In 2005 twenty six people gathered together to talk about, look at and paddle a myriad of different home built kayaks. This get together was so popular that it was repeated with a mini-event in 2006 and again in 2007 with the "official" unofficial biannual NZKBGT. Now on the weekend of the 7th to the 9th of March 2008 the fourth New Zealand Kayak Building Get Together will be held once again at the beautiful Blue Lake in Rotorua.
We are proud to be associated with Coastbusters 2008 which will be held the preceding weekend of the 1st -2nd March. The week in between will be full of kayaking events like overnight tours, day trips, in-depth workshops and competitions. All adding up to make New Zealand's 1st International Kayak Festival Week.
This year even more are expected at the Blue Lake with some new and unique designs to experience. If you have an interest in building a kayak or just want a fun weekend paddling and talking shop then you won't want to miss NZKBGT 2008.
Don't be ashamed to turn up with a plastic or glass kayak since all are welcome to see what other builders have been up to in the last year. Not only are home built kayaks works of art they can also push the boundaries of kayak design. You never know you might just get to try out that "perfect" kayak you have been dreaming off.
Once again the event will be based at the Blue Lake off Tarawera Rd at Rotorua. The Get Together is a very informal affair and the price of registration is zilch! Weather permitting the itinerary will be:
Friday:
Arrival at the Blue Lake Holiday
Park and Registration.
Socialising
Saturday:
Paddle along the eastern shores of beautiful Lake Rotoma.
Pot luck BBQ (BYO) & more socialising
Sunday:
A chance to try out the different kayaks on the Blue Lake.
Accommodation.
Although
the choice of where to stay is up to you, we highly recommend the Top
Ten Blue Lake Holiday Park (ph 07 362 8120) where the Get Together is being
held. The holiday park kindly sets aside an area of tent sites for us, but they also have motel and cabin accommodation
available. Bookings and payment for the accommodation is the responsibility
of those attending and the staff have requested that we book in as early as
possible to avoid missing out.
Please mention you are part of the NZ Kayak Builders Get Together when placing
the booking with the Blue Lake Holiday Park.
Day Attendees.
If you are unable to spend the whole weekend at the Get Together then feel
free to join us for one of the days. Since weather etc may interrupt the
itinerary we suggest that you phone Grant at 021 0228 1202 on the morning
that you plan to arrive to verify where we will be. Mobile reception can
be a bit "iffy" in the area so please leave a message if there
is no answer. A registration form is still
required but can be filled in on the day.
Registration.
Despite there being no registration fees involved a form will still need to
be filled in. This will enable us to keep track of numbers and names for
reasons of safety.
Once completed please either email it or
post it to us.
A PDF of the form can be found here: NZKBGT
2008 Registration Form
(To fill in online you will need the free program Adobe
Reader version 7 or greater)
Building your own kayak is a fascinating hobby as well as a way of obtaining a craft suited to your particular needs. So if you have already created a masterpiece or if you just want to see what it is all about, we hope to see you there.
For more information please contact Graeme Bruce ph 07 332 3112 or Grant Glazer ph 09 372 3267 email