The first ever Paddle the Bays Kayak Race will take place from Fergs Kayaks Auckland in November.

The race is separated into three divisions for all paddlers to participate:

• Epic Kayaks Ocean Race: 10-15km predominantly down wind for surf ski and waka ama
• DMK Bays Challenge: 10km paddle for multisport and sea kayakers
• Dagger Kayaks Bays Experience: 5km paddle for the less competitive
• Ocean Kayaks Family Races: Free Entry, starts at 9.30am (great spot prizes including 2 x Sit-On-Top Kayaks)

Amazing prizes to be won including:

2 x DMK Multisport Kayaks

2 x Dagger Sea Kayaks

2 x Ocean Kayak Sit On Top Kayaks

$1500 voucher for a Paddling Perfection Sea Kayak

Enter before the 26th of October for the early bird special, PLUS every entry gets a FREE T-Shirt

Adults $45 and Juniors $35 (16-17 years)

All details and entry form click here>>

Some of you may already have noticed that we've redesigned our homepage at www.fergskayaks.co.nz but we've struck a problem. For those of you in the know you'll notice the picture for Multisport is not actually a multisport boat - this just doesn't cut it with us and this could be your chance to contribute.

We're looking for an awesome image of a multisport boat (and hopefully someone using it). So have a search through your album for races, training, any of your favourite high quality photos. Email them to micaela@fergskayaks.co.nz with your contact details before 5th of November and the best photo (as decided by Fergs Kayaks management) will get pride of place on our homepage, and the competition entrant will win:

a Canoe Sport S2000 Speed Wing paddle (218cm) worth $275!

That's a great prize so get photo hunting!!

Details:

• Entries emailed to micaela@fergskayaks.co.nz

• Competition closes 5pm on November 5th

• Good quality images of Multisport boats

• Tip: close-up images work best for websites!

Everyone here at Fergs Kayaks have got ants in their pants about the arrival of the Dagger range of kayaks. You may already know about Dagger's white water range which includes the popular RPM boats. But Dagger doesn't stop on the river, they also have Sit-on-Tops and Sea Kayaks. Rob Collins, Retail Manager for Fergs Kayaks, says 'I'm really confident people are going to love this new range of kayaks. We've been proud to say we have the largest range of kayaks for people to choose from for a while, and we're continuing to source great boats for kiwi's to use on New Zealand's waterways'.

Dagger Kayaks in-store at Fergs Kayaks now.

Come in to check them out!

Details on the website soon

Fergs Kayaks are proud to be supporting a building project in Fiji for The Happy Home Orphanage and under privileged children at The Happy School. Currently this project is seeing playgrounds built in both locations where before there was very minimal equipment for the children to play with. Not only are these playgrounds going to provide hours of fun for the children but they will be used by the teachers in some of their charges rehabilitation. Sujit Kumar is one such person who will benefit from this. He was locked in a chicken coup by his grandparents for 6 years as a child, and was not freed until aged 8. By then he had taken on all of the characteristics of the chickens. He was then tied to a bed in a old persons home for the next 22 years. Thankfully he was found and the process of 'humanising' Sujit began. These playgrounds are going to be a vital part in Sujit's rehabilitation.  Fergs Kayaks is supplying rock climbing holds for the climbing wall part of the playgrounds. If you're interested in reading further about this project more information will be on our website next week.

...or should we say productS.

The new range of sit-on-top kayak packages have been launched for summer. This is the easiest way for you to grab everything you need to set up for a summer of paddling. From single seat options right through to kayaks that will carry 2 or 3. All packages include a paddle (or2) to help you propel yourself on your kayak and a PFD (or 2) to keep you safe if you fall off. There are a range of options so check them out here>>

...Jen Cook, Business Development, Auckland

Jen has been working for Fergs Kayaks for 6 years (now that's commitment!) and as you can imagine has spent a fair amount of time on the water instructing and in the shop selling boats. Now she's moved into another behind-the-scenes role. It's Jen's job to let people know about Fergs Kayaks and all of the activities and options we have available.

Currently Jen is also completing her BCom in Marketing, Management and Maori and she's looking forward to wrapping that up and spending more time out on the water.

Jen enjoys getting out in a multisport boat paddling Auckland's inner harbour and using the sea kayaks to explore the Hauraki Gulf islands. She's also recently taken up golf, so you might see her down at Muriwai refining her swing.