Author Archives: Jonny

Jonny's first fish

Posted by Jonny on October 05, 2016

My first fish

I still remember the adrenalin rush of 'catching my first fish', crouching on the rocks peering over the gently slapping waves, with my dad sitting next to me cracking open limpets and helping me put pieces on the small hook. It was a simple three piece made out of cane that I had just proudly paraded the entire length of the beach with my head held high that morning as if I was already as accomplished as I imagined I would be by the end of that day!

We were on holiday from the UK, with my sister (Rachel), mum (Frances) and dad (Francis), visiting a beach a short drive from Hennebont in Brittany on the French coast. Now, before my dad reads this, I suppose at this point I should clarify the words 'catch', as it was actually 'hooking' my first fish, that adrenalin I spoke of earlier filled me with such excitement and fear I apparently promptly dropped the rod....due to the immense power pulling on the line.....well that's how I remember it! Dad swiftly climbed down the rocks, carefully lowered himself in the waves and retrieved my rod, line and FISH!

 

It is experiences like these that I love to share with guests aboard The Rock, I've       seen so many smiling faces, the excitement, the shouts of joy, hoops and hollers as children and adults alike get to experience what many Kiwi's are lucky enough to consider a common childhood experience. Moments like these stay with you forever and while sitting around the woodburner, each retelling adds opportunity to add extra depth.

Stay fit,

Jonny

   

 

If you're considering it - just book it now. We had even more fun than we expected and we expected a lot. Great team, great boat, a great adventure. We've come home feeling like we had a real holiday after just 22 hours on the boat. It felt like a week in the best possible way. Thanks guys - you truly do rock! (Fellow Kiwis, get in on this - it's magic).Cara Tipping Smith, NZ

We took a group of 25 international students from a high school on the overnight cruise. This is the second time we have done the overnight cruise, as the first group we took also thoroughly enjoyed it. When you leave Paihia you travel out to one of the Islands to anchor overnight. You get to shoot paint balls at a fake duck they tow behind the boat, go fishing, go night kayaking and swimming. The night kayaking was the students favourite part as we got to see the Bioluminescent Algae which was amazing and a once in a lifetime experience!Nicole

Rock the Boat NZ! This overnight trip is great fun and well worth doing, particularly if travelling in a large group.Charlie G

The Rock was one of the first things I had the pleasure of experiencing when I moved to Paihia in January and I have been raving about it ever since!Charlotte