Schnappa Rock Polar Bear Surf Classic

Main sponsor again this year is Tutukaka’s iconic Schnappa Rock restaurant and bar, which is putting up the $1000 first prize for the winner of the open division. Providing solid sponsorship backup is Mal Egginton and the Tutukaka Surf Company.

Scheduled for the 7th and 8th of August 2010, the all weekend event is a staple of the surf calendar

But so that nobody worthy of first place in their division misses out NCB is underwriting a $200 first prize for each of the supporting divisions (sponsors might put up more) plus $40 and $20 petrol vouchers for second and third. In addition there will be heaps of sponsors prizes for all finalists and a major spot prize for the senior divisions (18 and over) of a choice long board offered up by Canadian Club.

To claim the CC long board you will need to be present at the prize giving starting at Schnappa Rock at 3.00pm on the Sunday.

Contact club secretary Sandra Bowden if you are interested in sponsoring a division.

This is the30th year of competition.

Taste of Tutukaka

After a successful day at the Northland Events Centre attending the Northland Tourism Seminar, attendees are invited to experience genuine hospitality and a good time in Tutukaka.

$159 price includes accommodation, and breakfast, band, welcoming drink, and food in the evening, for two people.
$129 price includes accommodation, and breakfast, band, welcoming drink, and food in the evening for one person.
$30 per person for band, welcoming drink and food for one at Schnappa Rock.

Spend a night in local accommodation, enjoy a live band at Schnappa Rock, with food provided, and celebrate the Northland Tourism Seminar. Your host will be the Tutukaka Coast Promotions Society, and you can mix and mingle with Northland Tourism operators, and network to your heart’s content.
Good food, good music, and good people, doing good things.

Polar Bear out of Hibernation for Sandy Bay.

With a brand new trophy – the first in the classic surf comp’s 29 year history – and prize money boosted to $2000 the host North Coast Boardriders club is looking for a good turnout at this fun event.

The impressive trophy created by local nurseryman turned sculptor Guy Bowden is no lightweight. It is shaped from laminates of kauri, puriri and totara and sits on a solid rock base.

http://diving.co.nz/about/dive_blog/entry/polar_bear_out_of_hibernation/

What is missing from the trophy is the list of previous winners. But club organizers are hoping that many of the gaps will be filled in by visiting raconteur surfers this weekend, so that all previous Polar Bear supremo’s can have their details added to the trophy.

Cancelled 8-9 due to lack of swell, running for 15-16th August! Phone 09 4343 774 for more info!

In addition to the glory there is $1000 up for grabs – courtesy of Schnappa Rock Café and Bar - in the open division and $200 for each of the other classes.
Then there are heaps of prizes from Whangarei’s Mega Surf, the Tutukaka Surf Company and Sanuk, plus a collectors item T shirt for all entrants

Kayaking Tutukaka Coast

by Barb Roy

Kea prepares to start “Tea” (our snack) at North Gable on the North Island.

TUTUKAKA COAST

After loading lunch, snorkeling gear, camera accessories and other survival essentials into a sleek two-person sea kayak, my guide Kea and I bid stable ground farewell. I took the front seat in order to acquire some good shots along the northeastern side of New Zealand’s North Island. My camera was held on my lap for easy access, safe in a dry-bag.

“All set up there?” asked Kea, who was on loan from Paradise Coast Kayaking, a local outfit offering daily or multi-day kayaking excursions.

Kea certainly wasn’t lacking confidence and was fueled by a great enthusiasm. As we went, he explained about New Zealand’s colorful past, its marine reserves, and the country’s plans to keep wildlife parks pristine. Enthralled by the narrative, I was equally in awe of the scenery. We glided past numerous species of shore birds, over countless beds of kelp with overlapping fronds and through cave-like formations eroded into an outstretched shoreline. Steep, jagged cliffs and ancient lava flows, now softened by time, lay before us. I found it amazing that a past of such turmoil could now produce so much relaxation and tranquility. Other places were thick with native trees or lush in valleys of rolling green meadows.

“Ready for some whitewater?” asked Kea as we cleared the protection of another bay. The ocean swells became more pronounced as they rolled over shallow reefs, producing pools of swirling, foamy, whitewater.

View from Kukutauwhao on the North Island.

A curious seal popped its head up for a closer look. Before long, two more heads were up. What I wouldn’t give to be in the water with them, I thought, peering down into the clear depths. A vivid selection of invertebrate life decorated the reef below, intertwined with multi-colored varieties of sponge.

Landing, we hiked a trail up Kukutauwhao Island for a spectacular view of the surrounding area, had lunch on a secluded sandy beach and I was able to photograph the wildlife. Later in the day, Shane Orchard, the owner of the company and a marine biologist, joined us. Together, the three of us checked out a calm estuary where the water was pea-green and lined with a profusion of foliage and trees.

The next day we visited the Poor Knights, volcanic islands situated some 24 kilo- meters offshore, transporting the kayaks out and back by boat from Tutukaka. The water temperature was 21 degrees Celsius and the weather sunny (this was March).

Protected by Marine Reserve status, the waters below are nourished by subtropical currents, attracting an assortment of fish, eels, rays, soft corals, nudibranchs and sponges, drawing divers from around the world to visit the islands. The local Ngatiwai people have worked with the Department of Conservation to manage the islands and marine reserve, ensuring the environment will remain unspoiled. Access to the islands is restricted. Several rare and exclusive island residents include the red- crowned parakeet, the tuatara (ancient reptile), and the giant wetas (looks like a grasshopper).

Read full article from the Wavelength Magazine here.

Local snorkelling in Church Bay, Tutukaka

Simon Mottram and his family recently stayed on our coast, and spent some time in the water.

There is life and beauty everywhere!

More images here.

Te Araroa - the Long Pathway

Down the coastline, through the forest, across farmland, over volcanoes and mountain passes, along river valleys, and on green pathways across seven cities. New Zealand’s longest pathway, and indeed the world, passes through Tutukaka, and the Giant Kauri tree, Tane Moana.
The track climbs through delightful private pasture lands, pine forest and regenerating bush where significant efforts are being made to preserve kiwis and remove their predators.

It then enters Matariki Forest’s newly cut pine and eucalyptus plantation and follows a forest road (Seaview Track) south before turning west into another forest road (Oyster Track). This well developed road dissects a DOC native bush reserve then crosses more newly harvested forest land.  The road then turns into a clay track.

Leaving the forestry lands, the last 200m of the track crosses farmed pasture to emerge on Waiotoi Rd, with occasional views of the Coast.

3,000 kilometres. Dozens of volunteers. A tramping trail from Cape Reinga in the north to Bluff in the south. Opening late 2010 - one of the world’s longest walking trails. More here

Beaches

White sandy beaches, pebble beaches, safe-swimming beaches and surf beaches - we have them all. Most have parking adjacent to the beach however others are accessible by walkways. Fishing off the rocks, exploring the rock pools and kayaking around the coast are more ways to enjoy the coast, but make sure you always check the tide times and weather forecast before setting off.

Coastal & Bush Walks

Enjoy the many and varied coastal walkways between and leading to beaches through native bush. Whale Bay is perhaps the most famous but there are dozens of other coastal and inland walkways for all fitness levels and interests.

To add information to this site about other Tutukaka Coast Walkways you know and love or comments on the walkways below please use the “comments” function at the top of this post or email us your information and images directly.

Whale Bay Walkway

Whale Bay Carpark (top of the hill on Matapouri Rd after Matapouri Bay) to Whale Bay beach.

Walking Time: 30 minutes round trip (also allow time to enjoy the beach, have a picnic or a swim)

Access: Well maintained gravel track, steep at times. Stairs at the bottom or a pathway to the beach. Suitable for all levels of fitness and well worth the effort!

Carparking: Free carpark at the top of the hill.  Note; Please do not leave your valuables in the car or lugguage on display when leaving the vehicle.

Directions: Follow the track through the gateway adjacent to the carpark off Matapouri Rd, through native bush. There are spectacular views along the track of Whale Bay and northwards along the coast towards Whananaki and Cape Brett. The track ends at the beach.

If you have extra time on your return trip up the hill you can add on the walkway to Matapouri by taking the marked path 1/2 way up the hill. See Matapouri to Whale Bay Walkway post for more info.

Matapouri to Whale Bay Walkway

Ringer Ave Carpark at Matapouri Bay (left off Morrison Ave) to Whale Bay beach.

Walking Time: 45 minutes round trip (also allow time to enjoy the beaches, have a picnic or a swim)

Access: A combination of walking on the beach, dirt track and gravel track, steep climbing at times. Quite steep if you access the path from Pebbly Bay.  Due to the steepness of the track a reasonable level of fitness and good shoes are recommended.

Carparking: Free carpark at Ringer Ave.  Note; Please do not leave your valuables in the car or lugguage on display when leaving the vehicle.

Directions: Option 1: Matapouri Beach route. Walk North along Matapouri Beach towards Pebbly Bay and at the end of beach you will find a steep track. The path leads up over the hill, (eventually turn right) along the ridge and down to Whale Bay. Views from the top include Woolley’s Bay and northwards up the coast towards Whananaki. The track ends at Whale Bay beach. This area is a public reserve. Whale Bay provides safe swimming, good snorkelling and shade from the Pohutukawa Trees that line the bay. Matapouri is also good for swimming and due to the different position of the bay may offer different swimming conditions depending on the swell and wind direction. You can return via the alternative inland loop route below or back along the pathway you came in on.

Option 2: Inland route. Take the clearly defined track from the carpark up the hill through native bush. At the top of the hill take the path to the right heading downhill towards Whale Bay. You can either return via Pebbly Bay and along Matapouri Beach or return along the same pathway you arrived on.

If you have less time or fitness you can follow the direct Whale Bay Walkway from the carpark on Matapouri Rd.

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