A few weeks ago five adventurous rowers including two visitors from Wellington set off on a weekend jaunt, destination Rotoroa island. Formerly an alcohol rehabilitation centre run by the Salvation army, Rotoroa is now a park and wildlife sanctuary with the bonus of having excellent accommodation available. The Team left Kawakawa bay and because the weather was so fantastic decided to row up the outside of Chamberlins island also known as Ponui island arriving at the accommodation mid afternoon.

We joined them late Friday night having motored all the way from Auckland in a flat calm, perfect for rowing not so for yachts!

Saturday we joined them for a row around Ponui island, yep chasing along behind in our little nine foot plywood tender, Thankfully the St Ayles guys were in a relaxed mode and even offered us a tow for part of it!

A great weekend excursion and loads of fun tagging along in the dinghy, Just goes to show you don’t need much boat to have fun.