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Kayaking in NZ during a pandemic

What does whitewater paddling in NZ look like at the various pandemic alert levels? 

With today’s news about Covid-19 in the community we thought it would be worth reminding everybody about what whitewater paddling looks like at the different levels

Level 4.

  1. Stay home. 
  2. Stay safe. 
  3. Do not go whitewater paddling. 

Level 3. 

  1. Stay in your bubble. Avoid driving in a vehicle with anyone outside of your bubble. This will mean carefully planning shuttles and travel to and from a river
  2. Only paddle on your local rivers, that you know well and present no risks
  3. Paddle one grade below your normal level. That means Class V is NOT OK!
  4. Do not paddle on flooded rivers
  5. Paddle in small groups (up to 4 people) and maintain at least 2m distance from people outside your bubble. 
  6. Your choice of river should not be at all challenging for your level of experience. It should feel like a “walk in the park”
  7. Do not paddle on whitewater rivers alone
  8. Do not do overnight trips
  9. Do not share equipment
  10. Club activities should not take place

Level 2:

  1. Transmission of the virus is most likely whilst travelling in a vehicle, so plan this carefully. Here are some things you can do to reduce the transmission risk while driving shuttles and driving to / from a river trip:
    1. Drive to and from the river by yourself or create an expanded “shuttle bubble”, and stick to this grouping whilst driving (and on the river, if possible)
    2. Drive with windows open
    3. Use good personal hygiene whilst sharing a car
  2. Stay well within your skill level to reduce the likelihood of needing emergency services.
  3. Paddle in small groups and try to keep your group exclusive 
  4. Keep a record of who you paddle with
  5. Use physical distancing wherever possible, particularly at the put-in and take-out, where other people may be present
  6. Avoid touching each other’s gear, and if this is not possible, disinfect or use hand sanitiser as quickly as possible
  7. Overnight trips are OK as long as 1m physical distancing is maintained
  8. If you are sick, have any respiratory, cold or flu-like symptoms, do not go paddling

Level 1.

  1. Get out there
  2. Play it safe
  3. Be kind

Together we will beat this!!!