Introduction to Whitewater Kayaking – Taupō

Course Outline

The introduction to white water kayaking package is designed to build your kayaking skills in a safe and progressive manner, with the goal of developing you into a safe, confident and technically correct paddler.

Day 1:  Taupo/Waikato River: We start on the mighty Waikato River for an introduction to white water kayaking and river hydrology.

We focus on

• Entering and exiting a kayak, including wet exits
• Fundamental kayak strokes and techniques
• Water confidence and white water swimming
• Introduction to moving water
• Self and peer rescue skills

Day 2: Waikato River: We spend every day on the river, encouraging you to push your boundaries, increase your knowledge and develop your kayaking skills on white water. Peer and self-rescues are taught and practised to a high level so you can be assured that you can look after yourself and your friends while kayaking.
We focus on

• Building on kayak strokes and technique
• River reading and hazard identification and management
• Paddling rapids and choosing the best line
• Continuing to build confidence

Fees include two days tuition by qualified, experienced, passionate white water instructors and all kayaking equipment.
Class sizes are limited to four participants per instructor, so maximum learning and safety goals can be achieved.
By participating in this course, you will be gaining the skills and knowledge to safely start you in a sport which provides years of enjoyment, personal challenge, connection with nature and access to an exclusive yet social community of like-minded people.

Accommodation and food are not included in the course costs, but we are happy to help organise this if requested.

 You will need to bring:

A warm change of clothes
Thermal top and bottoms
Wetsuit if you have one
Windproof and waterproof paddle jacket and trousers
Wet weather footwear
Old sandshoes or booties
Swimmers
Hats for sun and cold
Sunscreen
Sunglasses (a cord is recommended to prevent loss)
Nose plug, Goggles, Towel, Lunch and Drinks

Kayak and equipment are included in the fees. (There is no rebate if you supply your own)

Safety Terms and Customer Declaration

In any adventure activity, there is an element of risk involved. Risks in undertaking this activity include drowning, illness as a result of adverse weather conditions, water damage to personal belongings, and contact with wildlife.
The Staff and management of Canoe & Kayak take all practicable steps to identify and mimimise potential dangers. However, you must follow our instructions and use the provided safety equipment at all times. Adults accompanying any person under the age of 18 must ensure the underage person follows our instructions at all times. You must release or indemnify Canoe & Kayak and our staff against any liability we incur to anyone else, resulting from your failure to follow our instructions or the failure of any person accompanying you under the age of 18 to follow our instructions.
We reserve the right to withdraw any person who in our opinion is likely to endanger themselves or others. We also reserve the right to cancel the tour if we become concerned for any reason for your safety or that of any other person.

WARNING: Under New Zealand law it is extremely unlikely that you will be able to sue anyone if you are injured. In Addition, New Zealand’s accident compensation scheme provides only limited assistance to visitors to New Zealand who are injured. We strongly recommend that all visitors to New Zealand have full insurance covering any injury they might suffer, including medical treatment cover, before undertaking this activity.

EXCLUSIONS: To the extent permitted by law, all our liability for damage to your property, disruption to travel plans, or mental injury is excluded. This exclusion is subject to any rights or remedies you may have under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993.
Please notify us of any medical conditions or other information we need to know to include you safely in this activity. For example: asthma, allergies, heart conditions, epilepsy, or pregnancy.

You are entitled to access any information we hold about you or to request its correction at any time.