Here is a range of events where we can paddle and play together. Most activities are open to all; we encourage you to come along and see what we are about.
If you like what you see, join the club!
Weekly trips
Wednesday evenings
Saturday morning paddle
Sunday morning paddle
Wednesday evenings
This paddle leaves from Ōkahu Bay boat ramp in front of the club’s storage shed at 5:30pm (on the water) every Wednesday. Everyone is welcome. We recommend that anyone joining the evening paddle has some experience or has attended a basic skills course.
The route, destination and duration (usually 1 – 2 hours and around 15km) are decided on the night, depending on the preferences of the group and the conditions. During the winter months, these trips return after dark, therefore you must carry either a large lens torch, or an all-round white light mounted on the outside of your kayak.
This more extensive paddle launches from various locations around greater Auckland, depending on weather and sea conditions. We are generally on the water at 7.30am (8am in Winter) and aim to return between 10.30am and 11.30am. The launch site and plan are published on Friday on Whatsapp.
The paddle is typically between 15 to 20km with a tea/coffee break at the halfway point and again when we return to the launch site. It’s a great opportunity to explore the Auckland coastline, learn/develop basic ocean kayaking skills, and enjoy a cuppa and chit chat with other club members.
Generally, the routes are selected to provide a paddle on relatively calm waters on the understanding that sea conditions can and do change. So we expect paddlers to be comfortable with a longer paddle, in a range of sea conditions, and that they come prepared. (read: What Kit Do I Need) And don’t forget your thermos and snacks of choice. Sharing food is a bit of a tradition.
On the 3rd Saturday of the month, if weather permits, we may extend the paddle to a day-long excursion with a slightly later start time at 9am, and back around 4.30pm. Occasionally, the group organises an overnight paddle. This is also an opportunity to compare paddlers cooking skills! Recent trips have been to Kaipara Harbour, the Bay of Islands, and the Rangitīkei River.
Contact: (Whatsapp) https://tinyurl.com/ysan2ev2 New members of this paddle group will be contacted by the trip leader to discuss experience and expectations.
Sunday morning paddle
The Sunday morning paddle sets off from the Okahu Bay boat ramp around 8am (check with Terry Price). The average time for the paddle is around 2 to 3 hours, and the distance is around 10km. This is a ‘keep fit, feel good’ kind of paddle.
The trip leader will plan a paddle that reflects the abilities of the group. If needed, he will run you through the basics of setting up, and getting in and out of the kayak.
This paddle is an excellent introduction to kayaking and the club, or just a nice way to have a gentle outing with other club members.
Contact: Terry Price; Text to 0274 739 081
Events in August 2026
MonMonday
TueTuesday
WedWednesday
ThuThursday
FriFriday
SatSaturday
SunSunday
27Monday July 27, 2026●●●(6 events)
12:00 pm: Vine House
– Friday July 24, 2026 – Monday July 27, 2026
Enjoy the beauty of the Mahurangi Harbour and the company of your canoe club members. A small group can stay on the last weekend of the month. All that is required is helping out with maintenance jobs as requested by the ranger - one to two hours' work, as a rule. Book with Matt (Treasurer) or Trevor (Vine House).
Distance - depends on wind and what the group wants to do on the day -
Meet - Castor Bay ..... Time - 7:30am, Launch at 8am
If you intend coming Txt or call Gerard 021 071
5917 by Saturday evening to let him know,
so he has your Mob No in case he needs to make
changes to the trip.
Day trip with Peter Van Kuyk
Distance - 9km's return
·
Sunday 15 August
Meet - French Bay ... Time - 9:50am, Launch 10:25am
If you intend coming Email Peter
(training@aucklandcanoeclub.org.nz) or Message
Peter ('Day Trips' Whatsapp group) by the Friday prior
evening to let him know, so he has your contact in
case he needs to make changes to the trip
16Sunday August 16, 2026●●●(4 events)
17Monday August 17, 2026●●●(4 events)
18Tuesday August 18, 2026●●●(4 events)
19Wednesday August 19, 2026●●●(5 events)
6:30 pm: Winter Talk: Kayaking in Patagonia
– Wednesday August 19, 2026
Come at 6.30pm for a burger and dessert (RSVP essential by Sunday prior).
Our special guest speaker is Mathew Schweizer "Patagonia from Puerto Eden to Puerto Natales"
Mathew is a New Zealand expedition sea kayaker and outdoor guide. Over the past decade he has been fortunate to paddle and guide in some of the world's most spectacular and remote places, including Fiordland, Canada, and Chilean Patagonia. Come and find out about his recent expedition in Patagonia.
Enjoy the beauty of the Mahurangi Harbour and the company of your canoe club members. A small group can stay on the last weekend of the month. All that is required is helping out with maintenance jobs as requested by the ranger - one to two hours' work, as a rule. Book with Matt (Treasurer) or Trevor (Vine House).
Enjoy the beauty of the Mahurangi Harbour and the company of your canoe club members. A small group can stay on the last weekend of the month. All that is required is helping out with maintenance jobs as requested by the ranger - one to two hours' work, as a rule. Book with Matt (Treasurer) or Trevor (Vine House).
Enjoy the beauty of the Mahurangi Harbour and the company of your canoe club members. A small group can stay on the last weekend of the month. All that is required is helping out with maintenance jobs as requested by the ranger - one to two hours' work, as a rule. Book with Matt (Treasurer) or Trevor (Vine House).
Enjoy the beauty of the Mahurangi Harbour and the company of your canoe club members. A small group can stay on the last weekend of the month. All that is required is helping out with maintenance jobs as requested by the ranger - one to two hours' work, as a rule. Book with Matt (Treasurer) or Trevor (Vine House).
Day trip with Gerard
Distance - depends on wind and what the group
wants to do on the day - 3 options.
(see maps 3. 4. and 5 in the July edition of The Wave )
There's the option for some to do a walk, while
others circumnavigate the island. We can organise
it on the day.
Sunday 6 September
Meeting place and departure time will be
emailed, or on the 'Day Trips' Whatapp group a
week or so before the trip.
If you intend coming Txt or call Gerard 021 071
5917 by Saturday evening to let him know,
so he has your Mob No in case he needs to make
changes to the trip
Monthly trips
Regular skills training
Vine House weekend paddle and stay
Other trips and training
Regular skills training
Every two months, there is a skills training session at Ōkahu Bay. The format may vary and sessions are useful for beginners, or experienced kayakers wanting to refresh their skills or learn new ones. Contact Peter van Kuyk: text 021 0252 1256 or email: training@aucklandcanoeclub.org.nz
In addition, the club holds pool training sessions on Monday evenings. These are useful for practising eskimo rolls or re-entries and more, and are a good idea ahead of heading offshore.
Kayak pool sessions are held at AUT Millennium Pool, 17 Antares Place, Rosedale, Auckland.
Cost: $16 for one session or $144 for ten. Meet: 7.15pm Time: 7.30 to 8.30pm. From March to 21 September then Murrays Bay over summer (no charge) [TBC].
Club members can stay at this wonderful venue at Lagoon Bay in the Mahurangi Regional Park on the last weekend of each month. Vine House is owned by Auckland Council and is available for the public to hire year around. However, the club has a special arrangement with the council to use the house exclusively one weekend a month in exchange for doing regular maintenance working bees.
The house sleeps 10 and is well appointed. Access is only by water, with the best departure from Sullivan’s Bay. The paddle over is well suited to all kayakers and you can choose how much or little you paddle once there. Bookings on the club weekends are on a first come, first served basis.
You must confirm your booking the week prior. Contact: Vinehouse & Treasurer
This is an historical overview of the Vine House area. Mahurangi memories with Lindsay Kirby:
We organise trips dependent on the weather, interest, and availability of trip leaders. Keep an eye on our events calendar. Members can also stay in touch through our Facebook page for trips organised at short notice. And please contact the Training Officer if you would like other instruction courses to be organised by the club. Club members are always ready to offer informal instruction.
Kayak Pool Sessions are held at the AUT Millenium, 17 Antares Place, Rosedale. Our focus is on the eskimo roll, assisted rescues and self-rescues.
Contact Peter van Kuyk: training@aucklandcanoeclub.org.nz
M: 021 0252 1256
There are also many commercial operators that provide kayak training courses in the Auckland region. We encourage all paddlers to attend formal training.
The Winter Series – land-based events
The Winter Series is a collection of club events held on the third Wednesday of the month during winter (usually May – September). It includes slide shows by members of great trips they have done (kayaking or other adventures); guest speakers on kayak-related topics and mid-winter socials. All members and their friends and family, and prospective members, are welcome.
It’s a great way of getting to know other members, share some knowledge or a good yarn, and find paddle-buddies for the future.