The water was perfectly glassy. There was not even a breath of wind to ruffle the water’s surface. There was no sun to heat my head or cast a glare into my eyes. It was perfect! The plan was to make for Te Kaha just under 15km away. It was my planned destination before the wind picked up yesterday. There I would try to get some burgers and then, if the same conditions were still prevailing, make an attempt on reaching Waihau Bay, meaning I was back on schedule regarding my stops. Waihau Bay, an old whaling township, was another 30km or so past Te Kaha.
The water was 'oily'.
I bee-lined between the headlands of the wide open bays meaning that I was some kilometres from shore, but the water had not a ripple. It was oily. I checked my speed. It was 7.4km/h. Slower than the 8+km/h times I had been achieving with winds, chop and/or swell in my favour. It was however, relaxing and a good rhythm was easily achieved. There was none of the speeding up and slowing down that came with catching swells or chop, or easing off when falling off the back of the same. There was none of the constant trimming required or adjustments to the rudder and there was not the level of concentration required when in rougher conditions. This was very easy and very pleasant.
It was difficult to tell where the ocean met the sky.
When I reached Te Kaha some fishermen pointed me in the way of the boat ramp and told me where I would be able to get some food. I beached the kayak and walked straight up to the ‘impressive’ Te Kaha Beach Resort at 9.25am, 13.8km from my starting point. A large concrete bunker for a resort that was under receivership. I was able to buy a couple of hamburgers… with the usual bacon, egg, and cheese as well as a coffee. I filled one of my water bladders from their taps.
I was soon back on the water, having spent only an hour on my stopover. I was confident that I could paddle the extra 30km to make Waihau Bay as long as the conditions held out… and they did. It was not until 12:30pm that there was even a sign of a ruffle on the water’s surface. It arrived from the NW but was only just enough to remove my reflection from the water’s surface.
I pulled into Waihau Bay. It was picturesque, small and I knew predominantly inhabited by fishermen. I hailed some locals and they pointed me further along the bay another few kilometres towards where the camping ground was located. I had spied some buildings in the far corner and was making my way towards them but became concerned as I got closer that I could still not see any sign of a site. Having spotted some people on the beach half way across the bay I changed tact and made directly for them.
I pulled into Waihau Bay. It was picturesque, small and I knew predominantly inhabited by fishermen. I hailed some locals and they pointed me further along the bay another few kilometres towards where the camping ground was located. I had spied some buildings in the far corner and was making my way towards them but became concerned as I got closer that I could still not see any sign of a site. Having spotted some people on the beach half way across the bay I changed tact and made directly for them.
The entrance to the Waihau Bay was marked by dangerous looking rocks.
Once I got closer I caught their attention however it was difficult to hear each other. A small surf was running meaning I did not want to paddle right onto the beach. As I inched closer a wave caught me and washed me sideways onto the beach. Again, I was impressed with the craft’s desire to stay upright and was glad that this was consistent with my own desire.
I clambered out and repeated the question. One of the four suggested that my camping ground was immediately across the road. There was some conjecture so I investigated myself and sure enough, I could only have done better if I’d landed another 50m up the beach. I’d covered a further 32.4km at an average of 7.7km/h for a total of 46km. It was only 3:00pm and I felt that I could have continued on for a couple more hours if I had needed.
Again I had a task to cart my kayak and gear over the dunes and across the road, but after a good day’s paddle, and at a good time to conclude the day’s efforts I was well pleased. My tent was soon up on the grounds of the pretty, if somewhat rundown Waihau Bay Holiday Park. I ordered a hot chocolate from the onsite café before having a hot shower and shave. The hardships of the past few days were washed away as I climbed into my sleeping bag feeling clean and refreshed. I had no idea then that the sleep that came so quickly, would be dismissed quicker still.
