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
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