Men survive canoeing falls

Press, 7 January 1982, Page 17

Men survive canoeing falls

PA Palmerston North Two Palmerston North canoeists have gone over the Huka Falls and say that they are the first to survive such a stunt. The Waikato River drops eight metres at the falls after being suddenly confined in a narrow channel five kilometres north of Lake Taupo. Canoeist, Nick Kerkhan, who went over the falls with Greg Oke, said the falls had “always been a bit of a mecca for canoeists.” Mr Kerkhan, the New Zealand slalom canoe champion, said the pair had not gone to the falls with the intention of going over. “We were camping about five miles (eight kilometres) up from the falls and decided to stop and have a look on the way home. “We had always talked about doing it, and we were in the right mood last Sunday.” First Mr Kerkhan then Mr Oke made the big ride down the falls in the same fibreglass slalom canoe while the other waited at the bottom in a second canoe. “It was a real adrenalin buzz,” said Mr Oke, who was rated fifth in New Zealand two years ago in slalom canoeing. “It took guts to get out on the water, but once you were there, there was no turning back. “It was all over in two minutes. The sheer power of the water was awesome. When you got to the bottom over the last big drop, the boat just looped under the water and spat you back up

and out. It was an amazing experience.” Mr Kerkhan said the main danger came at the end of the final plunge down the falls. “You did not know whether you were going to come up. It was pitch black under there for about five seconds before you reached the surface again.” Mr Oke said “If you can imagine being stomped on by water, that is what it was like. In that last drop, there was nothing you could do but hang on and hope you came up again. “It has always been something canoeists have looked at, and so we just looked at each other and decided to do it.” The slalom kayak they used in their epic trip was made in Ashurst and is a standard, older-type competition model. The only other equipment they used" was a Germanmade kayak paddle, lifejackets, and crash helmet. Said Mr Kerkhan, “Sure, we would do it again.” But in the meantime it’s back to training for him for the world kayak championships in Italy in 1983. CANTERBURY OWNERS’ AND BREEDERS’ ASSOCIATION QUALIFYING TRIALS TO be held at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, January 12, commencing at 10.30 a.m. Entries for all events at the above trials close at 3 p.m. today. Phone 389-094 Postal Address: P.O. Box 9041, Addington, CHRISTCHURCH 2