KEY POINTS:
Conditions have eased for two kayakers battling headwinds and high seas in their effort to paddle from Australia to New Zealand.
But support teams warn the reprieve may not last long for James Castrission, 25, and Justin Jones, 24, who set off on November 13 in a nine-metre kayak bound for Auckland.
The pair reached the halfway point of the 2200km journey about two weeks ago.
Since then, they have spent most of their time fighting headwinds and a whirlpool of ocean currents measuring 15km in diameter.
Yesterday, they hoped to advance 60km, making it a very productive day, spokesman Tom Mitchell said.
Headwinds have eased from a peak of 55km/h, and seas have dropped from seven metres on Sunday to less than three metres.
But the favourable conditions are not expected to last more than a few days. "We're a bit lost as to what to expect next week," Mr Mitchell said.
The pair's planned arrival in Auckland on Christmas Day already has been pushed back to the first week of January. Mr Mitchell and the rest of the support team are hoping for tailwinds or ocean currents to help push the kayak east.
- AAP
