Bouncing down the Blackball

Image - Ben Jackson
enjoys the best move on the blackball

After rain the Blackball is Mick Hopkinson's favourite.
Its scenic, the whitewater is continous and the walk in is short. Sounds good! so far right?

If its rained hard, and you get there early your in for a wild ride. If you bash and crash down smoko creek when its low you will be wishing you'd chosen anything
but the rock infested ditch your on. There is a reason why Jason Shepherd has a black-list of rivers, its because of the blackball!
Be warned if you go into there with minimal water, accept the fact you will come out with a paddle 2cm shorter and the chances of taking skin off your knuckles is extremely high.

Oli from Wyoming and Graham Charles (fresh from another season down on the ice, Antartica)
joined us for the day.

Photo - Back on the river, Graham Charles

The Taipo river is a great day out. With 23km of river to travel from Julia Hut to the take out road bridge its always a big day out. Our full team at the NZ kayak school met for a day out on the river together.

Bruce Dando dropped us in the head of the valley early. Equipped with 2kg of bacon, 2 loaves of bread we scavenged for dry wood and cooked bacon sandwiches before heading downriver.



Jess Brown
enjoying the juicy
flow and being
out there
paddling for
herself.














Photo
Matt Shearer,
links the final
moves of
"Showcase"