Kayaking...

White water Kayaking

What is it?

Kayakings true definition is ‘a sport of paddling a kayak on a moving body of water, typically a river.’ It also involved getting dress up in a large amount of neoprene! Whitewater kayaking can range from a fun, carefree, splishy-splash trip to a challenging, adrenaline-filled sport. Rivers are classified by difficulty by a international scale of river difficulty ranging from Class/Grade I, a flat, slightly moving river, to Class/Grade VI, considered the limit of possibility. For most kayakers there is a significant difference in challenge between Class/Grade III (Moderate) and Class/Grade IV (Advanced).

What MUAC does.

MUAC runs an overnight trip called Basic Paddle twice a year at a local Grade II river. This trip is aimed at introducing people to the sport of kayaking and teaching them some basic river skills. It is not considered a substitute for a full basic kayaking course however it does aims to provide some inspiration to its participants in the hope they will take up the sport. There are also a number of trips that are run on local rivers around the Palmerston North and the Central Plateau area that cater for varying degrees of skill and experience.

Local Opportunities

There are plenty of opportunities for kayaking around the central and southern arts of the North Island. The only question is how far you are willing to drive and do you have enough cars for the shuttle!

South of Palmerston North is the Otaki River, which is an excellent spot for beginners to develop there skills whilst enjoying the beautiful scenery as they float down through the gorge. The river is however known for being rather cold so make sure you pack plenty of polypro. There are also a number of advanced runs down towards Wellington including the Hut Gorge and the Mangahao Slalom course located in a little town call Shannon.

North of Palmerston North the possibilities are endless. The Central Plateau offers a plethora of rivers ranging from mild to hair raising that you can throw yourself down. Some of the Classics include Access 13, Access 14, Boulder Reach, Rangitiki Gorge Run, Rangitiki Mangaweka run and the good old Awateriteri Falls run.

Useful Books

New Zealand Whitewater,125 Great kayaking runs 4th edition

by Graham Charles, 2006

KAKAK, The Animated Manual of Intermediate and Advanced Whitewater Technique First edition, William Nealy, 1986

KAYAK The New Frontier, by William Nealy, 2007

Other Opportunities

The South Island offers some excellent kayaking opportunities that are easily accessible and in close proximity to local towns. In particular the West Coast offers some of the best kayaking in the world with stunning view and epic adventures to be had by all. Murchison, the kayaking Mecca of New Zealand, provides access to the mighty Buller River and many other world class whitewater runs that are only a short drive from the town centre. It is also home to the Murchison Adventure Centre (MAC) and the New Zealand Kayaking School for those of you that are keen to dapple in a bit of whitewater rafting or are keen to further develop your river running and playing skills.

Muac_kayaking Yahoo! Group

Want to meet fellow kayakers in the Palmerston North Area? Got a question to ask other MUAC members about kayaking? Want to advertise your own un-official trip? Keen to upload photos, gear lists, river guides, general advice, hint and tips, and post messages at muac_kayaking@yahoogroups.com

Leader Resources

The club has first aid kits that are an essential part of any outdoor trip as well as a number of passionate kayakers that are more than happy to share their knowledge of the local rivers with you. There is also an information folder available that contains contact details and organisational requirements for those of you who wish to lead the Basic Kayak Trip in the future.

Gear Hire

Gear hire is unfortunately very limited around the Palmerston North area. Bivouac Palmerston North does however have a number of demo boats to try out but the best way is either borrow a friends or go with an organised trip until you can get you own boat or just take the plunge and buy a cheap one through the buy,sell and trade section at www.rivers.org.nz.

Kayaking Links

www.cumecmagazine.com New Australiasian White Water Mag!

www.rivers.org.nz

www.wavesport.com

www.riotkayaks.com/v3/index.asp

www.rivers.co.nz/index.htm

www.nz-rafting.co.nz/feature.html

www.doc.govt.nz/templates/summary.aspx?id=38545 (River Care Code)