If you have ever wondered what a sea kayaking trip would be like in the outer-Queen Charlotte Sound, then check out this blog post by one of our guides Christina Chowaniec. Enjoy!
Posts Tagged ‘Kayak’
Sea Kayaking in the outer-Queen Charlotte Sound
Friday, February 15th, 2013Half Day Kayaking Trip in the Marlborough Sounds
Saturday, January 15th, 2011
Amatya is on a spontaneous trip to New Zealand after spending a few months working in Bangalore, India. Originally from Switzerland, the 24yr old made the most of the sunshine earlier this week & spent a half day kayaking with Marlborough Sounds Adventure Co. “Back to nature after a few crazy months in India!”
Equipped with an MSAC/Ozone Cuppucino, I headed off to Ngakuta Bay with my guide, Blair, & several other adventurers. After lowering the kayaks from the trailer onto the beach we received all the paddle, drybag and life-jacket instructions (‘In case of emergency you will find the next exit located to your left and right.’) We then headed off to sea! What if my kayak were to just throw me overboard at the next wave? I was quite releived to find these worries quite unnecessary. The kayaks were easy to manoeuver and, if paddling in sync with your partner, you simply cut through the waves.
We passed amazing scenery and spotted a variety of birds and elegantly moving stingrays. (A head-on encounter with the latter would not be so enjoyable of course). Blair provided us with an amazing amount of information on New Zealand’s history and forest conservation projects. I would have done much better in my history class if I were passing beautiful bays and getting sprayed with seawater by my partners paddle now and then! With strong strokes, we crossed the harbour and arrived mesmerized, feeling proud of our journey.
A few days later, I went with some of my NZ-based family on a Freedom Kayak Rental to further explore the Marlborough Sounds. We paddled 2 doubles & a single out to Kumatoto Bay where they we stopped for a rest-turned-lunch stop-turned-overnight camping spot. My eldest cousin Jacob, whipped up a gourmet (2minute) pasta concoction while his younger brother, Tarn, boiled up steaming cups of tea.
The following day, we enjoyed trailing sting rays along the coast & photographing a big seal lounging in the sunshine. Jake, an experienced kayaker, showed his sister, Indigo, how to ‘brace’ in a kayak. This resulted in, well, a few rolls and a lot of fun and laughter 
A slow paddle on home to Picton made for more Ozone coffee & massive plates of scrambled eggs on toast. What an awesome mission!
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- Amatya, ready to hit the sea.
Kayaking Adventure – Season Kick off!
Sunday, December 12th, 2010Arriving back in Picton from around the globe, a few friends got together for a fairly spontaneous kayaking adventure with Marlborough Sounds Adventure Co.
Some of us were meeting for the first time & some were old friends who hadn’t seen each other since we had escaped NZ winter for warmer pastures in the Northern Hemisphere. However, as soon as we hit the water, we were marveling at the place we once again called home.
The team was made up of 3 Swedish girls, one Scottish/Kiwi lass & 2 Kiwi lads. For the most part, we made a pretty eclectic, humourous bunch who were keen for a bit of adventure in the Marlborough Sounds.
Monday morning had us up & grabbing Ozone coffee (& the odd can of Redbull) as we set about launching 2 double & 2 single sea kayaks off the Picton Foreshore. The wind was light & made for a cruisy paddle out of the harbour & across to Double Cove where we stopped for a nutritious snack (hummus, bread & bottles of Tui).
The fleet paddled on with plenty of banter to keep us entertained. When we arrived at Kumatoto Bay, we set up camp in the Native Bush & bathed in the early Summer sunshine. So good to be home! Sitting on the beach, we all looked out at the Sounds feeling lucky to be in such a beautiful place.
The evening had us gathered on the beach, chatting, munching ravioli, carving ineffective fish spears, track missions in the bush & so much laughing we fell off our seats/logs. During the night we had a visit from a bush piglet (a bushlet?) & a cheeky Weka who stole some of Kristen’s bread!
On Tuesday morning, we feasted on cereal, leftover risotto & coffee which Blair brewed cup by cup over his handy camping percolator. We set off back to Picton, cruising by a fur seal napping in the sunshine.
Heading toward Grove Arm, the wind picked up & had us ducking into bays & doing a bit of tame wave surfing & sailing with our paddles in the air.
We arrived back in Picton, happily tired, salt-encrusted, sun tanned, hungry for lunch & some more adventure.
Thanks Marlborough Sounds Adventure Co.
