This image was taken by Julie this afternoon (Boxing Day 2013)
I rowed across the harbour to one of the ancient Maori Pa sites within sight of our house.
I'll post some images from the trip shortly.
After several test outings I've refined the rowing geometry to suit me. I've tilted my handlebar rowing frame aft a little to orient the row locks further from my seat. This gives me a full boat length between sweeps of the oars and lots more power. I've also built two foot rests that fit under the aft seat gunnel tubes. They are tapered to fit in a way that allows for adjustment to suit different sized rowers. They are screwed into place through the tubes.
Paddle has revealed himself to be a particularly good rowboat.
I'll continue with the modifications to include a simillar sailing rig set up to Lookfar. The additions are not in conflict with each other in any way as the lee boards fit forward of the rowing frame and the mast cassette is located in the front thwart.
Toroa by Harmen Hielkema & Mike Toy.
Header Photo: Toroa at Rawene by Julie Holton.
This blog is dedicated to the memory of my father Roelof Hielkema who instilled in me the willingness to learn.
These pages are intended to inform and add to the growing body of knowledge concerning the Canoe Culture of the Pacific, past, present & future, from the Tupuna, the Ancestors of the Pacific cultures to the people of the world.
These pages contain Images and text relating to our two proas, Toroa & Takapu, some history relating to our experiments & experiences.
The dissertation that I posted on this blog in April 2008 "Takapu The Proa" was written by me in 1997 in response to an assignment that I was set whilst studying for my design degree. The dissertation covers many issues that a proa enthusiast may benefit from reading about.
Waka define culture as culture defines waka
Waka reflect the individuality and uniqueness of a society which in turn is governed by the geography, geology, topography, climate, location, resources, isolation, origin, flora, fauna, flotsam, jetsam, etc.
Waka are our link to the past, they have shaped our present and define our future.
Waka are the vessels of knowledge, physical and mental development, freedom of bondage to the land, key to our inquisitiveness, expressions of our ingenuity and courage, our love of shape and form, the seat of our power.
Waka are the source of our material culture, from which all processes are derived.
Waka are who and what we are.
