2025 News

New Zealand Kathmandu Coast to Coast

Congrats to Renae Watkins who just completed in New Zealand Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

The club is so proud of Renae who has trained for months in trail running, cycling and white-water kayaking. She was required to attain the required paddling certifications to enter. A last minute trail running fall & injured hand almost led to DNS, but super well done Renae.

Each year the event is SOLD OUT & Balloted with close to 1,000 competitors with the individual entry fee of $1,400 NZ ($1,265 AUD).

Coast to Coast is a A historied race Held every February, the race starts on the West Coast, at Kumara Beach and traverses the width of the South Island, crossing the main divide and finishing on the East Coast with the finish at the Pier on New Brighton Beach in Christchurch. The race is one of the world's longest running multi-sports events and is older even than the Hawaiian Ironman. Robin Judkins founded the event in 1983 when just 25 hardy souls took on the 243km challenge over two days.


Renae in action (Photo credit Kathmandu Coast to Coast)

2 x 2 Relay - Sunday 9th Feb

Today’s 2x2 theme “New Year resolutions” represented a rich embroidery of personal commitments, each reflecting deep aspirations for growth, awareness, and balance. There were near perfect conditions for the first Relay of 2025. Warm, little to no breeze and mostly cloudy. Some paddlers will say it was very hot when the sun was out and you had just finished paddling 2km at max revs. Understandable.

11 Teams entered, 11 teams started, and 11 teams finished. Nine of the eleven teams were all on the 8th and last lap together, so the handicapping wasn't too far off.

As you can see from the beautifully handwritten results sheet, Lee and Nam as team “Unresolved” had an outstanding day on the water and came across the finish line first. They copped a bit of bagging for a couple of running starts on changeovers, unaware as newcomers, that all starts must be from standing starts. It did not matter though as they were 40 secs ahead of doubles combo, Craig and son Spencer, and Tony (Keg) and daughter Jessica. Well done team "Half Cheezels"!

Another 36 secs behind in 3rd place was team "Retire me" with John Thearle and Tony Hystek. John has become a 2x2 specialist, usually only getting to paddle when the relay is on in recent months. Tony did well to resist the temptation of wrecking his shoulder by not paddling too hard as he recovers from injury.

The time gaps for the remaining finish positions were:

  • 4th 1m 5 secs - Andrew Pearce and Tim Mc as "Consistents"
  • 5th 1 sec - Pete A and Caroline as“Look up and look in”
  • 6th 1 min 46 secs - Kim Stokeld & Don & Esther as "Finding balance"
  • 7th 32 secs - Scott and son Eli and Chris J as "Scott's day out 2025"
  • 8th 2 secs - Justin & Derek as "Wake up Dugongs"
  • 9th 54 secs - Pauline and David "Start the engine and embrace the wind!"
  • 10th 2 mins 26 secs Anne and Lyndsay as "LAPS (Lyndsay and Anne Paddle Strong)"
  • 11th 5 mins 7 secs - Duncan & new paddlers Rhys as "Only forward strokes"

Thanks everyone for another top morning of paddling with friends and family. Good fun all round!

Resolutions made today like "LAPS (Lyndsay and Anne Paddle Strong)" and "Only forward strokes" emphasized the necessity of collaboration and consistent effort. They suggest, success is often the result of perseverance and teamwork. This theme of balance and stability continued with resolutions such as "Finding balance" and "Consistents," which strive for equilibrium in life's various aspects.

In the spiritual and introspective realm, "Look up and look in" urged individuals to seek guidance from higher powers while simultaneously delving into their own thoughts and motivations. This dual approach encourages a holistic view where spiritual connection enhances personal insight, contributing to a more integrated and grounded existence.

Personal awareness was also highlighted by the "Wake up Dugongs", who called for attention to dormant issues, sparking a reawakening to neglected values. "Start the engine and embrace the wind!" captured the essence of embarking on new journeys with resilience, ready to face the challenges ahead. "Scott's day out 2025" marked the importance of setting significant personal milestones that bring joy and meaning to our lives, reminding us to plan for more 2x2s and cherish these moments.

"Unresolved" complemented those themes by embracing life's inherent uncertainties and complexities, acknowledging that not all questions have clear answers. Moderation and the pursuit of a fulfilling post-career life were also prevalent themes. "Half a Cheezel" advocated for restraint in our habits, while "Retire me" expressed a yearning for liberation from daily toils, aiming for a peaceful existence in later years.

Together, these resolutions demonstrate a community that is actively engaged with both, the challenges and opportunities of life. We collectively aim for a richer, more balanced, and insightful existence, embracing both the journey and its inevitable ebbs and flows of 2025.