Kayak Hire

We have a lock up on the waterfront at Tamaki Drive,  Okahu Bay, at the boat ramp beside Ferg's Kayaks. There is a car park. Click for map

Members can hire kayaks from the club. This lock up is also used by some members to store their own private kayaks.

Club hire policy is to encourage ownership by members of their own craft. Hiring allows members to “try before they buy” and facilitates discovery of the sport by potential new members. Club kayaks are not intended for regular use by members as a cheap alternative to purchasing their own kayak. 

Care of Hire Equipment  
Do not drag club boats along the ramp, or other hard surface – carry them.  Ask another member to help if you cannot carry the boat by yourself.
Please clean hire gear with freshwater using the hose before returning it to the locker. After using the hose, please hang it back up in long loops almost touching the ground rather than tight curls as these are difficult to unwind and, to be honest, a waste of time.

Other hire equipment such as helmets, throw bags, split paddles, paddle float, kayak wheels, Kayak Lights, and VHF radios are available on request.

Kayak Hire Rates

 Kayak hire includes spray decks, buoyancy aids and paddles. 

How to Book

Only members can hire kayaks
When hiring a kayak, please fill in all the details in the form in the ring binder on the shelf on the right hand side of the lock up.
Also fill in an envelope with name, kayak details and cost. Close the envelope and put it into the padlocked box above and to the left of the table.
When you return the kayak, sign the form. Note any problems with the kayak.

All club kayaks are marked with a number and it is these numbers that you use when booking a kayak or renting one. If a kayak does not have Auckland Canoe Club and a number by the rudder, they will be private kayaks. Please ensure that you do not use private kayaks as a number of them are the same make as one of the clubs kayaks. (the storm) Any equipment hanging on the private kayaks is also personal gear and should not be touched.

Booking a kayak
Kayaks can be booked in advance by filling in the Diary, on the shelf in the storage shed.  Only members are entitled to hire, and are responsible for any loss or damage other than from fire or theft.
Kayaks cannot be hired when there is a swim escort, they are available for members use on the escort.

To cancel a booking
Cross-out your entry in the diary.  Please don’t forget to do this, somebody else may want to use that gear. 

Remember: Care of Hire Equipment
Do not drag club boats along the ramp, or other hard surface – carry them.  Ask another member to help if you cannot carry the boat by yourself.
Please clean hire gear with freshwater using the hose before returning it to the locker. After using the hose, please hang it back up in long loops almost touching the ground rather than tight curls as these are difficult to unwind and, to be honest, a waste of time.

Taking a club kayak out

Preparing for a trip using a Club Kayak

Check the booking diary to ensure that the Kayak you want to use is not booked or that you can ensure you return it before the time it has been booked for. If in doubt, do not take the kayak.

Fill in the sheet in the ring binder (including name, kayak number and destination, etc) as well as the envelop and pay for the kayak. Put the Envelope with the funds into locked box above and to the right of the table. (please note that we do not use IOU’s)

If you have had experience Kayaking:
Setting up for a trip

• Take the kayak out of storage and lay it on the ground
• Put on the hatch covers including the Neoprene covers
• Put the Spray skirt and Bouyancy vest on and sit in the kayak
• Adjust the footpegs and rudder so that you can “Brace” properly as well as be able to turn the rudder. (get someone to hold the rudder vertically and see it turns to the left and right)
• Look at how the rudder raising and lowering mechanism works and try to activate it (having someone else hold the rudder so that it does not hit the ground)
• Put the spray skirt on ensuring the tag is outside the cockpit and within reach.
• Close your eyes, reach forward and grab the tag and pull the spray skirt off. (this will give you the experience of freeing the spray skirt from “this” kayak if you fall in)
• Put the spray skirt back on and then go through the routine or releasing it again. (your mind/body is more likely to remember this if you have done it at least twice)
• Get out of the kayak and CARRY it to the water. Dragging the kayak will wear it out unnecessarily and cost the club to repair or replace it.
• Do not do a SEAL launch as this will wear the hull as well.

Returning from a trip

• Sign the sheet in the Ring Binder that you have returned
• Wash the kayak inside the seating pod as well as the outside. Sponge the water out of the seating pod.
• Remove hatch covers and leave in the hatches
• Put the kayak back in the rack you took it from.
• Wash down the Bouyancy vest and the Spray Skirt and hang them back up on the left hand side of the lock up to dry.
• When closing the door, ensure that the padlock is locked securely, it's a bit tricky.

If you have had no, or limited, experience of kayaking:

Take a Basic Skills Kayaking course before taking a kayak out. There are a number of organisations who offer Kayaking courses.

Ensure you go through the actions outlined in Taking a kayak out for an experienced kayaker. Set the kayak up properly to give you the best chance of a happy paddle.

If you want to try a kayak but do not have experience, stay within Okahu Bay. For a beginner, it can be fun exploring the boats in the bay. If the tide is in, paddle across to the sandy shore practicing steering and then practice getting in and out of the kayak. Practise getting the rudder up and down so you know how it works. 

It is better to be safe than “DEAD” in your first couple of times on the water. This last statement is not exaggeration. We had a new club member (and his girlfriend) who went out without the knowledge, did not use spray skirts, fell into the water and almost died of Hypothermia.

Paddling with knowledge and skills is safe but it does take time to gain those skills. Go out with more experienced people who are prepared to take responsibility for you until you have developed these skills

Once you have done a basic skills course, the Saturday Morning coffee cruise is a good place to start for your first trips.

Remember

• Please enter details of hire in register and on an envelope.
• Put money in envelope and place envelope in honesty box.
• No I.O.U.s!
• Carry or wheel kayaks to water.
• Please wash kayaks before returning to rack.
• Report faults or problems on the faults/problems sheet.