Good and Bad News

We all know that the path to world domination in a surf ski is a constant ride of ups and downs, ebbs and flows (literally!) and successes and failures. With this in mind Pocock Paddling sadly announces the cancellation of it's next race on Sunday January 23rd, however it is very excited about it's next race

Cheltenham to Long Bay

Sunday March 27th 2011, 3pm start16km Ocean Race - individual9km/7km Relay option - 2 person teamBonus prize for best team result

For more details, check out the "Races" link above

Happy New Year!!!

New summer squad session timetable on the "Squad Info" tab.

First session next Thursday Jan 13th.

See all you rock stars then.

KP

No Training Thursday

There will be no formal training this Thursday December 16th at Takapuna Beach as Katie and Tracy will be in Sydney preparing for 20 Beaches.

However there is talk of the intermediate squad meeting at the usual time (6 o'clock) and completing the prescribed session with out a coach, so if that sounds like a bit of you then don't hesitate to jump on the water with Logan and Cecilia and the rest.

500 WU
2 x 4 mins @ 80% with start, paddle backs
3 x 3 mins @80% with start, paddle backs
4 x 2 mina @ 90% with start, paddle backs
1000 WD

First session back following on from Christmas and New Years will be Thursday January 12th.

See all you rock stars then.

KP

Christmas Cracker Loop Race

20 paddlers contested yesterdays inaugural Christmas Cracker Loop race in moderate southeasterly winds. Travis Mitchell looked strong from the gun taking both the mens 12km hot spot and the overall win in 54.22, from Grant Heim and Ian Mercer. Katie Pocock had a strong race winning the women’s race and crossing the line 5^th overall, while Greg Morrison won the men’s 4km race ahead of the fast starting and hot spot winner Logan Cranston. Special mention also goes to Jan Battaerd who not only manned the bar in the post race function but was also the first master ski paddler across the line.

The full results are on our "Races" page, so click on the tab above to get the full low down.

Thanks to all those people who made the race happen, but in particular our race sponsors

Balance Nutrition
Delmaine Fine Foods
George Duncan Massage Therapy
Fenn Surf Skis NZ
Sierra Coffee
Cadburys Chocolate
Good Health Magazine
The Mad Butcher Northcote
Mairangi Bay Surf Club

Thanks also to Tracy and Jezza for organising the photos below.

Race Briefing

"The Chamber," looking confident as always


Did I mention I was sponsored by Epic.....



Ian Mercer, focused in his pre race routine



High tension on the start line

Trav leading out from the start

Advanced timing systems

4km champ Greg Morrison pushs all the way to the finish

Paul Gillard powers home

Mark Struthers showing his form

It’s a Scorcher!

Summer is definitely hanging around and this weekend looks like a pearlier to be on the water. The Metservice is predicting this broad ridge of high pressure that dominates much of the country will hang around till Monday - whoop whoop!!!

Friday: Southwest 15 knots easing to 10 knots this afternoon and turning southeast this evening. Sea slight. Cloudy periods, fair visibility in late afternoon and evening showers.

Saturday: Southeast 10 knots dying out early morning, then southwest 10 knots developing in the afternoon. Slight sea becoming smooth early morning until the afternoon. Fine, with isolated afternoon or evening showers.

Sunday: Becoming variable 5 knots early morning. Afternoon sea breezes. Mainly fine, chance afternoon or evening shower.

High tide at AUCKLAND
Saturday 12:17 (3.2)
Sunday 13:08 (3.2)

I reckon that anywhere along those northern or eastern beaches will be awesome all weekend. But I would def try and get out there early tomorrow morning and do some solid efforts straight into that noreaster so you can have some fun coming home.

Don’t forget the Christmas Cracker Loop Race entries close this Sunday. As of Monday all entries will carry and $10 later entry surcharge, to avoid that flick me through and email asap to secure your spot. The race tactics workshop is this Sunday at 3pm at Mairangi Bay – looks like we will have some primo weather for it.

Get amongst it team!

KP

No Barrier

So after months of prep we finally did it - the 62km paddle from Leigh to Tryphena, Great Barrier Island. The first photo above is of the event organiser and cancer survivor Chris Dench and the second photo (not nearly as pretty to look at!) is of me at a food stop somewhere close to Little Barrier

I have pasted in Tracy Wilson (our favourite fill in coach) account of the weekend for you all to read.

Quick summary:

• total raised to date is sitting at $17k
• we actually did it
• saw dolphins but missed the whales by 15min
• it’s a long way

RACE REPORT

Paddle for Child Cancer

17 paddlers split into three “pods” paddled from Leigh to Great Barrier (62.7km) to raise money for Child Cancer. Inspired by Chris Dench who at 15 yrs old lost his leg to cancer, has been organising fundraising sea kayaking events over the past few years. We muscled in on the action after Chris phoned Katie and “invited” her on the paddle. Katie, Dene, Mike and myself were the “surf ski pod”.

The paddle

So – the day started at 4:30am for Tracy and Katie, with home made muesli and coffee. We picked up Mike at 5:20am, headed off to Dene’s for a not so quick transition into the van, and then as a pod, took off to Leigh – our starting point. We eventually got on the water at 7:45am (7:30am was our scheduled departure time and probably cost us missing the whales) – held up by Katie attempting to do a safety brief (what was she thinking) and Dene fixated on taking photos.

I was the designated navigator, with the Great Barrier waypoint locked and loaded in my GPS (and “on land” pod leader). Katie was the “on water” pod leader responsible for communication with our support boat via VHF and organising the pod. We were all pretty excited paddling out of Leigh, it was the perfect day, blue sky and a slight westerly due to pick up to around 10knots. Paddling out, Mike did try and lead us right, to the Coromandel until Dene suggested he turn slightly left to look at Little Barrier and Great Barrier in the distance.

With a slight westerly, we pretty much paddled together catching small runners when we could. We stopped every 30min for a quick (and at times not so quick) drink and eat, which meant our overall time of 6:45hrs could have been faster, but it got us into good habits early, hydrating and eating. The paddle to the half way point of Little Barrier did take ages, but after that, the swell picked up slightly and we were able to catch more runners and tick along at a 11-12km pace.

In a paddle of this length you go through patches of feeling good and not so good. With about 20km to go, not feeling that flash, I decided to have a shorter stop and just paddle slowly knowing the others would catch me. After about 5min I got a call on the VHF that there had been an “unscheduled stop” to pick up Mike’s “jam sandwiches” (translation – Mike had fallen in and Katie and Dene were frantically paddling around the ocean picking up his water, sunscreen and jam sandwiches).

We finally saw one kayaking pod with about 5km to go – apparently we went off course – so much for my navigation. Everyone paddled incredibly well and finished strong. Dene was a trooper and always there for Mike with his “raft ups”. Katie remained strong and calm as our “on water pod leader”. And Mike and I just chopped through it.

Great Barrier

We were met by a small but incredibly enthusiastic bunch of locals who helped us with out boats and gear. We hung out in the sun as the kayakers came in (paddling for around 9 hours), it was impressive what people produced from their kayaks – a keg of beer complete with glasses caught everyone’s eye.

A dedicated group of volunteers transported our gear to the local school (15meters from the finish) and had the BBQ fired up with salads.

This was an amazing event to be part of. A huge amount of organisation went in to ensuring it was safe and fun (VHF’s, safety boats, accommodation, food, etc). We met a great bunch of sea kayakers and managed to convert some to ski paddling!

tw

You can still donate at

http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/kayakforchildcancer/

HELLO SUMMER!!!

Well summer must be here as the easterlies have arrived in force! This, of course means it is a great weekend to get out on the water enjoying some of the bumps in the sea. The Metservice are predicting the following weather for the weekend.

Friday: Northeast 10 knots easing to variable 5 knots this evening. Slight sea easing to smooth this evening. Mainly fine, with some cloudy periods.

Saturday: Variable 5 knots, becoming southeast 10 knots in the morning and rising to 15 knots by midday, then to 20 knots for a time Saturday afternoon. Smooth sea becoming slight in the morning and moderate for a time in the afternoon. Morning cloud clearing and becoming fine.

Sunday: Southeast 25 knots, easing to 15 knots in the evening. Fine.

I personally will be punching out a big session tomorrow morning from Takapuna. I am hoping the dregs of the noreaster are still around so I can have some fun paddling back towards the beach.

But if you don’t have the time for a big session then I think that it will be a great weekend to just get on the water and build on your confidence in the bumpy seas, particularly with the Beach Series starting on Tuesday!

Whatever you decide to do out there don’t forget the sun block, because I have a sneaking suspicion that summer has arrived!