Old Newbies report ;-)
After a couple of sessions in the BPP, I turned up at Karioitahi a couple of weeks ago with my Trademe acquired kart to find out what Blokarting was all about. The first impression was that I had joined the wrong crowd as everyone seemed dressed ready to go caving or sky diving, and I was looking for people off for a quiet sail on the beach, ah what innocence! So having asked what sail to use (3 meter recommended!) I put on the 4 meter thinking it would give me a bit of needed leverage against these guys- LOL and took off after the group heading down the coast, trying unsuccessfully to mimic what they were doing. Of course they were soon out of sight and I'm was left to figure it all out in a hurry with my 2 or 3 active brain cells and old guy reaction time. The expression 'hit the beach' (tacking too fast) took on a whole new meaning with one later example leaving me crashed and suspended in the seat belt which I couldn't release, hoping someone would come by before I ran out of breath (I'm posting, so they did). Iv since changed the buckle for a quick release one that my damaged hands can actually use! Some time later after something of an adventure I returned dripping, yes I did end up 'in' the sea (tacking too slow) with sand blasted eyes, sore wrists and blisters from holding the sheet, a little clearer about what to do and what not to do when sailing this very interesting craft.
 
So with all that experience and by now an 'expert' blokarter! for my second attempt I entered the Muriwai 100 km! Upon arrival I looked at the somewhat bleak aspect of the beach and wondered if I wouldn't be better off on the couch in the RV (another recent trademe acquisition which I can just about drive without hitting anything too seriously), but too late, people had seen me by now – hard not too wearing my bright red, easy to spot in a rescue, mountain jacket!

So I get geared up & having stuck on my sail number (what do I need a number for, am I in trouble? -not yet but you can bet I will be soon!) I proceed to the meeting on the beach where the discourse about 'hooters going off at various intervals' and 'event cut off times' go right over my head- something I'm quite used too. Soon every one is circling about near the start line and I join in on the end of this happy throng until I see they have all taken off down the coast – I pursue trying to look as if I'm part of it all (the closest I come is the $10 paid for the entry) At this very early stage (crossing the start line) I'm already thinking about what I'm going to feel like in a 100 km time! However I am well prepared for the major priority- this time I'm wearing a full plastic safety goggle which works perfectly when using a gloved hand as a windscreen wiper – I am determined not to collect someone coming the other way at high speed...that's the sort of pain I don't need.
 
Well what can I say, I completed the distance with distinction (last) with only one crash and one spin-out, both while trying to look cool negotiating the turn marker.
 Over all a pretty far-out experience .... with one of the most memorable highlights at about 75 km when I just couldn't handle the pain anymore & made a forced stop (yep, in the middle of a race!) for the longest & most satisfactory piss ever....I went a lot faster after that. ahh... the pure joy of getting your priorities right! OK, next time I make sure I am comfortable before the event. Of course all the real racers where far to focused on their own sailing efforts to notice me standing quietly by my kart in the middle of nowhere looking intently at something on the beach. And the scenery... O my, zooming along the waters edge close to the crashing waves with enough adrenalin to keep firmly in the moment.. Planet earth ... sometimes its worth getting a bit uncomfortable :-)
 
Back at the carpark someone commented 'you look knackered – and that was an understatement....
 
Thank you every one for this amazing opportunity
-and my apologies to you Russell for finishing my last lap when you had indicated I had '5 minutes to go! (right out to the turn I was wondering how the hell am I going to do 10 km in 5 minutes....that's 120 km an hour!) o well I will just pick up the turn marker and finish my 100 km! Russell met me at the marker where I was trying to figure out how I was going to load the 2 cones onto the cart and still have room for me, and he took the time to explain the reason for 'event time cut offs' – "out there, with a broken piece of body or kart and nobody around to help" ..... The point is well taken Russell and I will try to speed up somewhat so that I may appear to be actually part of the event ;-)
 
The bottom line is – 'I'll be back'.
Michael