Marsay

My mate Becky came to stay for the weekend. I used to work with Becky at MWH in Cardiff and she moved to MWH in Nelson about 6 months before came here. Anyway, it was Becky's first proper trip to Auckland so we did the touristy thing.

Kelly Tarltons was the first stop. It is an aquarium and arctic centre. They had penguins in a big snow room. You had to ride a snow cat to go through. Penguins are cool.

This isn't a penguin - its a pyranha!

Then it was onto the aquarium. Stingrays were the main attraction. And it was feeding time when we got there. A lot of effort was put in by the staff to dispell any tales about stingrays in the wake of Steve Irwins death. It was a good show.

Following Kelly Tarltons we heading for the Sky Tower - the tallest tower in the southern hemisphere. It was touch and go whether we would go up as the weather was being typically aucklandish. Raining. But at the last minute it cleared and we made a dash for the summit. Ok so we couldn't see the full 85km claimed visibility but the view, as always, was stunning.

Then it was down to the casino to waste Beckys hard earned cash on the 'pokies'. Why is the person next to you always seems to win?

The it was dinner time at perhaps one of the best restaurants in Auckland. Mai Thai is a fabulous thai place. Then it was to the pub to watch Wales narrowly lose to the Aussies and England get spanked by the Saffas.

Tom, Bryce and me in the pub - suprise suprise!!!

Burglary

My house got broken into last week. Annoyance. The most annoying thing though is the pinching of my paddling kit. Yeah I know I can't paddle for a while (or at all in some peoples eyes) but it is still mighty annoying. Thankfully nothing of great sentimental value was taken, its just the hassle of it all.

News on the Shoulder

Had an ultrasound scan on my shoulder this morning. I have a 'small focus of abnormality involving the left distal supraspinatus tendon.' Which i am told means I have a 'partial thickness articular surface tear.'

Which in english means I have 6 weeks of physio to look forward too and no paddling for 3 months!!!

Fuljames - Easter Weekend

Easter was spent at the famous Fuljames wave in Taupo. It is on the Waikato River, which due to its numerous hydro schemes has hugely variable flow. In order for the wave to work the flow has to be up around 200 cumecs. This happens daily during the week as this is when the businesses in the area need power. Weekends however the flow is just a low base flow. However, thanks to some excellent work and pleading by Nicki we had a 2 days of FULL flow all to ourselves over Easter. We even got granted permission from the local Iwi to camp right above the wave. It was a 30 second walk down some steps to the eddy and some natural hotpools. AWESOME!!!

However there was a problem. The week before, paddling the Kaituna, I buggered my shoulder. However, I was not going to miss out on a rare occasion of paddling the Fuljames wave. It was the site of the first freestyle world champs after all. The wave is pretty sweet. I also deliberately didn't seek medical advice on my shoulder post Kaituna so that i wouldn't be going against any advice this weekend. Of course the Dr's would tell me not to paddle, but then if they never told me, I would be guilt free. Ignorance is bliss.

After hearty breakfast of beans and a few cups of coffee to clear the hangover from the night before, and a dose of ibuprofen for the shoulder, we kitted up and went for a short float down the river above the wave whilst we waited for the flow to optimise.

It was very, very, VERY boily (Bitches boily), which provided endless entertainment in a tiny playboat. Then we hit the wave. The first run down was just a blast through. Then it was to the eddy and onto (hopefully) to rip it up pulling some really sick moves. Well that was the plan. I think I am now world class at mystery move no's 1 through 5!!!

Sadly my rides were relatively short lived. I simply could not take the pain in my shoulder. Easter Sunday was spent playing official camera man, kicking back in the sun, sipping beer (medicinal) and cheering on the spankings dished out by Fuljames at full bore!!!! Excellent weekend!!! Its off to Physio for me!!!

Kaituna - 1st May 2007

It was time for a trip down to the Kaituna, just north of Rotorua. In recent times this river has been in the news as it is subject to a potential hydro scheme. It will totally ruin the river - one of the most famous rivers with paddling circles in the world!!!

Anyway, we headed down on the Sunday morning, bright and early. Only myself and Rhys had paddled the river before so it was wind up time for the rest the guys. Tales of beatings and long visits to the green room were exchanged.

The flow was a lowly 300 on the guage - definately a playboat run. Superb. I was however a little nervous as this was the first outing for me in my playboat for over 6 months. My ankle had prevented me from contorting it into the none existing foot room. But I was good to go.

The amazing thing about the Kaituna is the water is warm. If only every river were like this. The first major section is Powerhouse. A short section that used to be an old mill. Deep in a bush filled gorge you head over a small pourover/drop (about 2.5m) into and 'eddy'. This eddy is somewhat boily and not really a fun place to be. Then with a barrage of water from river left its a short ferry glide to position yourself to boof the wier. A swim here would result in a very very green experience. In classic Ben fashion I pulled somewhat of a mystery move over the first drop. The cushion wave I wanted to brace on wasn't there so I ended up pencilling (read: virtually front looping and face planting in the eddy) the drop. No biggy, a quick roll (read: 3 rolls) and I was good to go over the wier. Which was boofed without a problem. The rest of the group, including a very very scared looking Ash made it without too much drama.

Next stop the Waterfall. Tutea falls is described as 'one of the best boofs in New Zealand'. Well I am sure it is. If you time it right and actually boof that is. Cramming into the last chance eddy above the drop we ran through a few various scenarios. Not really sure why as in my view there is only one line and thats down. I think it was actually Rhys who called for the stop so he could build up the courage to padle off it. Haha. The drop is at the end of a narrow gorge so there is no scout. You effectively run it blind from the river and wait for the whistle to signal the all clear. Rhys went first. Whistle. I was off. Starting left, heading right, boof, hit the pile and paddle to glory!!!! Well that was the plan. All went well, semi boof, hit the pile, however the surge (which is totally luck of the draw) caught me and down I went.

I rolled up on the far river left against the rocks. Hmmmm, interesting. It seems I had gone deep, and flushed across. Problem my paddle had caught the water coming over the fall. And that was that, my shoulder was wrenched back and was buggered.

I paddled to the side in pain. Sat on the rocks to watch the rest of the carnage as the others dropped over the edge. Not one boof amongst them!! Haha.

I had to paddle the rest of the river with a gammy bung shoulder. Thankfully it wasn't far, the whole run is only a 30-40 minute blast. But that was it, my paddling was over.

Fab trip. Love that river. Shame about the injury....