The town of Murchison, on New Zealand’s South Island, is a mecca for whitewater kayakers and rafters alike. Within a half-hour drive of town, you’ll find three uncrowded class III–IV whitewater rivers and about a dozen lesser-known runs ranging from steep creeks to high-volume rivers. The highlights include the Matakitaki River and its tough class IV Earthquake Rapid and the big-water Buller River with rapids like One Night Stand and Socksucker.
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After warming up on the rivers around Murchison, you can hook up with one of the local pilots for some heli-kayaking. Many of the country’s most challenging rivers are so remote they are accessible only by helicopter, but for about US$50 you can arrange for a pilot to drop you off right at the put-in. If you plan to paddle without a guide, consider staying at Riverview Holiday Park, a campground just east of town. The camp caters to river runners so it’s a good spot to hook up with other paddlers. Rivers run all year long on the South Island, but the optimum season is October through March.
NEW ZEALAND KAYAK SCHOOL, NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand Kayak School is one of the country’s premier outfitters and employs highly experienced instructors, all certified by the New Zealand Outdoor Instructor Association and the New Zealand Recreational Canoe Association. Run residential whitewater kayak courses for beginner, intermediate and advanced boaters. If you are an experienced boater looking for help in planning your New Zealand paddling trip, we can also provide information, kayak and gear rental , and professional guides if necessary - we can organize the total package for you. Courses offer: 1. MEET THE RIVER - Intro to Whitewater Kayaking 2. CATCH THE WAVE - Intermediate Whitewater Kayaking 3. MAKE THE MOVE - Advanced Whitewater Kayaking 4. 3RD POINT - Rodeo Skills, Freestyle Kayaking 5. WEST COAST - Instructional Guiding 6. Refresher Courses 7. River Safety Level 1 and 2 8. NZRCA / NZOIA Instructor Training 9. Customized Courses and Guiding. Even can organize courses and schedules to suit your individual needs. If you want a different schedule, easier water, harder water, more helicopter trips, fewer helicopter trips... they can plan accordingly. Also keep a range of rodeo boats, intermediate boats, and creek boats so clients taking lessons can try different boats before making a purchase.
New Zealand Kayak School
Phone/Fax - Janette Kear : 03-352-5786
Course Enquiries: courses@nzkayakschool.com
Guiding / Rentals: rentals@nzkayakschool.com
Website: http://www.nzkayakschool.com/