Big annual trips
Dates Subject to Change!
Zero 2 hero
Learn to paddle white water! If you're a complete beginner, this is for you. We'll take you through the basics in a warm swimming pool before progressing to a lake and then finally spending a weekend at the Hurunui river - oh, and we'll also have a sick party on the Saturday night, camping beside the river. Check out some pics from 2017 trips here or a sick video here.
7th - 8th March!
Pool session on the 4th, lake session on the 5th!
14th - 15th of March!
Spoonfest
A joint trip by the Otago University Canoe Club & UCCC sees a weekend of action on at the Tekapo artificial white-water course (grade 2-3). This usually happens in term 1 and is suitable for nearly all paddlers. The campground is right next to the course and it’s a great progression trip if you’re hooked after Z2H!
3rd - 7th April!
An entire week spent at the kayaking mecca of Murchison. Builds on Z2H and provides an opportunity for rusty paddlers to get out again. Buller, Matakitaki and whatever else is flowing usually gets a bit of a paddle. Grade 2 to Grade 3+, the kayaking is always rad and the week long bender at the camp ground goes off every night. See what you're in for by having a look at this album of photos from 2017.
White Water Week
18th - 19th April!
Girls Trip
For all the lady boaters of UCCC! This trip is usually run in term 1 or 2, and is an awesome weekend for Wahine of all levels to come together and have a good time on the whitewater.
Hollyford
Typically run in the semester 2 mid-sem break, this week long trip explores the rivers around Queenstown, Mavora lakes and Fiordland. Distracting yourself from the scenery and focusing on the paddling will usually see you doing sections on the Kawarau, Mararoa and Hollyford rivers. Suited for G3 paddlers and up.
22nd to 28th August!
Zero to Hero Sem 2
Our last beginner trip of the year! If you're a complete beginner, this is for you. We'll take you through the basics in a warm swimming pool before progressing to a lake and then finally spending a weekend at the Hurunui river - oh, and we'll also have a sick party on the Saturday night, camping beside the river. Check out some pics from 2017 trips here or a sick video here.
26th and 27th September!
UCCC & OUCC are stoked to announce we will be back for more carnage and glory with Rangitata Race 2026!
The hardman (mass start on land at the bottom of the gorge), G4 time trial and G2+ time trial will run on Saturday the 3rd of October, followed by a stoke float or beginners trips on the Sunday, depending on interest. There's plenty of prizes to be won thanks to Cactus Outdoor and Sun Zapper! Come get after it!
The G4 racing begins above the Roosters rapid and ends after Arlenes rapid. Both of these rapids are G4, only sign up for G4 racing if you are a competent G4 paddler. If not, sign up for the G2+ "carnage" race, or just come and spectate!
For newcomers/spectators, there is no easy land access to the gorge you'll be paddling at least G2+ to reach the gorge (but there might be the option to paddle upstream to the gorge). We will update with access to further details closer to the date (once flows are predictable).
Race entry - $15 (gets you into all the races)
Accommodation:
Option of Camping or Staying at the Shearers Quarters (first in first served). Price TBC
Rough Plan:
• Meet Saturday morning at the take out.
• Head to the put in and paddle down to the gorge to compete and cheer your mates taking part in the races.
• Prize giving, BBQ and party Saturday night
• Sunday (post-cleanup) head out for a stoke float or beginners trip down the Rangitata gorge or lower G2 section.
• Head home and tell your flat mates about your sick beatdown in piggies.
3rd - 4th October. Save the date! Sign ups to come!