Today’s beautiful weather added to our director, Louise Tu’u attendance of a full kayak safety workshop, run by the Kiwi Association of Sea Kayakers (KASK) at Manukau Canoe Club (MCC) in Ōtāhuhu. Parking is tight so Louise cycled here, which was speedy and pleasant.
Clik here to view.
What Louise and others learned was short of incredible and hairy: the difference between life jackets and PFDs (personal floatation devices) is critical i.e. life jackets keep you on your back so not good if you’ve capsized and are trying to get back into the kayak, pealess whistles are here because peas get soaked and therefore don’t make a noise and WET is not only a noun but a life-saving acronym:
Wind, Waves, Water, Weather: Equipment and Tell someone
Out in South Auckland and nationwide, many people enjoy recreational fishing, swimming, paddling. However, we in Aotearoa New Zealand have the unenviable record of having the second highest number of fatalities doing these activities, in the developed world. Therefore, KASK runs these free workshops across the country to encourage people with education, planning ahead with apps like windy.com and buoying up (pun intended) self-awareness and reflection of how awesome doing these activities can be if taken seriously and with care.
This workshop was thoroughly enjoyable for it’s factual, science based and highly interactive presentation, led by KASK president, Steve Cooper and fellow trained volunteer experienced sea kayakers: Mark, John, Peter, and MCC president, Roger French.
Clik here to view.
The morning was theory, with the afternoon, being a very real practical and lively time of kayaking near and over mangroves in the Tamaki River.
Thank you KASK and Manukau Canoe Club and fellow participants for being so generous in your knowledge, humour and passion.
For more information on how to attend their next free workshop and join both KASK and your local club, follow the links.
It could just save your life and others.
#keepitlocal #pushbike #southaukilani
