Energizer next time.
------------- Be patient and calm – for no one can catch fish in anger. –Herbert Hoover |
Posted By: Patch_
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2010 at 3:55pm
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screw trying to paddle that distance in a plastic shoe - no wonder he got tired. Someone should really find out who it was, print the thread off and make him read it. No wonder this country is going tits up with winners like this breeding.  |
Posted By: ancient mariner
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2010 at 4:29pm
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What a plonker! Didn't sink in till HLD mentioned the equivalent of Whangaparoa to GBI! Now thats a bloody long way!
Why did he not launch from Whangarei? Didn't want to waste money on gas, certainly cheaper than the overall cost of the Chopper and the coastguard, which no doubt us taxpayers are paying for! |
Posted By: Finatic
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2010 at 4:31pm
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Blue kayak eh? Wonder if it's the guy who was in a blue over white sit-in kayak I hooked up while fishing at Omaha a few weeks back... that guy was a plonker too! ------------- What's the cheapest type of meat? Dear balls. They're under a buck. |
Posted By: Phishpula
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2010 at 4:32pm
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What an egg There have been recent discussion of paddling to Mayor from Tauranga. But this would be with the following: A) Southerly tail wind B) Boat to bring us home C) GPS D) Radios E) Cellphone F) Food and water for the journey G) Boat out on the water to bring us back so the coastgurad didnt have too should it all turn poo H) And most importantly being paddle fit for the journey. Glad the end result was a happy one. ------------- Turtle free since 2012 |
Posted By: Muppet
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2010 at 5:22pm
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Only way even remotely possible would surely be a helping hand with the outgoing tide from Urquharts Bay or an incoming tide possibly from Ocean Beach in Whangarei Heads. Then at least 3-4 hours paddling non stop. Then an opposite tide return. Doesn't really give you much fishing time though either.
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Posted By: Limitless
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2010 at 5:36pm
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I probably do more long distance and offshore paddling than most and have a few extras to add to Phish's list:
1. Proper nav light because you'll often end up paddling in the dark
2. 406mHz GPS integrated EPIRB (emergency beacon)
3. Very bright torch, or even better a rescue strobe to attract attention in the dark
4. Offshore flare pack (includes parachute)
5. Appropriate semi-dry or dry paddle clothing plus extra warm gear to put on
6. Spare paddle
This is by no means complete, but are just a few of the essentials I carry.
I also have a very stringent set of go/no-go criteria that MUST be met:
1. You must be comfortably capable of the distance. Paddle the equivalent distance close along the coast before attempting offshore paddles. This also indicates you've checked the actual distances you will have to paddle and just how far a 40-60km paddle is!
2. The forecast MUST be suitable for paddling for at least 12 hours AFTER THE EXPECTED COMPLETION OF THE TRIP. This builds in a safety margin of suitable weather if the trip takes longer than expected. There's no excuse for being caught out!
3. Set a review point around 1/3rd of the way to the intended destination to stop and re-assess weather conditions, equipment, and fitness are up to standard to allow completion of the trip. If there's even the slightest question over any factor, return to base or go to a much closer "Plan B" destination.
I love the challenges of big paddles, especially those going offshore, but they MUST be taken seriously otherwise our sport is going to get a bad rep!
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Posted By: Limitless
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2010 at 5:40pm
| Forgot to mention - all safety equipment, food, and water must be accessable without opening a hatch into the inside of the kayak. The reason is obvious. |
Posted By: Patch_
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2010 at 7:53pm
betcha it ain't  sad isn't it  I wouldn't class any sizable offshore paddle, sport. I would add the never do it alone either, very few would be cut out for it, and yet quite clearly there are the fair share of idiots dumb/stupid enough to try it, who we all read about  |
Posted By: piwikiwi
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2010 at 8:06pm
Hey it worked for Forrest Gump
Actually I have a blue 4m kayak........no it wasnt me.
The Whakatane to White Island put it into perspective for me, thats a long way.
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Posted By: Limitless
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2010 at 8:47am
Certain level of insanity required? I've been told I'm crazy, but I love it. There's nothing like looking back and seeing good old NZ dissapearing over the horizon. It can be done safely though, all it takes is commonsense, experience, approprite safety equipment, commonsense, fitness, and commonsense. Oh did I mention commonsense! Anyone not seeking assistance and advice from experienced expedition paddlers, a chase boat if appropriate, filing trip reports with apropriate people, and ideally maintaining a regular radio sched with a monitoring station like the NZ Coast Guard is an idiot!
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Posted By: herby
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2010 at 8:58am
Admittidely going to the Chicks would've added a couple of hours travel time, but it'd still definately not be an impossible day trip.
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Posted By: Limitless
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2010 at 9:17am
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IMHO paddling to the Chicks from Leigh is stupid, especially as its illegal to land there. As mentioned by herby, paddling from Mangawai Heads is not too difficult, particularly if only going to Sail Rock or the Hen. This has been done many times by a range of paddlers. The Chicks are a bit farther away. The best is to launch from Ocean Beach, Whangarei Heads. Although there may occasionally be waves on the beach, tidal influences are greatly reduced.
One very important factor is that the Parry Channel shouldn't be taken too lightly. There's enough water movement through there to increase aparent paddling distances (takes longer against the tide) and to cause sea conditions to change very quickly.
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Posted By: Muppet
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2010 at 9:30am
Fair enough the distance is roughly the same either way you take it to the Hen.
The chicks though are much closer to Ocean Beach & Urquharts Bay.
Either way a big effort required one I most likely would'nt do. How many times your mate done it?
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Posted By: herby
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2010 at 5:02pm
| Just the once I think. |
Posted By: Muppet
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2010 at 5:45pm
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Posted By: herby
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2010 at 7:31am
| He said it was only 12km, and he can paddle at 10 kays an hour = just over 2 hours travel time. That isn't a huge mission at all. |
Posted By: piwikiwi
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2010 at 9:44am
| Thats pretty quick what sort of a yak has he got ? |
Posted By: Muppet
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2010 at 10:07am
| Thats more than pretty quick the Hen in just over an hour! 10k an hour that would be hard to maintain. |
Posted By: Limitless
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2010 at 10:32am
For most distance paddles I base time-vs-distance calculations on an average of 5.5kph. This makes allowances for varying conditions and a brief stop once or twice an hour for hydration and food (fuel
 ). I can certainly push Profish and Prowlers faster but its better to be conservative when heading offshore specially when considering why this thread started. |
Posted By: Hairy Little Dwarf
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2010 at 12:29pm
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10km/Hr would have to be about the max for a standard SOT, SiKs generally cruise at around the 10km/Hr mark (Sustained long distance) Just over 2Hrs for 12km is 6km/hr by my calcs... Easily achievable for a SoT ------------- The Dreaded Shark-Eating Man! |
Posted By: Muppet
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2010 at 12:42pm
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HLD did'nt he say 12 k out to sea to the Hen? If he does 10k an a hour thats about 1 hour 10mins paddle to the Hen..... a 2 hour 20 mins approx round trip. Thats hard yakker
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Posted By: Hairy Little Dwarf
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2010 at 1:06pm
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Ahh - didn't factor in the return trip, I read it as 2Hrs to do the 12 Maybe that's why I'm always late home from fishing  ------------- The Dreaded Shark-Eating Man! |
Posted By: Muppet
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2010 at 1:40pm
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Bad man HLD
your worse than me my missus does'nt believe it when I say it took me 20 minutes to paddle from Cheltenham to NN beach once against the bloody incoming tide even tho its true.To the Hen for a round trip I reckon is 4 hours + at least anyho from Mangawhai. Just a guess if I were to plan a trip accordingly thats my starting point.
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Posted By: Fizzlesticks
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2010 at 7:06am
10 km/hr is a little generous herby but I'll take itI can't quite remember how long it took, my memory escapes me now, I seemed to think I was averaging just under 7km/hr but that doesn't fit in with the 2hr 40min I recall it taking me each way or maybe it was 1hr 40, dunno. It was easily one of the best missions I've done and would recommend it to anyone even if the planning was a little on the weak side. I thought I was going to rendezvous with a friend out there but I didn't find him and he failed to look for me, so didn't have that much food or drink or any bail out options because I hardly saw anyone the whole time. I'll do it again for sure but not on a scupper pro, it had a tendency to broach in a following sea which wasn't much fun halfway back ------------- It doesn't have to be fun to be fun |
Posted By: Muppet
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2010 at 8:14am
| Cool, I average between 3.5-4.3 miles (5.8-7kish) an hour on the yak so that definetly fits in with an approx 2+ hour hike to the Hen. Would be a hell day trip. |
Posted By: Limitless
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2010 at 8:47am
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Do I sense the beginnings of an offshore paddle crew or an expedition or two?? |
Posted By: gollyfish
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2010 at 9:43am
| mmm, anyone for a chatham trip then? how about we leave tomorrow dont forget a packed lunch! |
Posted By: Phishpula
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2010 at 3:20pm
Cmon Mount to Mayor thats where its at ------------- Turtle free since 2012 |
Posted By: nylg1
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2010 at 4:25pm
With an off shore blowing 36 odd km best part of a day to get there ? ------------- “The best computer is a man, and it’s the only one that can be mass-produced by unskilled labor.” ― Wernher Von Braun |
Posted By: Muppet
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2010 at 4:58pm
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Gannet Alley off Motuora the 30m mark between Kawau and Tiri is the place to be in spring and would love to do a mish out there its a heck of a paddle off either Mahurangi or Martins Bay. Will suss something out this spring and be better prepared. One spot I have to fish is the outer Cavalli area, that would be a great trip to organise....
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Posted By: piwikiwi
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2010 at 7:48pm
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Papamoa to Motiti a nice 8kms. A few have done this already and some overnight there. |
Posted By: Limitless
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2010 at 8:27am
) this could be a very interesting spring trip. Think I'll try and find somewhere closer than the Mount to launch though Phish! Mmmmm.... think I'll start training now!
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Posted By: Fizzlesticks
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2010 at 2:24pm
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Count me in, I have an insomniac (fast double kayak) if anybody is keen to crew it with me ------------- It doesn't have to be fun to be fun |
Posted By: nylg1
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2010 at 3:41pm
29km ish from Bowentown is about as close as you are going to get I think.....
------------- “The best computer is a man, and it’s the only one that can be mass-produced by unskilled labor.” ― Wernher Von Braun |
Posted By: The Big O
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2010 at 11:38pm
that's more like it piwi. i'll be keen after a few more weeks rugby training (?). |
Posted By: Phishpula
Date Posted: 04 Apr 2010 at 7:16am
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Do we want to do this properly Eg paddle fish and paddle back with overnighter in between or do we want to paddle fish and big ole boat bring us back? I am in favour of the boat bringing back as its a long way and I think 60km in two days is a bit much for most. I am thinking dates around mid May so that we can catch the southerly wind out there at first light. Limitless would you care to make a list of the safety items required for those that are interested and I will check my contacts for boat to bring us back and accommodation on the island. ------------- Turtle free since 2012 |
Posted By: Naki man
Date Posted: 04 Apr 2010 at 7:36am
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When we head out to the puka spot which is 11.5 k straight out it takes us just under 2 hours if you take out the odd stops on reefs for a fish. We probably average about 6k an hour. We usually head south some distance to pick up a snapper or 2 or maybe some blue cod and then back home. 30 to 45k trip and an 11 hour day. 1st time was in a fish N Dive
------------- The solution to any problem - work, money, love, whatever - is to go fishing - the worse the problem the longer the fishing trip should be. "I have a lot of very large problems" |
Posted By: Rainbow
Date Posted: 04 Apr 2010 at 3:07pm
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Bet you slept well that night, NM. I always do after a long haul and whats more I have trouble getting up the next morning.
Rainbow
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Posted By: Naki man
Date Posted: 04 Apr 2010 at 7:23pm
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Yes just about had a nana nap while I was eating my tea - was a bit sore the next day as well
------------- The solution to any problem - work, money, love, whatever - is to go fishing - the worse the problem the longer the fishing trip should be. "I have a lot of very large problems" |
Posted By: nylg1
Date Posted: 04 Apr 2010 at 9:12pm
I think I would have to agree with the boat back...On the plus side it would give you a chance to fish around the island before heading home ------------- “The best computer is a man, and it’s the only one that can be mass-produced by unskilled labor.” ― Wernher Von Braun |
Posted By: Limitless
Date Posted: 06 Apr 2010 at 9:11am
No problems helping with lists of suggested and essential items Phish. We will also need to have a very good idea of participants paddle expertise and fitness. Part of this will be having a clear idea of the distances to be paddled.
Phish - time to turn this into a new thread and get all interested parties involved?
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