Paddle and play!

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

We are trialing these trips on Mondays instead.  Please check with the Treasurer which days they will go.

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.

Contact: Treasurer

Saturday morning paddle

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 at 9am. 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

Monthly trips

Sunday morning skills practice
Vine House weekend paddle and stay
Other trips and training
Sunday morning skills practice

These skills building sessions are held once a month at 9am at Ōkahu Bay. Dates are set to coincide with high tide. Check out upcoming dates in our calendar. The sessions are not run as a class, but as a member-led session guided by more experienced paddlers. The session follows a model established in several areas around the country. It’s called ‘Sea kayakers inspired to stretch their limits’ (SKISL).

Some of the things we practise and discuss include:

• rescues and re-entries (assisted and individual)
• working as a team to keep each other safe
• paddling strokes and boat manoeuvring
• rolling and associated skills
• Greenland paddling skills
• surfing (when we join our SKISL buddies at Orewa)
• dealing with moving water and harbour tides (Tāmaki Drive bridge)
• navigation, potential scenarios from trips, paddling conditions, wind, waves, current, boat traffic, boat selection and fit-out.

If you are keen to get together to practise skills, learn new ones, and generally get confident on and off the
water by improving your skill base, then come along.

SKISL related links BASK version https://www.sporty.co.nz/bayseakayak/Training-Days/SKISL-2nd-Sunday-each-month
Orewa version https://www.facebook.com/groups/780626002105061

Contact: Training

Vine House weekend paddle and stay

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:

Mahurangi memories – Lindsay Kirby | Auckland Council – YouTube

Other trips and training

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.

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.

Check out the calendar and our Facebook page for topics and times.

Get in touch

For specific enquiries, contact the relevant committee member/s on the list below.

Club committee list

Written correspondence
P.O. Box 9271 Newmarket, Auckland.