Inflate to Dominate - Beginner 2-day course

What's covered:

- Outfitting/setting up your boat

- Forward paddling

- Introduction to basic Hydrology and river-reading

- Basic rescue skills 

- ​Control strokes

- Introductory river-running skills

Price: $500 per person (2 days)

Boat + equipment hire: $50/day

Where will we go?

We will start with some flatwater introductory skills including self-rescue practice.  Then we will pick the most appropriate rivers in the Grade 1/2 realm for the weather conditions (some rivers might be too high/low) but as the focus is on building technical paddle skills we will aim for rivers with less hiking and more time on the water to maximise instructional time.  Options could include: Hokitika, Arnold, Crooked, Taramakau among others.  Expect also to 'session' a rapid or feature by inspecting it and running it multiple times for different lines/learnings.

West Coast Packrafting values our clients’ safety and will do our utmost to provide a safe and enjoyable trip.  However, packrafting/kayaking is an adventure activity which carries some inherent risks.  You will be alone in a packraft/kayak as the guide will be paddling a separate boat and it is likely that you may end up swimming in the rapids either purposefully or accidentally.

The trip you have chosen is on Class II graded rapids which could include regular medium-sized waves, low ledges or drops, easy eddies and gradual bends.  There may be obstructions such as rocks or overhanging branches or log jams though these should generally be easy to recognise and avoid.  It may be necessary to portage (walk around) a rapid and both portaging and the hike-in may expose you to wet and slippery rocks, steep drop-offs and uneven ground. 

A moderate degree of physical fitness is required for this trip and you should be comfortable exercising at gentle pace for ~4hrs.  Whilst it is not compulsory to be able to swim this trip is unlikely to be enjoyable if you are nervous in or around moving water.

Participants should be aware that packrafting involves a risk of serious injury or death and that West Coast Packrafting cannot guarantee their safety.