Choosing a kayaking course
There are two main aspects to choosing a course:
- What type of kayaking do you want to do?
- Who should you learn with?
We'll cover question 1 first and come back to question 2 at the bottom of the page.
There are so many different sports that all have the same basic name: kayaking. How do you know where to start? Read the below for more information on how to learn to kayak in New Zealand - all of our courses are run in and around Christchurch, from the Hurunui to the Waimakariri and Lyttleton Harbour to the Rakaia plus more.
The information below should help you figure out which kayak sport fits your interests best at the moment. Many people paddle different types of kayaks in different types of water, so don't feel limited to choosing only one aspect of kayaking - this guide is only intended to help you choose a place to start.
White water kayaking:
White water kayaking is the type of kayaking to choose if you want the rush of flying down rapids and drops, with the sound of rushing water around you, interspersed with eddie hopping and gentle paddling sections along often remote sections of river to the next rapid. White water also includes kayak surfing, playboating. The Introduction to White water course we run covers river running and surfing - add your name to the list if there isn't already a suitable course scheduled and we'll pair you up with someone else who wants to learn. Courses can easily be tailored to your preferred style of paddling.
Sea kayaking: 
Take your time, watch the dolphins, penguins and gulls while traveling as far as you wish to paddle. Take your camping gear and escape car bound life without having to carry any gear on your back. Eat well as you can take a lot of gear, and maybe some wine. You can go for a day paddle over to Quail Island, in and out of the caves, lunch on the beach with perhaps a walk around the island and then head back again. Or you can head out past the heads or along lakes or gentle rivers. Sea kayaking also has the rush of weather, tides, swell surfing, the occasional whale, dolphin and penguin, and greenland rolling, among many other facets. Sea kayak courses run whenever suits you - see our front page for upcoming confirmed dates or choose one of your own.
Multisport kayaking:
Fitness, speed, rhythm coupled with the thrill of competition - often with yourself - among many others on the river and through the mountains. Fly through steep gorges and paddle long distances on grade II rivers, learn to read the water to find the fastest line and learn how to anticipate and sail through rough waters, while continuing to improve your technique. Start with a Grade II prep course to learn the skills and then practice, practice, practice until you feel ready to sit your Grade II assessment. After you successfully pass your Grade II assessment, you'll be able to enter the myriad of multisport events run all year round, including the coveted Coast to Coast.
Once you've decided which type of kayaking interests you most what should you look for in a training provider?
- Qualification - Maritime New Zealand currently recognises the following qualification providers: NZOIA, SKOANZ, Skills Active, ITOA and ATTTO. We recommend you choose an instructor with these credentials - ask which qualification(s) your instructor has and if that qualification is MNZ approved. Our instructors are all qualified with either NZOIA or SKOANZ.
- Experience - To achieve most of the qualifications above you need to have significant teaching experience, but more is never a bad thing. We only select experienced instructors to be our lead instructors on any course.
- Clear progression - Is it clear what you can expect to get out of the course? What happens if you have to miss a session or are unable to complete it. Can you join another course? Can you obtain a partial refund? You can expect to learn whatever it says in the relevant course description with us. If you miss a session and let us know in advance then we can simply reschedule you onto another course. If you aren't unable to continue the course for any reason with more than 48 hours notice we will give you a refund for any remaining incomplete course sections. Our courses are often full, so if you advise us after a course that you are unable to attend we will not be able to refund your payment.
Once you know that the person that will be teaching you has the skills, experience and gear to do the job all you need to know is what you can expect to get out of it, then you're all set to get out on the water and have some fun learning to kayak.
Please contact us if you have any questions, or go to the courses page to see a list of every course or trip we have written up for the site so far.
