Wherever you are planning to go kayaking in New Zealand, there are a few things you can’t do without. For starters, obviously, you can’t go far without a kayak and a paddle.
KAYAK
There are many different types of kayaks available, and you want to make sure that the one you have is suitable for your trip. For example, if you’re planning a casual family day paddling around a beautiful, quiet lake, you probably don’t need a lightweight, easily maneuverable sport kayak that’s better suited to shooting through river rapids – you’ll be much safer and more relaxed in a larger, more stable kayak like an inflatable tandem raft.
PADDLE
Paddles also come in different shapes and sizes. However, in most cases, if you can hold it comfortably and it guides you through the water, it will do the job. If you have a paddle without handles and you are going on a challenging kayaking trip, you might consider bringing comfortable gloves; this should avoid blisters and reduce the amount of slipping on the paddle. If you’re going kayaking in a group, you should consider bringing an extra paddle or two in case someone snags their paddle on a bad rock, drops it while taking a picture, or it gets stolen while jumping a bird – you never know.
If you are prone to freezing fingers, it might be a good idea to buy a carbon fiber paddle as it does not get cold like cheaper aluminum ones. It is also advisable to check whether your paddle floats, because in some cases it is advisable to tie it to the kayak with a short elastic rope. This is more suitable for white water mountain adventures where losing the paddle is bad news. In most cases, if the paddle floats, you are likely to get it back.
LIFE JACKET
No matter what kind of family rafting or extreme kayaking adventure you’re planning, and no matter where it is, you need a life jacket. In New Zealand, you never know when the weather will change, and even a quiet lake or shallow river can be dangerous if something goes wrong. When it comes to life jackets (or personal flotation devices), it’s important to check that they stay on when you’re actually in the water. The most common problem (especially on family kayaking trips with kids) is life jackets that are too big and loose, which can slip off your shoulders. Simply check before you go that your life jacket (and children’s) fits snugly around your chest but is not suffocating. Make sure it is also comfortable. Ideally, you should not even notice that you are wearing it.
HELMET
When kayaking on New Zealand rivers, a helmet can be a real lifesaver. This doesn’t just apply to advanced and experienced river kayaking, because even on calm family rafting trips there is always a (very small) risk that nature will throw some variables at you. Just like your life jacket, make sure that the helmet straps on your chin strap are tight but not suffocating. More importantly, it should remain the same no matter what sudden movements or objects it’s exposed to – try it on land by shaking your head from side to side.