Paddlers knocked out of canoe

Five members of the Maitahi Outrigger Canoe Club were left cold and wet after their outrigger was submerged during a practice session this morning.

The Coastguard sent out an inflatable rescue boat to bring the men to shore about 10am where police and two St John ambulances waited with blankets to warm them up.

The outrigger capsized behind the breakwater on the Haulashore Island side of the Cut.

Sergeant Steve Savage, of Nelson police, said a member of the public saw the men tip out about 9.40am.

A pilot boat and tug-boat, which were escorting a large ship out through the Cut, were diverted to look for the group but the water was too shallow for them, he said.

Paddler Richard Butler was sopping wet and shivering after the ordeal but said the group were all wearing lifejackets. "We got swamped by waves on each side."

Paddler Pete Bywater said he was feeling "pretty cold" before being told to strip off and sit in the back of the ambulance to warm up. He said the group was knocked out of the canoe and they all worked to bail water out of the vessel before they could climb back in.

Once in the canoe, the paddlers planned to paddle back to shore through the Cut, but were told by Coastguard it was too choppy. The fibreglass canoe did not appear to be damaged and was towed back to shore by the Nelson Coastguard.

- © Fairfax NZ News