Essential Tips for a Safe Solo Canoe Trip

Canoeing through NZ waterways solo can be a truly life-changing experience in more ways than one. While incredibly calming and fulfilling, solo canoe trips can also be dangerous if not taken seriously. We regularly help many solo travellers experience the Whanganui River Journey as part of a larger guided group, which is great as we see lifelong friendships made between likeminded people who are solo travelling and simply want to enjoy the great outdoors.
Canoeing totally solo on the Whanganui & Rangitikei Rivers with no guide or larger group is not possible through us here at Canoe Safaris due to our strict safety measures, So this article is just for you seasoned canoeists out there just looking for some tips and tricks!

Paddling solo in New Zealand means you don't have anyone to lean on when things go haywire. You must be extra cautious and attentive to every detail. Here are our tips on how to solo canoe successfully and have a trip of a lifetime. 

Have a Solid Plan in Place

It's essential to plan your route before going for a paddle. Check the weather forecast, river levels, or tides – For any of our business or recreational paddle trips, We check multiple forecasts in the build up to all departure days, different catchment areas, river levels and even local dam releases. (The Tongariro and Rangitikei dam release days can catch you out!)  New Zealand rivers have the ability to peak and trough extremely quickly so it pays to keep on top of these forecasts to ensure you aren’t stuck on a fast rising river.

It's also important to check the route on an OS map, including access and egress points, escape routes, and emergency egress points. Once you have a solid plan, tell someone about it, including when to expect you back and what to do if you don't return on time. We recommend everyone takes a rescue beacon at the very least, and also a 2 way communication device such as a Garmin InReach.
Read our other blog on Canoe Safety tips to help with your planning. 

Choose the Right Canoe

Solo canoe trips are a completely different ball game from paddling with others. Even if you have plenty of experience canoeing with others, if you plan on going solo, you'll need to rethink your approach from top to bottom, starting with the type of canoe you use.

Solo Canoe

These canoes are perfect for the lone adventurer who wants to explore the waterways solo. With just one seat in the middle of the boat, you can enjoy paddling from the sweet spot. Keep in mind that since there's no yoke permanently attached to the boat, you'll need to get a solo canoe that comes with a detachable yoke. Solo canoes tend to be shorter, and Kneeling whilst in solo canoes is the norm to create better balance.

Pack Canoe

Pack canoes are essentially the same as solo canoes, but the seat is on the bottom. Since you are positioned lower while paddling, you'll need a double-blade paddle (think kayak paddle) instead of a single one. Many experienced solo paddlers swear by pack canoes because they are more stable and better at picking up speed. These canoes are a good choice for tackling difficult waterways.

Tandem Canoe

You don't necessarily need a solo canoe for a solo trip; you can also use a standard tandem. When using a tandem canoe, you can turn it around and sit in the front seat facing backwards, bringing you closer to the boat's centre to hit that sweet spot for paddling.

However, if you're thinking of solo paddling in a tandem boat, be prepared for a bit of a slower ride. It won't be quite as zippy as a solo canoe or pack canoe, and the wind will bully you around a bit. So, we always recommend going with one of the first two options.
99% Of Whanganui River Trips taken with Canoe Safaris are undertaken in a Tandem Canadian canoe.  We occasionally use a third clip in seat for younger travellers to create a three person craft.  We also have a large 6-8 seater Voyager Canoe which is great when you have a large group of children or people very unsure of their ability.   However we do pride ourselves on teaching our clients how to paddle their tandem canoe correctly & smoothly so they can navigate the river with ease.  Our experienced Whanganui River guides are handpicked for their teaching abilities (And cooking abilities!)

Take It Easy – This is Not the Time to Push Yourself

A solo canoe trip is not the time to push boundaries, whether that means the grade of water you're paddling, the conditions you're facing, or the length of your trip. Only take on challenges you are 100 per cent confident you can conquer. If you want to try a new route or a trickier section of water, do it with a friend, not solo. Staying within your comfort zone while solo paddling means you know that if anything (which sometimes they just do!), you won't need any help.

Bring a Back-up Paddle

Bringing a backup paddle while solo canoeing is always a good idea. All it takes is one wrong move, and you could be up the creek without a paddle, literally! Bring both a single-blade and double-blade paddle; this way, you'll have the best of both worlds and be prepared for anything Mother Nature or clumsy hands throw your way.

Master Your Solo Strokes

Solo paddling demands precision and skill to maintain course and efficiency. When tandem paddling, you can rely on someone else to pick up the slack; you don't have this luxury when solo.

Familiarise yourself with essential strokes like the J-Stroke, Goon Stroke, and Draw Stroke to navigate with confidence and control. These are some of the most efficient strokes for manoeuvring your canoe solo.

Take a GPS Communication Device with You

Taking a GPS communication device with you on a canoe trip is always a must, especially when paddling solo. In an emergency, there won't be anyone else to lean on, so being able to call for help can be the difference between life and death. We recommend a rescue locater beacon AND a Garmin Inreach 2 way communication device.

Give Solo Canoeing a Go Today

Although paddling with others will always be safer, solo canoe trips can be just as safe and even more fulfilling with the right preparation and a little extra know-how.

If you're not quite ready for a solo trip just yet, get in touch with the team at Canoe Safaris today. We offer guided canoe tripsfor paddlers of all levels. If you sit somewhere in the middle and are a little more experienced so don’t require a full Whanganui River Guided Tour, then we also offer Freedom hire & canoe rental packages where we show you the basics, provide you with the gear and a shuttle and off you go! Get in touch to talk about which option will suit you best.

Posted by Canoe Safaris on March 04, 2024