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Hello Paddlers

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Jen collecting our Tasmanian Tourism Award

November has been an exciting month here at Roaring 40°s Kayaking with much celebrating after our win at the Tasmanian Tourism Awards – Gold in the Adventure Tourism category. Our team is so proud and excited to be judged the best adventure tour operator in Tassie, and it shows you, our guests, how serious we are about giving you the best experience on the water.

In other news, Hannah starred in an article in Perth Now on Tasmania's record-breaking November heatwave and Tasmania Stories has published a fascinating in depth article on the tragic adventures of Critchley Parker in Southwest Tasmania.

Our new kayaks have been delivered to the Southwest, in time for last weeks first expedition of the season (see pics from this trip here). Read more on how we get the kayaks into the Southwest below as well as an update on the Orange Bellied Parrot, 5 questions with Shy albatross researcher, Dr Rachael Alderman, talk of spirits (the imbibing type not the haunting type!) and an exclusive subscriber offer in time for the festive season.

We wish you all a Merry Kayaking Christmas
See you on the water
Reg and Jen

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Photo of Hannah from the Perth Now publication

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How do we get our kayaks into Southwest Tasmania?

The answer: they hitch a ride on top of cray pots. The cray season starts at the beginning of November each year, but weather can delay the start as the boats need to be able to journey the 180kms around the southern tip of Tasmania.

We have two new shiny expedition kayaks that have made their way down for this season. Who will be the first to use them?

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Tom unwrapping the new kayaks

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Kayaks on the dock ready for shipping

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Spirit of Tasmania

We're talking whisky, not the ship! Tasmania's whisky has earned a world-class reputation which isn't surprising given the environment, the innovation and people driven to create premium products.

"The people" began in 1992 when Bill Lark (now known as the godfather of Tasmanian whisky) successfully challenged an early 1800s ban on distilling.

Today there are 17 distilleries on the Tasmanian Whisky Trail. Most also produce gin (there are around 130 available!) and vodka, many with quintessentially Tasmanian ingredients such as Pepperberry and all worth a sample!

For those who want to know more, Tasmanian Whisky: The Devil's Share by Bernard Lloyd has just been released. It's a great insight into the history of whisky makers in our island state from the 1800s and a showcase for the present day distillers making their own history.

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The Orange-bellied Parrot and volunteers Nicholas Carter and Ryan Jackson making use of the new bikes at Melaleuca

The Orange-bellied Parrot – saving one of the world’s rarest species

The Orange-bellied Parrot is one of the world’s rarest and most endangered species with just 35 estimated left in the wild. We feel privileged that we often see them at their summer breeding ground at Melaleuca. So far this season, only 16 Orange-bellied Parrots have returned to Melaleuca and parrot experts are saying 'drastic intervention' is needed to save the species.

We recently helped out the Friends of the Orange-bellied Parrot purchase two new bikes, which assist the volunteers fighting to save this species get around Melaleuca.

Find out more on what is being done and how you can help here.

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Christmas gifts made easier!

Give a gift of fun and adventure this Christmas and save a little too!

This exclusive offer is just for you, our newsletter subscribers -a 20% discount on gift vouchers for our Hobart City, Hobart’s Cliffs, Caves and Beaches or Tasman Peninsula paddles.

Offer available for online bookings only using the voucher code SUBSCRIBE20.

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5 questions with Dr Rachael Alderman

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Images of the shy albatross and Dr Rachael Alderman at work on Albatross Island. Images are currently available for purchase at half price on the Tasmanian Albatross Fund site. All funds go to the fund to support ongoing conservation. (Photos: Matthew Newton)

Five questions with Dr Rachael Alderman

Dr Alderman clearly loves what she does – managing the Shy albatross monitoring and research program and raising awareness of Tasmania’s own magnificent bird of the seas.

We loved her passionate responses to our questions. Find her full responses and how you can help the Shy albatross here.

PLUS for a lovely gift for that special someone AND the Albatross, check out the sale on albatross prints here.

1. Why the Shy albatross?
It's an amazing bird, endemic to Tasmania. It really is our own special albatross but most people don't know about it or its vulnerability. It is long-lived, monogamous and truly spectacular to watch in the air.

2. Why are they threatened?
The first main threat emerged as accidental drowning associated with fishing. The biggest threat now is climate change. Already there are changes in the She albatross' foraging environment. Other threats include marine pollution and the fact that we are increasingly taking their food supply.

3. What's the most important aspect of your work?
There are actually three equally critical parts of our Shy albatross program:
1. Keeping the long term monitoring program and research happening.
2. Coming up with effective ways to remove threats.
3. To keep 1 and 2 going - raising awareness of the bird and its status.

4. When will you know if the new artificial nests have worked?
We can't change climate change overnight so we're working on ways to increase the resilience of the Shy albatross. One of those is artificial nests.

After successful testing with a few nests last year we put more in this season and are heading out there now to check the hatching rate. We'll get final results when we return in April as the chicks fledge.

5. While you're getting up close and personal with the Shy albatross, can the rest of us help?Don't feel like any of these issues are too big for an individual to make a difference. There are things we can each do that can bring about change if enough of us help out.

• Think about the seafood you eat – has it been sustainably caught?
• Think about the plastics in your life and where they end up.
• Get involved in climate action, whether just in your daily life or as part of a bigger plan.
• Find out more about Tasmanian Albatross Fund

▪ Please note that access to Albatross Island is strictly restricted by Parks & Wildlife and a permit is required.
Please note that access to Albatross Island is strictly restricted by Parks & Wildlife and a permit is required.

Read our full interview with Dr Alderman here and further information in this Tas Weekend article.

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In our next newsletter ... New mountain biking trails, Reg's tips on kayaking dry bags and more.

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