Taupo - White Water Courses

White water Courses, stages 1, 2 and 3 Criteria  - Scroll down to view

Please Note: White Water stages 1, 2 and 3 Courses are suitable for Sea kayaks, Multisport Kayaks and River Kayaks.

WHITE WATER STAGE ONE - INTRODUCTION TO WHITE WATER

A comprehensive course designed to cover the skills required to become a technically correct paddler. The course is arranged in a progressive manner to allow you to develop the techniques and your confidence at an enjoyable pace with great end results.

PROGRAMME: SATURDAY: 8am MEET AT C&K STORE

We teach you the correct way of entering and exiting a kayak along with the methods of self and group rescues all in the warm waters of the local AC Baths thermally heated pool. Includes kayaking terminology, water confidence, paddle and rescue techniques.

After an instructional DVD at Lunch, we head on to the Waikato River at the Control Gates lagoon, past Cherry Island down to Reid’s Farm to give you an introduction to moving water, eddies and currents and to familiarise you with the river for Sunday. We work on paddle strokes, kayak control and group and individual rescues.This trip may include a soak in a hot thermal spring. Return to the Canoe & Kayak Taupo Store at about 4pm.

SUNDAY: 8am MEET AT C&K STORE

We start the day paddling from the Control Gates lagoon on the Waikato River developing moving water skills and safety techniques on slow moving water. The focus for the day is gradual progression allowing skills and confidence to grow. We stop for lunch at the Canoe and Kayak shop and return at there at the end of the day for coffee’s and a debrief at about 4pm.

YOU WILL NEED TO BRING…Warm changes of clothes, polypropylene tops and bottoms, wetsuit if you have one, windproof and waterproof paddle jacket, hats for sun and cold, suncream, sun glasses (a cord is recommended to prevent loss), nose plug, wet weather foot wear, old sandshoes or booties. Lunch and drinks.

COURSE FEES $399 2 days

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WHITE WATER STAGE TWO - Moving Water Skills

This course builds on the skills taught and confidence gained on the WHITE WATER COURSE STAGE ONE , by developing your skills, technique and confidence on faster moving flat water and white water. Including, eddie turns, ferry gliding, surfing and building new skills in River Rescue techniques and River Reading.

PROGRAMME: SATURDAY 8am MEET AT C&K STORE:

We head on to the Waikato River at the Control Gates lagoon where we show you warm up techniques and stretches, from here we head down stream. During this session we will encourage you to try out fun skills and techniques that will continue to build your confidence and skills, these include, controlling your kayak in the current, ferry gliding, eddy turns, river reading and rescue skills.

PM: REID'S FARM SLALOM COURSE WAIKATO RIVER (depending on river levels)

Working mainly at Reid's Farm Slalom Course we continue to develop kayak control and paddle skills along with river reading skills in progressively faster moving water. Once this is done, we hop out of our kayaks for some rescue practise including combat swimming, throw bagging, white water float position and more.  Returning at 4pm to Canoe & Kayak Taupo Store.

SUNDAY: 8am MEET AT C&K STORE: Mohaka River Grade 2

The Mohaka is one of our favourite rivers, it flows through stunning scenic gorges with each rapid giving the paddler plenty of opportunities to develop their skills. On some rapids it is possible to walk back up the sides allowing us to rerun a rapid, ironing out any areas that may be causing you problems. Returning at about 5pm to the C & K Store to unpack equipment, coffees and a debrief.

YOU WILL NEED TO BRING....Warm changes of clothes, polypropylene or woollen tops and bottoms, wetsuit if you have one, windproof and waterproof jacket, hats for sun and cold, suncream, sun glasses (a cord is recommended to prevent loss), nose plug, wet weather foot wear - old sand shoes or dive booties.

COURSE FEE $399 2 days

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WHITE WATER STAGE THREE - WHITE WATER SKILLS

This course builds on the skills taught and confidence gained on the STAGE ONE AND TWO River Kayaking Courses, by developing your moving water skills, technique and confidence. Included in this course: eddy turns, ferry gliding, rolling, racing tips plus building new skills in Self Rescue, team rescue, group dynamics and River Reading.

Assessments for Grade 2 River Racing Certificates are held during the 2 days and are awarded to the successful students.

PROGRAMME: SATURDAY 8am MEET AT C&K STORE:

MOHAKA BRIDGE TO FISHERMAN'S HUT

The Mohaka River has many similarities to the Waimakariri River and this makes it a great training venue for multisporters competing in the Coast to Coast. With each rapid the kayakers gets plenty of opportunities to develop their skills. On some rapids it is possible to walk back up the sides allowing you to iron out any areas that may be causing you problems. Your instructor will encourage you to co-lead with him/her down rapids this develops your River Reading skills to a high level. There is a lot more work on eddy turns, ferry glides, rolling, rescues, river reading and reverse paddling.

SUNDAY: 8am MEET AT C&K  STORE:

MOHAKA BRIDGE TO FISHERMAN'S HUT

By spending another day on the Mohaka River we aim to continue building your confidence in the areas of River Reading skills, eddy turns, ferry glides, overtaking and rescues. Once again your instructor will encourage you to co-lead with him/her down the rapids. During the two days your instructors will be assessing you for your grade 2 river Racing Certificate. To find out more on the criteria click here

Successful candidates will be awarded their certificate by email. 

YOU WILL NEED TO BRING.... Click here for Grade 2 Certificate Gear List. This gear is necessary to pass our grade 2 certification.

COURSE FEES: $399 2 days including assessment

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BOOKING CONDITIONS:

Kayak and equipment is included in the fees. (There is no rebate if you supply your own) Transport is not included; however you may be able to share a ride with other customers or the instructors if space is available.

No Refunds will be given for courses cancelled or transferred seven days before commencement of the course.

Dates must be confirmed at time of booking, any change to these will incur a $50.00 booking fee.

Canoe & Kayak holds the right to alter courses due to any circumstances to maintain safety and a progression learning environment.

If for any reason the course cannot go ahead as scheduled, participants will be transferred to another agreeable date.

Participants in courses acknowledge that kayaking has inherent risks and assume all responsibility for any injuries incurred.

Participants must follow all instructions given to them by Canoe & Kayak Taupo staff.