Spring Is Here

A long, dry and gruelling winter on the west coast made getting out paddling a challenge. With little time to spare in between polytech and assignments, we started home brewing beer (with mixed results), I named my first brew Marmite and Phils was aptly named coffee.

Red, One of the new family members. Greymouth, New Zealand

Photo//Greg Lee

Along with our brewing skills we have acquired two pet lawnmowers named red and skimpy, who are currently grazing the back lawn and doing a good job of it. But with perfectly good white water flowing so freely out to sea, we have been itching to get out, and spring fever is kicking in. we have been ripping into a few of the local runs. Multiple laps on the Kakapotahi, Toaroha, Totara, Arahura and Dobson wave were possible due to the two weeks of rain during our holidays. 9 out of the past 10 days were on the rivers and it  felt good after a long dry winter. One trip of note was the Styx, which we decided to explore. After two years here we couldn't leave without sampling some of the Styx magic.

'Pinky' after the hard drive in.

Photo//Rata Lovell-Smith

'Vroooooom scrape crack put put put' were the noises coming from Phils little hatch back car as he came flying up the four wheel drive on the way into the Styx. Closely  followed by the roar of Dans 3L surf, which had no trouble. Gear on and ready for a long slog we walked to the put in, Myself, Phil and Martijn decided to run the top rapid above the normal put in. We had mixed results, and a near miss as Martijn scouted the underside of a very large boulder below the last drop.

Martijn getting up close and personal with the sieve. Styx River, West Coast NZ.

Photo//Rata Lovell-Smith

We quickly caught up with the others and cruised on down some classic grade 4 boulder gardens, boat scouting most of it. A sick 3m clean boof encouraged the cameras out and we all had multiple laps of it, while trying to perfect our boofs. All up it was a great day out and good to see some of the boys pushing the limits, taking risks and then getting the rewards. The walk suddenly becomes enjoyable, you have a good crew who you trust with your life and things go as planned! Its days like this that you think to yourself 'This is why I do this!' Chur!

Martijn on the top rapid. Styx River, West Coast NZ.

Photo//Rata Lovell-Smith

'Boof boss Phil'. Styx River, West Coast NZ.

Photo// Greg Lee

Phil entering the crux of the day. Styx River, West Coast NZ

Photo//Rata Lovell-Smith

Styx River, West Coast NZ.

Photo//Rata Lovell-Smith

Dan Morgan on the 'Buffer'. Styx River, West Coast NZ.

Photo//Rata Lovell-Smith

Greg Lee lining up of the many drops. Styx River, West Coast NZ.

Photo//Rata Lovell-Smith

Greg Lee on the Styx River, West Coast NZ.

Photo//Rata Lovell-Smith

Martijn going hard! Styx River, West Coast NZ.

Photo//Rata Lovell-Smith

Phil hitting a new line. Styx River, West Coast NZ.

Photo//Rata Lovell-Smith

Dan Morgan waits to take his stroke. Styx River, West Coast NZ.

Photo//Rata Lovell-Smith

Written by Greg Lee

Fiordland

20th of August is looking good to kick off, in our sea kayaks ready for 10 days of exploring the Holyford river and then south down the coast. Shuttle is sorted and most of the gear is organised... Things are looking good!

The next mission for the Two Dash Productions crew is currently in the planning stage. We hope to do a short sea kayaking expedition down in Fiordland. I know its a little different from the standard white water trip, but it should be good :)

A long walk for paradise on the Arahura

As the sun slipped behind the hills and the cool winter breeze funnelled down the valley, we put on our very awkward packs and set off up the Arahura valley.  With darkness upon us and our new Hydroscapes carry systems to try out, the 7 of us headed to the lower Arahura hut (6 bunked). After a very close sleep and some stale bread and bake beans for breakfast Phil, Greg and I started our short walk up to the Newton Swing Bridge. The track leading down to the put in was steep and slippery. A 100 metres from the river Greg spotted what looked like a good spot to launch our boats   over it, we lined our boats up ready to take on the 20 metre bank. Greg was quick to push his off and after some impressive aerial manoeuvres by Gretchen’s boat (which he was borrowing) the result was a massive crack in the front. We carried our boats into the bushes, tired and disappointed vowing to be back next weekend.

A week later after a rough and ready welding job by Greg along with some ‘bitch tape’ (A must have on the coast) we were set.  A couple of warm up rapids behind us, we were into it, our first horizon line looking ominous. Greg jumped out to scout the line, but after Phil ran first and got back looped, the need for a new line was decided and relayed back to Greg and I. The rest of the river kept coming with some good boat scouting meant clean lines and nice edge to edge transitions. The trip had minimal portaging besides a single ‘mankey’ section where the whole river seemed to disappear into a sieve. It was a good day out for the Two Dash crew, well worth the 6 hour walk and we will definitely be back!

Phil Palzer stops for a drink
Photo by Greg Lee

The bottom of the last gouge
Photo By Rata Lovell-Smith 

Written By Rata Lovell-Smith

kokatahi update

Phil has made a sick edit from our last Kokatahi mission, check out the link below:

https://vimeo.com/42680647

Kokatahi River "Proud as Punch"

After being stood up like a cheep date by Bruce Dando (who had the misfortune of a flat battery) the Two Dash crew were feeling a like an middle age women. And just like a middle age woman we were back the next day looking for more, this time we were in luck and when Bruce landed in the paddock we knew there was no going back now. we were on our way into our biggest mission yet. A late morning kokatahi run. It was going to be dark at 6 and we were cutting it fine, but were confident that we could be out in time if all went well. Once at the put in it was all go, straight into the steep stuff, continuous rapids with sick boofs all the way. The day continued with more and more white water, cover shot was by far the coolest rapid for me and then after that skateboard ramp. Some of the wildest and most scenic gorges we've  ever been in just made the day even better.

One of the epic gorges
Photo by  Barney Young

Written By Rata Lovell-Smith and Greg Lee

Arnold river ramp

 The low water over the past few weeks had the TPP Crew Board and looking for more action than the Arnold had to offer. So we set to work building a ramp to make the put in slightly more exciting. The design process was one of trial and error and the final product is good and can be built on if we decide we want something bigger. A warning to anyone attempting this grade 5 ramp... don't go upside down because its shallow! Check out the video at http://vimeo.com/41323363

Two Dash Hit the Whitcomb!

After many hours of editing and lots of computer troubles the video from our Whitcomb fly in trip is finally done. Words, videos and photos don't do this amazing place justice... you really have to go there and check it out for yourself :)

http://vimeo.com/41268844

Slaty Creek

After some hot tips from Keith Reily and a rather brief look on a map at the Greymouth info Centre we headed towards the paparoas in search of new water.

Green...
Photo By Greg Lee

The Green Mile
Photo By Rata Lovell-Smith

Photo By Rata Lovell-Smith

Toaroha

With over 30 descents of the Lower Toaroha it seemed wrong that Two Dash crew hadn't explored further up the valley and with whispers of a waterfall, We did what all great kayakers had done before we walked. 

Martijn wondering if this waterfall actually exists while Phil eagerly paddles up stream.
Photo By Greg Lee 

10am at the take out we loaded our boats on and started the walk. A casual pace saw time fly by and still no sign of the waterfall.Many sightings of the local blue duck family was also a big distraction. So the waterfall continued to be elusive until we hit a gorged out section of river, and half way through our challenging portage, we spotted it. we couldn't quite get a full view of it but the clouds of spray billowing out around the corner suggested some sort of gradient. 

Phil Palzer showing some class
Photo By Greg Lee



Majtain With the line of the day
Photo By Greg Lee

 A big day out on the river lots of sick lines and a cracked boat it was defiantly time for hoki fish and chips!!

Arahura Goodness

After a big night of food fights and general o- wrecking up at Red Roof it was time for us to get our sorry self out of bed and on the river. With a quick pie stop at do duck, The Crew! of 15 headed for the sun and white water of the Arahura.The Plan was for the Two Dash crew and Majtain to head up for little more action and drop in to cess pool and meet the rest of the crew below. But after my finger meet the boot of Phil's car i decided to opted to take photos and let the boys go fire it up.



Phil Palzer dropping into cave drop as Greg Lee watches on
Photo By Rata Lovell-Smith



Greg Lee droping into cave drop.
Photo By Rata Lovell-Smith



Greg Lee Capturing abit of Arahura Magic





Grace Slee Firing it up
Photo By Greg Lee

 



Rata Lovell-Smith
Photo By Phil Palzer

 



Making the most of the sun
Photo By Phil Palzer

   

With our tummy's rumbling and beer o'clock looming it was time to get off the river and head to hoki for fish and chips and beer.



Morning Glory On The Whitcomb

5am alarms were going and it was all go up at redroof. Getting up to go kayaking with the moon still up seemed a bit strange. With do duck in our belly’s and kayaks on the roof, we headed to heli pad. A last minute text from Zak in hoki confirmed our last seat in the chopper. The team was set, Phil Palzer, Zak Shaw, Greg Lee and Rata Lovell-smith.Aviation fever had set in and we were in the air by 7.30.The flight up the river was spectacular. We spent most of it trying to scout some possible lines down the river. Once the whining of the chopper had gone and the roar of the river took over, the realisation of how remote we really were sunk in and we wasted no time in getting on the water and warming up.





Zak and Rata heading up the valley with Dan Reedy

  

The Whitcomb was really turning it on for us Big, dramatic and untouched. We had an hour of super fun class 3+ to fire us up. 10.30 came around and it was time for our second breakfast before we headed into colliers.




Zak Shaw Photo By Greg Lee

 

 Classy lines, sick boofs, awesome rail to rail transitions (if your two dash) or edge to edge transitions (if your “new school”) is a great way to describe colliers. The trip was finished off with a quick photo session on a small ledge drop at the bottom of colliers.



Phil Palzer boofing like a boss
Photo by Zak Shaw http://passion4adventure.blogspot.co.nz/

 




Rata Lovell-Smith Runing the last drop in colliers
Photo By Greg Lee

 




Rata Lovell-Smith showing some style
Photo By Greg Lee

 

We were off the water by one in time for homebrews in the sun!  





Two Dash Productions Have Made It To The Blog World

Two Dash Productions is a small time kayaking crew. Who make kayak movies when there not chasing white water or do what O-wreckers do best.  With one of best kayaking destinations in the world it was only natural that we would leave our mothers arms and would come study Outdoor Instruction and Guiding at Tai Poutini Polytechnic on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand.

Greg Lee Aka Grizzle




Phil Palzer

 



Rata Lovell-Smith