I know this is always something that needs to be taken with a thought process that allows you a learning curve that is outside an obvious physical exertion but the relationship between the thought and the action is very conected
final report on Andrew McAuley
Some info about Andrew McAuley’s kayak when it was inspected by the builder, after it was brought ashore in New Zealand.
First of all, the kayak was in excellent shape, apart from Casper the cockpit cover missing - and there is a suggestion that this could have actually broken away in the 24 hours after Andrew was separated from the kayak. It would have been full of water and being washed about in the swells, and could have easily broken away.
The pump batteries (two of them, with separate switches) were fully charged, and the pump worked when tested. The satellite phone still worked, although the battery was getting low. The socket in the kayak that was used for charging was corroded, it was inside the rear compartment, and had been under water for 24 hours.. The three GPS’s were still working. The EPIRB was still in the kayak and was tested OK. The paddle was still attached to the kayak. There was food in the cockpit.
Paul has viewed some of the video (the NZ police still have some of the waterlogged video). The video plainly shows him wearing his dry suit in the kayak. I know from talking to him at Fortecscue Bay that his intention was to always put this on if his weather forecaster in Sydney warned him of a big blow coming. This would mean that if anything happened and he ended up out of the kayak he would be prepared for it. So some of the video shows him wearing it. A very sensible precaution.
In the video he also mentions that he had capsized twice, and had to climb back into the kayak. This was quite difficult (’gnarly’ to use his own words) and he was very concerned that he not capsize again. A normal kayak can be re-entered over the back deck, but Casper would stop this method. And the front deck had gear on it as well, including a mounted video camera. Some of you might wonder why he didn’t roll up. For a start, there was no normal seat in the kayak, and it was a very large cockpit. Because he had to slide down into it to sleep, he was sitting on a bean bag that he specially made, and I can remember him saying that this was a vast improvement over the bag he was using on the first aborted trip.This bean bag was also used as a pillow for sleeping. The other reason for not having a normal seat was that the rear compartment was accessed from inside the cockpit, through a hatch in the rear bulkhead. There was no external hatch on this compartment. To get stuff out of here he had to lie down in the kayak, roll over on his stomach, remove the hatch cover. His gear in here had long strings attached to them so they could be pulled out.
What went wrong? This is the best guess made by the people on the spot - but is conjecture, as told to me buy Paul.
He was getting tired (he went through emotional highs and lows - this from the video), but was finally in good weather, and in sight of land (the peaks of the mountains anyway). A small front came through that he possibly didn’t bother putting his dry suit on for, maybe because it was a very hot day. He was probably exuberant at being close to land and may have paddled more than he was fit to do, and was extra tired. The cold front capsized him and put him in the water. He could not get back in. He got in under the kayak and unscrewed the rear hatch to get his drysuit out, and the VHF radio. If he was tethered he would have to untether to get into the dry suit. Somehow he got separated from the kayak and it blew away from him faster than he could swim - especially in a dry suit, or half in one.
The rest you know.
I repeat, the above is conjecture from the people on the spot - but a reasonable explanation that would cover all the facts.
Why didn’t he go for the EPIRB. I know Andrew thinks the same as I do on this subject. It is a last resort. It is far better (if possible) to make contact by phone or radio and let people know the exact situation - rather than the huge panic and search that an EPIRB generates. Having said that, I’m quite sure that he would have intended to set it off (as I would) once he was in the dry suit. It was the separation from the kayak that brought him undone.
What lessons can be learnt from this tragedy? First of all, it is possible to paddle a kayak from Tasmania to New Zealand. Never forget that. Andrew planned this expedition in meticulous detail, and he was right - it can be done.
Had he had a small strobe light in an inside pocket of his paddling jacket he may well have attracted the attention of the two helicopters that went out searching on the friday night. And in hindsight the EPIRB should always be attached to the person, not the kayak.
Adventure racing and Adventure dunnies
Whilst Traveling in NZ for the spieghts coast to coast race ( spectator) some of the raod side stops on the way around were interesting to say the least
flag kayak finish
Speights Coast to Coast
Adventure Racing
By anybody’s standards a very long day at the office, the single day race is billed as just that the longest day , in some cases a long two days at the office, for those who take the ultra challenge and pit themselves and their machines against an unyielding foe of distance, time, and a world of hurt.
This is where all the stories I love to pick up, on happen. We all have the up most respect for the professional that has their livelihood attached to the place, they get at the next race. Then there is the age grouper and the aspiring legends.
Please let me introduce you to a lady called Helen Springer
Helen is the one on the right, Carolyn is one of the support crew ( I hope I remembered her name correctly 
After a trip to the able Tasman park for a great kayak trip my friend Mare and I stopped of at Arthur’s pass, to catch up with my old training buddy Rod ( I can call him that now he is officially a pensioner ) even though he still a tough nut to crack.
He and his wife were camping at Kennedy’s Hut while walking in the area ( i will post some pics of the area later). It was also the hangout for some of the two day racers for their overnight stay.
From the start at Kumara after the first 3k run then a 55k cycle, they hand over the bike for a 33k mountain run to the first day finish area, klondyke corner which is also the transition area for run to bike leg for the one day racers.
Training heartache
Maybe it is only an athlete who can understand the absolute heartache that goes along with training till you are wondering, why am i doing this I hurt yet still makes the effort to get to the start line, to have to stop because of injury or just plain bad luck.
Brian, Simon, and honest Andy
Simon the guy in the Red shirt had great expectation of a great race only to find
out indigestion pains were actually appendix pains, zip no race for him, poor guy could not even have a beer to drown the sorrows as he was pumped full of antibiotics.
Brian was facing the challenge well prepared, he was confident of finishing the event which is a notable thing in its self.
The plan was going well until he discovered his race fuel was gone of his bike seriously
depleted energy levels saw not able to complete the leg which is disqualification
BUMMER.
SUPPORT CREW
As is and I hope will always be the goodwill and camaraderie that is amongst those that
understand what it takes to get to a start line let alone the finish line the boys decided to
join the support crew for Helen and cheer her home.
What was next for the intrepid racers was a 15k bike to the transition to kayak at Mt
White Bridge for a 67k paddle down the Waimakariri River.
The boats used here the most popular by far was JK racing kayaks www.jkkkayaks.co.nz
These boats are carbon fiber missiles. I had a chat with Jan-Kees the maker of the craft,and was regaled with tales of the good old days of when the race was a lot simpler.
I appreciated what he was saying as i know when I started my Triathlon there was a lot more easy going fun aspects about it , but that is another rave.
Transition day 2
Because of the way the race is staged and the logistics of getting people in and out of race areas the next time we were able to catch up with the racers was at Waimakariri river gorge bridge for the final transition to bike.
Wish I was in one of these Babies
This is the nature of this race it is in remote country if something did happen it is the only way out for an injured or distressed racer.
The current here runs very quickly and more than one capsize has occurred here.
the paddlers have to line up the chute and hit it straight and remembering that they have
just paddled 65k
The water is running quickly here the Marshall has the blue flag out to indicate finish area miss it and you don’t want to have to paddle back.
The Marshals and crew were great the legs take a bit to get working after a
WEE paddle
Final leg
Well almost there, all that is to be done now is the final ride into Christchurch of 70ks.
Helen has arrived after the paddle feeling good she knows the last part is ahead of her,
her training and nutritional plan are working.
After we wished her well it was back to Christchurch for the finish.
When we got back to Christchurch I had to leave my friend Maree and make my way down to Sumner and the finish area.
So whats a boy do puts on his running shoes and after being told it is only about 5k to the finish bolted off to try and catch the finishers, figured if i put on a bit of pace I could get down there in 20Min’s with traffic etc.
After 12Min’s I see a sign that tells me its 5k to the finish,
bugger so it is going to take me a bit longer. As I am running into the last 2k
I hear this Cheery voice ” Hey dude ” as Helen bikes past on her way to the finish line,
”hey slow down I am trying to get pic of you finishing ‘that’s the last thing on her mind
as she rounds the corner parks her bike has and the short run into the finish chute.
THE FINISH
To all the competitors well done what a great effort to the guys that did not make and the Stars that had a bad day. Richard Usher having a collision with a rock and putting him out of contention. But our Helen has a big smile an said she will be back next year.
Kayak trip to Able Tasman park New Zealand
Travelling to nelson from
My friend Maree and I organized a trip with the able Tasman kayak
Company to sample the delights of a guided tour of a truly beautiful place.
I had my reservations as I had heard of some wild and uninviting weather occurs in the area but the Universe was kind to us and gave us weather that even the guides were in awe of.
As we were trying to fit a lot in condensed in a short time we opted to take a water taxi into the best part of the area from the town of 
This is the launching of the taxi you get in and the tractor takes
you down to the sea while you are sitting in the boat
Absolutely pristine conditions prevailed, calm seas, beautiful sunshine and great paddle partners.
We made our way out on a flooding tide towards a seal colony that
Inhabited pinnacle
We then paddle to a beach that our guide wade said he had reserved but as the picture
showed nobody was reading the signs.
So after a meal of Green lipped Muscles, lamb thingy’s on a stick,
Salad, pita bread, chocolate croissants,
we paddled out for nose around at other sights
, We experienced being able to get a great downwind run sail with rafted boats
that enabled us to sail 
over a barely covered sand bar into a wonderful lagoon that was straight out of any travel broachers you drool over when you are at work, dreaming of getting away.
Some of the shapes that the rocks of the coastline had been formed into were amazing.
The guide was terrific giving us heaps of information about the area
I will be defiantly going back for an extended tour 
The bus tractor back to base great fun
Of road Triathlon information
 Triathlon Meets Adventure!ABOUT THE TRE-X OFF ROAD TRIATHLON SERIES  The Tre-X Off Road Triathlon Series is designed for first timers and experienced triathletes to get off the beaten track and come along and try this new event format.Like other triathlons the Tre-X Series includes the disciplines of swim, bike and run, but with a new twist the Tre-X Series is run off road to add a new element of adventure to this tried and true format. The swim leg takes place in dams, rivers or lagoons. The bike leg adds a new element of mountain biking on dirt tracks, fire trails and single track terrain, and the run leg takes competitors off the tarmac and into some of Australia’s most beautiful natural bushland. Enter as an individual or enter as a team of three. It’s an enjoyable event for those who fancy a bit of adventure to come along and have a go in a spirit of competition and fun! THE COURSEIn 2007 competitors will complete: - 350m Swim - 10km Mountain Bike (expected to take 40-50 mins for the average rider) - 4km Trail Run The Swim The Swim will be a wet start on the banks of Murrenbong dam with competitors completing a 350m swim before exiting into a grassy transition area beside the dam. The Mountain Bike  The mountain bike leg covers fire trails, tracks and single track, with a small section (approximately 900m) of technical single track to challenge the technical rider. It is expected that an average rider will take approximately 40-45minutes to complete the 10km course. If you are new to mountain biking and aren’t comfortable with single track riding, that’s OK, you can always walk the small technical section, and then carry on with the rest of the course. The cycle course is spectator friendly with competitors passing through Race HQ several times throughout the event. The Run After taking on the mountain bike challenge the run sees competitors traversing a 4km loop along creeks, tracks and finishing with a small cross country section behind the dam and up a small hill to Race HQ to cross the finish line where the spectators will be there to cheer you to victory. THE LOCATIONThe 2007 Tre-X Off Road Triathlon Series will be held at: Murrenbong Scout Camp 135 Scout Road Kurwongbah Qld, 4503 The event is on the north side of Brisbane, not far from Petrie and takes approximately 30-45 minutes travel time from the Brisbane CBD. | |
| http://www.trex.com.au/index.html- |
EVENTS
| Event | Date | Distance | Early Bird Entry Close Date | Online Entry Close Date |
| Race 1 | 11th March 2007 | 350 – 10 – 4 | 2nd March | Midday 10th March |
| Race 2 | 15th April 2007 | 350 – 10 – 4 | 6th April | Midday 14th April |
| Race 3 | 13th May 2007 | 350 – 10 – 4 | 4th May | Midday 12th May |
ENTRY FEES
| INDIVIDUAL | One Race | Series | |
| Early Bird See cut off dates above | Entry After Early Bird Cut Off | ||
| Licensed | $50 | $55 | $140 |
| *Unlicensed | $55 | $60 | $155 |
| TEAM | One Race | Series | |
| Licensed | $60 | $75 | $165 |
| *Unlicensed | Add $5 per unlicensed competitor | ||
| * Includes Personal Public Liability Cover. For more info contact Triathlon Qld on 07 3369 9400 | |||
you can find different sports news here
The link takes you to a news page where you can veiw a short
segment
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/sports_index_skin/news_index_group
Really sad news but all that is available
 Print  Email |
 The search for Andrew McAuley is over. (ABC TV) |  |
http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200702/r126255_412036.ram
Search for kayaker winds down
New Zealand authorities have suspended the search for missing Australian adventurer Andrew McAuley.
The 39-year-old is thought to have abandoned his sinking sea kayak on Friday during his attempt to cross the Tasman.
An air and sea search has found his upturned kayak but there is no sign of the adventurer.
New Zealand Rescue Coordination Centre spokesman Peter Williams said about 2,000 square kilometres of ocean off the south-west coast of New Zealand had been searched over the past three days, by plane, helicopter and ship.
“Taking into account the wide search area that has been covered, and bearing in mind that Andrew has now most likely been in 15-degree (Celsius) seas for around 70 hours, we have decided to suspend the aerial search,” he said.
Mr McAuley’s kayak was found 80 kilometres from Milford Sound, where the adventurer had expected to make landfall on Sunday morning.
His wife Vicki, who had been waiting for him at Milford Sound, has been told the search was over, Mr Williams said.
Family friend Jan Peedom says it has been a tough time for Mr McAuley’s family.
“It’s a really difficult position to be in,” she said.
“I haven’t experienced it before, where you don’t have a deceased and you don’t have a survivor so you’re kind of in a bit of limbo land, just waiting.”
Mr McAuley had battled high seas since leaving Fortescue Bay in Tasmania on January 11, but was in calmer waters when he lost contact with his kayak.
“We know he’s been through seas that have been 30-foot (nine-metre) high waves and where he’s come to grief is like a millpond,” helicopter searcher Lloyd Mathieson told Radio New Zealand.
He said it was possible Mr McAuley had had to get out of the kayak for some reason, and had been unable to get back in again.
The kayak was found minus its cockpit cover, a safety device that offered Mr McAuley some protection from the elements and also enabled the kayak to right itself when it capsized.
Paul Hewitson built the kayak and is particularly interested in any clues as to how and why Mr McAuley abandoned the craft.
“It would appear fairly obvious that he was separated from the boat quite quickly and he didn’t get the chance to set off his EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon),” he said.
“He’s gone for the VHF, probably didn’t get the response or the reply from the coast guard, and I’d say before he had a chance to go for the EPIRB the boat was probably washed ar fairly obvious that he was separated from the boat quite quickly and he didn’t get the chance to set off his EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon),” he said.
“He’s gone for the VHF, probably didn’t get the response or the reply from the coast guard, and I’d say before he had a chance to go for the EPIRB the boat was probably washed onday, February 12, 2007. 7:23pm (AEDT)
Kayak adventure paddler reported to in trouble
NZ authorities spot upturned sea kayak
Emergency services in New Zealand have found an upturned sea kayak off the coast of the South Island.
It is in the vicinity where they have been searching for Australian adventurer Andrew McAuley, who was on the final stages of a trans-Tasman crossing.
An extensive air and sea search for Mr McAuley and his seven-metre sea kayak off the coast of Fiordland was triggered by a radio distress call received by New Zealand’s rescue coordination centre.
His family and support team however remained hopeful throughout the day that someone else had sent the message and that it may have even been a hoax.
But tonight the crew of an Air Force Orion scouring the Tasman Sea spotted an upturned kayak matching Mr McAuley’s, about 40 nautical miles off the coast of Milford Sound.
A helicopter has been sent to the area, but the sea swells are making the search difficult.
Authorities have directed the chopper to land on board a cruise ship which has changed course to help in the search.
An inflatable dinghy will be launched from the cruise ship to find the missing sea kayak.
Mr McAuley set out from Tasmania a month ago in an attempt to be the first person to cross the Tasman in a sea kayak.
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Related LinksWet and Wild
What an epic jounery is he mad or what follow the link and decide for yourselfe
Half way! Hooray!
Jan 25, 2007
After all the years of planning and preparation, he’s finally out there — literally in the middle of the Tasman now! He’ll paddle past that flashing neon half way banner early tomorrow morning, so I reckon he’s feeling pretty happy with himself.
It’s been two weeks since Andrew had his last glimpse of land, and another two before he’ll set eyes on it again. And what a glorious sight that will be!
See the blue thing around Andrew’s neck? He claims this to be the most valuable piece of equipment he has on board. It’s a home-made ‘cockpit change bag’ (maybe we should patent it!) It’s like a giant, spacious spray skirt that comes up to the neck.This allows him to perform delicate tasks (some requiring a large cut-off soft drink bottle) in the upright position without the cockpit being flooded by waves over the deck.
Andrew made close to 70km again today, with a 25knot following breeze. He had some fast downwind runs in squally conditions this afternoon.
