PLACES TO PADDLE CANOE SLALOM

North Island Venues

Vector Wero Whitewater Park

770 Great South Road, Wiri, Auckland

Canoe Slalom NZ is based at Wero White Water Park the home of its High Performance training centre.

The High Performance Training Centre for Canoe Slalom NZ was built in partnership with Sport NZ, High Performance Sport NZ and Waka Pacific Trust, with support from Olympic Solidarity in March 2018 and was officially opened by the Honourable Grant Robertson, Minister of Sport and Recreation at Wero.

CSNZ members have two options:

1.  Join in CSNZ exclusive slalom sessions as per our booking sheet.  Members and National Performance Academy paddlers can access these sessions at a subsidised rate.

2.  Join in Wero rafting sessions (no gates) as per Wero scheduled rafting sessions.  Paddlers must register and check in at the Wero reception for a bib to paddle.  Subsidised sessions are available for CSNZ National Performance Academy members.

Kaituna River, Okere Falls

The Kaituna River at Okere Falls is one of the busiest stretches of water in all of New Zealand with many raft companies operating on it alongside recreational white water paddlers and of course many slalom paddlers.

This is accessed by parking in the carpark opposite Okere Falls Road just off State Highway 33.

A long time classic in the Central North Island, the Kaituna is famous for its waterfalls, park n' play spot and its magical deep green gorge. It really is the epitome of sport boating' with easy access, short run, low commitment and close to a large population base.  

The run starts at the slalom course just below the control gates and winds its way into a bush lined gorge. It begins with some great waves and the shoot which is popular with slalom and beginner kayakers.

Please try and park courteously and make sure not to block the gate at the top of the car park. If training outside of Club programmes please make sure to pull in any gates to the side of the river when finished.

Tarawera River, Kawerau

​​​​​​​Awakaponga

The Tarawera River at Kawerau is a venue used by local clubs and CSNZ for competitions.  A free flowing river  which is accessed by parking in the carpark in front of Firmin Lodge just off Waterhouse Street.

At this venue there is two separate courses:

Upper Course:

For the advanced Canoe Slalom paddler, the Upper Course offers a constant white-water environment to hone their skills. This course is only recommended for those with a solid white-water roll.

Lower Course

For those first introductions to white-water where we want a nice open environment, we use a section below the Upper Course. Accessed from Waterhouse Street.

Bookable accommodation is available at the nearby Firmin lodge.

Mangahao National White Water Centre

355 Mangahao Road, Shannon 4474​​​​​​​

The site is classed as grade 3 white water and flows most days throughout the year. To check the current flow visit the flows page.

If you appreciate hot showers, toilet access, and the ability to paddle at night, then an access FOB is available.

More information available here

South Island Venues

Tekapo Whitewater Course

The Tekapo Whitewater course is a fun section of artificial drops, holes and waves designed for both slalom and play boaters. 

For information on releases check out the Tekapo Whitewater course Facebook page. Releases are frequent during the summer.

Camping is free at the course.

From Tekapo turn up Aorangi Cr and then take a left onto Andrew Don Dr. Follow the road from here as it turns into gravel, eventually you will find a sign indicating a right hand turn down to the white water course.