River Rescue

These two training courses are for recreational and professional paddlers to better enable them to safely paddle with their peers, when leading a group, or when providing an instructional or guided experience.

They are prerequisites for NZOIA Kayak Instructor qualifications and will closely follow the NZOIA and WhiteWater NZ syllabi.

Level 1

Programme Overview

Using fully qualified instructors, and being centred amongst great white water venues, the skills you will cover include:

• Self, boat and bank based rescues
• Selection and correct use of gear and safety equipment commonly used for river running in NZ
• Knowledge of common river hazards
• Controlled river running
• Rescue management

Note, you must be a competent class 2 paddler.

Level 2

You should ideally have completed the level 1 course and be a competent class 3 kayaker. Assumptions will be made that you already have some rescue experience.

Programme Overview

• This is very similar to the level 1 in content but in a more technical environment
• It also includes more rope skills to work in horizontal and vertical planes
• Rescue and recovery management