Club Trips and Events

Date: October 1 st
Time and Tide: 7.30pm, 4.1m High
Grade: Yellow
Location: Tahunanui
Activity: Opening night social paddle and a beer/drink after

Subject to flows, we will paddle in order of high flows/rain -> low flows/lack of rain: maitai, roding, wairoa (bridges), motueka

I will send an update the day before to say what river we will do / where we will meet either via email (if you have expressed interest) and/or the NKC WW Whatsapp group (scan QR code on NKC whitewater page)

The aim of this course is to get you up to paddling easier whitewater (Grade 2) confidently and having fun. We start with 3 pool sessions (7, 13 & 15 Oct) to introduce and hone the basic paddle strokes and build your confidence both right-way-up and upside down. For those who want to try rolling, we offer that too (although it is not a pre-requisite for the river sessions. The river sessions start on the gentle rapids of the Wairoa River at Max's Bush on 18 October and build up to the Motueka and Rai-Pelorus on 31 Oct-1 Nov. Safety is paramount; we will really look after you.

See training page for more information

Date: October 8th
Time and Tide: 9.15pm, 4.0m High
Grade: Orange
Location: Tahunanui
Activity: Paddle Strokes Refresher

Subject to flows, we will paddle in order of high flows/rain -> low flows/lack of rain: maitai, roding, wairoa (bridges), motueka

I will send an update the day before to say what river we will do / where we will meet either via email (if you have expressed interest) and/or the NKC WW Whatsapp group (scan QR code on NKC whitewater page)

Note change of date, was 13 September
Tour de Waimea Inlet.
Launch into the channel at Rough Island near the entry to the Equestrian Park.
Tour around the inlet to enjoy the local birdlife and coastline on the high 4.3 m tide at 11.30 am
Approximately 14 km
Register via the link in the Read Mores section

Date: October 15 th
Time and Tide: 7.00pm, 1.1m Low
Grade: Orange
Location: Tahunanui
Activity: Advanced Paddle Strokes

First session of the season.

The Club hires the Riverside Pool each Wednesday night 7.30-8.45pm for Club members & non-members alike to train & practice kayak techniques indoors in warm water.

Instruction in rolling technique is usually available from Club mentors. See website under “TRAINING” for details as to costs and requirements.

This is a chance to brush up the skills and confidence on easy water before launching into the new river-kayaking season. Max's Bush is the perfect place to do this as it has a good area of flat water to start you off and then a progression of slow to faster-flowing water between boulders creating easy eddies. By pushing yourself in this easy reach to make the moves exactly as you wanted to, it really builds confidence to gradually move up the grades again. Most of our club trips are of grade 2+ and this has a lot of grade 1+ and one grade 2 if you want it.
Max's Bush is really close to Nelson - drive south from Hope, turn left onto Clover Road East, right at Haycock Road and then follow your nose 1.2km to the river.

Date: October 22nd
Time and Tide: 8.00pm, 3.5m High
Grade: Yellow
Location: Tahunanui
Activity: Landing and Launching in Waves

Subject to flows, we will paddle in order of high flows/rain -> low flows/lack of rain: maitai, roding, wairoa (bridges), motueka

I will send an update the day before to say what river we will do / where we will meet either via email (if you have expressed interest) and/or the NKC WW Whatsapp group (scan QR code on NKC whitewater page)

Based at the Mangarakau Swamp Lodge (probable cost per person per night is $20 lodge-bed or camp, you pay for the nights you are staying). Stay for the nights you want
Day paddles include paddle up Sandhill Creek to Lake Otuhie; paddles up the Wairoa River and/or Muddy Creek; paddle on the Westhaven Inlet.
Which & when depends on tide and weather.
Also possible are walks, eg Knuckle Hill, bike rides (metal roads) and short walks around the swamp. The bitterns should be booming.
Organisers/trip leaders - Margot and Peter Syms
To register: either Copy and paste the link below to fill in the registration form,
or Click the Read more button and click the link to fill in the registration form
https://forms.gle/Si5qGwr4iV4MqXbJ6

Clarence river 4 or 5 days. A relaxed pace trip, suitable for grade 2 and 3 paddlers who want to take an extra day or 2 to enjoy the scenery.
Open to self sufficent kayakers and packrafters, or a raft group(if you want to organise your own raft). I'll ask Clarence river rafting to do a car shuttle. It's around $400 to relocate a car back to their base at Clarence.

Travel Friday night to Hamner and the put in at the Acheron river confluence. Camp.
Day 1 Saturday Acheron river confluence to Palmer hut
Day 2 Palmer hut to Quail flat or Goose flat. Camping likely!
Day 3 To Snowgrass hut
Day 4 To Ouse stream (camp) or Cabbage tree hut.
Day 5 To SH1 and take out.

The Club hires the Riverside Pool each Wednesday night 7.30-8.45pm for Club members & non-members alike to train & practice kayak techniques indoors in warm water.

Instruction in rolling technique is usually available from Club mentors. See website under “TRAINING” for details as to costs and requirements.

Date: October 29th
Time and Tide: 6.35pm, 4.3m High
Grade: Orange
Location: Tahunanui
Activity: Choppy Water Confidence Building

Launching from Stephens Bay, follow the coastline to Split Apple Rock, then round the corner into Marahau Bay. Enter Otuwhero Inlet in the channel at the end of the Marahau sandspit.
Paddle under the bridge into the regenerating Otuwhero wetland and be greeted by the magnificent birdsong of the locals.
Approximately 15 km
High tide 3.9 m at 2 pm
Expect to be back 3.30 pm
Register via the link in the read more section

This trip is perfect for less-confident paddlers easing their way into paddling after a break. This trip is open to members but is also the last river day of the beginner river course. There will be instruction if you want it. There are lovely views of bush-clad hills from both these rivers. Which river we paddle depends on flows on the day.
For the Rai River, we put in below Rai Falls and take out at Totara Flat picnic area below the Pelorus confluence. There are some fun optional play spots such as Rai Falls (1.5m high) and a shingle slide into the river - most people really enjoy these. If we paddle the Pelorus, we put in at Tinline Creek about 13km upstream of Pelorus Bridge, and take out at Totara Flat picnic area.
Meet at the club gear containers on Akersten St at Port Nelson (map on website) at 9am. We usually get back in Nelson at about 6pm.

This course is suitable for people with little or no experience of sea kayaking. However, you must be confident to swim/tread water/be under water in the sea (wearing a personal flotation device).

By the end of the course, you will have learnt kayak skills including basic paddle strokes, paddle signals, assisted rescues (plus optional self-rescue) in the pool and in the sea, in addition to learning about different sea kayaks, gear and safety equipment.

The last session till Spring! Pool polo start next week.
The Club hires the Riverside Pool each Wednesday night 7.30-8.45pm for Club members & non-members alike to train & practice kayak techniques indoors in warm water.

Instruction in rolling technique is usually available from Club mentors. See website under “TRAINING” for details as to costs and requirements.

Date: November 5 th
Time and Tide: 8.00pm, 3.7m High
Grade: Yellow
Location: Tahunanui
Activity: Additional Paddle Strokes

Subject to flows, we will paddle in order of high flows/rain -> low flows/lack of rain: maitai, roding, wairoa (bridges), motueka

I will send an update the day before to say what river we will do / where we will meet either via email (if you have expressed interest) and/or the NKC WW Whatsapp group (scan QR code on NKC whitewater page)

Leaving from the Estuary side paddle anticlockwise around Pepin Island.
There are many opportunities for rock gardening and caves and chasms to navigate through if you're feeling adventurous.
There are also less challenging alternative routes if these are outside your comfort zone.
Helmets required, Bike helmets OK.
Contact Michele for more information.
High tide 10.30 am 4m tide

To register please copy and paste the following link into your browser
https://forms.gle/9d5uvTws5UN99tHL8

or... click on the read more button for a clickable link

First session of the season.

The Club hires the Riverside Pool each Wednesday night 7.30-8.45pm for Club members & non-members alike to train & practice kayak techniques indoors in warm water.

Instruction in rolling technique is usually available from Club mentors. See website under “TRAINING” for details as to costs and requirements.

Date: November 12th
Time and Tide: 6.10pm, 0.9m Low
Grade: Orange
Location: Tahunanui
Activity: Group Towing Exercise

Time to practise these basic skills no matter your level the stay for the Christmas Social get together lunch
Meet at Baigents Reserve at the end of Kina Peninsula.
Training for old hands and beginners alike. Practise advanced or beginner paddle strokes. Lastly after lunch, wet exits, assisted and self rescues.
Bring food, hot drink and change of clothes
Experienced paddlers will be there to help David and mentor the pods practise sessions.
It's really important to keep these skills up to date, think of it as your annual kayak WOF.

Grade: (all levels) green through to red

High tide 13.47 3.8m
Organiser Steve Johnston
Lead Trainer: David Welch
Register your details with the link below. Either copy and paste or go click the read more link and click on the link.
https://forms.gle/M8BajVEVnQQ351VZA

Date: November 17th
Time and Tide: 10.00pm, 1.6m Low
Grade: Yellow
Location: Tahunanui
Activity: Assisted Rescues

The Club hires the Riverside Pool each Wednesday night 7.30-8.45pm for Club members & non-members alike to train & practice kayak techniques indoors in warm water.

Instruction in rolling technique is usually available from Club mentors. See website under “TRAINING” for details as to costs and requirements.

The Club hires the Riverside Pool each Wednesday night 7.30-8.45pm for Club members & non-members alike to train & practice kayak techniques indoors in warm water.

Instruction in rolling technique is usually available from Club mentors. See website under “TRAINING” for details as to costs and requirements.

Date: November 26th
Time and Tide: 5.40pm, 0.5m Low
Grade: Orange
Location: Cable Bay
Activity: Rocky Shoreline Paddle Technique

The Club hires the Riverside Pool each Wednesday night 7.30-8.45pm for Club members & non-members alike to train & practice kayak techniques indoors in warm water.

Instruction in rolling technique is usually available from Club mentors. See website under “TRAINING” for details as to costs and requirements.

Date: December 3rd
Time and Tide: 6.15pm, 3.5m High
Grade: Yellow
Location: Tahunanui
Activity: Solo Rescues

Date: December 10th
Time and Tide: 5.20pm, 1.0m Low
Grade: Orange
Location: Cable Bay
Activity: Rocky Shoreline Rescues

Celebrate the festive season with a fun club paddle from the Marina along the boulder bank in the Nelson Haven.
We'll find a picnic spot to enjoy some Christmas goodies.
Decorate your boat and yourself with a holiday or Christmas theme.
(no plastic or tinsel please, to keep our waters rubbish free)
Prizes awarded for the most interestingly decorated boat, Bouldest costumed Person and outrageous hat.
Postponement date is Sunday 13th December.
Leader or aspiring co-leader wanted.
Contact Jo to find out more.

Register your details with the link below. Either copy and paste into your browser or go click on the readmore link and click on the link

https://forms.gle/qcYgWFVG4G5DZUqc6

Date: December 17 th
Time and Tide: 10.10pm, 1.3m Low
Grade: Yellow
Location: Tahunanui
Activity: Choppy Water Paddling

Meet at Hunter Brown reserve at the Mapua end of Rough Island and Paddle around Bells Island with the incoming tide.

Approximately 17 km
High tide 4 m at 11.45 am

Register by clicking on the link in the Read More section

Meet at the boat ramp at the end of Monaco and explore the islands in the Waimea Inlet.
Approximately 15 km

Register by clicking on the link in the Read More section

Option 1 - day trip on the river.

Leaving from Havelock, paddle up the Pelorus River while circumnavigating Twidles Island in an anticlockwise direction.
Have lunch on the beach opposite the tip of the island then return down the other side of the island.

or make a weekend of it

Option 2 - Continue into Moetapu Bay to camp at Elephant Pt DOC campground
Paddle into Mahau sound before returning to Havelock on Sunday

Option 3 - Walk Mt Takorika on Sunday.
Camping at the Marina holiday camp or accommodation of your choice.

Parking fees apply at Havelock Marina $7 per day

Register by Clicking on the link in the Read more section

Paddle around Jackett's Island via the Motueka sandspit. Stop for lunch at Baigent's reserve on Kina and return on the Moutere inlet.
High tide 11.50 4 m
Contact jo if you can lead or co-lead this trip.
Register via the link in the read more section

Launch from Maori Pa Rd off the road to Cable Bay
Leave the estuary on the outgoing tide
Paddle up the coast taking the opportunity to do some rock gardening.
Stop on the beach for lunch before returning with the incoming tide.
Low tide 11.26 am
Leader or co leader required for this trip.
Contact Jo if you are interested.
Register via the link in the read more section

Kayak the coast of lake Rotoiti.
Stop at Whiskey Falls jetty for a walk up to the falls.
Have lunch at the head of the lake and return via the eastern side of the lake.
Stay for the weekend and walk the Pourangahau / Mt Robert circuit on Sunday.
Leader or co-leader required for this trip, contact Jo if you can help.
Register via the link in the Read More section