The Zero 2 Hero beginner kayak course was held over the week of 10-16 March and was a great success.
The first session was pool based where beginners where introduced to kayaks, spray decks and buoyancy aids and shown the critical factors of boat control. They were later made comfortable in the boat both right side up and upside down, all in the luxury of a warm pool!
This session is always popular and a lot of fun, concluding with a few boat based games.
Later in the week we traveled to the local lake to introduce our budding Heroes to paddles and helmets, the final pieces required in their assembly prior to being introduced to whitewater! Another successful session followed by more boat-control based games.
Finally, we traveled to the Hurunui River where we spent the day traveling down the rapids. I was stoked to take my beginner down Maori Gully after only a few hours in a kayak, gotta love fast learners!
Here, the group poses after a long day on the water.
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This was my 10th (?) Zero-to-Hero course which I have been a part of, from initial involvement as a 'zero' through to a 'hero', a second through to a leader and finally a river leader, responsible for group safety and risk management throughout the day! All in the name of fun, what a club to be a part of. For more, check out the UCCC at uccc.org.nz.
