Overview of the top and middle sections of the rapid
Some photo’s contributed by Mike Birch and mighty fine photo’s they are to.
There’s some big old rapids here in Kiwi land as we all well know, but there’s one that stands head and shoulders above them all. ‘Aratiatia’, “Pathway of Stakes”, this is the big one for sure. First run by ‘Fleming Smit’ this rapid rages for many years between conquests. It just got run again this weekend by the boys and in fine style.
'Honza Lasko' charging on entry. If this bit goes bad then you carn't expect a good line at the weir.!!!!!!!!
Nils Heine', well commited asking himself the question... is this a good boat or not?
Well it was our good boys, Honza and Nils, pushing the envelope again reminding the local Kiwi lads that that they need to get out a bit more to find the good water to put our new Mistic boat through it’s true paces. They certainly did, as this is just the rapid this boat is designed to deal with and deal with it did. Very well too .
This was not a, ‘wait till they are turning the water off’, kind of a run. This was full noise, full flow, and full concrescences. There is no second prize in this gun fight. I new they were up there doing it and I have to say I worry about the boys on this one. I have had the experience of paddling into this sucker so know just what it’s all about.
But they couldn’t have run better. Local slalom boater ‘Kevan Austin’, also kicked in with a sweet clean run himself. Where did he come from in his trusty Huka. A little more knocked around and slowed down but still good to go. Amazing. The Mystic’s performed outstandingly well in this heavy water. They flew through the main weir like it was nothing. They never even slowed. Awesome to see because this was talked about a lot during the shaping process.
Nil's cranking into the meet of the weir. This is the main feature that stops people running this rapid.... The Mystic never even slowed.
Honza running his own line to left and on top flying accross the boils.
Kevin proving the Huka can go anywhere.. just a little more bumpy...
Mystic down the throat of the final stomper drop.
Like the last few steps climbing Everest, Honza knows he's made it, now he just has to come down...
At the bottom and still on top. We all know how that feels. I get a pump on just telling the story.
.jpg)
Nils answering the question. This is a f#####g awsome kayak... who's going to want to argue about that!!!!
Three very very happy boys just beaming as you do. Well done lads. I'm happy that your happy thats for sure..
|