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There are many different styles of canoes and kayaks, each designed for specific purposes. Use the appropriate canoe or kayak to ensure both a fun and safe experience. If you are a novice then get advice from a club before purchasing new equipment. The minimum personal equipment required for safe canoeing or kayaking is: - suitable warm clothing, such as a wetsuit in winter or polyprops in summer
- a buoyancy aid, worn at all times
- a VHF radio and a cell phone. Keep them dry in a waterproof plastic bag (but do not remove it from the bag as you can speak through it).
If you are paddling a canoe or kayak at dusk or at night, then it is essential, and a legal requirement, to carry and utilize suitable lights. This includes a 360o white light, visible from 2 nautical miles, and/or a wide lens torch capable of signalling an approaching vessel in time to prevent a collision.
Know the Shipping Channel bylaw for the area you are paddling. For example, in Auckland cross the shipping lane safely and do not anchor. A kayak can be almost invisible to skippers of other craft. Use either a bright yellow or orange flag and wear a high visibility vest with reflectorised tape. The essence of safe paddling is: - Get properly equipped.
- Do not exceed the limitations of yourself or your craft.
- Never canoe or kayak alone.
- Check the weather forecast.
- Let someone know where you are going and when to expect you back.
The trips listed below are just a selection of paddling opportunities in the Auckland and Waikato regions. Only some are suitable for beginners. Start with short easy trips as you gain experience and knowledge. It is a good idea to get advice and assistance from more experienced paddlers, for example by joining a club and paddling with others. As you become experienced, you will be able to cope with more adventurous trips and be prepared for the inevitable unexpected events. Auckland Region
| | Rating
| Duration
| Distance
| Wenderholm to Puhoi
| P | 1 hr | 10 km R | | Sullivans Bay to Saddle Is and Big Bay | P/M | 1/2 day | 6 km R | | Sullivans Bay to Mita Bay, Lagoon Bay, Casnell Is, + Scotts Landing | P | 1/2 to 1 day | 10 km R | | Sandspit to Matakana | P | 1/2 day / T | 10 km R | | Whangateau, Omaha River + Pt Wells | P | 1/2 day / T | 9 km R | | Rangitopuni Stream + Herald Is to Foresters Arms at Riverhead | P | 1/2 day | Various | Lucas Creek
| P | 1/2 day | 14 km R | | Tamaki River East to Orere Pt | P/M | Flexible | Up to 12 km | | North Head to Milford Beach | P/M | 1/2 to 1 day | 10 km | | Lake Pupuke, Takapuna | P/M | 1/2 day | 5km | | Castor Bay to Long Bay | P/M | 1/2 to 1 day | 10 km OW | | Dacre Cottage + Okura Estuary | P/M | 1/2 to 1 day | Various | | Weiti River + Whangaparaoa Peninsula | P/M | 1/2 to 1 day | Various |
Waikato Region
| | Rating
| Duration
| Distance
| Three Harbours - Coromandel, Te Kouma + Manaia
| P/M | 1 day | Various | | The Islands off Coromandel Harbour | P/M | 1 day | Various | | Whangapoua Harbour | P | 1/2 day | 5 km | | Tuakau Bridge to The Elbow | P | 1/2 day | 11 km OW | | The Elbow to Hoods Landing | P | 1/2 day | 10 km OW | | The Limestone Rocks + Raglan Wharf | P | 2 hrs | 5 km | | The Narrows | P | 1 day | 15 to 20 km | | The Waipuna Rocks | P | 1 or 2 days | 15 to 20 km | | Aotea Harbour | P/M | Full day, ON | Various | | Te Puia Springs | P/M | 1/2 to 1 day | 5 km P, 2 km W | Kuaotunu to Matapaua Bay
(not recommended for the inexperienced - go with an experienced kayaker)
| M | Full day | 18 km |
P = protected M = moderate
R = return OW = one way
T = with the tide
ON = overnight possible Thanks to Vincent Maire, author of “Sea Kayaker’s Guide to New Zealand’s Upper North Island” (2nd edition), for the above trip recommendations and local information. Clubs, training and resourcesAuckland clubsAuckland Canoe Club - www.aucklandcanoeclub.org.nz
Kiwi Association of Sea Kayakers (KASK) - www.kask.org.nz or
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Waitemata Canoe Club - www.wcmc.org.nz
Yakity Yak Club - www.canoeandkayak.co.nz Waikato clubsBay Association of Sea Kayakers -
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or
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Kiwi Association of Sea Kayakers (KASK) - www.kask.org.nz or
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Waikato Kayak Club - www.waikatokayakclub.org.nz
Kite Fishing Club -
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New Zealand Recreational Canoe Association (NZCRA) - www.rivers.org.nz
Yakity Yak Club - www.canoeandkayak.co.nz Auckland trips, courses and instructionFergs Kayaks - www.fergskayaks.co.nz
Fergs Kids Training Pod (6 years and up)
Outdoor Discoveries - www.odnz.co.nz
Canoe & Kayak - www.canoeandkayak.co.nz
Johnsons Outdoors - www.johnsonoutdoors.co.nz Waikato trips, courses and instructionCanoe & Kayak - www.canoeandkayak.co.nz
The Boat Shed - www.theboatshed.net.nz
Go Kayak Coromandel - www.gokayak.co.nz Publications and resourcesSea Kayaker’s Guide to New Zealand’s Upper North Island,
New Holland Press, ISBN 1877246 71 9
Coastguard New Zealand - www.nzcoastguard.org.nz
Watersafe Auckland - www.watersafe.org.nz
Watersafety New Zealand - www.watersafety.org.nz
Metservice - www.metservice.co.nz
Department of Conservation - www.doc.govt.nz
Kiwi Association of Sea Kayakers (KASK) -
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Maritime New Zealand - www.maritimenz.govt.nz
Auckland Regional Council -
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Environment Waikato - www.ew.govt.nz |
