Karaka Whip resounds at Fieldays

Eleven-year-old Logan Turner has been demonstrating how to properly Karaka Whip for his parents’ exhibit at the Fieldays.

The young whippersnapper from Masterton began cracking whips when he was four and now has the technique down pat.

“Let it drop and almost touch the ground, then flick it right out like you’re hitting a target.”

Logan is on hand to share his knowledge with visitors in a cordoned ring beside the exhibit and says while some will flick their whips naturally, for many the skills take practice.

Keeping it in the family, brothers Sean, 14, and Callum, 13, are also dab hands having been taught how to do it early by their father who also learned when he was a kid.

Father Ashley Turner developed Karaka Whips 15 years ago as a low-maintenance, synthetic alternative to whips made from leather that need to be dressed after each use and often require mending.

Karaka Whips can be washed in water and won’t be ruined in the rain.

Mother Carol Turner called Karaka Whips “the working man’s whip” and recommended farm use for herding cattle or as defence if an animal turns nasty.

The Karaka Whips exhibit can be found at C12.