Forget Cancun

This past week I went on spring break (fall break in NZ). Most people go to a warm beach towns like Cancun (here they go to Australia). I went to a small town in nowhere-land New Zealand. It was not warm, it rained every morning and evening, and I was camping. It was the best break...ever.

The kayaking club met at our shed at 7am on Sunday April 8th. We were on our way to Murchison; a paddling Mecca of sorts. There were about 25-30 of us packed into 2.5vans each towing our gear for the week. It was so remeniscent of spring training for crew, it was almost making me nervous. The van ride was about 11hrs long, and we only turned twice the entire trip...two lefts...one in Christchurch to go west...the other in Murchison to pull into the campground. The highway system here isn't very extensive...highway 1 runs the perimeter of the south island...I think highway 2 is what we took from Christchurch to Murchison...I don't believe there is a highway 3. I may be exagerating, but believe me, paved roads are minimal once you get outside of cities. Anyway, the ride was simply amazing. After getting through the Canterbury Plains, we crossed into the mountain region. The road traversed a long section of foothills. To our left was a huge (talking many many miles) river basin. Most of it was green, but in the center was a large expanse of grey river rock bording an aqua green river. I'm going to stop with the fluff I suppose, but it really was breathtaking.

We arrived at the campground at around 7pm. Apparently we had asked for a lot in the back, so as not to disturb the other campers. Unfortunately, the manager didn't think it necessary. We weren't routy, or obnoxious, but by the time we got off the river our first day the rest of the campers had moved to the opposite side of the campground. Honestly, how quiet can 30 college students be when on a spring break kayaking trip?

The first day of boating was relatively tame. The rivers were warm ups. I was eager to get out on some "real water". That night around the fire, a few of the guys were talking about doing an instructor's run down the Lower Matak (grade 3/3+). I said I'd like to join, and knowing that I had some experience, they agreed. They described it as a creeking run (series of technical drops) that you can paddle in a playboat (what I've got). I was hesitant, being that I've never done any creeking before, and that they insisted that Americans over-grade their rivers for difficulty. Nevertheless, I decided to go for it. We put in, and the 1st of 2 main rapids was our warm up. It was a series of small drops/chutes, after which you needed to catch certain eddies. I was caught a bit off guard, but made it through the first main rapid just fine. When peeling out of and eddy near the bottom of the first rapid, my stern was caught by the current and I went vertical (the problem with running that kind of water in a playboat)...then upside down. To my dismay, it was somewhat shallow, and I got a bit of a beating against the bottom of the river for the duration of the rapid. I couldn't get my paddle around to roll, and after hitting a rock which knocked it out of my right hand I pulled the cord. I haven't had to swim while kayaking in a long time. The beating to my ego was the worst part of the experience. I finished the run without any other difficulties. I did conclude that the Kiwis were right. Americans do over-grade their rivers. What they called a grade 3 run, we would have considered a grade 4. We ran two more rivers that day, but I honestly can't remember what they were. I don't believe they were anything exciting.

The next day we paddled a run called Grannity. The highlight of it was a grade 3/3+ gorge section. It was about 75yds long, and dropped over 20ft. Unlike creeking, this was "big water". It wasn't so much technical as it was big and fast. We stopped above it to scout, and I decided that I'd run the left line. It involved an immediate 4ft drop/chute into a wave train, after the wave train, there were 2 semi-sticky holes to punch through, and a big buffer wave that pushed you away from a hard right hand turn & wall just above the bottom drop. I ran the first drop fine... the the first hole fine...but at the 2nd hole, I was slowed down enough that my stern caught. I went vertical. Luckilly, this time, I managed to stay upright by overhead bracing. I was just leveling out again when I hit the bottom buffer wave, and got flipped in the air as I was going over the final small drop. It must have looked really cool from the shore. This time I rolled up...as one should. The rest of that run was fairly easy. I can't remember what we paddled that afternoon. That evening, I realized that my seat was WAY too far back. Hence the alway going vertical. Changing it made a world of difference.

Thursday we ran the Buller Earthquake Run. The section was created in 1929 when a major earthquake hit the region, and changed the flow of the river. What was once flat water, is now whitewater. Its know for its big-water characteristics. What a fun run. It was all grade 2+/3 water (keep in mind, this is NZ scale), so perfect. As far as characteristics, it was primarilly big waves/holes and strong eddy lines. Some of the waves were easily 5-6ft trough to crest. It was not uncommon to catch air off of them. (Nora, the wave-trains were like the one at the bottom of the initial drop at Wausau...except about 2x as high...and there were a lot more waves in them. The surfing was awsome. Unfortunately, the water was lower than usual (despite the fact that it rained almost every morning). The major rapid on that run, Gunslinger, was hardly even there. It's normally a 200yd stretch of big waves, bigger holes, and little hope of getting to the shore until you're at the bottom (I saw a video). This day, it was pretty tame. Even the new paddlers ran it. The low flow did create a nice little wave/hole to surf. This run was by far the most fun.

Friday I didn't paddle. It wasn't entirely my choice, but I volunteered to drive shuttle for a few of the more experienced paddlers to a 4+ creeking run. The drive was beautiful. It was just green mountains, rolling grassy hills, and us. After driving for about 45min down old dirt roads, we finally got to the put in. They paddled the run in about an 1.5hrs, but rain slowed our drive back. We missed the main group for that day's paddling. I was a little disappointed, but enjoyed the break. That night was the big party. It was called "Court Session". Essentially, you are held accountable for all the stupid stuff you've said/done during the course of the week (there had been a box to leave accusations in). I'm not going to get into any specifics, but the throne I am sitting on the in the previous post's picture should give you an idea of type of night we had. It was a fun evening.

The next day, our group had only two goals. The first of which was to paddle off of Muraia Falls (see waterfall picture from previous post...or just click on the link). The second, going home, was most difficult to cope with. Honestly, who wants to realize that a week like that is over? As crazy as some people might think were for paddling over a 30ft waterfall, it really isn't that difficult. You just kind of...paddle off. The consequences for screwing up (over rotating, running the wrong line, or losing your paddle at the bottom) weren't actually too bad. Though really, really powerful, it typically spits you out quickly. It wasn't so high that land flat would break your neck...you might just not want to move for awhile. Anyway, I ran it, and it was awsome. I would have done it again if we'd have had the time. The feeling of falling over the edge is nothing but surreal. It was actually kind of peaceful. I ran a sweet line, and didn't over rotate, so when I finally hit water, I just sliced into foam....and then got tossed like a twig for about 4 seconds. I was only under for 4 seconds, and in that time I was flipped bow over stern two full times. My paddle was ripped from my right hand during the second loop, but luckily my left hung on. I rolled up fine, and was running on adrenaline for the next 30min. It was awsome.
The van ride back to Dunedin was even more boring after having just done that.

Since break, I've been kept busy with assignments and exams. I haven't been able to travel on the weekends, and it's starting to get to me. I'm hoping to catch a bus out to the Dunedin Penninsula this weekend. Its only about 30min away, and is apparently spectacular. I'll obviously have my camera. As far as other adventures, I am saving the best stops for last. My goal right now is to hit Queenstown in the next 2-3 weeks before final exams come around. It is one of the most scenic areas in NZ. It's also the adventure capital of the world. If seems so crazy it's stupid...you can probably do it there. I will be leaping from the world's highest operating bungee jump...Nevis. 134m of free fall (8.9s), another 50-60m while slowing down. It's something I've planned to do since before I was even accepted to study here. I can't wait. I'll let you know when the time comes around.

Till then, I hope everyone is doing well. I certainly am. Mom/Dad, I'm sorry for not calling on Monday. I was finishing my history paper and completely forgot until it was too late. I'll call Sat. evening 7-8ish (your time). Take it easy.
-Ben

In the Meantime...

I'm working on a full report for my fall break this past week. It may take some time. Here are some pictures I took along the way. For a cooler view of the bottom picture, click on the this link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhYaKBXDQ5g (highly recommended). Enjoy.

For those not informed...

So the whole dating thing...it was a clever ploy to scare my parents on April Fools Day. I had "my girlfriend" come over and speak with my parents for a few minutes today on the phone. Afterward, before she had to rush off to practice, she said very loudly "Tell them the good news Ben!"... (Oh sweet perfection) ... I then informed my parents that I had actually been dating her for about a month...and that I was pretty sure she was the one...and that we were talking about marraige.

1-semester abroad...many dollars, 1-international phone card... $10. Hearing a heart attack from across the world...PRICELESS.

Anyway, thought I should inform those of you who were out of the loop. No, I am not in a serious relationship with Kiwi....but I've still got a few months.