Big Hollyday
Exact dates in December 2022 TBD. A SCAR (self contained adventure racing) event. Cruise around the Hollyford-Big Bay-Pyke circuit utilizing a packraft.
Packrafting
WTF (Wilderness Traverse of Fiordland)
Exact dates in January 2022 TBD. This is part of our SCAR series, but feels more like an adventure race than the Big Hollyday because of the numerous route choices. Teams of two to four will trek and paddle their way from a start somewhere in Fiordland to a finish line somewhere else.
Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour NZ
(April – June 2021) The Banff Mountain Film Festival is the largest, and one of the most prestigious, mountain festivals in the world.
Training Grant Learning to Take the Lead
With support from the FMC Training Grant, once self-proclaimed 'fair-weather paddler,' Sheralee MacDonald, advances her skills and graduates to the role of 'mentor' after completing the PRANZ's intermediate packraft course.
November 2017 Pack-rafting
To run the rapid or to portage? In part of FMC's Outdoor Community campaign, Dan Clearwater shares key concepts for safe entry into pack-rafting such as proper gear, potential hazards, and what to do when you flip.
Preserving the flow A Water Conservation Order for the Upper Ngaruroro
A group of Packrafters take to this pristine north island river to see just why it was recommended for a water conservation order
Waiohine epic Up sh#t creek with only a paddle
A lost packraft, flooded rivers, wetsuit tramping and SAR callouts: a reflection and analysis of an ill-fated paddling trip to the Waiohine Gorge.
Part II Dennis’ Last Coast to Coast
In Part II of a 10-day traverse, two friends hike and kayak their way to the finish line. Offering Dennis a second shot to finish the Coast to Coast Race and Stefan the chance to complete a trip of a lifetime, the loss of a few toenails proved more than worth it.
August 2019 Developing a Photographer’s Mindset
What happens when your life-long hobby becomes your profession? For Richard Sidey, he began to lose the spark for his once beloved hobby. He shares how through clear purpose, technology, and a few easy to follow steps, he finds a way to rekindle his love of adventure photography.
Trans-Alpine Rock, Ice and Packrafts…
Emily Forne and friends attempt a combination of mountaineering and packrafting: six days by foot and raft from head of Lake Tekapo out to the Rakaia River.
Packrafting National Meetup 2019
The Packrafting Association of NZ is running its annual meetup in Hanmer Springs this January. Come and meet other packrafters, join workshops on safety, skills and techniques, hear presentations about packrafting and demo some new boats! Plus there's plenty to do for anyone in the family who doesn't packraft; hot pools, mountain biking, tramping, fishing..... [...]
Packrafting 101 Can you self-rescue?
Its a fundamental skill, which every packrafter needs to master very early in their paddling career.
DIY Build your own Packraft
Is building your own Packraft worth it? Stefan Warnaar finds out.
NZ Packrafting Meetup 2018
PRANZ will be hosting the 2018 meetup in Te Anau this march. There will be workshops and river trips through the weekend, and hopefully lots of un-official trips with new friends in the week afterwards. All the information about the meetup is on the PRANZ website.
Safety first The importance of training
Anne Taylor from the Southland Tramping Club explains why you should get some proper training before heading out on your own packrafting adventures.
Trench Foot The joy of GodZone or a peril for Packrafters?
Not just for adventure racers or soliders any more; packrafters beware! Timothy Hargrave gives us the low down on rotting feet in Fiordland.
Aquanauting: Taking a boat for a walk
Penzy Dinsdale offers us a few thoughts about Aquanauting in the Otago Uni Tramping Club (OUTC)
On a dream
Alpine tops, grade 2 rapids, southern ocean and two perfectly calm crossings of Hauroko, the "Lake of the sounding wind". Jamie McAuly had a dream trip by all accounts...
The excitement of the unknown Exploring the Paringa
A remote West Coast river, packrafting, rain, a lack of information about paddling descents; for Chris Abel, it was hard to think of more exciting ingredients for an adventure.
Good ol' Kiwi understatement When the whitewater is the easy part
Two hard days to get over Emily Pass, and then a long day down the Okuru River to the ocean
Time to step up Cruising down the Clutha
Aimee Smith steps up from passenger to trip leader on a glorious paddle down the Clutha.
Olivine adventures Chasing Gold in the Arawhata, part 2
The grand-children of John Findlay continue their pilgrimage to the Olivine Range, and the glacier named after him.
Olivine adventures Chasing Gold in the Arawhata, part 1
The seed was planted for this trip a couple of years ago, when my sister and I were was told that there was a glacier in the Olivine Ranges named after our late grandfather, John Findlay.
Back in the day The origins of a packrafter
Hugh Canard reflects on a few past (mis)adventures which make him grateful for the modern packrafts we have these days.
