I was lucky enough to make the trip down to Queenstown to watch the first couple of days of the 2023 World Jet Boat Marathon. An event starting on the Kawarua River, then up to the Dart, over to the Matukituki and then heading off towards Canterbury to race the Waitaki, Rakaia, Waiau and finishing on the Waimkariri.
This circuit I would say is some of the best rivers for Marathon racing in New Zealand and in saying that likely the world. To say I had itchy fit was an understatement having not raced for a couple of years.
The Otago rivers were running above average flow but a nice colour. However the Dart river for leg one would have to of been some of the coldest racing conditions I have witnessed. With snow sitting on the hills from a fresh dusting and constant rain to make sure you were never quite dry. If you could handle the cold and see through the rain, the river was in great boating condition. The Matukituki held the rain off. Freezing in the morning but some well needed sun from midday. The higher flow rate meant the river was very quick and reasonably straight forward boating. For those of you who have not made it down to boat these rivers they run with a lot less flow to the main Canterbury rivers with very clear water. The Dart can be tight and always like to lead you to the right heading up stream only a couple of kms after entering from lake Wakatipu the river which usually ends in a pretty big push. The Matukituki is one of the most scenic rivers to boat. the river can often run into large still pools and the exit it not alway obvious. The river bed is made of very fine stones and sand which will stop a bot in a couple of length of itself.
It was about now that I was scouting the area for good camera locations and wondered what spots our subscribers would like to see on our website if it we expanded in to the Otago region. A job that has a lot of work and planning involved, but it is a must do for Outdoor Access with such passionate Boaties, Fishermen, Hunters and more making the most of such an amazing area. So in saying that we need to hear from our subscribers and our followers to know what spots would be on the list. Send them in!
The Canterbury weather of late stayed very consistent with a few calm days, a few cold days and then a howling NW to fill up all the rivers from Rangitata to Waiau. A weather pattern that we are all getting used to. But one that the Marathon Jet Boat racers had to contend with. The main issue being that pre-bating a river before the race was proving very difficult when the river was doubling in flow the night before the race and going from a beautiful blue colour to a shade of brown we are seeing on the Canterbury rivers as I write this.
It does feel as though summer is here. Fishing season has begun, the high country fishing season is about to kick into gear and picking your days to boat or fish is seeming to be even more important with the predicted weather patterns playing havoc with our river and lake conditions. It is going to be a busy summer but hope divine timing will leave the NW for midweek and the calm days for the weekend for once. Nigel
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