About Taupo

Steve Kittle

– Owner and instructor.

Steve has always had a passion for the outdoors and travel which lead him to NZ in 2003. Back in the UK before moving to NZ Steve managed a premier Outdoor Store near London for 8 years between traveling the world. Once established in NZ Steve started working for Canoe & Kayak Taupo quickly becoming a kayaking instructor, Tour Guide and Manager of the store. After 3 years running the C&K Taupo for Head Office Steve bought the business and with the help of great staff made the Taupo store the destination for Multisport and White Water instruction and retail store in NZ.

The story so far (just the fun bits);
Rock Climbing - UK, Australia, NZ
Trekking - France, UK, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, Nepal, NZ
Scuba Diving – SSI Instructor Great Barrier Reef Australia, dived Spain, Thailand, Australia, NZ, Indonesia
Horse trekking guide – Far North Queensland Australia
World Travel – UK, Spain, Holland, France, Greece, Malta, Austria, Germany, Nepal, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, NZ,
Kayak guide – Far North Queensland Australia, NZ
High Altitude Trekking – Mera Peak Nepal 6476m
Kayaking instructor – NZKI Multisport, White Water, Sea Kayaking NZ

Mike ‘Maddog’ Burden

–  Head Instructor.

Mike has been working as a raft guide in NZ, Australia, Nepal and Africa since the 80’s…learning to kayak on class 5 rapids on the White Nile (hence the name) and has gone on to be a senior NZKI White Water assessor, Senior River Guide (Rafting) and Swiftwater Rescue Technician and Instructor. Mike's experience has been invaluable and he continues to be an integral part of the C&K Taupo Team working as our Head Instructor.

Doug Sowerby

– Kayaking  Instructor

When Doug isn’t kayaking you will find him either whizzing around forests at break neck speeds on his mountain bike or more usually working his other job as a cave troll  (Guide) at Waitomo Caves. Doug has worked for C&K Taupo on and off for over 15 years and is an NZOIA and NZKI Kayaking