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LOWER OPAWA RIVER

The Club ended 2017 well with a very enjoyable run down the Opawa River and a well-attended barbecue at the clubrooms.  The run down the Opawa was well attended with 10 boats and 22 participants.  After launching at the Malthouse (Simonsen Reserve) it was a leisurely cruise downstream taking in the scenery and the birdlife.   We were treated to Spoonbills and ducks.  The birdlife   was limited, we were treated to spoonbills shags and swans, due to wanting a high tide which meant that the shoreline was very limited, as we had heard reports of the river-bed had been raised by the earthquakes.

We cruised to the bottom of the Opawa where most of us ventured across the Wairau to the ramp area, and confirmed the reports of the river-bed having been raised by the earthquakes, with only 800mm at high tide between the Opawa and the Wairau ramp!

We returned up river slightly and found a suitable grassy spot with some shady trees for lunch before returning to the launching ramp.