Kevin, Chris, Amber & Monika crossing the Waiohine River (Tararuas)\
Completing a one-day river crossing course is a great way to upskill and ensure your safety before you head off on your next big tramping adventure. Rivers are one of the greatest hazards in New Zealand’s backcountry and claim lives every year! They are dynamic and pose a serious risk to the untrained.
The Club is organizing with Outdoor Training NZ (OTNZ) to run a 1 day River Crossing Course.
This course is designed for trampers - to help plan for trips that may involve rivers and bodies of water, develop river safety skills including hazard assessment and river crossing techniques.
I would recommend this Course to all Club members wanting to develop confidence in crossing rivers encountered in some of our multiday trips.
This Course will also provide important preparation for members planning to register for Out Parties 1 and 2 of our Mt Aspiring Xmas Trips.
The River Crossing Course is $60 with the Club bus to Karangahake Gorge a further $30 giving a total cost of $90.
The Club fully supports this course to upskill members and is pleased to subsidize 50% of the River Crossing Course, reducing the total cost from $90 to $60!
We will travel down early on the Sunday morning and meet at: Karangahake Gorge Car Park to start the Course by 9.30am concluding around 4:00pm (depending upon weather and number of participants).
We'll be doing theory (staying dry) in the morning and practice (in the river) after lunch – you will get very wet, including your pack and boots.
The course is specifically designed for trampers – to help plan for journeys that may involve rivers and bodies of water; to develop river safety skills including hazard assessment and river crossing techniques.
This practical course includes:
* Basic river dynamics and hazards
* How to assess whether a river or stream is safe to cross
* Choosing not to cross
* How to identify safe crossing points
* Managing clothing and equipment for travel/river crossing
* How to perform a solo crossing
* How to cross using an approved mutual support method
* How to float and recover if swept away
* How to self-release from a trapped pack
* How to safely retreat during a crossing
* Managing a group in and around waterways
Gear List
· towel
· spare set of warm clothing (kept dry)
· lunch, snacks, hot drink
· tramping pack with gear inside it that you don't mind getting wet
· pack liner (a plastic bag inside you pack where your gear goes)
· boots/stout walking shoes
· personal first aid kit
· PFD (flotation device/life jacket) if not confident in water
· pen, note book
· sun hat
· sun block/cream
· warm hat
· raincoat
Depart: Sunday 4th December’22 at 6.30am from 5 The Strand, Takapuna
Registration and Payment: Course numbers are limited to 15. Please register and pay in full: $60 by: 31st July’21.
Return: Sunday evening ~7pm
Organizer: Kevin Osten Ph: 0274 577418
Driver: Craig O'Neill
