I am organising a 2-day intro to packrafting course in 27-28 October 2018 and need an early indication of numbers.
If you would like to attend the course, email . If you need to know more, read on …
If tramping and paddling had a baby, it would be packrafting. Packrafts are inflatable rafts that pack down as small as a one-man tent, and weigh around 3kg and can be easily carried in or strapped to your pack. It enables multi-modal transport in the back country. Instead of tramping in and out along a river valley, you can do one leg via packraft. It is relatively new to NZ, but the backcountry rivers provide some of the best opportunities in the world.
The club has run tubing, pack floating, canoeing and kayaking trips. Packrafting is an extension of those opening up more backcountry areas for exploration. The intro skills and safety course will be commercially provided by Expedition X Ltd. They are based in Te Anau, but if we can get sufficient numbers for the course, it will be run locally in the Tararuas, saving on travel time and cost. The course cost will be in the order of $500 (numbers dependent) and gear hire about $150. You will need to be tramping fit (EM level) and swimming ability is required as you may well capsize and be floating down rivers. The course will cater for all levels of paddling ability. It is a useful way to try out this new activity, getting the basic skills, safety knowledge, and feel for the kit. If you decide it is for you, Expedition X can supply new kit with a 15% discount for those who attend the course. More details at http://packraftingnz.com/courses/
Let me know early if you are interested. It is open to members and non-members.
Not a member but interested. I recently built my own packraft based on plans from http://www.diypackraft.com and have taken it down the Hutt river a couple of times. It’s the two-person version, just bare bones at the moment (no spray deck, not self bailing).
Given the level on interest, priority will be for members on the course.
Not a member but interested.
Interest for future courses when I’m in the country (maybe dec/jan/feb). Thank you
Hi there.
I’m not a member, but interested in this course and membership down the line.
Is it going ahead? And do I need to gain membership to join?
Thanks.