Matakana Moonlighting

Trip Name: Matakana Moonlighting
Date:     20 – 22 September 2013                                                                                Branch: NORTH SHORE
 

Leaders	Ruth Henderson	Peter Beadle
Cell Phone Number	021 298 8120, or 09 4228944	021 038 2557
VHF Call Sign &/or Vessel Name	Rudolph ZMS4968	Paprika ZMT2344
Vehicle make, model, registration, colour	Silver Toyota SW / White Toyota SW
General Plan	Based at Sandspit, three or four opportunities to paddle under the influence of a (nearly) full moon and the gold of kowhai in bloom – come for a day, the night or the whole weekend! Fri night – meet at the Sandspit Holiday Park. If arrive early and super keen, nominate a leader, make up a group and do afternoon or night paddle. Saturday – meet at 0900, OnTheWater 0930. Paddle with outward tide 9km along the coastline to Tawharanui Regional Park, Jones Bay. Explore, have lunch. Paddle back into Sandspit after the tide has turned. Set up camp if tenting. Have an early dinner. Sat night – meet at 1800. OTW 1830.Paddle 4km under a full moon, up the Glen Eden Arm of the Matakana River going with the flow, until we reach a waterfall. Return to camp and share stories of taniwha and a drink. Sunday – meet at 0800.OTW 0830 paddle 4.5km up the Matakana River to the town for a Sunday brunch.
Latest Time Off the Water	Sat. 1500 and 2030; Sun 1200
Distance	Saturday 18km; Sat night 8km; Sunday 9km
Minimum Ability level	2B paddle-fit intermediate – able to do a self-rescue and paddle into 15knot headwind. Confidant beginners if wind no more than 15knots
Tide	Low; Sat 1420; Sun 1500	High Fri 2000; Sat 0800, 2030; Sun 0900
Weather Parameters	15-20knots
Communications	We will be communicating as a group on VHF Channel 6. VHF Channel 82 for Coast Guard and Channel 16 for emergencies
Facilities /Car Parking	Sandspit Holiday Park – options are1.  Book your bunk in the Karaka cottage with Ruth (I’ve booked the cottage, sleeps 10) will work out at about $25 per person per night depending on numbers. 2. Book your own cottage or cabin see www.sandspitholidaypark.co.nz for details or phone 09 425 8610. Cabins available from $60 for 2, Kitchen cabins $80 for 2 with $16 each extra person, or more luxury motel type units available.  3. Book a Tent sites $16 pp. If not staying then $5 charge per day for car parking.
Equipment	Hi-Vis jacket and/or flag; torch and head-torch or kayak light for night paddle; wheels if you have them; otherwise usual paddling clothing and safety gear, bring spares and warm ‘winter woolies’, beanie etc. Food – nearest supermarket is Warkworth. Pots, plates, cup, thermos. Sleeping bag, thermorest, and tent or book a cabin.
Emergency Exit Points	Farmland along river or coastline.
Additional Risk Factors	Power boats and water taxis launching or landing around the wharf and exiting river mouth; exceeding 5knots once past river mouth. Outward/inward current if paddling against the tide; mid-tide and near moored boats and wharf.
Getting there	If you want to car pool, say so, when you register and I’ll endeavor to match you up! Drive north to Warkworth; follow signs to Sandspit and Kawau ferry. Motor camp is at end of Sandspit road 10 minutes from Warkworth.
Registration	Please click here to register