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Level 1 Training

Beginner Course - 2 days

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Level 1

Focus: ( Foundational Training )

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Level 1 Packraft Training

Our Packrafting beginner course (IPIA Level 1) is a 2-day course and the perfect introduction to packrafting. Whether your a first-time packrafter, or you’ve done packrafting before but need a refresher – this course is ideal.

You’ll gain the confidence and experience to handle your raft in and out of the water, in a flat-water setting and in some rapids. You’ll be able to head out on your own adventure, prepared and confident.

Is this Level 1 Course for me?

  • Are you comfortable in and around water, and do you have basic swimming skills?
  • Are you interested in learning safety techniques, such as self-rescue and capsize recovery?
  • What are your fitness and endurance levels, and can you handle physically demanding activities?
  • Do you want to add Packrafting to your Hiking adventures?

 

The important things to know

Pricing and Season

Course Cost per person: Nz$600 / per participant

Most of our courses run from Nov to March with the option to organise custom courses outside of the posted dates (minimum participant numbers apply )

  • Max 4 people per Course ( in some cases up to 6 max )

What do you need to know

  • Min age in general is 15 ( we have taken younger ones but please talk to us first )
  • Online learning component which you need to complete before you show up for the practical. About 10 hours of learning
  • The course is based on confidence and skill progression. We can and will, tailor the experience to your abilities.
  • We can supply you with a paddle-specific fitness plan Accommodation in our Camp can be booked separately.
    • You need to bring the following for the nights you are staying with us
      • Sleeping Bags and gear for staying with us
      • Anything else you need to stay in our Tent Village
      • We provide all the essential equipment for the Course
    • Everything you need for the paddling
      • Boats, Paddle, Pfd, Dry or Wetsuits, Helmets etc

What is not included

  • Private clothing
  • No food is provided

Fitness Requirements

  • Fitness plays a big role in being capable and safe on rivers and lakes although your fitness does not really matter to joining our course it will help you greatly with what we are putting you through
  • Upper body and core strength and endurance is what you should put your focus on
  • Use this as an opportunity to put some hard yards in and come prepared ( you can thank us later )

Best suited Candidates

  • For people who want to learn the ins and outs of packrafting from the bottom. Set a solid foundation for your packrafting future. If you have some experience you may want to look in solidifying your skills and push yourself a bit further. Have a look at our Level 2 course.

What will you learn

You will learn heaps:

  • Setup your Packraft
  • Basic Paddle strokes
  • Falling out in style and self/buddy rescue
  • Dealing with currents on a river
  • Getting in and out of Eddies
  • Making decisions where to go and where not to go
  • River reading and using the force
  • Working in a team
  • and there is so much more….

Gear you need to bring

    • Stay with us or sort your accommodation for the weekend in Te Anau
    • Food in the form of snacks for 2-active days in and on the water.
    • Warm layers/pants and tops/some thick socks (polypro recommended for under the wetsuit/dry suit.)
    • Reasonable fitness will make things easier (upper body strength will help and a reasonable technique in freestyle swimming.)
    • Great sense of adventure (and humour!)

    If you have your own packrafting gear we strongly recommend that you use it for the course, as it is important to get practice with your own kit. If you don’t have your own kit, don’t worry, we have a full kit you can hire for the course for free.

Accommodation

  • Stay with us and book your accommodation in our Packrafting NZ Eco Village – basic, glamping-styled tenting, shared facilities, and epic views. Available for the night(s) of your course dates. You can choose the option to stay with us when booking. 

  • Our Eco Tent site has very basic cooking facilities with USB charging stations for your mobile phone. Usually, you share a 4-meter bell tent with someone else

  • There is also a composting toilet and a basic shower available.

  • Everything here works on solar power and is as environmentally friendly as we can.

Arno, Owner of packrafting nz

Soon after starting Packrafting Nz, some 12 years ago, I realised the need for some structured packrafting training and after a few trials, we founded the IPIA ( International Packrafter Instructor Association ) created a standard curriculum and designed an online learning course. The rest is history – we were the first and now longest-running commercial Packrafting Training course provider on Planet Earth.

Arno, Owner of packrafting nz

Ferry-gliding practice

Explore the Course

Assisted Self-Rescue

Explore the Course

The falling out is the easy part

Use the force

Explore the Course

Students checking out how to use the flow

Self Rescue Training

Explore the Course

Keep your feet up

Optional Accommodation

Our eco-friendly, sustainable custom-built Tent Village – glamping-styled tenting, shared facilities, and epic views can be booked optional to stay with us over the course week. Which will make things a bit easier.

Looks interesting?

Have you got what it takes?

Booking process Level 1

  1. Booking Form and Departure Date: Fill out the Booking form form and select your preferred departure date.
  2. Let us check things: We will get back to you with either a confirmation or a few other dates in case that course is already fully booked
  3. Payments: Full payment or a deposit is required to secure your place ( please read the Terms & Conditions/refund policy ). We will hold your spot for 5 days if not paid we give it away.
  4. Own Gear: If you have your own Kit or parts please bring it with you as it is best to train with your own gear
  5. Stay in Touch: Keep us informed of your progress and any challenges you encounter—we’re here to help!
  6. Final Payment: Pay the remaining fee 30 days before your course starts.
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Impressions from the Course

Level 1 - Booking Request

Please note

This is not a rescue course. Rather, this course is aimed towards giving you the skills and confidence to avoid situations requiring rescue in the first place. Most beginner paddlers simply do not have the experience or skills to actually be active participants in a rescue scenario involving moving water. We recommend you gain experience after the course by paddling lots of up to grade 2 water, both on the day and multi-day trips. Once you have a few good trips under your belt, then join us at one a Level 2 Course and follow up with a Packrafting specific rescue course.