Follow on Twitter
Email A Friend
It looks like playing about in the surf, but for kayaker Tim Taylor, a beach break is a serious training opportunity.
He is training in surf at Mount Maunganui readying himself for the next stage of his epic circum kayak of New Zealand.
Tim Taylor in training.
He had to take a step back when winter weather closed him out at Ahipara at the southern end of the 90 Mile Beach early last month after having kayaked around the country during the previous six months – totalling more than 4000km of travel.
Since returning to Tauranga on Queen’s Birthday Weekend, Tim’s been prepping for another go at the last major hurdle to his plan to kayak around New Zealand.
He needs three days of calm weather to paddle the 85km north along 90 Mile Beach from Ahipara, and round the three capes, Maria Van Diemen, Cape Reinga, and North Cape.
It’s winter and the beach is exposed to every Tasman Sea blow.
At the top of the beach are the capes where the Tasman meets the Pacific Ocean, followed by a 40km paddle down the east coast to Houhora.
Even in calm conditions Tim’s facing some big paddling days and he needs to be in shape for it.
He’s on a training programme building power and stamina, while waiting for the expected weather window that locals tell him happens July/August.
Tim set out from Tauranga on November 27, 2010, to become the first person to kayak round New Zealand in a single voyage.
He spent nearly half of the next six months sitting on beaches waiting for storms to subside.
The delays meant winter caught up with him, and reduced daylight offered less paddling time.
“Facing an area that is so extremely tough, I wanted to be at or near my peak or else I would just be asking for trouble,” says Tim.
