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 November 2026
MonMonday
TueTuesday
WedWednesday
ThuThursday
FriFriday
SatSaturday
SunSunday
26Monday October 26, 2026●●●(5 events)
– Friday October 23, 2026 – Monday October 26, 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).
Tamaki Estuary to Otahuhu Badminton Club
Day trip with Peter Van Kuyk
Time - 9:20am, Launch - 9:50am
For exact Meeting place contact Peter
Email Peter (training@aucklandcanoeclub.org.nz)
or Message Peter ('Day Trips' Whatsapp group) by
Friday evening to let him know, so he has your
contact in case he needs to make changes to the
trip.
1Sunday November 1, 2026●●●(4 events)
2Monday November 2, 2026●●●(4 events)
3Tuesday November 3, 2026●●●(4 events)
4Wednesday November 4, 2026●●●(4 events)
5Thursday November 5, 2026●●●(4 events)
6Friday November 6, 2026●●●(4 events)
7Saturday November 7, 2026●●●(4 events)
8Sunday November 8, 2026●●●(4 events)
9Monday November 9, 2026●●●(4 events)
10Tuesday November 10, 2026●●●(4 events)
11Wednesday November 11, 2026●●●(4 events)
12Thursday November 12, 2026●●●(4 events)
13Friday November 13, 2026●●●(4 events)
14Saturday November 14, 2026●●●(5 events)
Saturday November 14, 2026
Greenhithe up the Lucas Creek, or to the
Riverhead Tavern.
Day trip with Peter Van Kuyk
Distance - 10km or 14km return depending.
Saturday 14 November
Meet - Greenhithe Wharf ... Time - 9:10am,
Launch - 9:30am
If you intend coming Email Peter
(training@aucklandcanoeclub.org.nz) or Message
Peter ('Day Trips' Whatsapp group) by Friday
evening to let him know, so he has your contact in
case he needs to make changes to the trip.
There were folk on the night who will be looking to organise the trips seen below. Keep your e
15Sunday November 15, 2026●●●(4 events)
16Monday November 16, 2026●●●(4 events)
17Tuesday November 17, 2026●●●(4 events)
18Wednesday November 18, 2026●●●(4 events)
19Thursday November 19, 2026●●●(4 events)
20Friday November 20, 2026●●●(4 events)
21Saturday November 21, 2026●●●(5 events)
Saturday November 21, 2026 – Sunday November 22, 2026
We will start from Okahu Bay and head either to Motuihe (12.5 k without any detours, a bit more if we stop over on Browns Island or Rangitoto) or Home Bay on Motutapu (about 16 k including a stop at Rangitoto Wharf or the old Navy mine storage site). Both have beautiful camp sites with very simple facilities (essentially toilets and water). There are some lovely little walks from both camp sites. Participants would need their own camping equipment, book their tent sites online themselves and be self-sufficient with food etc.
Low tide on Saturday will be around 10.45 am – so we will have to leave Okahu Bay at 8.30 am or 9.00 am, depending on which island we’ll aim for. Return on Sunday would be in the early afternoon, to take advantage of the incoming tide (arriving back in Okahu Bay around 3.30 or 4.00 pm). Trip leader will be Peter Moses.
Contact
If you’re interested, please let Peter know as soon as possible (text 0272123889 on WhatsApp or peter@moses.nz ). He will then be in touch with you to confirm if the trip will go ahead and which campground to book.
Saturday November 21, 2026 – Sunday November 22, 2026
We will start from Okahu Bay and head either to Motuihe (12.5 k without any detours, a bit more if we stop over on Browns Island or Rangitoto) or Home Bay on Motutapu (about 16 k including a stop at Rangitoto Wharf or the old Navy mine storage site). Both have beautiful camp sites with very simple facilities (essentially toilets and water). There are some lovely little walks from both camp sites. Participants would need their own camping equipment, book their tent sites online themselves and be self-sufficient with food etc.
Low tide on Saturday will be around 10.45 am – so we will have to leave Okahu Bay at 8.30 am or 9.00 am, depending on which island we’ll aim for. Return on Sunday would be in the early afternoon, to take advantage of the incoming tide (arriving back in Okahu Bay around 3.30 or 4.00 pm). Trip leader will be Peter Moses.
Contact
If you’re interested, please let Peter know as soon as possible (text 0272123889 on WhatsApp or peter@moses.nz ). He will then be in touch with you to confirm if the trip will go ahead and which campground to book.
– Friday November 27, 2026 – Monday November 30, 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).
– Friday November 27, 2026 – Monday November 30, 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).
– Friday November 27, 2026 – Monday November 30, 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).
– Friday November 27, 2026 – Monday November 30, 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).
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 [usually] held at AUT Millennium Pool, 17 Antares Place, Rosedale, Auckland.*
Cost: $16 for one session or $144 for ten. Payments in advance essential. Meet: 7.15pm Time: 7.30 to 8.30pm.
* AUT Millenium is carrying out pool maintenance in October & November 2026.
Roger French from Manukau Canoe Club has kindly offerred to let us join his club’s weekly pool sessions on Monday nights at 6.30pm, from 28 Sep thru 30 Nov 2026.
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.